Wedding Policies and Protocol
Congratulations on your engagement! Whether you celebrate your wedding day here in our cluster or elsewhere you have our prayers and best wishes. For your convenience the following is a list of policies for all weddings that are celebrated here at the Catholic Communities of L’Arbre Croche parishes.
Who May Celebrate their Wedding at a CCLC Parish?
Prior Marriage
If one or both parties were married previously and the spouse died, a death certificate is required. In case of divorce, a decree of nullity is needed before a wedding date can be set, and before any marriage preparation work can begin.
Setting the Date and Time
It is wise to set a wedding date one year in advance. This date should be set prior to arranging for a reception site. Wedding times are set between noon and 2pm on Saturdays or afternoon or evenings weekdays such as a Friday. No weddings will be permitted on Sundays or on Friday evenings when weddings are scheduled for that Saturday.
Choosing a Presider
The parish pastor or associate pastor will preside at all weddings of full or part-time parishioners. Some couples may want a priest friend or family member preside. That is possible with the pastor’s delegation. The guest priest must be able to produce proof that he is a priest in good standing within his own diocese. A word of caution: It is not easy getting a priest to witness a marriage in some other town. Priests are busy on weekends with their own responsibilities. You must be certain that your priest will be available.
Marriage Preparation Requirements
All couples are obligated to participate in a marriage preparation program. Those who live in another town will be expected to take their marriage prep in their own parish. This would include all paper work and any needed dispensations. You must notify Holy Childhood of Jesus parish where your marriage preparation will be taking place. That is, the name of the church, address, phone number and the name of the priest. When your marriage preparation is completed in another diocese, the paperwork must be sent to the couple’s diocese. That diocese will send the information to the Gaylord diocese who will then send it on to us. For this reason, do not delay in starting your marriage prep. All couples must be ready to produce baptismal and confirmation records.
Liturgy Planning
Early in your marriage preparation, you will receive some material that will help you plan the details of your wedding liturgy. If both parties are Catholic, a wedding is normally celebrated within Mass. If one party is not Catholic, a wedding is celebrated outside of Mass. All details of your wedding liturgy are subject to approval of the pastor. Please note the following:
Fees
Church: $150.00
Organist: $200-$500. If a different keyboardist is used, there is still a $75.00 bench fee.
Cantor: $150.00
All fees are to be paid the Parish Finance Office no later than two days prior to the wedding.
There is not an obligation to pay the priest who witnesses your wedding. If you wish to give him a personal gift it is your perogative and always appreciated.
The Marriage License
No wedding can take place without a marriage license. You must bring the marriage license to the parish office no later than two days prior to your wedding day. At the same time, the marriage fee for the parish may be brought in.
Music
The parish Director of Music, Erika Varnam, is here to serve you. It is your responsibility to make an appointment with her well in advance of your wedding date. Her office phone number is 231-622-3669, and her email address is erika@holychildhoodchurch.org. Only liturgical music is appropriate for a church wedding, and the music director has the final say on your musical selections. As Music Director, one of her roles is to play organ and/or piano for weddings. If you wish to have other musical instruments played by guest musicians, you may do so, with the Music Director's approval. Cantors and soloists are available through the parish.
The Rehearsal
The wedding rehearsal normally takes place in the late afternoon or early evening the day before the wedding. Keep in mind the ability of your wedding party to be present. Parents, lectors, ushers, wedding party, bride, and groom should all be present for the wedding rehearsal.
The Photographer
The photographer should be a professional. Only one person is allowed to take pictures at a wedding, your photographer and that person uses no flash during the ceremony. There are only 30 minutes after the wedding to take pictures so the receiving line is reserved for the reception. You may also have someone videotape the ceremony if you wish. All guests are requested not to use their cameras.
The Timing
A Wedding Mass lasts for approximately 60 minutes. The Rite of Marriage outside of Mass lasts approximately 45 minutes. . Be sure to appoint someone to do a walk-through of the church, St Anne room and St. Nicholas rooms to check for any personal articles let behind.
Questions
Please contact the parish office at (231) 526-2017 with any questions you may have.
Who May Celebrate their Wedding at a CCLC Parish?
- You or your parents must be an active and participating member of one of the CCLC parishes.
- You must be a practicing Catholic.
Prior Marriage
If one or both parties were married previously and the spouse died, a death certificate is required. In case of divorce, a decree of nullity is needed before a wedding date can be set, and before any marriage preparation work can begin.
Setting the Date and Time
It is wise to set a wedding date one year in advance. This date should be set prior to arranging for a reception site. Wedding times are set between noon and 2pm on Saturdays or afternoon or evenings weekdays such as a Friday. No weddings will be permitted on Sundays or on Friday evenings when weddings are scheduled for that Saturday.
Choosing a Presider
The parish pastor or associate pastor will preside at all weddings of full or part-time parishioners. Some couples may want a priest friend or family member preside. That is possible with the pastor’s delegation. The guest priest must be able to produce proof that he is a priest in good standing within his own diocese. A word of caution: It is not easy getting a priest to witness a marriage in some other town. Priests are busy on weekends with their own responsibilities. You must be certain that your priest will be available.
Marriage Preparation Requirements
All couples are obligated to participate in a marriage preparation program. Those who live in another town will be expected to take their marriage prep in their own parish. This would include all paper work and any needed dispensations. You must notify Holy Childhood of Jesus parish where your marriage preparation will be taking place. That is, the name of the church, address, phone number and the name of the priest. When your marriage preparation is completed in another diocese, the paperwork must be sent to the couple’s diocese. That diocese will send the information to the Gaylord diocese who will then send it on to us. For this reason, do not delay in starting your marriage prep. All couples must be ready to produce baptismal and confirmation records.
Liturgy Planning
Early in your marriage preparation, you will receive some material that will help you plan the details of your wedding liturgy. If both parties are Catholic, a wedding is normally celebrated within Mass. If one party is not Catholic, a wedding is celebrated outside of Mass. All details of your wedding liturgy are subject to approval of the pastor. Please note the following:
- You should choose a lector (or two). Your lector must be a practicing Catholic if you have a Mass. If you are celebrating your wedding outside of Mass, your lector must be at least a practicing Christian. Choose someone who has the ability to do public reading well.
- If you are celebrating your Wedding within Mass, the ministers of Holy Communion must be commissioned for the CCLC parishes.
- Your Lector would normally read the General Intercessions.
- Depending on the size of your wedding, you should have at least three Ushers. The Groomsmen can fulfill this role or at least help the Ushers.
- If you have flower girls, or ring bearers, they should be at least 4 years of age or mature enough to fulfill their role.
- No aisle runners and no throwing of flower petals on the floor.
- The Unity Candle is not part of the Catholic Ritual of Marriage.
- For maintenance and liability reasons, do not throw rice, birdseed, or anything else in or outside the church
- Flowers to Mary are optional.
- Mass Servers are optional.
- Flowers are optional. Please keep it simple, as the church is already very ornate. We will need to know who your florist is.
- Dress modestly and appropriately for a church wedding.
Fees
Church: $150.00
Organist: $200-$500. If a different keyboardist is used, there is still a $75.00 bench fee.
Cantor: $150.00
All fees are to be paid the Parish Finance Office no later than two days prior to the wedding.
There is not an obligation to pay the priest who witnesses your wedding. If you wish to give him a personal gift it is your perogative and always appreciated.
The Marriage License
No wedding can take place without a marriage license. You must bring the marriage license to the parish office no later than two days prior to your wedding day. At the same time, the marriage fee for the parish may be brought in.
Music
The parish Director of Music, Erika Varnam, is here to serve you. It is your responsibility to make an appointment with her well in advance of your wedding date. Her office phone number is 231-622-3669, and her email address is erika@holychildhoodchurch.org. Only liturgical music is appropriate for a church wedding, and the music director has the final say on your musical selections. As Music Director, one of her roles is to play organ and/or piano for weddings. If you wish to have other musical instruments played by guest musicians, you may do so, with the Music Director's approval. Cantors and soloists are available through the parish.
The Rehearsal
The wedding rehearsal normally takes place in the late afternoon or early evening the day before the wedding. Keep in mind the ability of your wedding party to be present. Parents, lectors, ushers, wedding party, bride, and groom should all be present for the wedding rehearsal.
The Photographer
The photographer should be a professional. Only one person is allowed to take pictures at a wedding, your photographer and that person uses no flash during the ceremony. There are only 30 minutes after the wedding to take pictures so the receiving line is reserved for the reception. You may also have someone videotape the ceremony if you wish. All guests are requested not to use their cameras.
The Timing
A Wedding Mass lasts for approximately 60 minutes. The Rite of Marriage outside of Mass lasts approximately 45 minutes. . Be sure to appoint someone to do a walk-through of the church, St Anne room and St. Nicholas rooms to check for any personal articles let behind.
Questions
Please contact the parish office at (231) 526-2017 with any questions you may have.