WEDDING
POLICY
CONGRATULATIONS!
Weddings are a special time of joy and promise for a bride and groom,
their families and friends, and in an indirect way, for the entire parish
community. Indeed, our faith tells us that in the reception of matrimony,
where the bride and groom are themselves ministers of the sacrament,
it is a privileged and grace-filled time. It is a time which foreshadows
the great Marriage Feast of the Lord Jesus Christ to us His people in
the Resurrection and eternal life.
In
view of this religious significance and lifelong importance, it stands
to reason that the celebration of marriage must be entered into with
prayerful planning. Therefore, it is in a spirit of joyful anticipation
and responsible preparation that these directives have been developed
to guide and direct couples in solemnizing their marriages at St. Charles
Borromeo Parish.
WHO
MAY MARRY IN OUR PARISH
At least one member of the wedding couple must be a registered member
of St. Charles Parish for at least six months prior to the date of marriage.
The bride, groom or parents of either must maintain a domicile or quasi-domicile
within the boundaries of St. Charles for the couple to be married here.
GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE PREPARATION AT ST. CHARLES BORROMEO CHURCH
1. The prospective bride and groom must meet with Fr. Dennis (Pastor)
at least six (6) months prior to the contemplated date of marriage.
The date of the wedding is usually confirmed at this meeting. PLEASE
do not make any definite plans with a reception hall until your wedding
date is confirmed by the pastor.
2. At the next appointment, couples will be asked to fill out the Pre-Nuptial
Questionnaire. This includes biographical information as well as the
intended spouses' testimony, under oath, concerning their intentions
to enter into Christian Marriage according to the teaching of the Church.
At this same meeting the couple will be administered a FOCCUS (Facilitating
Open Couple Communication and Understanding Study) instrument.
3. At the next meeting the couple will meet with a trained couple to
discuss the results of the FOCCUS.
4. The couple must also attend an approved marriage prep program with
other couples and trained couple facilitators - either an "Engaged
Encounter Weekend" or the local deanery "Toward Marriage Program"
- application brochures will be made available.
5. The couple will meet with the Pastor to plan the wedding ceremony.
GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE PREPARATION OUTSIDE ST. CHARLES BORROMEO CHURCH
If, for convenience sake, you choose to be prepared by a priest outside
St. Charles Parish, a letter from the preparing priest must be sent
to the Pastor 4-6 weeks after the initial contact with the Pastor of
St. Charles Church. The letter from the preparing priest should state
that he will gather the necessary documents and conduct the necessary
marriage preparation as outlined in this policy.
DOCUMENTS
1. If the bride and/or groom have not been baptized in St. Charles Borromeo
Church, they must obtain from their churches of baptism a recent copy
(issued within six months of the time presented) of their Certificate
of Baptism.
2. In the case of a previous marriage on the part of either party, documents
must be presented that assure the freedom of one or both parties to
marry in the Catholic Church - i.e. Decree of Annulment.
3. A CIVIL MARRIAGE LICENSE (cost $45.00) must be obtained from any
City or Town Hall in the State of New Hampshire (licenses in the State
of NH are good for 90 days from the date of issuance) - no blood tests
are required in NH. The minister of marriage must have in his possession
a civil wedding license at the time of the wedding. Couples must make
the license available to the minister of marriage at the wedding rehearsal
(usually the night before the wedding). No marriage may legally take
place without a civil marriage license.
DATE,
TIME & PLACE
Weddings are reserved on a first come basis by making an appointment
with the Pastor. All marriages at St. Charles Borromeo will take place
INSIDE THE CHURCH. Weddings are celebrated on Friday afternoon or evening,
and Saturdays between 9 AM and 2 PM. In unusual circumstances, a Sunday
afternoon ceremony (no Mass is permitted other than Sunday Mass) may
be permitted. Please consult with Fr. Dennis.
When
one of the couple is of another religion or when the couple is non-practicing,
the marriage ceremony will be celebrated within a Service of the Word
of God (NO MASS). The teachings of the Church on Christian Worship recommend
that weddings not be celebrated during the Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday
to Easter Sunday) due to the special penitential character of that time
in the life of the Church.
WEDDING
MUSIC NOTES
After your first meeting with the priest and when your date has been
confirmed by the priest, it is your responsibility to immediately call
Mr. Kevin Chamberlain (366-2335), our Parish Music Director and organist
to reserve the time with him. It is the responsibility of the organist
and a trained parish cantor to play and sing at all weddings. If you
choose a relative or friend to sing or play for your wedding, all music
must be approved by the Director of Music and his fee is not waived.
The Director will also discuss the fee, which covers personnel (organist,
cantor) and all planning meetings, rehearsal and the wedding itself.
The Director can assist you if you wish to have a solo instrument (trumpet,
flute, violin, etc
). The music fee is to be paid no later than
the wedding rehearsal.
RECORDED (TAPED) MUSIC IS NEVER ALLOWED!
FLOWERS
It is very important that florists phone in arrangements about the delivery
of flowers. The Church is locked and the security system is armed and
the gate is shut when there is no one in the Church. Flowers or candles
may never be placed on the altar. Ordinarily, one or two baskets are
used to adorn the altar and/or the podium. No flower petals, rice, confetti
or bird seed may be thrown in or around the Church.
HANDICAP
ACCCESSIBILITY
St. Charles Church is completely accessible to the handicapped.
REST
ROOMS
Rest rooms are located in the narthex (entryway) of the Church for the
convenience of our guests.
OTHER
DECORATIONS
* At the directive of our Diocesan Risk Management Department, aisle
runners (white carpets) are not permitted in our Church.
* If pew bows are used, they should tied with ribbon or specially covered
wire (NO TAPE) that will not scratch or ruin the church furniture. For
your information, there are 15 pews on both sides of the center aisle.
It is the responsibility of the couple to see that their decorations
are properly in place for their wedding and taken down after the wedding.
VISITING
CLERGY
Visiting Catholic clergy who are family friends/relatives, in good standing
with the Catholic Church, are most welcomed to witness marriages in
the parish. It is expected that the visiting celebrant will adhere to
the regulations of the Diocese of Manchester and the policies and customs
of our parish. The celebrant MUST agree to be present for the wedding
rehearsal. Celebrants who reside out of the State of New Hampshire must
obtain permission from the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
REHEARSAL
The rehearsal is usually scheduled for the day before the wedding. It
normally takes 30 - 60 minutes. Please schedule rehearsal parties AFTER
the rehearsal. To waste no one's time, it is important that everyone
should be on time.
PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS
Photographers/Videographers are asked to introduce themselves to the
celebrant of the marriage prior to the wedding ceremony and are asked
to be cooperative with the policies of the parish. At no time is the
photographer/videographer permitted in the sanctuary area of the Church
to photograph or video couples during their ceremony. We urge couples
to take formal wedding pictures on another site - not in Church after
the ceremony.
MARRIAGE
FEES
The minimum fee requested for weddings at St. Charles Borromeo Church
is $250.00 which is payable at the rehearsal. Please make check payable
to: St. Charles Borromeo Church.
This
donation to the Church does not include a stipend for the priest/celebrant.
If you wish to give a stipend to the priest/celebrant, please make the
check payable to him personally.
THE
CHURCH AS A SACRED SPACE
While in the Church for the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony, all
wedding parties and their guests are expected to honor the dignity of
the sacred place that is a church building. Eating or drinking (except
water if necessary) is not permitted in Church.
Please
make sure that everything that is brought to Church is removed after
the ceremony,
i.e. programs, flower boxes, flowers, pew bows, etc. Thank you!
If
you have additional questions or concerns, please contact
Fr. Dennis at any time prior to the wedding ceremony at
(603) 279-4403.
It
is our privilege to be a part of your Wedding.
May God Bless and Keep You in His Love.
March 19, 2007