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Our Lady of Lourdes parish congratulates you on your upcoming marriage and your decision to celebrate your wedding in our Church!
This is a special time for you as you prepare the many details of your wedding day. It is our hope as you move through your marriage preparation as an engaged couple that you grow closer together in Christ. Your first step of witness to the faith has brought you to celebrate your wedding in the Catholic Church. The Church clearly states that the bride and groom are the ministers of their marriage and should be actively involved in their marriage preparation and in their wedding day liturgy. The priests and deacons of the parish stand ready to help you in this preparation. This document contains helpful information about the policies for the marriage celebration as outlined by the Diocese of Raleigh and Our Lady of Lourdes parish.
I. THE CEREMONY
“And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.” – Hosea 2:19
The Roman Catholic Rite of Marriage offers the couple many options in preparing the ceremony. The booklet Together for Life provides you with the options for selecting your readings and prayers for the celebration.
Saturday weddings are the norm and are scheduled for 11:00am and 1:00pm. Weddings may be scheduled on any day of the week except Saturday evening and Sunday, provided there is a priest or deacon available. If a day other than Saturday is requested, approval of the pastor is required.
We offer 3 forms of celebrating matrimony:
- When both the bride and groom are Catholic, a wedding Mass is normative.
- For a Catholic marrying a baptized Christian a ceremony without Mass.
- For a Catholic marrying a Non-Christian a ceremony without Mass.
It is expected that the bride and the groom will choose the readers to proclaim the Old Testament and New Testament Scripture and Prayers of the Faithful. The priest or a deacon always proclaims the Gospel.
The Responsorial Psalm is usually sung by a cantor.
It is expected, when a Nuptial Mass is being celebrated, that the bride and groom will choose the gift bearers to carry the hosts and wine forward to the presiding priest.
Attire appropriate for the dignity of the celebration is required.
The bride and her attendants may wait in the front entrance or the parlor before the ceremony.
The furniture in the sanctuary and church may not be removed or obscured for any reason.
Nothing, (e.g. rice, birdseed, flower petals, confetti or any other objects) may be thrown in or outside the church (or Fallon Center should you choose to have your reception here!)
The Our Lady of Lourdes schedule requires that the ceremony begin on time. All people involved often have commitments for other weddings and events. It is also considerate to the guests you have invited at a specific time. You may have access to the church one hour before the wedding ceremony and one half hour afterwards (includes time for photographs).
Food and Drink are not allowed in the Church sanctuary, Bridal room, or Sacristy.
II. READINGS
Scripture readings for the wedding are selected from Together for Life by Joseph Champlin.
The bride and groom are encouraged to review the available readings separately, compare the selections that speak to each of them, and then prayerfully discern together which readings they would like to use for their wedding liturgy.
If further discussion or guidance is needed, the Sacrament of Marriage Coordinator can schedule a meeting with a priest or deacon to review the couple’s selections.
III. FLOWERS
Flowers placed in Our Lady of Lourdes for a wedding must remain for the weekend Masses.
The couple should provide the Sacrament of Marriage Coordinator with the name and contact information for their florist. The Wedding Coordinator will then communicate with the Flower Chairperson regarding the floral arrangements for the wedding.
IV. PHOTOGRAPHS
Photography and videography are permitted during the wedding liturgy provided they remain discreet and do not distract from the sacred celebration. Flash photography is not permitted during the liturgy. Photographers and videographers may not enter the sanctuary or move about the church in a manner that distracts from the ceremony.
During a Nuptial Mass, no photographs should be taken during the Eucharistic Prayer, from the beginning of the Preface through the Great Amen, including the Consecration. Photographers and videographers should remain stationary and reverent during Holy Communion.
V. THE WEDDING COMMITTEE
A member of our Wedding Committee will lead you during the rehearsal and during your wedding. If you have questions for the specific member of the committee who will be assisting you, please contact the wedding coordinator.
VI. MARRIAGE LICENSE
Please be sure to bring your marriage license to the parish office at least one week before your wedding. Your license can be obtained from any N.C. County Register of Deeds. Rules for obtaining a license can be obtained on their website. The license cannot be more than 60 days old and you CANNOT be married without one.
If “validating” your civil marriage in the Catholic Church, a copy of your Marriage Certificate is required.
VII. THE REHEARSAL
Rehearsal time is 4:00 PM on the Friday evening prior to your wedding day for both the 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM Saturday wedding times.
All participants in the wedding are to be at the rehearsal: Bride, Groom, Best Man, Maid of Honor, Attendants, Flower Girls, Ring Bears, Ushers, Old Testament Reader, New Testament Reader, Prayer of the Faithful Reader, Gift Presenters, Parents and Grandparents of the Bride and Groom.
The Our Lady of Lourdes schedule requires that the rehearsal begin and end on time. All people involved often have other commitments. Due to scheduling, rehearsals are limited to a half hour.
VIII. CHURCH PROPERTY
Please remind your attendants not to chew gum, or to bring any other form of food or drink, except that which is for infants.
IX. AFTER THE WEDDING
All paperwork requiring signature by the presiding priest or deacon and witnesses will be in the Sacristy in the bride and groom’s wedding folder. The bride and groom will take the Marriage Certificate (blue cover). All other documents: Notification of Marriage, Certificate of Marriage, and N.C. Vital records will be mailed off by Sacrament of Marriage Coordinator on the following business day.