Becoming engaged is a big step! All of us who work with you during the marriage preparation process are eager to help you during the coming months. We know that planning a wedding can be a very hectic time for you. It is also a time that you will learn a great deal about one another. You may be wondering where to begin. Before you check out possible dates and times for reception facilities, it is important to see if the church is available.
The bride and groom contact a Priest at 727-447-3494 at least six months in advance of the proposed date of the wedding. This minimal period of time is essential for processing, scheduling, and completing the various requirements of the preparation process.
•
A new copy of your Baptismal Certificate, dated within six months
prior to your wedding. A postcard form requesting this document
is available in the parish office.
• A pre-nuptial form (Form A) is to be filled out with the parish
priest.
• The testimony of two witnesses for each party, usually the parents
or other relatives, certifying your freedom to marry (Form B).
• If applicable, dispensations are obtained by the parish priest
from the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. If one of you has been
• A civil marriage license must be obtained from any County Court
House in the State of Florida. In order to alleviate a longer
waiting period and additional costs, a Certificate of Completion
stating that you have attended a premarital preparation course
may be presented when applying for a license. The priest can
provide this certificate.
• If a priest from outside St. Cecelia Parish is to witness for
the marriage, he must obtain written permission from the Pastor
of St. Cecelia Church before the ceremony.
• If you are registered parishioners at a church other than St.
Cecelia parish, you must obtain written permission from the
Pastor of your church before marriage at St. Cecelia Church.
The Diocese of St. Petersburg requires that the bride and groom attend the Engaged Encounter weekend, Pre Cana day, Evenings for the Engaged, or some similar preparatory instruction depending upon the specific program for the local parish. The preparing priest will advise the bride and groom as to which of these options is available. Registration forms with the dates of the Engaged Encounter weekend and Pre Cana are available in Larkin Center.
Before the date for the ceremony can be confirmed on the parish calendar, diocesan policy requires that the couple be administered the Pre-Marital Inventory, a marital attitude survey which indicates the readiness for marriage.
Friday
— afternoon or evening times are usually available.
Saturday — between 10:30
a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and at 7:00 in the evening.
St. Cecelia's Wedding Coordinators must be contacted at least one
month in advance regarding the wedding rehearsal and all details
of the ceremony, including flowers and delivery arrangements,
facilities where the wedding party can dress, etc. The
parish wedding coordinators' responsibilities include all events
taking place inside the church-- both on the day of the rehearsal
and the day of the wedding. Professional wedding consultants
or coordinators may assist the wedding party in Larkin
Center prior to the wedding.
Call the Wedding Coordinator: Sandy at 727-785-3764
The Director of Music & Organist must be contacted at least one month in advance regarding all arrangements for music.
E-mail the Music Director & Organist: musicdirector@stceceliachurch.org
or call the Church Office, 727-447-3494.
Prelude — The bells in the dome of the church (outside) will begin playing music approximately 15 minutes before the ceremony. Inside the church, the organist, pianist, or other musicians will begin playing prelude music approximately 15 minutes before your wedding. A vocal selection, "Ave Maria" (Franz Schubert) for example, may be sung just prior to the beginning of the Entrance Procession.
Entrance of Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and Attendants — Some popular suggestions for music are "Canon in D" (Johann Pachelbel), "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (J.S. Bach), "Prince of Denmark's March" (Jeremiah Clarke), "Bridal Chorus" from Lohengrin (Richard Wagner).
Responsorial Psalm — The cantor or organist will lead the singing of the Psalm after the First Reading from the Old Testament.
Gospel Acclamation — The cantor or organist will lead the singing of the acclamation before the Gospel Reading.
Unity Candle — If a "unity candle" is lit by the bride and groom (usually after the exchange of vows), the organist will play a brief interlude.
Preparation of the Gifts — if a nuptial Mass is celebrated, a hymn or vocal solo will be sung or the organist will play a brief interlude.
Ordinaries of the Mass — if a nuptial Mass is celebrated, the cantor will lead the singing of the "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Memorial Acclamation," Amen" and "Lamb of God." The Ordinaries of the Mass may be recited.
Communion — if a nuptial Mass is celebrated, the cantor will lead the singing of a hymn or sing a solo, or the organist will play instrumental music.
Recessional — A few popular suggestions include "Wedding March" (Felix Mendelssohn), "Allegro Maestoso" from Water Music Suite (George Frideric Handel) and "Trumpet Tune" (Henry Purcell).
Listen to wedding music recordings online at http://stceceliachurch.org/weddings/weddingmus2.htm
E-mail your musical choices by filling out the form at http://stceceliachurch.org/weddings/musicform.htm
Prelude . . . . . . . . . . "Ave Maria" (Schubert)
ENTRANCE RITES
Processional . . . . . . . . . . "Trumpet Voluntary" (Clarke) & "Bridal Chorus" (Wagner)
Sign of the Cross & Greeting
Opening Prayer
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Old Testament Reading . . . . . . . . . . Sirach 26: 1-4,13-16
Responsorial Psalm . . . . . . . . . . "Psalm 33"
New Testament Reading . . . . . . . . . . Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
Gospel Acclamation . . . . . . . . . . "Alleluia"
Gospel . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 5:13-16
Homily
CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE
Consent & Exchange of Vows
Blessing & Exchange of Rings
Lighting of the Unity Candle
General Intercessions
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST (* during a Nuptial Mass)
*Preparation of the Gifts
*Holy, Holy, Holy
*Memorial Acclamation
*Amen
The Lord's Prayer
The Nuptial Blessing
*Sign of Peace
*Lamb of God
*Communion . . . . . . . . . . "When Love Is Found" (Haas)
*Prayer after Communion
DISMISSAL RITES
Final Blessing
Dismissal
Recessional . . . . . . . . . . "Allegro" from Water Music Suite (Handel)
Postlude
Your check, made payable to St. Cecelia Church, should be given to the Wedding Coordinator at the time of the rehearsal. If for any reason you find the fees burdensome, you should mention this to the Priest; however, when compared to the other expenses of a wedding, such as flowers, limousine service, photographer's fees, tuxedo rental, etc., these church fees are minimal.
Wedding fees include— consultations with the Priest, Wedding Coordinators, Music Director and Church Receptionists— including personal meetings and telephone or e-mail queries; Pre-Marital Inventory (PMI) - a pre-marriage questionairre that deals with compatability and married life issues; the wedding rehearsal; the Bride's dressing room (1 hour prior to the Wedding); use of the Church for photographs (maximum of 30 minutes after the Ceremony).
$ 75.00 |
Priest |
Date of Wedding | |
$100.00 |
Organist |
________________________ | |
$ 50.00 |
Cantor / Singer |
Groom's Name | |
$ 60.00 |
Coordinator / Sacristan |
________________________ | |
$ 10.00 |
Altar Server |
Bride's Name | |
$ 25.00 |
Pre-Marital Inventory (PMI) |
________________________ | |
$ 5.00 |
Unity Candle |
Officiating Priest | |
$ 100.00 |
Church: Registered Parishioner |
________________________ | |
$ 500.00 |
Church: Non-registered Parishioner |
Wedding Coordinator | |
| ________________________ | |||
$__________ |
Total Fees |
Wedding rehearsals must begin on time! Please instruct your wedding party, family and friends to allow for ample traveling time.
At the wedding rehearsal, the civil marriage license and the church stipend (fees) should be given to the parish wedding coordinator.
If the wedding party is using the dressing room in Larkin Center, provisions must be made by yourselves to straighten it up and put all of your personal belongings and purses in your cars before the wedding begins. Nothing should be left in the dressing room during the wedding! The church cannot be held responsible for items left in the church or Larkin Center before, during or after the wedding.
The sanctuary in the church is always decorated appropriately for the liturgical season-- Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter. You may choose to simply allow the decor in the sanctuary to remain as is, and thereby save expenses, or you may add your own arrangements. Floral arrangements should complement the seasonal decor of the Church and not replace any decorations which are already in place. Either the preparing priest or the wedding coordinator will assist you regarding the traditional colors of the liturgical season. Flower arrangements for your wedding may be placed on the railings, attached to candelabra, or placed on stands in the sanctuary or on the steps. After the ceremony, your arrangements may be taken to your reception. It is a good idea to assign one of your attendants or groomsmen to do this for you.
Flash photography is not allowed during the ceremony because of the sacred nature of the occasion. The wedding party may have photographs taken in Church before the guests arrive. The wedding party also has use of the church for one-half hour after the ceremony for taking photographs.
Because of the very busy schedule of St. Cecelia Church, the wedding must begin on time. If the parents of the bride and groom will not be in the entrance procession, they should be seated five minutes before the scheduled wedding time.
Immediately after the ceremony, the two official witnesses (usually the Best Man and Maid of Honor) should come into the sacristy of the church to sign the marriage license with the priest who has witnessed the marriage. After recording the marriage, the parish will forward the license to the county Court House.
The Best Man or the Ushers should be responsible for checking the entrance area of the church to see that all boxes from the florist and any other materials have been cleaned up. It is also advised that the pews in church are checked to see if anything has been left after the wedding-- keys, cameras, etc.
"The love of God has gathered us together and given us Angels to guide us on our journey through life. They were with us since before we were born and will remain with us throughout eternity. They inspire us to do good, to love, to laugh, to nurture, to grow and to share our lives with others. They teach us to serve the Lord with gladness."
"May we pray often for the guidance and wisdom the Lord has to offer us. May the grace of Christ, our Savior, and the Father's boundless love, with the blessing of the Holy Spirit fill us with joy. May we live in union with each other and with the Lord."