Holy Matrimony Celebrating The Sacrament of at St. Giles Parish 1045 Columbian Avenue Oak Park, Il 60302

Celebrating

        The Sacrament of

    Holy Matrimony

                at

         St. Giles Parish

     1045 Columbian Avenue

        Oak Park, Il 60302

    weddings@stgilesparish.org

1

Table of Contents

Welcome

General Information:       Requirements for Marriage

                           Dates and Times for Wedding Liturgy

                           Dates and Times for Rehearsals

                           Fees

                           Required Documents

                           Preparation Process

Worship

Your Wedding Liturgy:      General Principles

                           Rehearsal

                           Liturgy Plan

                           Wedding Party

                           Music

                           Flowers

                           Photography

                           Cultural Adaptations

 Walk the Way

Your Marriage Journey beyond your wedding day

  2

WELCOME
                  Congratulations! We are happy you have decided to marry
at St. Giles Catholic Church. There is education and preparation for receiving
all the sacraments of faith including the Sacrament of Marriage. We are
thrilled to help you prepare for this sacrament and start you on your
journey to a lifelong marriage!

Dates and Times for Wedding Liturgies

                     Friday: 5pm

                     Saturday: 12:00 pm   &    2:30 pm

We are unable to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage during Holy Week, on
Easter or on Christmas.

For small intimate weddings that will not exceed 50 people in total
attendance the St. Dominic chapel is available.

Dates and Times for Rehearsals

                     Friday 5pm wedding----------Wednesday 6pm

                     Saturday 12:00pm wedding – Thursday 5pm

                     Saturday 2:30pm wedding------- Thursday 6pm

Rehearsals will not be held on Holidays

All Bridal Attendants, Family Members and Readers need to be present at
the rehearsal.

Wedding rehearsals are 1 hour long, Please be prompt.

St. Giles Church will be available for 2 hours for your wedding liturgy. 30
minutes before your Wedding for set-up and 30 minutes after for clean-up to
maintain our beautiful worship space.

  3

FEES         Church Fee- $800 Non parishioner

                           $650 Parishioner

                           $200 Deposit due to secure date

              Music Fees- $200- Pianist

                           $150- Cantor

 Balance of ALL fees is due to the parish office 2 weeks prior to your
Wedding date.

A tip is suggested for the Altar Servers at $15-20 each.

  The Church fee provides for the maintenance our worship space. A
personal offering for your priest celebrant is optional and at your
discretion.

Preparation Process Timeline

      The first step is to speak with the priest to secure your wedding date.

                  On going                       Attend Mass Regularly
         9 months before the Wedding          Attend Pre-Cana Workshop
       6 months before the Wedding          Complete Catholic Couples Check
                                              –up or Foccus online survey
                                                  (familyministries.org)
       6 months before the Wedding          Arrange meetings with the Priest
                                              for sacramental preparation
       3 months before the Wedding             Meet with Wedding Liturgy
                                                      Coordinators
       3 months before the Wedding            Meet with the Music Director
       2 weeks before                            Pay all remaining Fees
       Before your Wedding Day                Sacrament of Reconciliation

       You may wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to
       your Wedding. The priests are available by appointment.

  4

Required Documents for your Wedding file

You will begin compiling your wedding file at your first meeting with the
priest celebrant.

   ·   Pre nuptial questionnaire (completed with Priest)
   ·   Baptismal certificates
   ·   Signed affidavits (if needed)
   ·   Pre-Cana completion record
   ·   Catholic Couples Check up or Foccus results
   ·   Declaration of Nullity (if previously married)
   ·   Cook County Marriage License

Your wedding file must be completed at least 1 month prior to the wedding
date.

WORSHIP

Because your wedding is a sacred occasion we ask that all church property
be treated with respect and the Liturgy treated with reverence by all involved
in your special day.

Your wedding liturgy is an expression of faith in God and the sacramental
union into which you will enter. We want to do all we can to assist you and
your guests to experience the presence of God at your wedding.

 We ask that the Bride and Groom set the tone and spirit for the Wedding
Liturgy. Alcoholic beverages of any kind are inappropriate for your
ceremony. Smoking is not allowed in the church or vestibule and proper
church etiquette is to prevail at all times.

  5

REHEARSAL

DATE_________________________ TIME____________________________

We encourage all couples to schedule a rehearsal in order to ensure that
everyone participating in your wedding liturgy understands their role. This
will ensure that your wedding liturgy proceeds smoothly. You will have 1
hour for the rehearsal, please encourage all involved to be prompt. All
Bridal Attendants, Parents and Readers need to be present at the rehearsal.

LITURGY PLAN

Most Catholics who marry do so in the context of the mass. A Mass includes
the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Communion). However, a ceremony is an
option. Both are sacramentally binding.

A ceremony is always preferred when one party is not Baptized or from
another Christian background. You may speak to your celebrant about this.

You will need to choose three scripture readings for either a Mass or a
ceremony and two readers.

Scripture Selections:

      · 1 Old Testament Reading
      · 1 New testament reading
      · Gospel Reading(Read by the Priest)

Poetry, Literary passages, or song lyrics cannot replace scripture readings.

A program can be helpful as a worship aid for guests to follow the Liturgy,
examples and format can be provided by the wedding coordinators.

  6

WEDDING PARTY:

  · 2 witnesses are required ,
  · more than 10 attendants are NOT recommended,
  · 3 readers are needed,
  · 2 ushers are needed,
  · Children under 3 years of age are not recommended
  · Animals are not allowed except for service animals

MUSIC:

Couples must arrange a meeting with the Music Director 3 months prior to
your wedding. The music director assists you in the selection of sacred
music for your wedding liturgy.

Additional musicians are available and can be arranged with the Music
Director for an additional fee.

       Please contact the St. Giles Music Director, Sue Kaszynski at:

                           708-383-3430 ext.423

                      skaszynski@stgilesparish.org

  7

Flowers and Decorations:
Your Florist May:

  · Have access to the church 30 minutes prior to wedding ( please check
    in with the Wedding Coordinator upon arrival)
  · Place and remove runner (runners must be fabric or cloth not paper or
    plastic) the Aisle is 140ft long.
  · Place flowers on base of altar
  · Place flowers on pedestals near altar
  · Place pew bows with elastic, ribbon or rubber bands 68 pews total

Your Florist May Not:

  ·   Use plastic or paper runner
  ·   Place flowers on the altar
  ·   Block liturgical space with pedestals
  ·   Place pew bows using wire or tape
  ·   Block aisle access with fabric or ribbon
  ·   Move or adjust existing church decorations
  ·   Scatter real flower petals

Clean up and removal of the flowers and decorations are the responsibility
of the bridal couple. Please appoint someone not involved in the photos to
remove pew bows, runner, and any other decorations if your florist is not
going to clean up. Clean up must be done immediately after the Liturgy as
other celebrations may take place after your wedding.

  8

PHOTOS/VIDEOS:

Your photographer may:

  · Have access to the church 30 minutes prior to the wedding(please
    check in with the wedding coordinator upon arrival)
  · Have access to the church for 30 after the wedding
  · Take Minimal flash photography during the liturgy
  · Place stationary cameras in the side aisles
  · Place stationary cameras in the break aisle
  · Place stationary microphone on the ambo
  · Place stationary microphone on the cantor stand

Your photographer may not:

  ·   obstruct the center aisle
  ·   Be obtrusive or interfere with the liturgy
  ·   Be on the altar during the liturgy
  ·   Stop the procession or recession
  ·   Move or adjust existing church decorations

  9

CULTURAL ADAPATIONS:

Unity Candle- couple must provide candles

Marian Devotion- traditionally flowers are placed before Mary’s altar

Lazos, Jumping the Broom, Blessing of Bread or Coins, Washing of Feet and
other appropriate Cultural Traditions can be added to the liturgy, please
discuss any adaptations with the priest or deacon presiding at your wedding
celebration.

Expressions of congratulations- bubbles, bells or ribbons are allowed
outside of the church. Please no bird seed, rice, balloons or confetti.

WALKING THE WAY
Journey after the wedding day

   ·   Join a parish and attend Mass regularly
   ·   Put faith life into action through service
   ·   Live out the gospel values in community
   ·   Join a parish ministry
   ·   Participate in adult faith formation
   ·   Attend our Annual Anniversary Mass

Conclusion –Blessings on your journey from Fr. Carl

  10