Good Shepherd and Holy Family Parishes
WEDDING POLICY

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are sacraments
of Christian initiation.  They ground the common vocation
of all Christ's disciples, a vocation to holiness
and to the mission of evangelizing the world.
They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit
during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland.
Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony,
are directed towards the salvation of others; 
they contribute as well to personal salvation,
it is through service to others that they do so.
They confer a particular mission in the Church and
serve to build up the People of God.
 
-Catechism of the Catholic Church

Congratulations on your Engagement!

Congratulations on the decision to celebrate a commitment of life with each other in the Sacrament of Marriage. This is truly a major decision for you and your future. Weddings are a special time of joy and promise for you, your families and the entire parish community. Our Catholic faith tradition tells us that as the bride and groom administer the sacrament to each other, before the official witness of the Church, it is a time which foreshadows the great Marriage feast of the Lord in the Resurrection and eternal life.  In view of this religious significance, above and beyond the legality of marriage, it is understandable that celebrating this sacrament in a faith context and church setting must be entered into with prayerful discernment. As a Christian community, we want to provide you with the direction necessary to help you attain your goal, not only a wonderful wedding day, but a happy and fulfilling life-long sacramental marriage. Therefore these policies have been prepared in order to help you solemnize your marriage at Good Shepherd and Holy Family Parish.
 

Who May Celebrate a Wedding In Our Parish?

The bride or the groom must be registered, practicing members of the parish

When the schedule of the local priest and the church calendar permit, consideration may be given to hosting a wedding for guests, or non-registered Catholic bridal parties.  Non-registered guests must obtain a "letter of permission" from their own parish.  Please note that there is an additional fee for non-registered bridal parties seeking to celebrate a wedding in one of our parish churches.
 

Some General Requirements.

1.  The prospective bride and groom must meet with the priest or deacon preparing them for marriage a minimum of six months prior to the intended wedding date;

2.  With the priest or deacon, the couple fills out the Pre-Nuptial questionnaire which includes testimony of their intention to enter into a Christian Marriage according to the teaching of the Church;

3.  The Catholic parties, either the bride and/or groom, are required to:
• Attend Mass in a Catholic Church regularly,
• when possible, participate in the Toward Marriage or Engaged Encounter.
• meet with the priest, deacon or designate to discuss the FOCCUS
  (a marriage preparation tool), and then finally;
• meet with the priest to plan the actual ceremony.

In the case of non-registered bridal parties, the preparation needs to be completed in your home parish, following the guidelines that the home parish has established.  Upon completion of the preparation, the home parish will forward all necessary documentation to the priest or deacon presiding at your wedding.
 

 What Documents will you need?

A newly issued baptismal certificate, with a raised seal and a date of issue within the past six months.  You may obtain your baptismal certificate directly from the church of where you were baptised. Both the Catholic and non-Catholic parties need this documentation whenever there has been baptism celebrated.

In the case of a second marriage, please advise the priest or deacon of this reality. Proof of the previous marriage and legal divorce are needed. This applies to Catholic or non-Catholic equally.

• In many cases an Annulment will be required when a previous marriage has been celebrated.  A Formal Decree of Nullity is needed to set a wedding date. We will assist you if such a decree is needed.

Finally, a Civil License must be obtained. You must both be present to apply for the license. No blood test is required in NH. The license is valid for 90 days. You may drop your license off to the Rectory any time prior to the wedding, but no later than the time of the rehearsal.
 

• Some dates may not be available because of civic holiday observances or other parish activities.

• A minimum of a 2-hours is required between scheduled weddings when more than one is celebrated on any particular day in order to provide each couple with a relaxed atmosphere.

• By tradition, weddings are not celebrated during the Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday).  Please consult the calendar in making your preparations as the dates of these seasons change each year.

What Locations Are Available?

Currently, couples have the opportunity to celebrate their wedding at one of two locations:  St Anne Church in Berlin or Holy Family Parish in Gorham.
 

A Full Mass or a Scripture Service?

It is presumed that all marriages between two Catholics that are in a position to celebrate and receive Eucharist will take place in the context of Mass.  Discussion about a Liturgy of the Word or Liturgy of the Eucharist should take place with the priest upon your first meeting.

The marriage ceremony should be a sign of all that unites the bridal couple.  When one person of the couple is not a Catholic, the marriage is normally celebrated as a Liturgy of the Word.
 

Aisle Runners and Pew Bows

Isle runner are not permitted.

Double stick adhesive tapes are not allowed to attach the pew bows. Elastic bands or craft wires work best for pew bows.
 

Flowers

It is customary to leave the flowers from your wedding at the Church to provide the whole parish community the opportunity to share in the celebration of your wedding.

No flower petals, rice, bird seed or confetti is to be thrown in or around the church. It is your responsibility to inform your guests.

 

Visiting Clergy

A couple may wish to invite a guest priest or deacon to perform their wedding.  They are most welcomed. It is presumed that the visiting celebrant will adhere to the customs of the parish and will be present at the wedding rehearsal.

If the visiting celebrant is from out of state, he must obtain the written letter of good standing from his diocese, and permission from the Secretary of State of New Hampshire to preside over the witness of vows.

 

Photographers/Videographers

Please inform your photographer that flash is discouraged during the ceremony, and to consult with the presider before the ceremony begins.
 

Rehearsals

The rehearsal is usually scheduled for the evening before the wedding and normally is a half hour in length. Because more than one rehearsal may be scheduled on a given evening, it is important that everyone arrive on time.
 

What are the Fees?

Couples who:
• are (or their parents) currently registered and active members of the parish;
• are (or their parents) currently regular contributors of record; and
• are currently participating in parish life through involvement in parish ministry and programs; are asked to consider a donation to the parish.

Couples who are visitors and do not meet these three (3) requirements are asked a reservation fee of $500.00.

In fairness to other couples also requesting the same date and time, the church & date are not officially reserved until the reservation fee is provided and is non-refundable.

Please Note:  No part of these reservation fees to go the presider of your ceremony.  Any gratuity or thank you should be provided directly to the priest or deacon who celebrates your ceremony.
 

Music Fee:

You privately contract with the musicians and soloists for your wedding.  Once your date and time have been reserved, we recommend making arrangements with your musicians.  The parish office can provide you with a list of available musicians and soloists in the area.

Because church organs are a valuable investment on the part of the parish, and an essential instrument to our Masses, couples wishing to use the services of guest musician must obtain permission from the parish in advance.
 

Music

Because of the sacredness of the event, our musicians will work with you in choosing music.  Please note the option of pre-recorded music is not available for use.  All music must be approved in advance of the celebration.
 

Personal Stipends/Gifts:

Personal offerings, gift or stipends for the priest who presides at your wedding or for servers who assist are not a part of the reservation fee.  These personal offerings, gifts or stipends are customary, but remain at the discretion of the couple.  Any such a gratuity should be brought to the rehearsal with the other items you plan to use as part of your ceremony.  Gifts made by check should be made out to the individual receiving it.

Finally, our thanks to you!

Thank you for taking the time to review our wedding policy.  Feel free to contact us at the Parish Office at 603-752-2880. Congratulations and our prayers and best wishes for your future!

Good Shepherd and Holy Family Parishes
603.752-2880
www.berlingorhamcatholics.org

(Subject to change.  Effective January 1, 2013)