Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Do I have to be a member of Old St. Patrick’s to be married at Old St. Patrick’s?

This is not a requirement.

Requirements:

• An available date: Weddings are celebrated on Saturday only. The rehearsals are on the Friday evening preceding the wedding.

• At least one of the couple has to be a practicing Catholic, baptized and confirmed.

• A priest must be consulted before a date can be reserved if there has been (any previous marriage, civil or religious.)

• Attendance at a pre-marriage class (Pre-Cana, Discovery Weekend, etc) This can be arranged through the Family Ministry Office of the Archdiocese – 312-751-8201 or www.familyministries.org

• Marriage preparation with a priest

What do you mean by Marriage preparation?

Consultation with a priest: Completion of the Prenuptial Questionnaire, planning of the Liturgy and all aspects of the Ceremony. This is usually accomplished with two-three meetings. This is in addition to the required Archdiocese Pre-Cana course.

Baptismal and Confirmation certificates dated within six months of the. If baptism took place outside the continental USA, we also need an addressed/stamped envelope to the church of baptism for post-sacramental Documentation.

 

 

I live out of town, where do I go for my marriage preparation? Please work with your local parish for marriage preparation & Pre Cana. They will forward to the local Diocese, in turn, it will be sent to the Arch. of Chicago and then on to Old St. Patrick’s

Fees/Donation: The $600 Church donation made at the time of confirmation of the date secures your reservation. Please make checks payable to Old St. Patrick’s Church.

 

 

Priest Stipend: A stipend is given to the priest. Most couples give the priest $200.00. This stipend is given closer to the date of the Ceremony, at the last meeting with the officiating priest, or on the day of the Ceremony, and is made payable to the specific priest.

It is also customary to give the priest/deacon who is doing the marriage preparation a stipend. (if different then the officiating priest). The amount is at your discretion.

 

 

Music: Please direct all music questions to the Director of Music, Bill Fraher 312-831-9353. He assists you all the arrangements for your Liturgy Music. The average fee for the musicians is $175… however, this may vary with the particular musician/singer.

Please do not make any arrangements until you consult with the Music Department.

Is there a Bride’s (changing) Room? Yes, on the lower level directly underneath the church. The bridal party has access to the Bride’s room at 40 minutes preceding the wedding ceremony.

 

 

Where does the Groom & Groomsmen go before the ceremony?

The Groom and the Groomsmen (unless they are also ushers) are to wait in the dining room of the Rectory. Access to the Rectory is through the main doors of the Church (no earlier than 40 minutes before the ceremony).….proceed up the center aisle to the Altar….then enter the Rectory through the door directly behind the altar screen.

The officiating priest will meet with groom and groomsmen before the ceremony and will determine the proper time to go into the church to start the ceremony.

 

 

Is a strapless dress allowed? Yes, if it is tasteful

 

 

How many ushers do we need? We suggest one usher for every 50 Guests.

 

 

How long does each couple have use of the Church? Two hours in total – forty minutes the preceding the ceremony until twenty minutes after the hour following the ceremony (ex. 12:20 to 2:20 for the 1 PM Ceremony) We always have a full schedule, therefore, we must start on time. Late starts may result in shorter time allotment for photos after the ceremony.

Are Flowers allowed and where? Personal fresh flowers are welcome for the bride, attendants, groomsmen, family, the sign of peace and the Blessed Virgin. No fresh floral pieces are allowed on the altar. Fresh pieces are allowed at the base of the center or side stairs or in the back of church as you enter if flower stands or pedestals are provided by the florist. Flower girls may not drop or give away flowers. They may carry fresh flowers in baskets.

 

 

Do we have Altar Servers? We do not, however, you may invite servers with permission of your priest, but we do not have vestments for them.

Are bows on the Pews allowed? Bows may be placed on the aisle candles only. There are 12 – 6 ft tall aisle candles that may be rented from Old St Patrick’s for a $100 donation. The top is ivory and bottom is brass. They are placed down the center aisle – or down the side aisles ….every third pew.

• We strongly discourage the use of paper or cloth aisle runners for safety reasons.
• We have a white marble “aisle runner” integrated into the center aisle of the church.

Can we throw rice, have balloons, bubbles, doves, etc.?

None of those are allowed.

 

 

What can we do?

Small bells are sometimes given out to guests as they exit. Some couples hire bagpipers or a “trumpeteer” for an exit with “flourish”

Who is usually invited to the Rehearsal? Only those directly involved in the ceremony should be invited to the actual rehearsal in church; others can be directed to meet you at the Rehearsal dinner/party site:

Bride and Groom, Both sets of parents, step parents, etc. Grandparents (optional) Bridal Party: Attendants Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Gift Bearers: Children who are in the wedding party should be accompanied by a responsible adult

Vendor Questions:

Photographer & Videographer: Flash photography is not allowed

during the ceremony. We ask that photographers use the natural light,

be unobtrusive, respect the sacredness of the Mass and the Church and

refrain from entering the Sanctuary during the Mass/Ceremony.

The use of cell phone cameras are prohibited during the ceremony.

 

These topics and many more are detailed in the Old St. Patrick's wedding preparation booklet.   If you are working with a visiting priest we will mail the packet or you may pick it up at Old St. Pat's.                                             1/19/2005