What documents will need to be provided in order to get married?
There are Church and civil requirements for documentation.
Church
Baptismal Certificates dated within six months of the wedding date
Certificate of Attendance from a formal qualified Marriage Preparation Program
Pre-Marital Affidavits (in some cases)
Civil
Certified copies of Birth Certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the City and State of your birth
Marriage License
You will be required to provide copies of your baptismal certificates with notations on back of the certificates of sacraments received. Certificates must be dated no more than six months from the date of the meeting. To obtain a recent copy of the certificates call, write, or visit the church where you received the sacraments for a copy.
If either the bride or groom is not a Roman Catholic, the non-Catholic party will need a
baptismal certificate or letter from the church of Baptism stating when and where the Baptism occurred. If certificates are unavailable from the non-Catholic, special provisions are made by presiding minister.
What are the different options with regards to marriage preparation conferences?
All couples are required to take a marriage preparation course prior to their wedding. Please consult the Diocese of Lafayette’s website at www.diolaf.org for information about options and for a schedule of upcoming Diocesan marriage preparation courses. The options generally include a one day class, a weekend encounter, or an online course. You must attend one of the courses as soon as possible and at least two months prior to your wedding.
How far in advance do I register for my marriage prep course?
Please register at least three months before your preferred conference date in order to guarantee a spot. Conferences fill up quickly and registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Are there rules about what day can be selected for the wedding?
Please be aware that there are certain days in the Church’s calendar when a wedding Mass cannot be celebrated. In this case, a wedding may take place using the Mass of the day with the inserted marriage ritual or a marriage ceremony may take place without a Mass.
Weddings, with or without a Mass, are scheduled on Friday at 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, or 7:00 pm and on Saturdays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. The Bishop’s policy is that Saturday evening weddings are to be with NO MASS and will be scheduled at 7:00pm. Weddings must begin promptly at the scheduled time. During Lent simple weddings only are allowed.
No wedding can be scheduled on the day before, or the day of, a major Church feast or holy day of obligation: January 1, Palm Sunday, Ascension Thursday, Assumption, All Saints, All Souls, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. In addition, no weddings will be scheduled on Ash Wednesday or during Holy Week.
What is the policy if an annulment of a prior marriage is needed?
If one or two of the parties wanting to be married is seeking an annulment, Diocesan policy
states that a wedding date cannot be set until the annulment has been granted.
How are rehearsals handled?
Rehearsals are usually scheduled one or two days before the wedding, depending on Sacred Heart’s Mass schedule. A maximum of one hour is allowed. The rehearsal must begin promptly at the scheduled time. If any member of the wedding party is not on time, the rehearsal will begin on time without him or her. Make sure to inform all members of the wedding party in advance to be there on time. Only the bridal party, the parents, the ushers, and the proclaimers, if applicable, should attend the rehearsal. Other guests attending the rehearsal event should go directly to that event location. If the marriage license has not already been provided to the Church office, the marriage license should be brought to the rehearsal.
Are there dress code requirements for the wedding?
The style of the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses should not be too revealing (low-plunging top or high slits in the skirt) so that the focus of the congregation can be where it should be, namely, the Sacrament of Marriage. Low cut, strapless/sleeveless dresses with bare shoulders are discouraged.
Will we be able to pick the readings for the wedding?
Liturgical norms must be followed as outlined in the Rite of Marriage and in the General Instructions of the Roman Missal. All readings are selected from the Rite of Marriage. A booklet will be provided by the Church office to help you select your readings. You will fill out a form with your selections of readings, readers, and musical selections.
What options are available regarding flowers and other decorations in the Church?
Flowers and decorations can add much to the beauty of the ceremony. The Church’s flower
arrangements may be used but existing seasonal or holiday décor may not be rearranged or altered. All decorations must be discussed during your visit to the Church office. The bride is to inform the florist of the policy regarding flowers and decorations. The flower arrangement(s) may be left in church for the weekend Masses if the couple wishes. No tape, nails, or tacks are to be used on the pews. There is to be no use of rice, birdseed, blowing bubbles, lighting sparklers, etc., either inside or outside of church.
We want to have photo memories of our wedding, so are photographers allowed in Church?
Pictures are nice remembrances of your wedding ceremony. There should be only one professional still photographer and one videographer. The sacredness of the sacrament must be maintained, and photography must not detract from the ceremony. The usual times to take pictures are:
update: 05/31/2020