Marriage

SCHEDULING YOUR WEDDING

Registering

We invite you to schedule an appointment with our pastor. At this meeting, you can discuss wedding dates
and officially schedule your wedding. We advise that you meet with our pastor before booking reception halls and
other wedding services, as the content of your discussions with the priest may affect your choice of wedding day,
date and time.

Date and Time

The date and time for your wedding are established in consultation with the pastor, and no date or time can
be confirmed prior to conferring with the pastor.

The following details are provided for your general information as you think ahead to scheduling your wedding:

In planning the date for your wedding, you will need to keep the liturgical calendar in mind, as weddings are
not celebrated during the Easter Triduum (the three days leading to the Easter Vigil). Also, weddings are not
usually celebrated during Lent.

In planning the time for a wedding liturgy, a full ninety minutes is ordinarily planned from one liturgy to the
next at St. Timothy's. You should be aware, therefore, that on Saturdays, the Sacrament of Penance begins
at 3:30 and our Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:30 pm.

Civil license

A marriage license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required. This may be obtained at any
town hall or city hall. Blood tests are needed prior to the licensing. There is a three day waiting period after
applying before receiving the license. The license is valid for 60 days. The license is to be presented to the priest in
advance of the wedding.

Visiting clergy

Visiting bishops, priests, or deacons who are in good standing are most welcome to participate in your
wedding ceremony. This should be arranged with the parish priest when registering. Priests visiting St. Timothy's are
expected to follow the guidelines presented in this booklet. Note that if the visitor is from outside the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he must register with the secretary of state before officiating.

Rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal will be arranged in advance, when you meet with the director of liturgy (within one
month of meeting with the priest to schedule your wedding.) Family and friends participating in special ministries
should be present at the rehearsal if possible. This includes readers, altar servers, eucharistic ministers, & gift
bearers.

Marriage Preparation

After the initial meeting with the priest there are several levels of marriage preparation. Most fundamental is
the preparation for married life. A group marriage preparation program is offered each spring and each fall. The
program is directed by a team of married couples. It is conducted in three sessions (two weeknight evenings and a
Sat./Sun. afternoon) During the program, the marriage preparation team will share their own experiences as married
couples, and the engaged couples will discuss various issues with each other and in small groups. For those who
cannot participate in the program here, it is expected that they will participate in a similar program elsewhere. When
you meet initially with the priest, he can help you discern which program would be best for you.

Pastoral Counseling

An integral part of the preparation is pastoral counseling from the priest. The shape and timing of this will
vary from case to case.

THE WEDDING LITURGY

Liturgical Planning

The couple should meet with the director of liturgy soon after meeting with the priest. At this meeting you
will be able to discuss the many liturgical details of your wedding. This meeting should take place within one month
of meeting with the priest to schedule your wedding.

Rite

The marriage rite can be celebrated with Eucharist or outside a Eucharistic liturgy. The are many factors that
affect the choice of one of these two options particularly the denominational backgrounds of the bride, groom, and
assembly. This decision about the liturgy should be made with the priest.

Music

Music is of vital importance in your wedding liturgy. The music chosen must be liturgically appropriate and
should encourage the participation of the assembly. In the informational packet that you receive after meeting with
the priest, you will find a music CD that will help walk you through musical selections for your wedding. We
encourage you to have a worship aid (program) that includes the order of the liturgy and the musical and spoken
responses of the assembly at your wedding. The parish music director will direct the selection of a cantor,
accompanist and any instrumentalists, each of whom is to be paid a stipend of $175.00. These stipends are to be
paid prior to the wedding (usually at the rehearsal).

Flowers and environmental decoration

The couple is to confer with the director of liturgy regarding all floral and environmental plans. The regular
and seasonal decorations of the parish will remain in place. If you plan to place any decorations on the pews, please
do not use tape. A member of the family or wedding party should stay after the wedding to remove any
arrangements, pew bows, flower petals, worship aids, etc.

Photographers and videographers

Professional photographers/videographers should be unobtrusive. They can operate from the side aisles.
They should never interfere with the ritual action or obstruct the view of the assembly. Photographers and
videographers receive a printed copy of our guidelines prior to the wedding and should confer with director of
liturgy if any questions arise.

Donation

At the time of a wedding it is fitting to make an offering of $280 for families who are members of St. Timothy
Parish. This donation can be made to St. Timothy's and presented at the wedding rehearsal.