| 1. |
Entrance into the Church
While it has been customary for the father of the bride to walk her
down the aisle, that no longer fits with a contemporary view of marriage.
Please consider other ways of doing the entrance procession. Some
people like to involve both mother and father, and also to involve
the groom and his family. |
| 2. |
Scripture Readings
You are encouraged to select the readings of the Scripture for your
service. This allows you to have a personal involvement in the ritual.
The readings are provided for you to make the selection process easier.
Choose one Old Testament reading and one New Testament reading. The
priest will usually choose the Gospel unless you have a definite
idea for a Gospel reading. You do not have to have two readings;
it is possible to have only one—either from the Old or New
Testaments. The priest will always read a Gospel passage. Please
choose readers and ask them to attend the rehearsal so that they
may practice in the church using the microphone system. |
| 3. |
Preparation of the Altar with the Bread
and Wine
If you plan on having a Nuptial Mass, please invite 2-3 people to
bring up the gifts in preparation for Communion. These can be family,
friends, godparents, etc... They should come to the rehearsal so
they can practice in the church. |
| 4. |
Candlelighting
You may use a unity candle if you would like but you need to purchase it and
to bring it with the holder. The church does not have one. However, from experience
we have found that the candlelighting is not a very appropriate service when
done at weddings in the good weather when it is so light out. It is also a
difficult ritual to do especially for the bride in her bridal gown. If you
are having a Nuptial Mass it is a bit much to add the candle ceremony. Our
Lady’s has the capability of creating a “candlelight effect” by
using the chandeliers and dimming system. This eliminates the need for any
other special candles. |
| 5. |
Holy Communion
At a wedding within a Mass, a Nuptial Mass, holy communion is given to all in
the church who request it. It is desirable to offer the chalice with the consecrated
wine to the people as well as to the bride and groom. If you have any friends
or relatives who are Eucharistic ministers, let us know and they can assist
at
the time of communion. |
| 6. |
Start on time
While many jokes are made about the bride arriving late, it is important
to try to start as close to the time as possible. There are often
several weddings or other services on the same day. If a wedding
is overly delayed it can cause problems for a lot of other people.
If the ceremony is overly delayed the priest/deacon may shorten the
ceremony by eliminating songs, etc. so as to speed it up. Please
do not put us in that position. Thanks. |
| 7. |
Bathroom Facilities
There are 4 fully equipped bathrooms off of Furlong Hall (lower church).
Also, there is a handicapped accessible bathroom off of St. Jean's
Hall. Simply take the elevator to level 1. |
| 8. |
Handicapped Access
Our Lady’s is accessible for the handicapped by an elevator.
There is special parking near the elevator door. |
| 9. |
Please do not throw anything outside
We ask that no confetti, rice, bird seed, etc. be thrown either inside
or outside of the church. This creates safety problems and custodial
nightmares. Thanks. |
| 10. |
Photography
We are happy to welcome your photographer. We ask that they use common sense
and not move about too much, but they are free to take pictures as they
see fit. They are welcome to speak to the priest/deacon before hand if
they have any questions. |
| 11. |
White runner
Because of the way the church has been restored, it is not possible to use
a white runner. It will not lay flat and becomes a safety hazard. At a
wedding recently, someone was hurt when they tripped over it. |
| 12. |
Limousines
Recently, stretch limousines and Hummers have become very popular.
We have found through experience, however, that these are too large
for our driveway. We've even had some stretch limousines and Hummers
get stuck between our driveway and the Washington Street entry to
the church. Please consider alternative modes of entering and leaving
the church. |
| 13. |
Flowers
Your florist should take a look at the church if he or she is not
familiar with it. Flowers arranged in large urns or on pillars on
either side of the altar seem to work the best. They need to be large
and arranged to be viewed on all sides - not the one-dimensional
arrangements which are placed against a wall. Perhaps all the weddings
on a given day could share the cost of the flowers. You are asked
to take the flowers with you when you leave the church, unless of
course you are sharing the flowers with the next wedding. If your
florist is bringing in anything extra, (trees, plants, etc.) please
let him or her know that it will need to picked up right after the
ceremony. When you can set up your flowers is dependent upon the
time of your wedding and other functions that may be taking place
on the church grounds. To set up flowers for your wedding liturgy,
please check to see what a convenient time would be for the parish.
Typically, 30-45 minutes before the ceremony is a good time to set
up your flowers. If you are being married on a Saturday at 5:30 please
set up your flowers no earlier than 5:00, since before that time
the 4:00 Mass will be in progress. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Also, please make sure all decorations, pew bows, etc. are taken
down immediately after the wedding. Because weekends in the church
are so very busy, we are asking everyone to leave the church just
as they found it so that the space can be ready for the next baptism,
wedding or parish mass. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
We ask that no flower petals, confetti, rice, or bird seed be thrown
either inside or outside of the church. |
| 14. |
Pews
There are 20 rows of pews total in the church: 9 rows in the front
section of the church (closest to the altar) and 10 rows in the back
section of the church. |
| 15. |
Aisle
The aisle is 60 feet in length. |
| 16. |
Wedding Coordinator
Sister Marian Batho will conduct your rehearsal and also be there
the day of the wedding to assist you. She will answer any last minute
questions and be available for help. |
| 17. |
Enjoy!
This is a great day for you and we promise to do all we can to make
it special. |
