Preparation 
The FOCCUS pre-marital inventory will be administered at the first meeting with the pastoral minister. FOCCUS is a tool of self knowledge and is used to determine a couple’s strengths as well as areas that need further discussion prior to the wedding. The results of this questionnaire will then be reviewed and discussed with you at a later meeting with the sponsor couple and/or the priest.
You will be assigned to a marriage sponsor couple after we receive your results from the FOCCUS. The marriage sponsor couple is a married couple who assist an engaged couple in the exploration of marital issues prior to the wedding ceremony. This couple will discuss the results of the FOCCUS and guide you through any questions you may have about the results. The sponsor couple will meet 4 or 5 times with the engaged couple prior to the wedding for educational sessions that deal with communication, conflict resolution, forgiveness and healing, finances, in-laws, sexuality, and children. The engaged couple will also meet with the priest for a minimum of 2 sessions to discuss the theology and church teachings of marriage as sacrament and to assist with the planning of the ceremony.
Saint Patrick Catholic Church uses a marriage program called Unitas. It is a sacramental formation program for marriage that uses:
Faith formation- an essential for the journey toward sacramental marriage.
Information – to help couples succeed in marriage today.
Opportunities – for building connections with our faith community.
In the Unitas program, engaged couples experience marriage through the witness of marriage formation leaders and other members of the community. Married couples serve as leaders and mentors for the engaged, and the entire faith community supports the engaged couples at liturgies and through prayers.
Previous Marriages / Special Situations 
It may happen that one or both of the parties to be married have been married before. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the validity of all marriages unless it can be proven that there were essential elements lacking in the previous marriage which would make it possible for the Church to declare that the previous bond is null. This applies to previous marriages of both Catholics and non-Catholics. No formal wedding preparations can be made until the previous marriage(s) are declared null by the Church.
If a previous marriage was terminated by the death of a spouse, the death certificate will have to be included among the documents requested as part of the preparation of your marriage.
Season, Day and Time of Ceremony 
The sacrament of Marriage may be celebrated at the following times: Friday evening, beginning time no later than 7:00 pm. Saturdays, beginning time from 10:00 am until 1:30 pm. The wedding party must be out of the church by 3:30 pm. Due to the 5:30 pm liturgy, there are no weddings on Saturday evening.
The choice of time and date are subject to the liturgical year of the Church and the parish’s calendar. Since the seasons of Advent and Lent focus so strongly on preparation and penance; weddings will not ordinarily be celebrated during these seasons.
There are many activities and celebrations that take place on the Church grounds; therefore the rehearsal and wedding are scheduled for a set time. Please stress with all members of the wedding celebration that they make sure they are on time for each scheduled event.
Other Customs 
Some couples request additions to the marriage rite such as the “unity candle;” giving gifts/flowers to their parents, using multiple rings, etc. These customs are not part of the marriage rite and would be better fitted at the rehearsal dinner or at the reception following the marriage ceremony.
Our Church is a universal church and because of this, we are very aware that some customs have cultural origins deeply rooted in religious belief. Some customs are part of a cultural tradition and may be included in the ceremony such as a lasso or arras. Only liturgical customs and traditions are allowed during the ceremony.
Flowers and Decorations 
Decorations and flower arrangements for the wedding should be simple and never distracting or obtrusive. Decorations are meant to enhance our prayer not call us away from it. The focus should be on the ritual prayer. Nothing should detract from the altar as the appropriate center of our attention. Therefore, no candelabras or any other candles besides the liturgical candles may be used. The unity candle is not allowed at Saint Patrick Church.
When making arrangements for flowers, it would be helpful to use a florist familiar with our Church facility and guidelines. The florist must take all their boxes and trash with them, it can not be left in the Church. Flowers and plants are to remain in the church for the weekend Masses. Rental plants may be removed on Monday or the next business day. Artificial flowers or plants are not permitted.
Delivery/decorating must be done according to the Church’s calendar. Please contact the parish administrative assistant to set an appropriate time.
Small arrangements of flowers or bows may be used to mark reserved pews. Please do not attach materials to the furnishings in the church. Tacks, tape, nails, etc. ruin the finish as well as the furnishings themselves.
Photographers 
It must be remembered that this is a time of prayer and great reverence should be observed. Realizing that some couples may want to record this celebration we ask that photographers/ videographers not disrupt or interfere with the active and prayerful participation of those gathered. This means that they are NOT permitted to wander around during liturgy. During the ceremony no photographer may enter the sanctuary area. We further request that NO additional lighting be used during the celebration – that is flash, bright photographer’s lamps, etc. These are sources of great distraction and cause the attention to be taken away from the purpose of our gathering.
Locations and Space Reservations
Once the date has been set, it is to be understood that the reservation is for the church only. Saint Patrick Catholic Church does not have dressing rooms, please make other arrangements.
Fees 
For the Church building, there is no fee for actively participating Saint Patrick Church parishioners. For others there is a $200 charge which covers the cost of maintenance and utilities. This fee is a reimbursement to the parish, not the clergy.
To reserve parish facilities for the rehearsal dinner or reception, please contact the parish administrative assistant. This should be done when reserving the church for your ceremony. There are insurance liability issues that must be met and fees paid for facility use. All fees must be paid in full no later than one month prior to the wedding.
Music 
Music is an integral part of the liturgical celebration. Various aspects of our liturgy are meant to be sung. Music for all weddings, both within or outside of Mass, is to follow the liturgical norms for Catholic Liturgy and must enable the “active” participation of all in attendance. Once a date and time has been scheduled please contact the Director of Music Ministry for help in choosing liturgical pieces for your ceremony. The music department will discuss the fees for your ceremony. All fees must be paid one month prior to the wedding ceremony.
Couples may wish to print a participation aid to help facilitate the active participation of the congregation. A participation aid is not a script, but an instrument to help people follow the liturgy and join in it. The program booklet would include: an outline of the service, words and music to those parts which the assemble is expected to sing or say, directions and explanations of unfamiliar items, and an attractive appearance which contributes to the beauty of the prayer. The booklet would not include the text of prayers and scriptural readings which the ministers alone will say, and whatever may be distracting or unnecessary. It is also a nice keepsake for couples and their guests.
Cancellation of the wedding
It is the couples’ responsibility to contact all involved in marriage preparation, i.e. Priest or Deacon, Parish Administrative Assistant, Music Minister, Marriage Sponsor Couple, Family Life Minister, etc., if the wedding is canceled or postponed.
Related Policies
Rehearsals must be scheduled on the parish facility calendar, normally on the evening before the ceremony. It is important that the rehearsal begins on time and that all those involved in the wedding be present for rehearsal. There will be 60 minutes allotted for the rehearsal time. The rehearsal is conducted by the wedding sacristan. An outside wedding director or coordinator may be used for other aspects of the wedding, but during the rehearsal and service he/she will turn responsibility over to the wedding sacristan at Saint Patrick.
Saint Patrick Catholic Church will not be responsible or liable for the personal effects of those attending rehearsals or the wedding ceremony or, if applicable, the reception.
Due to legal liability and environmental consideration, the following items are prohibited from use before, during or after the wedding: rice, grass seed, flower petals, bubbles, helium balloons, aisle runners or the like are not permitted to be used anywhere on the property. There will be a $200 penalty for any infraction to the policies.
Alcohol is not to be brought to the Church or consumed immediately prior to the wedding ceremony. THE WEDDING WILL BE CANCELED IF ALCOHOL HAS BEEN USED!
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