Wedding Guidelines

We are delighted to offer the assistance of this Catholic community for your wedding. As one of the Church’s seven Sacraments, the Rite of Marriage is a sacred ceremony, expressing and celebrating the faith not only of the couple being married, but of the entire community of faith. These guidelines, along with the help of the Pastor or Deacon and the parish staff, will assist you in planning for your marriage and the special liturgy of the wedding day in our beautiful church of St. Augustine.

 Preliminary Information

Either the bride or the groom must reside within the parish boundaries or, if not, be a registered member of the parish. If not, the proper parish should be consulted. At times there are circumstances which would allow the wedding of non-parishioners to be held here with the proper permission of their pastors. 

The couple should begin arrangements with the priest or deacon at least six months prior to the anticipated date of the wedding. This is a policy of the Diocese of Brooklyn which assures sufficient time for preparation. At that time the Pre-Nuptial Inquiry will cover all basic areas of preparation and answer all of your questions. Only then can a wedding date be set, providing there are no impediments. 

The priest or deacon who guides you through this preparation time will normally be the officiant of the wedding. Occasionally, scheduling problems may necessitate a change.

You may invite a priest or deacon to officiate, for example a friend or relative. If not registered in the State of New York to officiate at marriages he must first do so. He must also request delegation from the pastor for the validity of the marriage. For inter-faith weddings, non-Catholic clergy are welcome to participate. Top

Required Documents

A new baptismal certificate, dated within six months of the wedding, is required for each Catholic. This establishes not only the baptism, but also that he/she is not already married in the church. That is why an old copy is not sufficient. For a non-Catholic Christian, any baptismal certificate is sufficient.

A Confirmation certificate, if not recorded on the new baptismal, must be obtained as well. An old copy is sufficient. If a Catholic is not confirmed, he/she may be confirmed on Pentecost Sunday (May or June) after a preparation course during the Easter Season.

In the case of a former marriage by a Catholic in the church, or a non-Catholic married to another non-Catholic, an annulment must first be obtained. We can assist you in beginning this process with the diocesan Tribunal, but be aware this can take a year and a wedding date cannot be set until the Decree of Nullity is granted.

In the case of a Catholic married outside the church without permission, other documents will be requested to establish that that marriage is not valid, namely a decree of divorce and a copy of the original marriage license showing the officiant was not a priest or deacon.

Affidavits of Freedom are required of each party; forms will be provided so each party can obtain two witnesses attesting to the freedom of the person to enter into marriage.

A Marriage License must be obtained from any County Clerk in New York State, no more that 60 days in advance of the wedding. Requirements are easily viewed online at www.nycmarriagebureau.com.  The officiant must have the license and its proper envelope before the day of the wedding. A church wedding cannot be performed without a license, even if a civil marriage already exists.

A  Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana) Certificate must also be presented to the officiant after you complete the course.

A Letter of Freedom (Permission) from the pastor of the bride or groom’s church is required for those living outside our parish and not registered here.  Top

Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana)

In addition to your meetings with the priest or deacon, a diocesan approved course of preparation is necessary. There are many options available to fit your needs and schedule. Information and registration is done online at www.pre-cana.org, after your wedding date has been set by the parish. When you have completed the course you can schedule another appointment with the priest or deacon to review what transpired and to plan the ceremony. Bring the wedding planning guide you receive and any documents that you have gathered.  Top

Spiritual Preparation

The engagement period is a privileged time of growth not only interpersonally but also in the development of a unique spirituality as a couple. Your relationship to God and others will change and develop as your relationship together does. Regular participation at Sunday Mass is expected and will strengthen your married life with untold blessings. It will fortify the foundation of a Christian home built on gospel values in which to raise a family. Explore the many other opportunities to participate in parish life and service. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) will be of great spiritual and personal assistance prior to the wedding.  Top

Wedding Times

Any day is possible if the schedule of the parish and officiant permits, with the exception of some special Holy Days and Civic Holidays. Usual hours are between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday thru Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Evening hours are not recommended (because of church lighting and the darkness of the stained-glass windows) but are possible on some days.  Top

Fees

An offering of $400. is requested for the parish. In addition the fee for the organist/singer is $100. In most cases then, a check for $500. is made out to St. Augustine Church prior to the wedding day. There is no additional fee for the officiant. If a cantor is also requested the fee is an additional $100. Other musicians/singers may be invited at your own expense and must be coordinated by the Director of Music.  Top

The Wedding Liturgy

The priest or deacon will guide you in choosing scriptures, prayers and all aspects of the liturgy. A Nuptial Mass is often recommended when both the bride and groom are practicing Catholics and many of the guests can receive Holy Communion as well. Otherwise a Marriage Ceremony is more appropriate.  Chairs are provided in the sanctuary for the bride and groom and the best man and maid/matron of honor. Additional members of the wedding party are seated in the first pew. The music director will assist you in choosing music. All must be in accord with the church’s Rite of Marriage and in keeping with liturgical guidelines. A rehearsal is optional. You may schedule one with the officiant. There is no bride’s room in the church but when necessary the rectory may be used prior to the wedding. The church and bathroom are wheelchair accessible.   Top

Photography

Photos and video are welcome. Instruct anyone you hire to introduce themselves when they arrive on the wedding day to the officiant who will remind them not to impede the movement or flow of the liturgy or become a distraction, and not to enter the altar platform area. Picture taking before or after the wedding must be pre-approved to avoid any conflicts with other scheduled services.  Top

Flowers/Decor

Flowers and decorations may normally be set up one hour prior to the wedding. They can be delivered earlier to the rectory. Two altarpieces are usually sufficient. Pew bows/flowers are permitted, but no adhesive is to be used on pews or church furnishings.  Any seasonal flowers or decorations already in church should remain in place. During the Christmas and Easter seasons a large number of flowers may already be present.

 If you do order flowers, they not only add beauty to the liturgy but are considered any offering to God and therefore remain in place after the wedding. An exception is the Advent and Lent Seasons when flowers are not used; they can be used at the wedding but removed or left to be discarded afterwards.

Rice, confetti, bird seed, etc. are prohibited for maintenance and safety reasons.

An aisle runner is allowed but not recommended. Formerly, substantial cloth runners were rented. Now thin plastic runners are purchased, usually from the limousine company, which look tacky and are a hazard, causing many slips and falls.  Top

Parking

Space is provided at the church entrance for a few cars for the wedding party. There is no special parking for guests except street parking.  Top

Directions

Directions to the church for your guest invitations are available on our website at www.staugustineparkslope.org or a printed version is available at the parish office.  Top

Certificate of Marriage

The State of New York will mail you a Marriage Certificate. The parish will likewise mail you our own certificate and inform your church(es) of baptism so that the marriage can be noted in their registers.  Top

World Marriage Day

Expect an invitation to our World Marriage Day Mass, a Sunday in February near St. Valentine Day. A brunch in the rectory will follow so you can meet other newly-wed couples and share your wedding experiences. Please make sure we have the address where you will be living after you are married. With God’s help, you will someday return and celebrate your silver and golden jubilees with us!  Top

Marriage Counseling

When the going gets rough, don’t give up; reach out. Counseling and referrals to other professionals are available.  Top

May the God of infinite goodness unite your minds and hearts in a never-ending bond of charity and peace, overflowing with goodness and life. Amen.