Planning Your Wedding
We are delighted to share our beautiful church with you on the occasion of a most important day in your lives when you accept from God his special blessing in the Sacrament of Matrimony. Weddings are special and joyful times for brides and grooms, for their families and friends, and for the parish community. The new beginning, the love, the promise and hope that weddings are for us, make this celebration a special and grace-filled time. The Church welcomes its members to celebrate and solemnize their weddings in the context of our prayer as Christians. Indeed, so important is marriage in Christians’ life that it is called a sacrament.
Great care is taken to see that the liturgy for this special moment is reverent, graceful, beautiful and open to the movement of God’s Spirit among us. Our sacramental celebrations are always rooted in listening to the scriptures so that we can be nourished and strengthened by God’s word. These celebrations are incomplete unless they are filled with song, with prayerful gestures and with the silence in which we hear the voice of God in our lives.
In this spirit, the parish of St. Thérèse of Carmel provides the following guidelines for celebrating weddings in the building which shelters the prayer of our community. Please take the time to read them thoroughly.
1. Wedding date:
According to Diocesan policy, it is requested that you notify the church at least nine months prior to your wedding date. Your wedding date is not final until:
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Contract is signed by both parties
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$250 deposit is received by Parish
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Visiting Clergy Form is signed and received (if using a visiting Priest or Deacon from another parish)
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The date has been discussed with the priest or deacon and all necessary forms are returned.
2. Preparation:
All couples are required to attend the Evenings for the Engaged, Pre-Cana, or Engaged Encounter weekend. The Priest or Deacon will provide you with the schedule for these weekends. You will also be assigned a Mentoring Couple, who will help you through this important preparation time.
3. Required Documents:
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California State marriage license.
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Baptismal Certificates issued by the Church of Baptism six months prior to the wedding date.
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First Communion or Confirmation Certificate.
4. Music:
Services for our Music Coordinator,
5. Flowers:
The church has no flower baskets. If you need additional baskets or other containers, the florist must provide them. The church does not provide candelabras. Lighted candles are not allowed. More guidelines on flowers will be provided by wedding coordinators.
6. Photographs:
Pictures may be taken during the wedding ceremony. The photographer needs to consult with the Wedding Coordinators before the ceremony or at the rehearsal. Guidelines on photography/videography in the church will be provided.
7. Rice:
Throwing of rice, birdseed, or dropping of flower petals inside or outside of the church is not permitted.
8. Wedding Rehearsal:
The bridal party is urged to be prompt and ready to start the rehearsal at the time specified. The parents of the bridal couple are encouraged to attend. Usually the rehearsal is conducted the evening prior to the ceremony.
Know of our sincere desire to cooperate with you to make your celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage a meaningful, enjoyable and memorable one. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask them.
May the Lord greatly bless your marriage, helping your love to never stop growing and your happiness together to know no limits.
St. Thérèse of Carmel Parish Family
