WEDDING PLANNING NORMS
By Father William Shannon, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
These norms are presented so that you may better plan your wedding at Immaculate Conception Church . It is important that the bride and groom understand these norms as they are ultimately responsible to communicate these norms to family members and/or wedding coordinators who might be assisting with wedding planning. The bride and groom cannot completely “turn-over” the wedding details to others, and should know all the details of what others propose to do at the wedding in our church.
The Sacrament of Matrimony is considered a “Sacrament of the living.” This means couples should be free of serious sin. It is strongly recommended that couples go to confession a week before their wedding.
WEDDING DETAILS
1. SCHEDULING
Weddings may be scheduled in our church Mondays through Saturdays. You may schedule a Saturday wedding at one of three times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. (There is more flexibility in scheduling a weekday wedding than scheduling a Saturday wedding. Please note: I do not schedule Friday weddings because that is the day our church is closed for cleaning and flower delivery/arranging.)
Weddings are not allowed on Sundays and during Holy Weeks. Weddings are also discouraged during the Season of Lent.
2. WEDDING REHEARSAL
Rehearsal times are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. the night before the wedding. Please note that I do not live on the church property.
3. FLOWERS
Our church is systematically decorated with flowers every Friday according to the particular liturgical season. Our usual flower decorations are very beautiful and are arranged by professional flower arrangers. Wedding parties are NOT to move or remove our flower decorations in the sanctuary of the church (the area around the altar).
If you want to add flowers, you may put floral displays on shorts stands on either side of the altar. Flower arches are not allowed in the church.
If a flower girl throws flower petals in church, a member of your family needs ensure that the petals are swept up immediately after the ceremony.
4. DECORATION OF THE CHURCH
The furniture, statues and other decorations in the sanctuary MAY NOT BE MOVED OR REMOVED FOR A WEDDING. The sanctuary of a church is considered a holy space and is not a stage that can be rearranged for a wedding. Also, aisle runners are not allowed in church.
5. MUSIC
ONLY APPROVED CHURCH MUSIC MAY BE PLAYED DURING A WEDDING MASS OR CEREMONY. Please save your selection of popular or show tune music for your reception.
If you have hired your own musicians, it is your responsibility to make your own arrangements to pay them.
If you are in need of a musician for your wedding, please contact our wedding music coordinator, Mary Lardizabal, at (808) 246-1809. She can help you select appropriate church music and may be available to play for your wedding.
6. PHOTOGRAPHY
Flash photography and video lights are discouraged during a wedding ceremony, however, may be used after the ceremony while taking group pictures. In general, you will be given about one hour for picture taking after your wedding. On Saturdays, all picture-taking must conclude by 4:00 p.m.
Please remember that PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER THE SANCTUARY OF THE CHURCH ONCE A WEDDING CEREMONY BEGINS. Photographers may DISCRETELY move around the church during the ceremony, however, they should not be setting up posed pictures of people in the congregation during the ceremony. Picture taking during the homily (preaching) is not allowed.
If the wedding photographer or videographer has any questions about what is allowed or not allowed during the wedding ceremony, he/she should talk to the priest or deacon BEFORE the wedding.
7. FEES
The usual fee for weddings in our church is $250 for parishioners and $300 for non-parishioners. Altar servers are usually given a money gift of $15 to $20.