ST. GREGORY THE GREAT CHURCH 5545 N. PAULINA

CHICAGO, IL 60640 (773) 561-3546

FAX (773) 728-3827 WEBSITE www.stgregory.net

To the future Bride & Groom:

Congratulations on your engagement. This is truly an exciting time in your lives. We here at St. Gregory the Great Church are glad that you have chosen to celebrate your wedding in the Church according to your faith and within the Sacrament of Marriage. We will work with you to do everything necessary to make this happen. We want to insure that you are prepared as well as possible for what the future may bring. That is why there are different requirements for a Catholic marriage. We hope that the information in the following pages will be helpful for you.

In the coming months, there will be a great deal of planning and preparation that will have to take place. You will be occupied with all kinds of things from invitations to menus to seating charts. You will be making arrangements with florists, photographers, and DJ’s. While all of this activity is important and necessary, it has a hidden danger. You can focus so much attention on wedding planning that you lose sight of your own relationship and the reason why you have come to Church for your marriage – so that you can celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in the presence of a priest, two witnesses, and your family and friends. It is your relationship with each other and your relationship with God that needs to be your primary focus. Take time for yourselves in the midst of all your preparations to attend to these two relationships.

All couples wishing to be married at St. Gregory the Great Parish are required to meet with the officiating priest at least two times. Other meetings may be required. It is important that you consult with the priest before making any final wedding arrangements or plans.

Be assured that our prayers accompany you. If we can be of any assistance to you in the months ahead, please do not hesitate to call us.

In Christ,

Fr. Paul Wachdorf and Fr. Brian Fischer

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO

1. BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE A recent copy of your Baptismal Certificate issued within six months of the date of your wedding is necessary. Perhaps you or your parents have the original copy somewhere. The original copy will provide you with the exact date of your Baptism which will make it easier to obtain a recent copy when you do contact the parish where you were baptized. If you were baptized in the Archdiocese of Chicago, call the parish, and they will issue a copy of your Baptismal Certificate. If you were baptized in a parish of the Archdiocese of Chicago that has been closed, call the Archives Center. You will be prompted as to what you need to do to obtain a Baptismal or Confirmation Certificate.

Archdiocese of Chicago Archives & Record Center 711 W. Monroe St Chicago, IL 60661 (312) 534-4400

If you were baptized in another country, the best way to obtain a new copy is to contact a relative who lives in the town where you were baptized and ask them to go in person to request a Baptismal Certificate for marriage.

2. CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE A recent copy of your Confirmation Certificate issued within six months of the date of your wedding is also necessary. If you were baptized and confirmed at the same Church, the Baptismal Certificate should also contain the information about your Confirmation, so in this case you will not need to get two separate certificates. If you are a baptized Catholic, you do not need to be confirmed in order to be married in the Catholic Church.

3. PRE-NUPTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE You will be asked questions to fill out a pre-nuptial questionnaire. This is to verify that you are free to marry under Church law. This questionnaire seeks to determine that there is no impediment to your marriage, that you are free to marry in the Catholic Church, and that you understand the nature and obligations of a Catholic marriage.

4. PREPARATION TIME The preparation time from the first time you speak with a priest up until the ceremony is generally 6 months.

5. WITNESS AFFIDAVITS In the near future, we ask that you bring two witnesses each, (if possible, your parents, or close relatives or a friend who has known you since childhood), to fill out a second questionnaire, much shorter than the one the future bride and groom fill out. Again, this is to verify whether you were baptized or not and that you are free to marry. If your parents, close relatives and friends do not live in the area, we can give you a form to give to them which they can then take to a priest in a Parish near them and have that priest fill it out with them.

6. WEDDING BANNS We print “wedding banns” in the bulletin three times before the date of the marriage. Marriage celebrations are also parish celebrations. The banns are a third way in which to ascertain that the future bride and groom have not been previously married to someone else. They are not, however, an open invitation to the Parish to attend your wedding.

7. PRE-CANA CONFERENCE All couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage in the Archdiocese of Chicago are required to attend a wedding preparation class. There are a number of different programs: Pre-Cana Conferences, Discovery Weekend, etc. The priest assisting you with the preparation process will help you find out which marriage preparation program is best for you.

8. CATHOLIC COUPLE CHECK UPIn the Archdiocese of Chicago Marriage Ministry Guidelines, it is recommended that all couples preparing for marriage take a premarital inventory. The Catholic Couple Check Up was developed to help couples preparing for marriage to discover strengths and growth areas. It is an on-line inventory which be accessed at www.familyministries.org. The cost is $29.95. After completing the inventory, you can immediately download a 20 page report highlighting areas of agreement and disagreement on important topics related to marriage and family life. The report can be shared with the priest preparing you for marriage to help facilitate your marriage preparations.

9. CIVIL LICENSE You must have a civil license from Cook County to be married in Church. Please give the original of the license, not filled out, to the priest at the wedding rehearsal. (See section on the Requirements of Cook County).

10. MARRIAGE OPTIONS In the past, there were restrictions about whom a Catholic could marry. In the past, if you married a non-Catholic, you either were not allowed to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage or you were married in the Church office instead of in the Church building. Since Vatican II, the Catholic Church has taken a more open stance on marriage. Catholics can marry anyone they want as long as no impediments (problems according to Canon Law) exist. The Church sees three distinctly different situations according to religious background. Catholics can marry other Catholics, other Christians, or unbaptized persons (Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, someone of a Christian background who was never baptized, or a person with no religious affiliation).

Situation 1: If a Catholic marries another Catholic, a Mass may be celebrated along with the marriage ceremony. If both the bride and the groom are practicing Catholics who have both received their First Communion, it would be appropriate to celebrate your marriage in the context of a Mass. You could also simply choose to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage, which is a sacrament in its own right, in a ceremony outside of the context of a Mass. If one or both are rarely practicing Catholics, you might want to celebrate just the Sacrament of Marriage without a Mass.

Situation 2: When a Catholic marries a Christian, we generally celebrate the marriage ceremony without a Mass. Other Christian denominations don’t celebrate Eucharist often, and the Catholic Church does not yet embrace intercommunion. We don’t want to make other Christians feel uncomfortable. But it is possible to have the marriage take place within the context of a Mass.

Situation 3: If you are a Catholic marrying a non-baptized person, we generally celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage without a Mass. If at all possible, we can include symbols, customs or readings from another religion to include the other religion, and in the process make people feel comfortable inside a Catholic Church. Through the efforts of Fr. John Cusick, the Jewish-Catholic Couples Group has been providing information for couples preparing for marriage as well as planning on baptizing/naming their children. Please contact Rev. John Cusick at (312) 466-9473 for more information.

11. PRESUMPTIONS The Church presumes that the bride and groom are spiritually, physically and mentally healthy, that they are mature, that they can make their own decisions, that they are not experiencing problems with the use of alcohol or drugs, that they will marry for life, that they will be faithful to each other, that they are open to having children, that they are not related, that they have not been married before, that they are not still married to someone else, that they have never been a priest, nun or religious brother and that no person or situation is pressuring them to marry.

12. PREVIOUS MARRIAGES If you have been married before, in a civil or religious ceremony, please inform the priest of that fact as soon as you meet. We will need to obtain all the previous marriage licenses and divorce decrees and ask for a declaration of nullity or an annulment from the Archdiocese of Chicago before we can set a date for a second marriage.

13. BECOMING CATHOLIC If a non-Catholic person preparing for marriage wants to become Catholic, please speak to the priest about that when you first meet with him. Remember, the non-Catholic person does not have to convert to Catholicism to marry a Catholic; but they are most welcome to if they would like to do so of their own free will.

REQUIREMENTS OF ST. GREGORY THE GREAT CHURCH

1. TIMESMarriages are celebrated on Friday evenings or on Saturday mornings beginning at 10a.m. or on Saturday afternoon. The latest time that a wedding can be scheduled on a Saturday is 2p.m.. No weddings will be celebrated on Sunday afternoons, on the day before Christmas, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter).

2. PUNCTUALITY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE WEDDING START ON TIME. There are other events or weddings that might be taking place in Church that day. And it is important that the Church be cleared for Saturday confessions that begin at 3:30p.m.

3. CELEBRANT In general, a priest from St. Gregory the Great will officiate at the wedding. If you have a close relative or friend who is a Roman Catholic priest or a deacon who you wish to officiate, please communicate this to the priest here as soon as possible so that your relative or friend can obtain the specific delegation needed to be allowed to officiate within the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is not a difficult process. Your priest or deacon relative or friend will be asked to provide identification before obtaining specific delegation. All priests have an identification card from their religious order or diocese called a celebret card.

4. PARTICIPATION IN THE LITURGY Here at St. Gregory the Great, we welcome everyone who would like to participate in the celebration as readers, Eucharistic ministers, servers, etc. For example, if a friend or family member is a reader, they are most certainly welcome to read at the marriage celebration. Non Catholics may serve as readers, ushers, bridesmaids, groomsmen. Only a Catholic who has been prepared and commissioned may serve as a Eucharistic minister. Normally, the deacon or priest who will officiate at the marriage will accompany you through the marriage preparation process. If that is not possible, one of the priests from St. Gregory the Great will take care of the marriage preparation arrangements.

5. FLOWERS/DECORATIONS Flowers are optional. Please give a copy of the information sheet found in this packet to the florists you have chosen for your celebration.- If you are going to attach anything to the pews, use elastic or rubber bands, not staples or tape. - Candles are not allowed anywhere except in the sanctuary.- In addition to altar flowers, you may choose to have flowers to bring to Mary’s Altar and flowers to bring to the mothers of the bride and groom at the sign of peace.- The aisle is 97’ long if you choose to have an aisle runner. - The church will generally be open one hour before the wedding for decorating.

6. PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS The photographers and videographer need to speak with the priest before the celebration begins. Photographers are to be like chameleons, unobtrusively blending into the surroundings during the Mass. They may not take pictures in the altar area (in the sanctuary). Please give a copy of the sheet of information for photographers and videographers in this information packet to the photographer and videographer you have chosen to document your celebration.

7. RICE, FLOWER PETALS, BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES & BALLOONSNothing can be thrown as the bride and groom leave the church: no rice, grass seed, birdseed, confetti, or flower petals. No birds or butterflies can be let loose (this is cruelty to living creatures). No balloons can be let loose (they get stuck on power lines, bell towers, and some even end up inside of the Church). There is no one available to clean it up afterwards. St. Gregory the Great works hard to have the Church building looking nice for your celebration. We also need to respect other groups who may follow you.

8. WEDDING ORGANIZERS/CONSULTANTS If you have acquired the services of a wedding organizer or consultant they will be very helpful to you in planning the reception, the dresses and tuxedos, etc. But the Church planning - the paperwork, the practice and the ceremony itself - are organized by the priest with the bride and groom. The wedding organizer’s work ends at the church door and picks up again after you leave. The wedding organizer will not interfere with the liturgy, with the marriage ceremony, with the decorations in church, or with any of the details for the preparation, rehearsal and celebration of the marriage liturgy.

9. CHURCH FEEThe fee to the Church goes to the Church to help pay the bills and not to the priest assisting you in the preparation process or to the priest celebrating the wedding. St. Gregory the Great asks for a fee of $775 for a marriage. This fee is divided among the parish, the organist, and the cantor. The fee should be paid in advance of the wedding and no later than at the time of the rehearsal. 10. PREPARATION DYNAMIC The entire dynamic of marriage preparation is set up so that the priest can meet with the couple to get to know them and offer the best possible preparation for the couples’ individual needs. The bride and groom are presumed to be mature adults who are capable of making their own decisions. Therefore the priest will communicate only with the bride and groom, not with other relatives or intermediaries. 11. LITURGICAL DECORATIONS The church will usually have some type of decorations depending on the season of the year. During Ordinary Time (most of the summer and into the fall) the color is green; during Lent and Advent, purple; during Easter and Christmas, white. The Church decorations - as well as all the furnishings in the sanctuary - will remain where they are during the wedding. 12. WHERE DOES THE BRIDE GO? There is a room on the second floor of the Parish Center where the bride and the bridesmaids may gather before the wedding. It can be accessed from the choir loft in the Church or through the main entrance of the Parish Center. There is a washroom directly down the hall from this gathering space. After the wedding, you are asked to make sure that the room is left clean and presentable. 13. WHERE DOES THE GROOM GO? The groom and the groomsmen can gather in the priest sacristy on the South side front of the Church.

LITURGY PLANNING 1. THE PRIEST CELEBRANT The priest accompanying the bride and groom in their marriage preparation will meet with you specifically about planning the liturgy. He will talk with you about where people will sit, the order of the procession, etc.

2. DECISIONS TO BE MADE There are a number of decisions that you will need to make. First and foremost, please remember that this is a religious celebration. Secondly, remember what is necessary: the bride and groom present in a Catholic Church with a Catholic priest or deacon, two witnesses, and two rings. Many other things are optional. 1) Will your celebration be large or small? Complex or simple? 2) Will you use a unity candle or some other tradition? 3) Will there be ushers, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, a ring bearer? 4)Will you go over to the statue of Mary on the side altar? 5) Will you just celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage, or will you also have a Mass?

3. MUSIC We are fortunate here at St. Gregory the Great to have a talented Music Director and cantors. We ask that you utilize their talents because they work well with our priests. Mr. Patrick Godon, our Parish Music and Liturgy Director, plays the organ and piano, arranges for a cantor and can arrange for additional musicians or soloists that you might desire for an additional fee of $200 each. Please contact him at least three months in advance at (773) 561-3546. It is important to call and arrange for the music early on in the planning process and not to leave it until the last moment. Since the marriage will be taking place during a sacrament in Church, the music needs to reflect the nature of the celebration. This means that the music needs to be religious in nature. Although we are open to requests, in the past some people have asked for musical selections that are not appropriate for church. Patrick Godon will guide you through the music selection process. All music used at weddings must be approved by Patrick Godon.

4. THE WEDDING PARTY

BEST MAN AND MAID/MATRON OF HONORYou have chosen a Best Man and a Maid/Matron of Honor because they are an important part of your life. These two people will stand beside you to encourage you before and during the ceremony. They are also witnesses of your vows of love and fidelity. Hopefully they will continue to be a great support and encouragement to you in your married life after the celebration is over. MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY (USHERS) Ushers principally serve as ministers of hospitality. They welcome people to the Church for your marriage celebration. Ushers distribute programs (if you choose to prepare them) to the congregation as they enter. They also help seat people towards the front of the Church as well as reserve the first two or three pews needed for family members and the wedding party.

READERSFriends and relatives like to help, to be involved in the ceremony, to offer their services to you on your special day. If there are two people who you would like to proclaim the first and second readings and who are comfortable standing in front of a large group to read, they are most welcome. When you (the bride and groom) choose the readings from the selections provided, please designate the reader of the Old Testament reading and the reader of the New Testament reading. It would be good to provide them with a copy of the reading beforehand so they can read it over and accustom themselves to their reading in advance. It would also be good to enlarge the type of the copy to make it easier to read. The readers should bring their reading to the rehearsal where they will have a brief time to see how loud they will need to project into the microphone and where to sit before they do their reading. FLOWER GIRLS AND RING BEARERS It is wonderful to incorporate the children of relatives and friends into your marriage celebration. Please discuss the ages of young children you wish to participate in the service with the priest arranging the service with you. Younger children can become overwhelmed and even a bit frightened by a large building that they are not accustomed to, a large number of people and the pressure of ‘doing something right’. We will take special care to place them into the procession so that they can follow someone in case they get nervous. Even children who do well at a rehearsal (when there are comparatively few people in Church) can find it too difficult on the very day of the marriage because of the large number of people, the music and all the activity that goes on. Flower girls are NOT allowed to drop flower petals on the floor as they come up the aisle.

REQUIREMENTS FOR COOK COUNTY

Each county in every state has their own requirements for a valid marriage. Everyone getting married in church needs a civil license, whether they marry just in court, in a Catholic Church, a Protestant Church, a Mosque or a Synagogue. Since St. Gregory the Great is in Cook County, a license must be obtained from Cook County. You must have a civil license to be married in Church. The Office of the County Clerk provides the license, and later you can obtain a copy for a small fee as proof of your being married. There are six offices of the County Clerk scattered throughout Cook County. A listing of these offices can be found in this information packet.

Both the future bride and groom need to go together to the Office of the County Clerk with a picture ID and $60 to obtain a civil license. Sometimes two forms of ID are required. They do not accept credit cards or checks. In the office, they will ask you a few questions and ask you for your names and ages. Your names and ages will be typed onto the license. Make sure that on the license your names are spelled correctly and that your correct ages appear. If there is an error, the license cannot be used. You need to tell them to correct it while you are still in the office. Birth Certificates from other countries in other languages are valid identification. A marriage license from Cook County is valid for 60 days.

DO NOT GET MARRIED IN FRONT OF A JUDGE. Deacons and priests are delegated by the state to officiate at the marriage civilly as well as religiously. You don’t need to have a judge marry you if you will be marrying in Church. Being married by a judge could complicate things and may even set back the date of the marriage. If you want a copy of your marriage license, you will need to request a copy in person or write requesting that one be sent you by mail. The first copy will cost $15; $4 for additional copies. It would be a good idea to obtain 3 copies which should last you for life. You will need a certified copy to prove that you are legally married. Most probably, someone, somewhere along the line, will need a copy. You don’t want to have to go through the entire process of getting another copy later.

For further information about getting a marriage license or obtaining a copy of your marriage certificate, go to www.cookcountyclerk.com and click on the link that says vital records.

OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Office of the Cook County Clerk: (312) 603-5656 or go to www.cookcountyclerk.com

DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS

Downtown Chicago/Daley Center50 W. Washington St., East Concourse (Lower) Level - 25Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 603-7790 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday for all servicesWednesday 5:00-7 p.m. for Marriage licenses ONLY

SUBURBAN LOCATIONS (Located in suburban courthouses)

North suburbs/Skokie5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149Skokie, IL 60077 (847) 470-7233Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday for all servicesWednesday 4:30-7 p.m. for Marriage licenses ONLY

Northwest suburbs/Rolling Meadows2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 (847) 818-2850Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday for all servicesWednesday 4:30-7 p.m. for Marriage licenses ONLY

West suburbs/Maywood1311 Maybrook Square, Room 104Maywood, IL 60153 (708) 865-6010Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday for all servicesWednesday 4:30-7 p.m. for Marriage licenses ONLY

South suburbs/Markham16501 S. Kedzie, Room 238Markham, IL 60426 (708) 232-4150Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday for all servicesWednesday 4:30-7 p.m. for Marriage licenses ONLY

Southwest suburbs/Bridgeview10220 S. 76th Ave., Room 238Bridgeview, IL 60455 (708) 974-6150Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday for all servicesWednesday 4:30-7 p.m. for Marriage licenses ONLY

AT THE WEDDING REHEARSAL

1. The wedding rehearsal usually but not always takes place the evening before the wedding and is scheduled at the time the couple first meet with the priest who will be officiating at the marriage and taking care of the marriage preparations.

2. Please take care of the donation to the Church ($775) plus the fee for any additional musicians or soloists if they were requested.

3. Give the civil license (from Cook County) to the priest.

4. The wedding rehearsal will be run by the priest who is working with you in your marriage preparations.

5. The rehearsal is NOT time for confessions. It is recommended that the bride and groom do avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the wedding. Confessions are heard in Church every Saturday at 3:30p.m.

6. The rehearsal will begin in the back of Church. The priest will ask those involved in the wedding to line up in the procession. We will process to the front of the Church and find out where everyone will be sitting in the pews. The priest will go through the vows and exchange of rings with the bride and groom, the recessional, as well as any other options you have chosen.

7. The entire rehearsal should take no longer than 45 minutes. We will not “repeat” the rehearsal because someone arrived late.

8. Musicians are not present for the rehearsal.

9. Readers should bring a copy of their reading so that they can practice in front of the microphone.

10. The Church does not provide a Unity Candle or candle holders. If you will have a Unity Candle Ceremony, bring the candle(s) to the rehearsal.

11. A wedding booklet is not a necessity, but many couples like to prepare them. In the back of this booklet are three examples of the basic outline for a wedding booklet. One is for the celebration of the marriage within the context of a Mass and the other two are for the celebration of the marriage within the context of a marriage ceremony. If you choose to have wedding booklets, bring them to the rehearsal.

12. The following people should be present at the wedding rehearsal: the bride and groom, the parents of the bride and groom, the best man, the maid/matron of honor, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and readers. If you choose to have them, flower girls and a ring bearer should also be present.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS 1. St. Gregory the Great is a place of prayer, a Church. A specific community of faith worships here. You have chosen St. Gregory the Great because you are a member of this worshiping community or wish to become one. The Sacrament of Marriage that you will celebrate here is an expression of your personal faith, celebrated within the context of this faith community. As a result, we ask you and your guests to respect this Church building. We ask that no one do anything to harm the building, anyone in it or its artwork, furnishings, etc.. We ask that all present respect the rights of all people present and comport themselves in a dignified manner.

2. We ask that all present respect the presence of God in his own house by wearing proper attire, no matter what the weather may be.

3. Please remember that it is important to not throw anything during or after the ceremony in order to keep the Church clean for the next wedding, for the Saturday afternoon Mass and so that no one falls and injures themselves.

4. No smoking, drinking or eating is allowed before or after the rehearsal or ceremony inside or around the Church.

5. We cannot state clearly enough that alcohol has no place near the Church. The bride and groom must be sober to profess their vows. Drinking before the wedding by the bride and/or the groom potentially jeopardizes the validity of the marriage. There is plenty of time at the reception to have a celebratory drink.

6. It is important that the ceremony begin on time.

7. We must have the civil license at the rehearsal. Without the civil license, the state will not allow a minister to take the place of a judge and witness the marriage from the civil side.

8. No animals are allowed in Church. The only exception would be a seeing eye dog.

9. Children are welcome. Please make sure that small children are supervised at all times. We don’t want anyone injured or distracted as a result of children running around in Church.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS

1. Get a good night of sleep before the ceremony. It is understandable that you would be nervous, but it is important for you to get some rest.

2. Eat something substantial before the ceremony. Not eating or sleeping well, combined with being nervous on a possibly hot and humid day is a formula for passing out. We do not want that to happen to anyone: bride, groom, bridesmaids or groomsmen.

3. Remember that this is a day to celebrate. Try not to let the anxieties of the day outweigh the excitement and enjoyment of the day.

4. There is no sense in being uncomfortable on your wedding day. Wear comfortable shoes and a dress and suit that are not too tight. The bride’s shoes won’t be seen under a long dress. Rental shoes to accompany a tux are usually uncomfortable. Buy a nice pair of shoes, break them in ahead of time and polish them up before the actual day.

5. Please inform your guests that St. Gregory the Great has three parking lots. The courtyard parking lot is accessed through a tunnel located on Bryn Mawr between Ashland and Paulina Streets. The North parking lot is located on the Northwest corner of Ashland and Gregory. The South parking lot is located behind the gymnasium located at the Northwest corner of Catalpa and Ashland.

PREPARATION HERE WITH A MARRIAGE ELSEWHERE A number of couples are living in Chicago but wish to celebrate their marriage back home, in another city, state or country. That’s perfectly fine. That means a couple of different things. a. You need to speak to the priest in the Church where the ceremony will take place to reserve the date. b. Ask the priest if he wants to do the marriage preparations and paperwork himself, or if he would like us to do it at St. Gregory the Great. c. Check to see if the Pre-Cana Conference or Discovery Weekend can be done in Chicago. d. Give the priest at St. Gregory the Great the name and telephone number of the priest who will be performing your wedding so that we can contact him about the paperwork. e. Many of the areas covered in this booklet will need to be discussed with the priest in the Church where the marriage will take place. Each Diocese and Church is a little different in terms of their requirements.

COUNSELING AGENCIES Before marriage and during, there will be a few difficult times, a few rocks in the road. During those times it is important to have someone to talk to, to calm things down, to see the present situation clearly, to realize that the situation can be resolved and to help plan for the future. We suggest you seek out the following possibilities: a) A friend who is older and has had more life (marital) experience than you, a person you can trust and hopefully, someone you have known for quite a while. b) A priest whom you trust in this Church or another. We are always ready and willing to speak with you about your marriage. c) The Holbrook Center, counseling service for the Archdiocese of Chicago, a part of Catholic Charities: (312) 655-7560.

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT PARISH 5545 N. PAULINA

CHICAGO, IL 60640 (773) 561-3546

INFORMATION FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS

We the priests of St. Gregory the Great ask you, photographers, videographers and your assistants, to respect the sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage and of the Eucharist and to respect the Church building as a house of worship. We ask you to behave and act reverently, taking care not to damage the Church, its furnishings or art works. This is the basis and reason for the following policies.

1. Please check in with the deacon or priest presider upon your arrival. 2. The Church will be open for pictures 60 minutes before the celebration. There will be time for posed photographs after the service, inside and outside of Church (weather permitting).3. Photographers and videographers and their equipment are to be as unobtrusive as possible. They should not interfere with any aspect of the procession, liturgy or recessional. Posing during the liturgy, waving to gain the couples attention during the ceremony or distracting the bride and groom is not allowed. Video lighting is not permitted during the liturgy. 4. We ask photographers and videographers to be inconspicuous during the marriage celebration. This means no tall lightpoles and no umbrellas set up for portraits inside the Church during the ceremony. 5. Photographers and videographers are not allowed in the sanctuary. 6. All equipment and containers are to be kept on the floor and well out of the way of traffic patterns. Nothing should be placed on the pews. 7. Standing on any pews or other altar furnishings is not allowed. 8. Before the ceremony, the bride will be in the second floor room of the Parish Center. The groom will be waiting up in the front of the Church in the priest sacristy. With their permission you may photograph them in those areas before the celebration begins. 9. The bride and groom have been asked to return directly to the front of the Church after the recessional to begin taking photographs. There is time for photographs inside the Church after the service. This time may be limited due to another wedding or to other Church activities. 10. All Church decorations and furnishings may not be moved, removed or altered. This includes the altar cloths, candlesticks, banners, the Paschal Candle, lectern, kneelers, chairs, tables, etc. Church decorations using seasonal colors stay where they are and may not be altered. 11. Musicians may not be photographed or videotaped without their explicit personal approval. You have the explicit approval of the deacon or priest presiding for photographs and videos. 12. Because of the sacredness and formality of the Sacrament of Marriage, proper professional attire is required of all who are involved with the celebration. 13. No food or beverage is to be brought into the Church. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Church grounds. 14. All voices need to be kept down during photographic sessions. Shouting is inappropriate in the Church. 15. If you have any questions about these policies, contact the pastor, Fr. Paul Wachdorf, at the Parish Center: (773)561-3546. 16. Thank you for your respect for God, his house of worship and for your courtesy for the bride and groom as well as for the deacon or priest.

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT PARISH 5545 N. PAULINA

CHICAGO, IL 60640 (773) 561-3546

INFORMATION FOR WEDDING FLORISTS AND DECORATORS We the priests of St. Gregory the Great Parish ask you, florists and decorators and your assistants, to respect the sacredness of the Sacrament of Marriage and of the Eucharist and to respect the Church building as a house of worship. We ask you to behave and act discreetly and reverently, taking care not to damage the Church, its furnishings or art works. 1. Please check in with the presiding priest upon your arrival. 2. The Church will be open to set up flowers and decorations an hour before the time of the celebration. 3. Altar flowers are not required, but if they are used, they need to be delivered and set in place no later than 30 minutes before the beginning of the marriage celebration. 4. We recommend that floral arrangements be placed on the high altar on either side of the tabernacle. We cannot block the area directly around the altar. The celebrant and the bride and groom need space to move around during the celebration. 5. Decorations on the pew ends must be attached by rubber bands or elastic. No tape or staples maybe used on the wooden pews. 6. No decorations may be affixed to the pillars, walls, altars, or anything made out of marble. Tape will mark them and is difficult to remove. 7. Sanctuary flower arrangements must be done by professional florists. Paper-mache containers are not allowed: they leak. Do not use any container that leaks. 8. All Church decorations and furnishings may not be moved, removed or altered. This includes the altar cloths, candlesticks, banners, the Paschal Candle, lectern, kneelers, chairs, tables, etc. Church decorations using seasonal colors stay where they are and may not be altered. 9. Rice, birdseed, confetti, and flower petals may not be thrown inside or outside of Church. Balloons, butterflies, and birds may not be released inside or outside of Church. The Church is in constant use, and because of safety, maintenance and time concerns, these items are prohibited. 10. The only candles permitted are those already in place on the altar, and, if the bride and groom choose, a Unity Candle. Candelabras - lit or unlit - are not permitted in the Church. Candles are not allowed in the aisles or on the pews. 11. All containers used for corsages, floral arrangements, and the aisle runner etc., must be removed from the main aisle, vestibule and the brides room before leaving Church. This is the responsibility of the attending florist and not the Church staff. 12. No food or beverage is to be brought into the Church. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. 13. Do not stand on the pews or any other Church furnishings while decorating. 14. St. Gregory the Great considers floral arrangements to be the property of the bride and groom. They may choose to take the flowers to their reception or leave them in the Church for the weekend Masses. If the couple wants to move the flowers to the reception, they need to take them at the end of the celebration.15. The main aisle is 97’ long if the bride and groom choose to have a runner.16. If you have any questions about these policies, contact the pastor, Fr. Paul Wachdorf at the Parish Center: (773)561-3546. 17. Thank you for your cooperation with the bride and groom and for respecting the Sacrament

of Marriage as well as St. Gregory the Great Church.

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR MARRIAGE WITH MASS WITH COMMUNION

The following can be listed in a printed program. Items in parenthesis are optional. You will receive a list of possible readings for weddings from the priest. You need to use the title and the name of the composer if the songs are to be printed in the program. The bridal party and the names of others serving as ministers at the liturgy can be listed on another page of your program. Also include: We kindly ask you to turn off all cell phones and pagers during the ceremony. (Prelude) music title composer(Seating of the Mothers) music title composer

INTRODUCTORY RITE Processional music title composer Greeting Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading and scripture reference Responsorial Psalm and text of psalm refrainSecond Reading and scripture referenceGospel Acclamation GospelHomily RITE OF MARRIAGE Exchange of Vows Blessing and Exchange of Rings (Lighting of Unity Candle) General Intercessions

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST OffertoryHoly, Holy, Holy title of Mass setting composer Eucharistic Prayer Memorial Acclamation title of Mass setting composer Lord’s Prayer Nuptial Blessing Sign of Peace (music title composer)Lamb of God title of Mass setting composer Communion music title composer Prayer After Communion (Visit to Mary’s altar) music title composer

CONCLUDING RITE Final Blessing and Dismissal Recessional music title composer

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR MARRIAGE CELEBRATED BY A DEACON WITH COMMUNION

The following can be listed in a printed program. Items in parenthesis are optional. You will receive a list of possible readings for weddings from the deacon. You need to use the title and the name of the composer if the songs are to be printed in the program. The bridal party and the names of others serving as ministers at the liturgy can be listed on another page of your program. Also include: We kindly ask you to turn off all cell phones and pagers during the ceremony.

(Prelude) music title composer(Seating of the Mothers) music title composer

INTRODUCTORY RITE Processional music title composer Greeting Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading and scripture reference Responsorial Psalm and text of psalm refrainSecond Reading and scripture referenceGospel Acclamation GospelHomily RITE OF MARRIAGE Exchange of Vows Blessing and Exchange of Rings (Lighting of Unity Candle) General Intercessions

COMMUNION SERVICELord’s Prayer Nuptial Blessing Sign of Peace (music title composer)Communion music title composer Prayer Alter Communion (Visit to Mary’s Altar) music title composer

CONCLUDING RITE Final Blessing and Dismissal Recessional music title composer

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE WITHOUT COMMUNION

The following can be listed in a printed program. Items in parenthesis are optional. You will receive a list of possible readings for weddings from the priest. You need to use the title and the name of the composer if the songs are to be printed in the program. The bridal party and the names of others serving as ministers at the liturgy can be listed on another page of your program. Also include: We kindly ask you to turn off all cell phones and pagers during the ceremony. (Prelude) music title composer(Seating of the Mothers) music title composer

INTRODUCTORY RITE Processional music title composer Greeting Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading and scripture reference Responsorial Psalm and text of psalm refrainSecond Reading and scripture referenceGospel Acclamation GospelHomily RITE OF MARRIAGE Exchange of Vows Blessing and Exchange of Rings (Lighting of Unity Candle) General Intercessions Lord’s Prayer Nuptial Blessing (Visit to Mary’s Altar) music title composer

CONCLUDING RITE Final Prayer Final Blessing and Dismissal Recessional music title composer