Wedding Guidelines

General Information

  1. A couple should request permission for their wedding at St. John Cantius to the pastor in writing. Phone requests will not be honored. The parish will see if the date requested is available and indicate it in our parish Mass book.
  2. A letter of permission from your local (or former) pastor is needed if you are not members of this parish.
  3. After permission is granted by the pastor, arrangements for Pre-cana classes and canonical paperwork will be made. The classes should be taken at the Parish.
  4. Arrangements should be made at Church before other arrangements are made. Usual preparations for marriage require at least 6 months prior to the wedding.
  5. In case of a previous marriage – no plans are to be made until proper procedures of annulment are made and annulment(s) is (are) granted.
  6. It is all too common in society today for many couples to live together before marriage for a variety of reasons. This arrangement is known as co-habitation. No reason for this arrangement known as co-habitation is acceptable or condoned by the Church. For individuals wishing to be married at St. John’s, we state that if you find yourself in the arrangement of co-habitation that you remove your self from it as soon as possible.
  7. We encourage that the couple register as active members of the parish.

Dates

Due to certain religious services throughout the year, particular days are not available for weddings. Please note the days/times which are not available.

  1. The First Saturday of each month is not available.
  2. Normally we do not conduct weddings during the Advent or Lenten Seasons (4 weeks before Christmas and 6 weeks before Easter)
  3. The parish does not conduct weddings on Fridays or Sundays.

Documentation needed

  1. If either party was married before, the following documentation is needed before any plans are to be made.
    a. A copy of the civil divorce papers.
    b. The documentation of a church annulment.
    No dates are to be arranged until the annulment (if necessary) procedure is complete
  2. Baptismal and Confirmation certificates.
    a. Contact the church of your Baptism and Confirmation and obtain a recently dated copy of your Baptismal certificate and Confirmation certificate. Please note that the documentation is to be a recent copy (i.e., not more than six months old) of your Baptism/Confirmation—an old copy of your Baptism/Confirmation certificate is not acceptable.
  3. The Pre-nuptial investigation papers. These will be filled out during one of the visits with the priest or deacon arranging the wedding.
  4. Each of you will be required to have two (2) witnesses to complete affidavits. These forms should be completed at St. John Cantius or if necessary in your home parish then mailed to St. John’s.
  5. The Civil marriage license from Cook County in advance of the wedding – usually at the rehearsal. The civil marriage license should be obtained not more than sixty (60) days before the wedding, nor less than 24 hours before the wedding.

Music

  1. The parish has fine musicians, vocalists and instrumentalists. You are to contact our music director and consult with him directly. Please prepare a budget for music based on fees below. Payment of musicians is expected no later than the day of the wedding rehearsal.
    a. The organist fee – $200.00. b. String (violins etc.) and Brass (trumpets, etc.) players: fee per musician ranges from $150.00 to $200.00. c. Vocal soloists – the fee per musician ranges from $85.00 to $125.00.
  2. St. John Cantius prides itself in its music program. No music from popular shows and secular music will be permitted under any circumstances.
  3. On occasion, guest organists, singers, relatives and the like are requested. While it is appreciated that other musicians are or may be qualified, it is not the practice at St. John’s to replace our own musicians who work here on a regular basis. Please understand that this request is to be discouraged.

Fees for the Church

  1. The basic fee for the church is $500.00. If there are any difficulties with contributing this stipend please let the pastor know in your letter requesting permission for the marriage. 2. In addition to the $500 fee for marriage services, we require a $250 security deposit for use of the church facilities during the wedding. From time to time we have unfortunately experienced litter or damage left behind by wedding parties and guests, who are not so kind as to observe our guidelines and requests. All or part of the $250 security deposit will be retained at the discretion of the pastor in the event the church must be cleaned or repaired as a result of the wedding party’s or guests’ actions.

Decorations – Processions – Photographers

  1. The question always arises, “Can we throw rice?” THE FOLLOWING ARE FORBIDDEN: RICE, CONFETTI, NOODLES, BIRD SEED, BALLOONS, FLOWER PETALS, AND THE LIKE! They are not to be brought into the church or used on the church property!
  2. Arrangements for flowers and runners (if used) are to be made by the bride and groom with the florist of their choice. The parish can recommend florists, who have worked with the parish. If a runner is desired, inform the florist that no tape is to be used on the floor.
  3. The florist should speak to the sacristan or priest on placement of flowers.
  4. Due to fire regulations no floral arrangements, candles with hurricane lamps, trellises, or canopies are allowed in the aisles or on the benches. If decorations are to be placed on the benches (e.g. bows) they are to be secured with rubber bands or string. No tape is to be used. Also note the top of the benches are curved and pre-made hangers do not work as they are made for square bench tops.
  5. If a private wedding consultant is employed, please keep in mind that the priest at the parish leads the rehearsal and officiates at the ceremony.
  6. A maximum of five (5) couples, excluding the best man and maid of honor are permitted.
  7. Ring bearers and flower girls are discouraged and in most cases will be forbidden. Children under the age of six (6) are not permitted in the wedding party. There are not exceptions to this age limit.
  8. Videographers, photographers and the like are to use discretion in their work. No photographer, etc., is permitted behind the communion rail, in the sacristies or onthe pulpit. If cables, etc. are used no tape is to be used on the floor.
  9. It is important that on the day of the wedding, that the ceremony begin on time. If someone is late—bride or groom or any other in the wedding party—the Mass will begin on time.
  10. Confessions begin at 4:30 pm, no photographs are permitted past this time.

Rehearsal time

Rehearsals are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. either the Friday before the wedding or the Thursday before the wedding, if that Friday is unavailable.
Confession

You must remember that you are receiving a Sacrament. It is vital that part of your preparation is to receive the Sacrament of Confession. You are receiving a great sacrament and it is necessary that you are in the state of grace. Please plan ahead to make a good confession prior to your wedding so that you may reap the full sacramental benefits of this special day of yours.

A final thought

Individuals reading these regulations are sometimes offended. It is not our intention to offend. It is our intention to provide all couples with equal and fair treatment. If you can not or do not wish to accept them, please do not hesitate to locate another parish church for your wedding.