Welcome to St. Timothy's. We are delighted that you will be celebrating your marriage in our parish community. We are looking forward to working with you as you plan your wedding day and the beginning of your married life together. Our parish staff will assist you in preparing for your wedding. Please feel free to call on us with any questions or concerns.
Below you will find information on the followingimportant topics that pertain to planning your wedding at St. Timothy's.
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 (from Ash Wednesday through Easter).
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. There 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 ranging from $175.00 to $225. 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 $335. This donation can be made to St. Timothy's and presented at the wedding rehearsal.