OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Attendants:  The Church requires you to be married in the presence of an ordained minister and two witnesses.  You may choose to have honorary witnesses (bridesmaids and groomsmen).

Added Ceremonies:  In its reform of the liturgy, the Second Vatican Council mandated that the primary liturgical symbols be allowed to “speak” and that there be a noble simplicity in the rituals used.  Therefore, in preparing your wedding liturgy, any elements that might not add to the communal prayer of the liturgy, should be treated cautiously, and perhaps omitted.  These might include:

Very Young Children:  Those below the age of seven are often uneasy about being in front of large groups and might detract from the solemn occasion of your wedding.

The Presentation of Flowers to the Blessed Mother is not actually a part of the rite. It is best done privately, immediately following the liturgy, but not during it.  St. Oliver’s does not have a statue on the altar for this purpose.

The Unity Candle:  This is an optional part of your celebration.  You should be aware that it is included as part of your cost of holding your wedding at St. Oliver’s.  Unity Candle stand is available for those desiring to purchase candles from another source.

Throwing Rice, Seeds, or Flower Petals:  This is a pagan fertility custom that has little or no Christian meaning.  We have no staff on duty to perform clean up; therefore, the throwing of rice, seed, flower petals,  or similar items is not permitted on church grounds.

Environment: At weddings, flowers are often used for their beauty, freshness and promise of abundant life.  Flower arrangements and plants should be modest, and must not visually overwhelm the primary symbols of the altar, the ambo, the presider’s chair, and the couple.  All decorative ideas must be approved with your parish Wedding Directors. 

Aisle Runners on the carpet tend to pose a hazard to those walking down the aisle.  Aisle runners are not permitted. This poses a liability if someone were to trip and injure himself or herself.

Tacks, nails, tape, or other damaging means of securing decorations to the walls, pews, furniture, or fixtures may NOT be used.

During the Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons, as well as at other times during the year, the Church and sanctuary are already decorated in an appropriate manner with or without flowers and/or other installations. 

Under no circumstances may these be removed for weddings.

All flowers and other decorations must be removed from the Church immediately following your picture sessions.  We invite you to take your flowers with you to your reception where you may enjoy them again.

Lay Ministers:  You are offered a great deal of freedom in the selection of lay ministers for your wedding:  readers, altar servers, greeters, ushers, presenters of gifts, and ministers of the Eucharist.  We suggest you think of the skill needed in performing these ministerial responsibilities as you select members of your family and/or friends.

Pastors of other Faiths:  In the case of an interfaith marriage, the non-Roman Catholic party may invite  his/her pastor to participate in the ceremony.  In the context of the Liturgy of the Word, the visiting pastor may vest, proclaim one of the lessons before the gospel, and offer a message.  At the conclusion of the ceremony he or she may offer an additional prayer and a blessing.  If an interfaith wedding is celebrated during a Mass (which is not recommended); the visiting pastor may come from the assembly at the end of the ceremony to offer additional prayers, exhortation and a blessing.  This should be discussed with the parish priest or deacon who is assisting you.

Worship Aids:  To help your guests follow the plan of the Catholic rite, and to encourage the congregation to participate, particularly in the singing of songs, responses, and acclamations, you many want to consider preparing a special booklet or program for your wedding.

Map to St. Oliver Plunkett: Please include with your wedding invitations a detailed map to guide your wedding party and guests to the church.  The parish office is not open on Friday nights or Saturdays to respond to your guests’ last minute calls for directions.