Marriage Prep Cara  Johnson (859) 278-7432 ext 220

Preparation and formation for the engaged couple which includes discussing the duties and responsibilities of the vocation of marriage. Married couples are needed to facilitate the Married Life Workshops offered throughout the year. Workshops are done in three sessions at the facilitator couple's choosing. Training is provided.

Wedding Policy

YOUR ENGAGEMENT

You have both made a commitment to one another that you will work to prepare yourselves for marriage.  The most important preparation you can make is to develop your relationship with the Lord and with one another.  One of the ways to do that is to share together, as much as possible, in the preparations.  The ways that each of you makes decisions can greatly increase your knowledge of one another.

• Initial Meeting: The first step is for you to meet the Priest or Deacon who will preside at the Wedding Liturgy.  They must be consulted at least six months prior to the desired time for the wedding.  No firm date for a wedding shall be set until the conclusion of this meeting.  The Priest or Deacon will be able to walk you through the preparation process, the Rite itself, and answer many of the questions you may have.  Priests and Deacons from parishes other than Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary are welcome here to preside over your wedding, however, he is to contact one of the Priests here to confirm all guidelines have been met.  He will also be responsible for your preparation, the wedding ceremony, and all necessary paperwork.

• Marriage Preparation Program.  Since marriage is a lifetime work, one that requires special preparation, each couple is expected to participate in a Marriage Preparation Program.  The Diocese sponsors programs that are available, and sometimes there may be a need to attend a program in another Diocese.  You are responsible for registering for this program.  Since marriage is a lifetime commitment, we encourage you to take advantage of this and any other marriage enrichment programs.  In addition to the sessions you will have with the celebrant of your wedding the Diocese requires the Foccus Inventory and God’s Plan For A Joyful Marriage seminar, Skills For Married Life Component and Natural Family Planning course.

• Celebrating Marriage Outside of Mass.  In a marriage between a Catholic and a Baptized non-Catholic, it is expected that the Rite for Celebrating Marriage Outside of Mass be used.  The Eucharist is a symbol of Catholic unity.  Celebrating marriage at Mass between a Catholic and non-Catholic may make the celebration awkward for both parties by highlighting their differences in faith.  This awkwardness is further accentuated in cases where non-Catholic clergy are invited to participate in a marriage at Mass.  If circumstances justify it, and permission is granted, the rite for celebrating marriage within Mass may be used.  According to the general law, Communion is not given to those present who are not practicing Catholics.
  
  The normal celebration of Matrimony between two Catholics is the Nuptial Mass.

Documentation

• Each Bride and Groom not Baptized at Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary will need a Baptismal Certificate, with all notations, less than six months old (6), from the Parish where they were Baptized.  Calling that Parish and requesting a copy will usually obtain this.

• If either party contracted a previous marriage, a copy of the Annulment papers (Decree of Nullity) or a proof of death of the previous partner is necessary.  Annulments must be granted prior to setting a date.

• At least by the time of the rehearsal, a valid Kentucky Marriage License is required.  You may obtain this at the County Courthouse thirty Days (30) or less from your wedding date.  This license is to be presented to the Priest or Deacon at the rehearsal.

 Reserving the Church and Other Facilities

 No reservation of the Church can be finalized before the initial meeting with the Priest or Deacon celebrating the wedding.

 
Since Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary celebrates many weddings annually; it is wise to call the office as soon as possible after the initial meeting with the Priest or Deacon.  The following guidelines are in effect for reserving the church and other facilities.

• Reserving the Church.  Parishioners of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary are to notify the parish office at least six (6) months before the date of the wedding to reserve the church.  For those who are from other parishes we will not guarantee the use of the Church until five months before the actual date of the wedding.

• Church Fees.  For those Parishioners of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary there is only a one hundred ($100.00) dollar fee to be made payable to Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary.  This fee defrays the cost of Church cleanup after the ceremony.  For those who are not parishioners of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, there is a fee of five hundred ($500.00) dollars for the use of the Church facilities.  There is a down payment of two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars at the time of confirmation of the wedding date and the balance is due in full two months before the date of the wedding.  *There will be an extra charge if extraordinary cleanup is necessary or if damage occurs.  It is the responsibility of the couple to remove all items used in the Church and parlor immediately after the ceremony.

• Rehearsal Times.  Because of the Parish Mass schedule, Special Liturgies, and other activities, rehearsal times need to be scheduled at the time of the Church reservation.

• Wedding Times.  On Saturdays, weddings may take place before afternoon Reconciliation times and after the Saturday evening Mass.  On other days, weddings may be scheduled as the Parish calendar permits.  Wedding Masses are not scheduled on Sundays or Holy Days.  No Weddings are permitted on Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday.

• Rental of Reception Facilities.  Reserving the Cafeteria and Gym must be done through the parish office.  The facility, since used by many organizations within the Parish, may be occupied – so be sure to secure your date early.  Rental of the following facilities and fees required is only for registered and actively participating parishioners of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Gym/Cafeteria Rental Fees (no kitchen use)
$70 per hour – charged for the time of the rental
$20 per hour – monitor fee charged for all hours used (set-up, party, take down)
$95 Insurance - Payable to the Diocese
$300 deposit – refundable if there are no damages or additional clean up expenses
$200 –professional cleaners fee includes clean up of table and chairs.
           

• Use of rooms for the Bride, Groom, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen.  The Bride and Bridesmaids may use the Church Parlor/Library to prepare.  This room is equipped with a private restroom.  The Groom and Groomsmen may use one of the Church Meeting Rooms.  The Reconciliation Chapel, Tabernacle Chapel, Vesting Sacristy, Work Sacristy and Music Room are not to be used for any reason.  Please take care of these areas, as other groups will be using them.

 
Decorum
 
The Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish Community is not just a custodian of a nice place for a wedding; rather, weddings are gracious functions in the life of our Parish Community and of its members.  Solid Parish Liturgical Life is the home in which weddings become moments of prayer, grace and conversion in the lives of our church members and of all we invite to share in the celebration of marriage.  A respectful attitude should be observed at all times; this includes the time of rehearsal, as well as during and after the ceremony.  This respectful attitude should also be maintained while taking pictures in the Church.  Food and drinks are not permitted in the church building and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.  Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary is a smoke-free environment and smoking is not allowed.  Smoking is permitted outside only (this includes all buildings of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary).  For the safety of all our parishioners – rice, birdseed, flower petals, confetti, and bubbles are not to be used in the church our outside. .

Photographers and Video Technicians

 
Discretion is a must.  During the ceremony, professional photographers may take pictures (non-flash only) from the vantage points discussed with the presider.  Photographers will not be free to roam about the Sanctuary areas during the celebration of the liturgy for your wedding.  After the celebration, and with respect for the schedule of other weddings or liturgical activities, the church will be open for the taking of pictures for thirty minutes (30).
 
Videotape equipment may be set up at those vantage points discussed with the presider.  If used, these cameras must remain in one place throughout the service.  No additional lighting may be brought into the church for use during the ceremony.
 
Please check with the presider concerning the taking of pictures during the ceremony.
 
The Liturgical Environment
The couple will be provided with a diagram of the church to help with the preparation for the wedding, to be used to determine possible seating arrangement for the Bride, Groom, two witnesses and attendants.
The altar, ambo and other church furnishings or seasonal decorations may not be rearranged or removed as they are liturgical elements within the worship space. Nothing may be placed on the Altar or Ambo.
 
Liturgical Calendar
The church follows a liturgical calendar throughout the year. Each Liturgical season has a predominant color and the church will reflect the below listed color during the appropriate season.
Advent – Four (4) weeks prior to Christmas – Purple
Christmas/Epiphany –December 25 ^th through the first (1 ^st) Sunday in January – White
Ordinary Time Winter – After Epiphany until Ash Wednesday – Green
Lent – Ash Wednesday until Holy Week – Purple
Holy Week – Weddings are not scheduled
Triduum – Weddings are not scheduled
Easter until Pentecost – White
Pentecost – Red
Ordinary Time Spring and Summer – After Pentecost until Advent – Green
 
 
Banners
Other banners or hangings, outside the ones present in the Sanctuary, are used by exception and only after consultation with Pastor.
 
 
Floral Decorations/Candelabras Unity Candle/Pew Bows
All Flowers are to be real no silk flowers. Flowers may be placed near, but not on the Altar and Ambo. It is a long-standing custom to leave a floral arrangement for the church. We encourage this custom. The florist needs to be aware of the times you have access to the church for the wedding so that they can arrange for delivery time within the time allowed. Items cannot be delivered early as there are many groups who use the church and the church is not responsible for lost items.
Candles outside of those normally on the altar should be discussed with the Celebrant.  If you choose to use such, you must provide them (MQHR candle stands hold 1 ¼ inch candles) and other stands for the wedding. Other candelabras and stands may be rented from a rental company or your florist. Dripless candles are required.
Only padded clamps (available from the florist) may be used to fasten items to the pews. Bows, ribbons or greens may be attached to the pew with elastic or ribbon. Tape may not be used as it removes the finish from the church furniture. (All bows and other decorations must be removed from Sanctuary within thirty (30) minutes after the conclusion of the ceremony. Please make arrangements to have these items picked up.
Due to the nature of the carpet, the use of an aisle runner is unsafe and therefore, not permitted. A flower girl may not drop real or silk flower petals on the main aisle or anywhere in the church.
Aisle Runner
Due to safety reasons an aisle runner is unsafe and not permitted.
 
Throwables
Rice, confetti, birdseed or other throw-ables may not be used inside or outside Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Church. You are responsible for informing your guests of this policy.

Music

 
All music to be used in the wedding ceremony must be approved by the Director of Music at Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish.  The Director of Music may be reached at (859) 278-7432 Ext. 257.  The Director of Music will be able to provide the couple with a list of musical selections that compliment the Rite of Marriage.  Musicians other than those at Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish are warmly welcomed to provide music for a wedding.  The Director of Music, however, must still approve all music for use within the celebration.

Wedding Coordinators

 
Wedding coordinators, if used, do not coordinate the wedding ceremony or rehearsal.  Everything planned for the ceremony must be approved by the Pastor or his delegate thirty (30) days before the wedding.

Liturgical Ministers

• Celebrating Marriage During Mass.  When the Rite of Marriage is celebrated within Mass, all Liturgical Ministers (i.e. Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, etc.) must be Catholics in good standing in the church and properly trained for their respective ministries.  These same individuals are asked to be at the wedding rehearsal for special instructions and practice in the worship space.

• Celebrating Marriage Outside of Mass.  In the Celebration of Marriage Outside of Mass, readers (Lectors) need not be Catholic; however, they must be Baptized Christians.  These individuals should possess the skills necessary for the proclaiming God’s word effectively and reverently.  These same individuals are asked to be at the wedding rehearsal for special instructions and practice in the worship space.

 
 
We have read and accept the Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Wedding Policy and Guidelines and will be responsible for seeing that all parties in our ceremony and guests are aware of the requirements and will abide by them.
 
 
                                                                                                                                               
Bride’s Signature                                 Date                                       Parish Staff Witness                            Date
 
 
 
 
                                                                               
Groom’s Signature                              Date

last updated 06/22/2018 jm