WEDDING PLANNING INITIAL INFO SHEET

WEDDING PLANNING INITIAL INFO SHEET

Today’s Date__________ Fee Category (A,B,C):___________ Deposit:_______

BRIDE __________________________________________________________

(last) (first) (middle)

ADDRESS________________________________________________________

____________________________________e-mail:__________________________

(city & zip code) (please use all CAP letters)

PHONE__________________________________________________________

(home) (work)

Please notify us of any address, email address, or phone number change during the preparation time period.

DATE OF REGISTRATION IN ST. MARY PARISH_____________________________

PARISH OF REGISTRATION IF NOT ST. MARY PARISH_______________________

(Non-parishioners and those registered less than 6 months cannot have their date confirmed tonight.)

RELIGION_____________________ DATE OF BIRTH____________________

SACRAMENTS (Y/N) Baptism___ Confirmation___ Eucharist___

HAVE YOU BEEN PREVIOUSLY MARRIED?:________________________________

GROOM_________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________________________

___________________________________e-mail:_____________________________

(city & zip code) (please use all CAP letters)

PHONE_______________________________________________________________

(home) (work)

Please notify us of any address or phone number change during the preparation time period.

DATE OF REGISTRATION IN ST. MARY PARISH__________________________

PARISH OF REGISTRATION IF NOT ST. MARY PARISH_______________________

(Non-parishioners and those registered less than 6 months cannot have their date confirmed tonight.)

RELIGION_____________________ DATE OF BIRTH____________________

SACRAMENTS (Y/N) Baptism___ Confirmation___ Eucharist___

HAVE YOU BEEN PREVIOUSLY MARRIED?:________________________________

Place: St. Mary’s or St. Leo’s

DATE REQUESTED______________________ TIME: 1:00p or 6:00pm or 6:30p

Are you planning:

qRite for Celebrating Marriage during Mass or

qRite for Celebrating Marriage outside Mass (Liturgy of the Word service)

GUIDELINES

for the

CELEBRATION

of the

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

ST. MARY’S & ST. LEO’S

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church St. Leo’s

German Village Merion Village

684 South Third Street 221 Hanford Street

Columbus, Ohio 43206 Columbus, Ohio 43206

Rev. Ted Thomas, Pastor

Mr. Roger Minner, Deacon

(614) 445-9668

ongratulations on your engagement and welcome to St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s. This historic Church dates back to 1868 and embodies the classic beauty of the early German wood craftsmen who settled in our area. The Church is beautiful not only in its visual impression, but also in its fine acoustics which give warmth and resonance to music.

These wedding guidelines will serve to inform you of our wedding policies and expectations. We will do whatever we can to help you celebrate your wedding joyfully and with the dignity it deserves. As you express your love for one another it is our hope and prayer that your wedding is one in which you, your families and guests come to know the love of God in a more profound way.

More than just preparing for a wedding, we hope to get you started in your preparation for a fulfilling and lifelong marriage. We look forward to working with you on this journey. If questions arise, or if these guidelines need further clarification, feel free to call Jason Shanks at (614) 445-9668, or email him at jasonshanks@stmarygv.com.

PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS

All persons planning to be married at St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s must complete the following requirements:

Marriage Information Night — Review of the guidelines

Mailing of Deposit and Information for Marriage Sheet — Enclosed in this

packet is an “Information for Marriage” sheet. Please fill it out and return it with

your deposit to St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s before meeting with the Pastor.

Baptismal Certificate--A Baptismal Certificate (please specify “With Notations”), certified and issued by the parish where the Catholic was baptized, and recently issued (6-12 months prior to the wedding), is required of all Catholic parties. Someone baptized in another Christian tradition needs to furnish a Baptismal Certificate, if possible, or a letter stating the place and date of the baptism and verifying that the person has indeed been baptized.

Marriage Preparation Retreat —This retreat is scheduled through the Diocese of Columbus. Go to http://www.colsdioc.org/Offices/MarriageandFamilyLifeOffice/MarriagePreparation.aspx or to http://stmarygv.com/sacramental/marriageindex.html and click on marriage retreat registration. Once you get to the page, on the far right is three options: pre-cana, engaged encounter, and remarriage preparation. Remarriage preparation is for couples that have been married before. I will need a copy of the certificate of completion after you attend for your file. Early attendance at a preparation retreat is encouraged.

Completion of a FOCCUS — This involves completing a survey and follow-up evaluation with a couple from the Marriage Team. FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) provides individualized couple feedback on where each partner stands in regard to topic areas important to marriage. The results of the inventory point to issues or areas that may need to be addressed. You can expect to be contacted by a Marriage Team couple no sooner than 6-8 months before your wedding, although it may be done earlier.

Pre-Nupital Interview(s)—meeting is to be scheduled with either Deacon Roger Minner in cases of non-Eucharistic masses, or Jason Shanks in cases of Eucharistic masses. These meetings might require us to meet with you both individually and together.

Completion of Natural Family Planning Class Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a term for methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of a woman’s menstrual cycle. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving nature of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife. As part of the marriage preparation process, all couples are required to attend an introductory presentation.

To register for classes please go to: http://stmarygv.com/sacramental/marriageindex.html under NFP Classes.

Reconciliation The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is highly recommended for all who share the Catholic faith as part of your spiritual preparation for marriage. Please consult the parish bulletin for celebration times. It will be available at the marriage retreat at 3:00pm.

Ceremony Planning — "Planning the Liturgy"

Ceremony planning is held the 3^rd Monday of every month at 6pm in the atrium (where marriage info night was held). At 7pm, there is a meeting to go over music requirements held in the church.

Completion of the Wedding Liturgy Planning Sheet following participation in the Ceremony Planning Session.

ELIGIBILITY AND FEE STRUCTURE

Who may marry in St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s

St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s will be available for weddings of members of St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s and for couples who are not members of St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s provided either the bride or the groom is a practicing Catholic and registered in a parish. If not members of St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s they would be required to get a letter of permission from their home parish. This is required before your date can be finalized. If either the bride or groom has ever been previously married, either in a church or civilly (courthouse, Justice of the Peace), a Church annulment of the previous marriage is necessary before re-marriage at St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s. If you are divorced and have not yet received an annulment, you cannot schedule a wedding until one has been granted. Please speak to the priest or deacon. A Church annulment is different than a court annulment granted through the state when a couple seeks divorce and must be procured through a process set forth by the Tribunal.

ST. MARY: At least one of the parties to be married must meet the following criteria:

q Established parishioner - a person who has been registered in the parish for at least one year prior to Marriage Information Night. The wedding date for an established parishioner can be confirmed at the Marriage Information Night. The total cost for your wedding is $700. A $100 non-refundable deposit is needed to reserve your wedding date.

· Children of long-time, “active” and “registered” parishioners are considered regular members for the purpose of marriage and may be married in the church at the established parishioner rate.

q Recently registered parishioner - a person who has been registered in the Parish at least 6 months but less than one year prior to Marriage Information Night. The wedding date for a recently registered parishioner can be confirmed at the Marriage Information Night. The total cost for your wedding is $1000. A $200 non-refundable deposit is needed to reserve your wedding date.

q Non-Registered or New Parishioner- a person belonging to a parish other than St. Mary's and who has no intention of becoming a member of St. Mary parish, OR for someone who has been a parishioner for less than 6 months prior to Marriage Information Night. This case must be granted an exception to our eligibility criteria. In this case, no wedding date can be confirmed at the Marriage Information Night. If the exception is granted, a letter from your priest to marry outside your parish, and a $400 non-refundable deposit is needed to reserve wedding date. The total cost for your wedding is $ 1300.

The fee includes: use of Church and bride’s dressing room, Church fee, stipend for priest/deacon, retreat, preparation resources, and a coordinator to be present the day of the wedding. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FEES FOR MUSIC.

St. Leo

Please see additional sheet at back of these guidelines.

All fees must be fully paid 30 days prior to wedding. The money you pay to reserve your wedding date is applied toward the overall total cost of your wedding. Your cancelled checks will serve as your receipts. St. Mary’s will see that the appropriate parties are paid. Please have an envelope marked altar servers and give to Jason Shanks at the wedding rehearsal on the day of the wedding.

For all wedding fee payments, please do the following:

· Make checks payable to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

· Mark the wedding name bride/groom and wedding date in the memo line (i.e., Jones/Smith Wedding 11/13/04).

· Mail all wedding fee payments (minus musicians and altar server) to: St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Attention: Wedding; 672 South Third Street; Columbus, OH 43206.

Music: Music is an important part of your marriage ceremony. Music guidelines are located at our website at: http://stmarygv.com/sacramental/marriageindex.html. Click on music guidelines.

· St. Mary: Please contact Amanda Walker through email at AWalker40@aol.com or by phone at 444-1919 . You have options of organ, piano, (both), flute, cello, trumpet, etc. You will meet with Amanda separately to go over the music guidelines. Fees for musicians are discussed through Amanda and payment for musicians is made through them.

· St. Leo: Please contact Pandora Porcase at 614.306.0342.

Pew Candles: St. Mary’s has 16 pew candelabras and are available for rent at a charge of $200.00. This includes the candelabras, the candles, and the globes. If used, these candles would require a bow or flower decoration to cover the clip that attaches onto the pew. This would need to be discussed with your florist.

Damage to Church Property. If, while at your rehearsal or wedding, any damage is done before or after to the church, the surrounding buildings, or any of the contents inside, you will be assessed the cost of any necessary repairs and/or replacements.

Food and Beverages are NOT allowed inside the church, but are allowed in changing areas provided alcohol is not included.

WEDDING AND CHURCH ACCESS TIMES

Saturdays – 1:00 p.m. (or before) or 6:00pm. or 6:30 p.m.

Due to the liturgical calendar and the parish schedule, some days are not available for weddings. Weddings are not celebrated on holiday weekends nor the eve of major holidays (i.e. New Year, Christmas). Weddings are not celebrated during the Lenten and Advent Season. Weddings are not offered on Fridays.

In addition, while not forbidden, it is preferable that weddings not occur on Sundays or major feast days, which have their own proper focus.

Access Times to the Church

1:00 p.m. Wedding - Access to the church from 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

All wedding-related people and their equipment and/or belongings must be out of the church by 2:45 p.m. St. Mary Church holds pre-Mass confessions at 3:00 p.m. every Saturday. This is a matter of importance to us, and we ask your full cooperation. Be sure your photographer notes this deadline which is also specified in his guidelines.

6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Wedding - Access to the church from 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Arrangements can me made to get ready at the church starting at 3:00 p.m. while confessions and Saturday vigil Mass are going on.

REHEARSAL

The usual time allotted is one hour, but if begun on time, rehearsal normally takes about 45 minutes. Recommended rehearsal times are 6:00pm, 6:30pm, or 7:00pm the night before the wedding. If there are two weddings on one particular day, the early wedding will have the earlier rehearsal time. So, a 1:00pm Saturday wedding would have a rehearsal at 6pm while the Saturday evening wedding would have a rehearsal at 7pm. All those participating in any capacity in the wedding should be in attendance. Copies of the scriptures and petitions will be given to the couple at the rehearsal. Please remember that the rehearsal is held in a church. Proper decorum and respect should be used at all times of the rehearsal.

A civil marriage license should be given to the wedding coordinator, priest, or deacon at the time of the rehearsal along with a copy of the program(s).

WEDDING DAY PREPARATION

Dressing Room

St. Mary’s: A dressing room for the bride and attendants is located on the first floor of the Burkley Center, offering privacy during preparations. The dressing area should be left in the condition in which it was found. This room must be cleared of trash and personal belongings before living the premises. All groomsmen and the groom should arrive dressed and ready to go as there is no changing room available for them. Alcohol is prohibited on premises.

St. Leo’s: The bride may make use of the rectory next to St. Leo’s. $150.00 is required to secure the use of this building. This money is returned back to the couple after the wedding provided there was no damage and it was cleaned.

Dress Code

St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s has no specific dress code. Ladies may wear strapless gowns if they are appropriately stylish; shawls are not required.

Handicap Accessibility

St. Mary: Those who have difficulty with stairs can use the Burkley Center door (immediately to the left of the Church, half circle drive), and take the elevator to the first floor. From the elevator, there is a ramp giving them access to the Church.

St. Leo: Handicap Accessible ramp is located on the side of St. Leo. It can be accessed off of the main parking lot.

Valuables and Other Personal Belongings

St. Mary/St. Leo Church will not be responsible for personal belongings before, during or after the wedding anywhere on church property.

Parking

St. Mary: Your wedding party and guests should be alerted that St. Mary Church has only limited parking available. Church parking is limited to the lot immediately behind the church, but not east of the iron fence. The lot beyond the iron fence belongs to the adjacent commercial building, and church-goers’ cars are liable to be towed from this lot. Wedding guests should be discouraged from parking in the “bank building lot.” Access to the church lot is allowed from Mohawk Street through the prohibited lot, or via the alley from Frankfort Street. Handicap parking is available in front of the Berkley building and Church. An elevator is easily accessible off of Third street for handicap or elderly guests. On street parking is available and special arrangements can be made by bride/groom with the Golden Age Hobby Shop if additional parking space is needed.

St. Leo: Parking is available behind the Church. It can be accessed off of Hanford Ave. Parking is also available on the street.

ST. MARY MARRIAGE TEAM

The St. Mary Marriage Team consists of Fr. Thomas and a number of lay couples led by Jason Shanks, Coordinator of Pastoral Ministries, who are knowledgeable in St. Mary marriage preparation methods and who represent a wide variety of marital experiences. These couples conduct the FOCCUS inventory, and present at the retreat.

Fr. Ted Thomas, Pastor 445-9668 fatherthomas@stmarygv.com

Deacon Roger Minner 444-1265 rjminner@sbcglobal.net

Jason & Melissa Shanks 445-9668 jasonshanks@stmarygv.com

Richard and Karen Finn 491-7737 rfdigger@aol.com

Phil & JoAnn Hall 451-8863 avhalls@columbus.rr.com

Chris and Rachel Bartony 372-1345 Rachel Bartony

Leslie & Jamie Weilbacher 443-4377 leslie_weilbacher@hotmail.com

CEREMONY CONSIDERATIONS

Liturgy of the Word (non-Eucharistic) or Nuptial Mass (Eucharistic Liturgy).

If a couple is to be married only with the Liturgy of the Word, a deacon will usually preside over the ceremony. If a couple is to be married with a Eucharistic Liturgy, the priest will preside over the ceremony. If couples are both Catholic a Nuptial Mass is the norm.

In the case of cohabitation, couples are encouraged to celebrate their marriage within a Liturgy of the Word and not in the context of a Mass. To receive the Sacrament of Eucharist one needs to be in a state of grace. It is also important to not create public scandal, and to have a wedding within in Mass while ignoring Church teachings in matters of sex and morality would create just that. Further clarification can be obtained through reading the resources provided to you and upon meeting with Father Thomas, Deacon Minner and/or Jason Shanks.

In the Diocese of Columbus, a wedding in which one party is not baptized may not be celebrated within a Eucharistic Liturgy.

Unity Candle

The Unity Candle and other secular unification ceremonies such as the rose ceremony are not found in The Catholic Rite of Marriage. Therefore, we do not allow the inclusion of these ceremonies in our parish.

Entrance Procession and Dismissal

The Rite of Marriage emphasizes the equality of both husband and wife, created in the image of God and called to be co-creators with Him. Couples are asked to respect this equality by incorporating the parents of both husband and wife.

The order of procession at St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s is: priest, parents of groom with groom, mother of bride and escort, couples in wedding party, best man with maid/matron of honor, ring bearer(s) and flower girl(s) if desired, and finally bride with parents (an alternate would be the bride escorted by father and the mother of bride escorted in procession or the bride and groom walking in together).

The Dismissal is done in keeping with proper liturgical form. The priest dismisses the congregation; the couple cannot dismiss by pews, nor have a receiving line in the back of the church. The receiving line is appropriately formed at the place of the reception.

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers are allowed. Consideration needs to be given to their age, will they go down the aisle, where they will sit, and if they will stand with the wedding party during the vows. The Best Man will carry the actual rings and the ring bearer is to carry costume jewelry.

Programs

Many couples are choosing to have a program. To help you in putting together your wedding program please go to www.catholicbrides.com. More information will be discussed at ceremony planning night.

SAINT MARY CHURCH, GERMAN VILLAGE

684 South Third St.

Columbus, Ohio 43206

Phone: (614) 445-9668

GUIDELINES FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY

We welcome photographers at weddings, both for still photographs and video recordings. However, the following rules MUST be observed.

1. Our basic guidelines respect the principle that the Rite of Marriage is the celebration of a Sacrament and therefore is public worship and a sacred ceremony. For this reason, photography/videography should not in any way be a distraction during the ceremony. Especially, no flash photography is permitted during the ceremony, but is allowed during the procession and recession.

2. Once the liturgy has begun, the photographer/videographer is not to be in the sanctuary area (the carpeted area elevated by the three steps from the church floor area) or visible in the front of the church. Photographs/videos may be taken throughout the ceremony from the back of the Church (behind the last guests), from the sides of the Church (not too close to the sanctuary, and from the choir loft). The choir loft offers an excellent vantage point for recording the entire liturgy. It is important that the photographer/videographer be as unobtrusive as possible during the wedding ceremony and Mass.

3. Photographers who use the choir lost are instructed NOT to move anything on the organ, around the organ, or the organ bench.

4. Please store all equipment out of sight.

5. Photographs may be taken in the church and in the sanctuary prior to and following the service according to the following schedule;

· 1:00 p.m. weddings have access to the church at 10:00 a.m. All persons and equipment must be out of the church no later than 2:45 p.m. St. Mary Church holds pre-mass confessions at 3:00 p.m. every Saturday. This is a matter of importance to us, and we ask your full cooperation.

· 6:00 p.m./6:30 p.m. weddings have access to the church at 5:00 p.m. All persons and equipment must be out of the church no later than 8:15 p.m.

Additional photos may be taken on the grounds. Check with the church office concerning other events that may be going on simultaneously.

Due to the unique lighting in the church it is advisable that your photographer take a few test shots before the wedding if he/she has not previously photographed in St. Mary’s/St. Leo’s.

SAINT MARY/SAINT LEO

684 South Third St.

Columbus, Ohio 43206

Phone: (614) 445-9668

GUIDELINES FOR FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS

It is the responsibility of each couple to make these rules available to their chosen florist.

1. Flower arrangements may be placed in front of or next to the altar, but NOT on top of the altar.

2. Flower arrangements may be placed on St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s side altars. Two arrangements of considerable size and of like kind are appropriate. Put one on each altar if desired.

3. At St. Mary’s, the backdrop to the sanctuary is oak and dark in color, white or light colored flowers make the best appearance. Dark colored flowers tend to blend into the background when you are seated in the church.

4. Aisle runners are not permitted. Aisle cloths pose a slippery hazard to the bride and are not allowed at St. Mary/St. Leo.

5. Pew decorations such as bows, sprays, or candelabras are permitted when attached to the pews appropriately. They may be attached with ribbon, tulle, or pew hangers found at most craft stores. Tape or anything sticky may not be used and tacks are not permitted.

6. Wreaths and garnish may be used on the outer door and hand rails.

7. Celebratory items that may be used outside the church when the bride and groom exit are: flower petals, bubbles and bells. Bubbles are preferred. Birdseed and flower petals make it hazardous for some elderly parishioners to enter the Church for Mass. Birdseed and flower petals is prohibited. In the event of inclement weather, celebratory items that may be used inside the church when the bride and groom exit are bells.

8. Access to the church is as follows:

1. 10:00 a.m. for a 1:00 p.m. wedding

2. 5:00 p.m. for an evening wedding

9. Flower delivery: The bride and bridesmaids will be changing on the first floor of the Burkley Center (building to the left of the Church). You can take their flowers to them there. The corsages for the men, lectors, parents, etc. can be placed in the back of the church.

10. Any floral arrangements placed in St. Mary’s or St. Leo’s are permitted to be removed from the church after the ceremony. Example: an altar arrangement could be used as a buffet center piece.

11. Florists must pick up any vases, stands, or materials they want to keep immediately after the wedding. These items and items that you rent are the sole responsibility of the couple. If florist is unable to come back, assign a someone to remove them for you. St. Mary’s is not responsible for the cost or care of these items.

12. Candelabras on the pews is NOT permitted at St. Leo’s. St. Mary’s permits only their aisle candelabras.

TIMELINE FOR PREPARATION

q Before the next Marriage Turn in Info Sheet & deposit

Information Night

q As soon as possible Secure services of parish musician

q As soon as possible Request baptismal certificate with

notations

q Before Attending Retreat Complete FOCCUS

(A couple should call you)

q As soon as possible Attend Marriage Preparation Retreat

q 3 months from wedding Attend Ceremony Planning Session

q 3 Months prior Attend Music Planning Session

q 2 Months prior Submit Baptismal Certificates

q 1 Month prior Return liturgy planning sheet

q 1 Month prior Pay balance of fee

q 1 Week prior Confirm with Church that everything is in order.

Documents:

_____ Recent Copy of Baptism Certificate (Catholic parties only)

_____ Copy of original baptism certificate (baptized non-Catholics)

_____ Marriage Info Form and Contract

_____ Ohio Marriage License

_____ Letter of permission from parish priest (if applicable)

To Do:

_____ Submit all required documentation

_____ Discuss flower and decoration guidelines with florist

_____ Give guidelines sheet to photographer

_____ Turn in marriage license to wedding coordinator at rehearsal

_____ Pay balance

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES, AND ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE SENT TO:

ST. MARY CHURCH

ATTENTION: WEDDING PREPARATION

672 S. 3rd ST.

COLUMBUS, OHIO 43206