Two preliminary notes are called for:
1. Wedding Coordinators and writers in bridal periodicals are not in a position to make decisions about liturgical celebrations. St. Boniface will provide an assistant at your rehearsal and wedding to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Please direct your questions to this person. The staff at St. Boniface will have the final say in all matters concerning the wedding.
2. Practices at other churches are not normative for what can or ought to be done at weddings at St. Boniface Church.


WHO MAY BE MARRIED AT ST. BONIFACE CHURCH?
Registered Parish Members
1. Catholics who are registered and have been active, contributing members of the parish for at least one year. Consideration will be given to adult children of registered, active members.
2. The fee for a wedding is $400.00. This fee includes the organist and the wedding assistant.
3. The fee is due one month before the wedding.
4. You must contact Fr. Hogan six (6) months before the wedding in order to begin your paper work.

Non-Parishioners
We take non-parishioner weddings on a case-by-case basis. The fee for non-parishioner weddings is $1000.00 with $500.00 due upon booking to hold the date and the remaining $500.00 due six weeks prior to the wedding date. This fee includes the organist and the wedding assistant. Please contact Bill Lincoln for more information.

TIMES of WEDDINGS
1. Weddings will not be scheduled later than 6:00 p.m. Weddings are not permitted on Sundays or during the season of Lent.

REHEARSALS
1. Rehearsals are scheduled the evening before the wedding at 6:00 p.m. The rehearsal will begin on time regardless of who is present.
Rehearsal will last approximately one hour and is coordinated by the St. Boniface Assistant.
2. It is your responsibility to have the groomsmen and bridesmaids paired BEFORE the rehearsal. 3. Lectors must attend the rehearsal
4. The marriage license must be brought to the rehearsal.

DRESSING AREAS
1. The church has no dressing area for the bridal party so it is necessary that you arrive already dressed. You may, however, wait in the west tower room of the church.

FLOWERS, CANDLES, etc.
1. Decorations should never block the view of the ambo, altar, priest's chair, or the exchange of vows.
2. Due to the danger of slipping on the hardwood floors, aisle runners are not permitted.
3. If bows are used on the pews, they must be tied, not taped.
4. Rice, confetti, bird seed, flower pedals, etc. are not to be thrown inside or outside of the church.
5. Your florist must contact Bill Lincoln to set a time to get into the church. This must be done prior to the day of the wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHERS and VIDEOGRAPHERS
1. The photographer must contact Bill Lincoln before the wedding to discuss the guidelines. The guidelines will be strictly enforced.
2. Flash and lights are permitted only during the entrance and exit processions.
3. NO flash or lights may be used during the ceremony.
4. Pictures may be taken during the ceremony, without flash or lights from behind the congregation.
5. Only one video camera is allowed and it must be stationary.
6. No pictures may be taken before the ceremony. We have found that this contributes to a carnival-like atmosphere not conducive to a sacred ceremony.
7. After the ceremony, the wedding party may use the church for a period of 45 minutes for pictures. You are asked to be respectful and dignified while posing and always remember you are in a sacred building.

ADDITIONAL RULES and INFORMATION
1. It is your responsibility to see that the church is left as clean as you found it. Programs, flowers, tissues, etc., are to be removed by you.
2. Alcoholic beverages are absolutely forbidden on St. Boniface property. If members of your party are found drinking, they will not be allowed to participate in the wedding. Also food, snacks, etc. are not allowed.
3. Security guards are your responsibility.

 

THE WEDDING CEREMONY
The Catholic wedding takes place in a sacred setting where certain liturgical values govern the ceremony. The principle one being, the full, active, and conscience participation of the assembly. The people at a wedding are not mere spectators. Their role is to pray and to witness the exchange of vows. The primary purpose of the wedding mass is the praise of God and the exchange of vows. The wedding mass at St. Boniface will follow the plan for Sunday Mass with the addition of wedding vows. Following are some points you will want to keep in mind:
1. Lectors: Please choose experienced readers. The readers must attend the rehearsal.
2. Eucharistic Ministers: You may choose family or friends as long as they are commissioned in their own parish.
3. Servers: Servers are welcomed.
4. Children four (4) years of age and younger are not to be members of the wedding party.
5. Punctuality: Weddings will start on time. Seating of the parents, grandparents, etc., should take place 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the wedding.
6. Receiving Lines: At the conclusion of the wedding, proceed immediately with pictures as receiving lines in church are not permitted.

MUSIC for WEDDINGS at ST. BONIFACE
1. The parish Director of Music, Bill Lincoln, plays for all weddings at St. Boniface.
2. Two months before the wedding, please call Mr. Lincoln (584-4279) to arrange an appointment to discuss your wedding music.
3. St. Boniface Church is a traditional church in style and in music, therefore only sacred and classical types of music are allowed for weddings.
4. The parish does not allow outside musicians to perform at weddings, therefore, please do not ask your family or friends to play or sing at the service.
5. If you wish music other than organ, Mr. Lincoln will arrange musicians or singers for you. Fees will be paid directly to these musicians and payment is due the week before the ceremony.