St. Francis of Assisi Parish Wedding Policies

Dear Bride/Groom to Be,

Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi! We are happy to do all that we can to help you to prepare yourself for the Sacrament of Marriage. Marriage is a most serious and sacred commitment. We at St. Francis are delighted you have chosen to bring your commitment before God and God’s people by having a Church wedding. We wish to help you prepare not only for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage but also for a permanent, happy and faith filled married life.

Our marriage policy is intended to offer an overview and to clarify any questions you might have concerning the Sacrament of Marriage and how it is celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Please take time to review this policy. After you have reviewed it, return the form with the necessary deposit and signed compliance form. After we have received your form and deposit, we will confirm the date and time of your wedding and an acceptance letter will be sent out to the bride/groom. ( Wedding Registration Form (PDF) )

A STATEMENT OF POLICIES FOR WEDDINGS AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH

The proper place for marriage of St. Francis of Assisi Parishioners is St. Francis of Assisi Church; therefore, our first preference must be for our parishioners.

RESERVATION OF THE CHURCH

  1. To receive a Marriage Package, contact the Parish Office. Times for weddings: Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.
  2. After reading the policy, complete the reservation form and submit it to the office along with the necessary deposit. Once the application and fees have been received and approved by the Pastor, and the date is confirmed, a letter of acceptance will be sent out to the bride.
  3. Wedding rehearsals will be either the Wednesday or Thursday before the wedding. THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS!!! The times for rehearsals are 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Rehearsals shall be no more than one hour.
  4. You must have the name and address of the officiating priest when the reservation is made.
  5. All documents related to the wedding must be sent to the Parish Secretary no later than one week before the wedding.
  6. It is the Bride’s responsibility to contact the assigned priest and schedule a meeting to do the Focus Test. The priest performing the wedding is responsible for completing the pre-nuptial questionnaire and is to follow Archdiocese Marriage guidelines for wedding preparation.
  7. Each couple is required to attend a Marriage Preparation Program approved by the Archdiocese. Information about such programs can be obtained from the Archdiocesan Family Life Office (861-6243 or FAX 866-2906).
  8. The Music Director and Organist, Marcus St. Julien, will work with the couples on music selections and any matters concerning music for the wedding. All music/vocal arrangements are to be cleared with the Music Director. If the Music Director/Organist is not available, he will find a suitable replacement to play the organ. Mr. St. Julien’s fee is not included in St. Francis Church’s wedding fees. For musical arrangements and fees, please call the parish office at (504) 891-4479. Mr. St. Julien does not attend wedding rehearsals. He will discuss his fee and the time and manner of payment when you contact him.
  9. Arrangements for flowers are at the couple’s expense. A copy of the policy for flowers and florists is attached. It is the bride’s obligation to show the policy to the florist and advise them that a compliance fee has been paid.
  10. Video cameras and/or a still photographer may be used at the discretion of the priest performing the wedding, and he should be consulted about what is acceptable to him.
  11. The offering to the Church for parishioners, i.e., those who regularly and generously support the Parish through the envelope system or by identifiable contributions is $500.00. Those with no record of Church support at the time of the reservation will pay the fee of non-parishioners, which is $2000.00. To qualify as a donor parishioner, you must be registered and using the envelopes in your name for a period of at least one year prior to applying for a wedding date. Half of the fees must be paid at the time the Church is reserved and all fees shall be paid in full two months before the wedding or be subject to a late payment fee of $250.00. Cancellation of any wedding must be made six months before the date or all fees are non-refundable. (These rates are good for Weddings in the 2007/2008 calendar years.) The Church has just completed a major restoration at a cost of $1.8 million and proceeds from out-of-parish weddings go to a foundation to preserve the beauty of our church for tomorrow.
  12. St. Francis will supply a Sacristan who will be at the wedding rehearsal and the wedding. The Sacristan will open and close the Church for the rehearsal, open the Church for your wedding, set up the altar and offertory gifts, and close the Church after the wedding.
  13. A compliance fee of $250.00 must be paid at the time of making a reservation. This fee will be returned within five days after the wedding if all policies are followed.

GUIDELINES FOR FLORISTS AT WEDDINGS

  1. Florists may set up one hour before scheduled ceremony.
  2. No runners are allowed down the aisle or outside the Church.
  3. DO NOT USE ALTAR AS YOUR WORKTABLE – NOTHING IS TO BE PLACED ON IT!!!
  4. Standing candelabra must have a plastic sheet underneath to protect the floor, and candles must be enclosed.
  5. ALL FLORIST DECORATIONS AND PROPS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE CHURCH AT THE END OF THE WEDDING. NO EXCEPTIONS!! WE WILL NOT STORE THESE THINGS OVERNIGHT. Boxes for ushers and attendants must be removed from the Church. Two floral arrangements shall be placed on the rear altar and shall remain in Church after the wedding.
  6. Rice, confetti, rose petals, bubbles, or anything that will entail cleaning up, are not allowed inside or outside of the Church.
  7. Couples are welcome to use the Unity Candle; however, the only one allowed is the small one which can be placed on the altar. (This can be purchased or supplied by the florist.)