St. Paul Parish - Lexington at 501 West Short Street, Lexington, KY 40507-1254 US - GUIDELINES FOR CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

We, the faith-community of Saint Paul Catholic Church are happy you have chosen our sacred space for the celebration of this wonderful Sacrament. We pray with you that your wedding day will be one of the most wonderful days of your life! We pray too, that the Church will always be a place of faith, celebration, encouragement and consolation. 

            Marriage, as you know, is a Sacrament—a sign, instituted by Christ to give grace. Thus, beginning with your wedding day your life together becomes the visible sign of God’s love for all God’s people. The vows taken in marriage call you, as a couple, to fidelity throughout life.

            As you prepare to publically express your love to one another in the Church, before God, your family and your friends we offer you the following guidelines:

·         Pray for the grace to grow daily in love and trust of one another.

·         Communicate with the Parish Wedding Coordinator

(Chrissy Huber at 245-7790 e-mail jandchuber76@peoplepc.com)

o   Arrange date and time for use of Church for rehearsal and ceremony

Saturday Weddings may take place at:

1:30 pm (12:00 to 3:00 for use of Church  or

6:30 pm (  5:00 to 8:00 for use of Church

o   Submit name and address of Priest or Deacon who will be presiding at your wedding ceremony

o   Receive information concerning rental fees for the church (see p. 4)

o   Negotiate the use of space other than the church if necessary

o   Inform the Coordinator of number of parking spaces needed for rehearsal and ceremony.

·         Contact the priest or deacon whom you have chosen to preside at your wedding concerning the date and time for your ceremony.  A Priest or Deacon from outside the parish must be in good standing with the Church and be responsible for the paper work and couple formation for the wedding. He is to submit this information to the parish secretary a month prior to the wedding date.

·         Take the FOCCUS preparation test as directed by the minister presiding at your ceremony. FOCCUS is an aid that will help you understand and communicate openly about important issues in your relationship: Life Style Expectations, Friends and Interests, Communication, Sexuality, and the Marriage Covenant.

·         Participate in an intense marriage preparation program as required by the Diocese of Lexington. This preparation is to take place immediately after procuring the date of your wedding. The priest/deacon presiding at your wedding will assist you with this.

·         Select the appropriate Rite for your ceremony:

-       When two Catholics marry, the Rite for Celebrating Marriage during Mass should be used.

-       When marriage is between a Catholic and a Baptized Non-Catholic, the recommended ceremony is The Marriage Outside Mass. (The minister of the non-Catholic spouse is welcome to take an active role in this ceremony)

-       When a Catholic and an non-baptized person marry, the recommended ceremony is Rite for Celebrating Marriage Between a Catholic and a Nonbaptized Person.

·         Communicate with Parish Wedding Coordinator

The Parish Wedding Coordinator will contact you and work with you regarding

-       Selection and placement of flowers, other decorations and the delivery of such. Artificial flowers are never to be used.

-       Arrangement of candles and other furniture. The altar is never moved 

-       Opening and closing of the church doors

-       Proper timing and taking of pictures before, during, and after ceremony (See p. 4)

-       Respectful use of Church space and property.

Important Things to Remember

o   The buildings of Saint Paul Parish are designated as smoke-free.

o   For the safety of all, throwing of rice, birdseed, etc. in or outside the church is prohibited

o   Chewing gum is not acceptable in the Church during the rehearsal or during the ceremony.  It is to be properly disposed of before entering the Church--not on Church steps.

o   Dressing Area is a limited space at side door near restroom.

o   Capacity of Church is approximately 450

LITURGY PLANNING AND MUSIC

The marriage ceremony consists of a statement of intention, declaration of consent (vows), blessing, and an exchange of rings. These Rites, together with the nuptial blessing, emphasize the sacredness of your nuptial ceremony. The bride and groom are the actual ministers of this Sacrament. The Priest/Deacon is an official witness for the Church.

Guidelines for the Service.

o   Select the Rite appropriate to your ceremony. The Priest or Deacon will give you a booklet containing the Rite that will help you in the selection of the planning. This booklet contains a suggested  order of the service, scripture readings, and other information necessary for planning the ceremony.

o   Music. The theme of unity is the hallmark of this ceremony. The music that you have chosen for your ceremony should support this theme. Musicians, other than those designated by the Music Director of St. Paul Parish must be approved by our director. Musicians who have been approved by the parish director and who are familiar with Saint Paul Church will assist you with selecting appropriate music.

The Parish Wedding Coordinator will give you a listing of musicians approved by the parish music director. 

·         Readers (Lectors). Select readers for the scripture who have experience in public speaking and the use of a microphone. They are to practice at the time of the rehearsal.

·         Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. If the Mass is being celebrated, it is best to select persons for this ministry who are trained and/or are familiar with the parish.

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RENTAL FEES:

·         The total rental fee for use of the church for a wedding is $650.00

• A $150.00 non-refundable deposit will be accepted after the minister (priest or deacon) confirms the wedding date. The additional $500.00 is to be paid two weeks prior to your wedding ceremony.
• These fees do NOT include the customary stole fee paid to the priest or deacon, or the fee for the musician/vocalist. They DO include the use of the church and the payment to the wedding coordinator.

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PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS:

Photographers/Videographers are welcome. Discretion is required and activities must be limited to areas where the photographer/videographer will not be distracting during the wedding ceremony.  In respect for the prayerfulness of the worship service, no flash photos are permitted from the time of your processional into the church to your recession out of the church. The Church is available to you for three hours, giving you ample time before our after the ceremony for taking pictures of the joyous occasion.

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Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within the church and on church property both at the time of the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony. The consumption or possession of alcohol by the bride, the groom, or those participating in the wedding party will result in an immediate cancelling of the wedding. No refunds.

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Please complete the Sacrament of Marriage Checklist and submit to the Priest/Deacon presiding at your ceremony at the time of your rehearsal.

The Priest and  Deacon, the Saint Paul Staff, and our entire  parish faith-community pray that this day will be the beginning of a life-long union filled with happiness and love.