The parish community of St. Vincent Ferrer is eager to assist you in your marriage preparation. We hope that what is outlined here will help you as you begin the marriage preparation process. We assume that you wish to get married at St. Vincent Ferrer. That is wonderful! If you are planning on getting married at another Catholic church, we will still be able to help you

Catholic weddings are religious events. In order to get married in a Catholic church, at least one of the parties must be Catholic. Mixed marriage couples (where one party is non-Catholic) may get married in the church of the non-Catholic party. This requires special permission, and we at ST. Vincent Ferrer can help you with this.

Please take the time to read thought these pages. We know that not all your questions will be answered, but we hope that the information contained here will help you as you begin reflecting on the lifelong commitment you are preparing to make.

God bless you, and congratulations!

Marriage Preparation

INITIAL CONTACT

Preparations for a wedding generally begin one year before the anticipated wedding date. The first step involves completing the Contact Form for Marriage (a link to it is on this website, or call the Parish Office). This form is sent to the pastor. Either he or one of the other priests will then contact you. It is important that you not reserve any date at a reception hall until the date at the church is confirmed. Keep in mind that your preferred wedding date and time might not be available!

After being contacted by one of the priests or deacons, you will set an appointment to meet and begin the preparation process. At some point, the Pre Nuptial Questionnaire (required for all weddings) and the FOCCUS Pre Marital Inventory will be completed. Also, all requirements will be discussed. This is the time to bring your initial questions and concerns!

If either the bride or groom has been previously married, or if either is not Catholic, there is additional paperwork and processes involved. Please let the priest or deacon know if there are any circumstances that may require additional steps.

DATES AND TIMES

Weddings are scheduled in person through the priest or deacon. Note: Weddings will not be scheduled over the phone. It is suggested that the rehearsal be scheduled at this time, as well, so as to avoid potential conflicts with other rehearsals and weddings.

Weddings at St. Vincent Ferrer are celebrated on Saturdays at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. They can also be scheduled on Fridays at 3:00pm Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays, Holy Days of Obligations, during Holy Week, or during times of regularly scheduled Parish Liturgies. Because of the nature of the seasons, weddings during Advent and Lent are discouraged.

Rehearsals must be arranged through the priest or deacon, and are generally Thursdays and Fridays at 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm.

All the scheduling is done through your priest or deacon at St. Vincent Ferrer.

ARCHDIOCESAN WORKSHOPS

Most couples are required to attend a PreCana Workshop or its equivalent, sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office of Family Ministries. A workshop description, schedules and online registration can be found at the Family Ministries website. The priest or deacon also has information. Couples are also encouraged to attend a Natural Family Planning or Christian Sexuality Class .

DOCUMENTS

Several documents must be provided:
►For Catholic parties only, a recent copy of your baptismal certificate. This is easily obtained by just calling the parish where you were baptized. They may charge a small fee for this. The date and place of Confirmation will also be obtained at this time, as it is noted on the baptismal certificate.

►For both the bride and groom, witness affidavits, or testimony from two adults as to the individual’s freedom and fitness for marriage. This testimony must be given in the presence of a priest or deacon and signed by them. The priest or deacon will provide the necessary forms.

► For non parishioners, a letter of permission from your pastor. This gives you permission to get married at St. Vincent Ferrer.

Seem overwhelming? Don’t worry; you don’t have to bring any of this to your initial meeting with the priest or deacon. During the initial meeting, the priest or deacon will go through all the requirements with you.

FOLLOW UP ON FOCCUS (short for: Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study)

Within a few months of the wedding the couple will be contacted by a couple who will meet with them to discuss the results of the FOCCUS inventory.

Wedding Planning

PLANNING THE WEDDING

This is done with the priest or deacon. You will receive a booklet entitled Together for Life that contains suggested readings and prayers. This is a valuable resource for the planning of the wedding liturgy. Please read it thoroughly. Your priest or deacon will be happy to guide you through the planning of the entire liturgy.

LITURGY PROGRAM

Programs are an option allowing people to intelligently follow and participate in the liturgy. Providing these programs are your responsibility, and samples are available. Your priest or deacon can assist you in putting this together. In addition, there are hymnals in the church to encourage participation by the assembly at your wedding.

WEDDING COORDINATOR

Within two months of your wedding day a Wedding Coordinator will be assigned to the wedding. She will contact the couple, and will assist you in finalizing the details of the wedding. The wedding coordinator will also help direct the wedding rehearsal.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

You must obtain a Marriage License from the Cook County Clerk, no earlier than 60 days before the wedding date. The state of Illinois requires a marriage license from the county in which you get married. The priest or deacon must have the marriage license on file before the wedding. Keep in mind that a marriage license in Cook County is good for 60 days.

WEDDING REHEARSAL

The wedding rehearsal is usually one or two nights before the wedding, and is scheduled through your priest or deacon at St. Vincent Ferrer. The wedding coordinator and priest or deacon will direct the rehearsal, which should last one hour. It is important to begin promptly at the scheduled time. Musicians need not be present at the wedding rehearsal.

CHILDREN IN THE WEDDING PARTY

Before inviting children to be in the wedding party (i.e. as a ring bearer or flower girl), please talk to the priest or deacon arranging your wedding.

Fees and Donations

Marriage Preparation and Wedding – parishioner*	$500
Marriage Preparation and Wedding – non-parishioner*	$750
Music**	$150
Cantor	$150
Wedding Coordinator	$100
Altar Servers (2 @ $20)	$40

*A partial payment of at least $250 is required to confirm the date, with the remainder due no later than 30 days prior to the wedding. These fees are non-refundable.

**Fees for additional musicians and singers discussed with the director of music.

VISITING CLERGY
The priests and deacons at St. Vincent Ferrer are certainly available to witness your wedding. Clergy from other parishes are more than welcome to witness weddings at St. Vincent Ferrer. Talk to the priest or deacon arranging your wedding about this.

MUSIC MINISTRY
All music is planned in consultation with the parish music director. All of the music will be played by parish musicians. A wedding music workshop will be presented several times a year in order to help you with your musical selections. You will be asked to fill out a wedding planning sheet with all your musical selections. All questions about music need to be directed to the music director.

FLORIST AND PHOTO/VIDEOGRAPHER

A helpful key to flowers and decorations is moderation is always the best choice. Because of liability, we cannot allow aisle runners of any material. Also, nothing is to be placed on the main altar. It is important to keep in mind that the church will probably already be decorated, based on the current liturgical season. Liturgical season décor is not to be changed for weddings. No tape is to be used on the pews, nor is rice, confetti, or birdseed to be thrown.

The best photographers are the most inconspicuous. Photographers should speak with the priest prior to the wedding day. We ask that no flashes be used, and that no photography or video equipment be placed in the space around the altar.

 Sample Album of More Wedding Photos