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