Gallatin County Catholics


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Wedding Guidelines

Photographs
We appreciate the importance of weddings photographs and/or video. Please have the photographer(s) talk to the priest before the wedding ceremony.

Church Etiquette
The Churches in Gallatin County are sacred gathering places wherein God meets His people. Therefore, both at your rehearsal and before, during and after your weddings, proper behavior and etiquette must be observed in the Church and the surrounding grounds. This includes:
--absolutely no food and beverages inside the Church.
--no rice, bird seed, confetti or anything is to be thrown. This is contrary to our insurance regulations.
--finally, members of your bridal party; especially your ushers, should make certain that all paper, flower wrappers, programs, film boxes, etc. are removed from the Church and the preparation room. The Church must not be left littered after your wedding.

Fees
Many couples have music, cantors and soloists at their wedding ceremony. They will set their own fees with you. If a priest/deacon from outside the parish comes to perform a wedding at the request of the family, with the approval/delegation of the pastor, the family is responsible for appropriately compensating the guest priest/deacon. Please speak to them about this matter. You may also wish to make a donation to the church of your wedding.

Receptions
To reserve the Parish Center for your reception, please call the rectory office at 272 -7059.

Effective Date:
October 15, 2003
This wedding guide was approved by the pastor after discussion and input from the pastoral council.

PREPARING FOR YOUR WEDDING
AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN GALLATIN COUNTY

The decision to marry is a moment of great joy and tenderness for the couple. Their engagement begins a time of anticipation. The Church feels a responsibility for marriage and a concern for those who are moving toward marriage.

Engagement is the moment when a couple makes public their intention to marry. Engagement is also a period marked with much activity. The external preparations are very important to the bride, her fiancè and their families.

The Church recognizes the couple's desire to celebrate their love with their families and friends. The Church desires the period of engagement be more than preparation for a wedding. It desires the couple focus on and prepare for the advantage of marriage. For couples who use engagement as serious preparation for marriage, it can be a time of opportunity, deepening love, growth and new understanding.

These Guidelines for Marriage Preparation are offered with the hope that the community of the Church in Gallatin County can better serve engaged couples in a responsible and caring way.

PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE
Contacting the Priest
For all couples, the preparation begins by contacting the pastor for scheduling. By Diocesan decree, this must be done at least six (6) months prior to your intended wedding date. The assigned priest s or deacons of a parish are the ordinary celebrants for weddings in said parish. Priest friends and relatives can officiate at your wedding with prior approval/delegation of the pastor. The visiting priest will accept the responsibility for sharing in the marriage preparation with you. Please discuss the matter with the pastor before you contact the visiting priest.

During the Preparation Time
During this preparation period, all couple must:
--complete the appropriate paperwork with the priest.
--furnish a recent copy of your Baptismal Record from the parish of your baptism. It must be dated six months of your marriage.