Church of St. Mary
on Broadway

Planning a Wedding

We are pleased to assist you in the preparation for the ceremony that celebrates your love and commitment to one another. The Church provides a time of preparation for you so that you may reflect on the depth of commitment that the Sacrament of Marriage entails, expressed by your request to have the Church witness your exchange of vows. The guidelines contained on this website are designed to help you prepare for and plan your wedding ceremony according to the Rite of Catholic Marriage, the directives of the Diocese of Providence, and the particular customs of the Church of St. Mary.

GETTING READY

You are asked to contact the friar-priest of your choice at least six (6) months in advance to discuss with him any initial questions you may have about your marriage and to set up a wedding date. (If you do not have a preference for a friar-priest, please contact the pastor.) If you wish to have a guest priest or deacon to preside at the ceremony, you must seek the permission of the pastor of this Church.

After your wedding date has been approved, contact the diocese to enroll in one of the Diocesan parish based ‘Marriage Preparation & Enrichment’ programs or an ‘Engaged Encounter’ Weekend. Following a Marriage Preparation Program from another diocese is also permitted. You should receive a certificate that you have completed one of these programs. It is strongly recommended that you participate in one of these programs as soon as possible (ideally five to six months) before your wedding date. For programs in the diocese call the Marriage Preparation Office at 401-278-4576 to register for a program. Further information can also be sought on-line at marriage@dioceseofprovidence.org.

You must begin working with one of the friar-priests of the parish as soon as the date for your wedding has been established. He will interview you and lead you through the paper work in preparation for your wedding ceremony.

Documents you will need

Each of you must obtain your own baptismal certificate from the church of your baptism. The certificate should be recent; i.e., to be issued by the church within six (6) months of the date of the wedding. First Communion and Confirmation certificates are also recommended.

If one of you is non-Catholic, or a non-baptized person, proper dispensations and/or permissions are required. The priest preparing you for the marriage will see that these dispensations and permissions are discussed with you and received before the wedding.

If needed, you may be asked to have two people who know you well, preferably your parents or other relatives, to sign a form (provided) attesting to your freedom to marry.

Fees

The fee for your wedding is $450.00 for parishioners and $650.00 for non-parishioners. This fee includes music (an organist and cantor). The check is payable to the Church of St. Mary on Broadway.

Ecumenical Concerns

Official witnesses of your marriage may be non-Catholic.

A non-Catholic minister or rabbi may be invited to participate in the Catholic marriage service. This should be discussed with the priest who is preparing you for the wedding.

It is recommended by the Diocese of Providence that interfaith marriages be celebrated outside of Mass. It follows the format of the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the wedding vows, blessing and exchange of rings, sign of peace, the Lord’s Prayer, blessings and dismissal.

Time of Ceremony

Weddings at the parish normally take place on Saturdays, outside the seasons of Advent and Lent no later than 2:00 pm. Exceptions will be made only at the discretion of the pastor.

Rehearsal

To familiarize the wedding party with the Church and ceremony, you will need to schedule with the priest a rehearsal. The rehearsal usually lasts an hour and is directed by the officiating priest. Everyone that has a part in the wedding should be in attendance, and it is important to be on time. Rehearsals are normally scheduled the evening before the day of the wedding at 5:00 pm. Special circumstances, however, may necessitate other arrangements. Directions to the Church.

Celebration of the Sacrament

The bride and groom are the ministers of the sacrament of Matrimony. They prepare the liturgy with the priest, music director, and other appropriate members of the parish. Recommended scripture readings, music (see also below under ‘Music’), prayers, blessings and vows are chosen by the couple. There are a variety of appropriate scripture readings and other material contained in the booklet Together for Life (Joseph M. Champlin, Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2002) that the priest will have to help you decide, and can be obtained at www.avemariapress.com.

Music

The Director of Music, Kathryn Chester, is to assist you in selecting music for your wedding. All music preparation for your wedding is to be coordinated with her and all Mass parts are to be sung by the Church of St. Mary cantor. If you desire to have musicians outside the parish participate at your wedding, this too, must be coordinated with the Music Director. Please make an appointment with the Director of Music as soon as the wedding date is obtained to discuss details and options for music. Kathryn Chester, Director of Music (401) 274-3434 ext. 110 or email her at kchester@stfrancischapel.com.

Unity Candle

In recent years the Unity Candle has become a popular wedding addition. There is no provision for such a candle and its accompanying lighting ceremony in the Rite of Catholic Marriage. If couples opt to use a Unity Candle they should discuss it with the priest, and must be responsible for its removal from the church immediately after the ceremony.

Church Features

The following information may be helpful in preparing for your wedding:

Aisle Runners

Aisle runners, although a time-honored part of weddings, are troublesome in several ways, particularly in regard to the safety of the wedding party and church maintenance. Therefore, aisle runners are not recommended. If you choose to use an aisle runner it may not be taped to the church floor. Another suitable way of securing the runner without damage to the church floor is to be employed.

Parking

Free parking is available in back of the Church and also at the side of the Church in front of the side entrance. There is also street parking around the Church.

Flowers and Decorations

Before selecting floral arrangement for your wedding, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the sanctuary of the Church. Please keep in mind that the priest, couple and other participants in the wedding need to move easily around the altar and sanctuary during the ceremony. Questions and decisions concerning flowers and decorations should be worked out with the priest witnessing your marriage.

Photography

Photographers and videographers are welcome at your wedding. We simply ask, however, that they not be conspicuous or intrusive during this sacred ceremony. Sensitivity is the rule of thumb here. No photography or videography may be done in the choir loft, the sanctuary or elevated pulpit.

Throwing Rice or other material

Rice, birdseed, confetti or rose petals are not allowed to be thrown after weddings; they are potential hazards to persons and animals. Nothing may be scattered or thrown (real or silk) during the wedding ceremony. We appreciate your cooperation in this.

Wedding Directors and Consultants

You are required to work directly with wedding directors and consultants in the preparation of your marriage. The parish does not involve itself with these directors and consultants. Regarding the church ceremony proper, you work directly with the priest who is witnessing your marriage.

People needed for the ceremony

You need to have ushers/greeters to greet your guests, seat them, and to distribute the Wedding Programs for your wedding. You are to choose lectors to proclaim the Word of God at the Liturgy. Normally there are two lectors needed. One of the lectors or another person is responsible for reading the Prayers of the Faithful (Intercessions).

Wedding Programs

Creating Wedding Mass Programs for the assembly are the couples’ responsibility. They should be carefully designed to include the order of service and responses of the liturgy. We provide an insert for the program that contains the regular sung responses at the wedding ceremony.

Sample Wedding Mass Program

Title page

The Marriage and Service of [Bride and Groom/ Date/ Time/ Place]

Order of Worship

Introductory Rites

Prelude Music: Instrumental
Entrance Processional: [Title/ Composer]
Opening Hymn: [Title/ Composer/Name of Soloist (Optional)]
Opening Prayer:

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: (Source/ Name of Reader (Optional)]
Responsorial Psalm: Refer to insert Psalm # (1, 2, or 3)
Second Reading (optional): [Source/ Name of Reader (Optional)]
Gospel Acclamation: Refer to insert
Gospel
Homily

Rite of Marriage

Exchange of Vows
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Vocal solo (optional): [Title/ Composer/Name of Soloist (Optional)]
Prayers of the Faithful

Liturgy of the Eucharist (If nuptial Mass)

Preparation of the Gifts: [Title/ Composer]
Eucharistic Acclamations: Refer to insert
Music During Communion: [Title/ Composer/Name of Soloist (Optional)]
Communion Meditation (optional): [Title/ Composer/Name of Soloist (Optional)]

Concluding Rites

Closing Prayer
Nuptial Blessing
Final Blessing
Recessional: [Title/ Composer]