Our Lady of the Sierra Parish

 

Parish Wedding Policy

 

Thank you for choosing Our Lady of the Sierra parish to celebrate your upcoming wedding.  Our parish liturgy associates and wedding coordinators will assist you in the preparation process for your wedding celebration.  Our priority is to assist you in preparing, not just for your wedding day, but for your married life together. 

 

INITIAL CONTACT

 

Couples are to contact the parish office at least 6 months prior to the anticipated wedding celebration date.  A meeting will be arranged with the clergy of the parish to review the necessary documentation required and to make the initial arrangements.

Preparation Program options for parishioners of Our Lady of the Sierra parish include:

          1.       St. Anthony of Padua Marriage Preparation Program.  Please contact Lynne Medeiros (Marriage Coordinator) at (559)439-0124, Extension 116 for available dates.  Space is limited and preference is given according to wedding date.

          2.       Catholic Engaged Encounter:  This is an intensive weekend event held at St. Anthony Retreat Center.  Please call (559) 265-3365 for availability and registration information.

          3.       St. Joseph Counseling Center:  This option is recommended if either party has been married before or already has children.  Please call (559) 438-1200 as sessions must be scheduled in advance.

          4.       Any successfully completed Marriage Preparation Program provided by a Roman Catholic Church.

 

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

 

The following documents must be presented as follows:

          1.       Baptismal Certificate issued within the last 6 months;

          2.       Certificate of First Eucharist;

          3.       Certificate of Confirmation;

          4.       Certification of successful completion of a Marriage Preparation Program.

          5.       Certificate of Death (in the event  that either party is widowed);

          6.       Certificate of Marriage if couple is already married civilly.

 

In the event that either Baptism, First Eucharist or Confirmation certificates are not available, a notarized letter from a physical witness is acceptable, as is a date-stamped photograph of the event.

 

Couples coming from outside the parish boundaries of this parish are to contact the pastor of the parish to which they belong in order to be directed to the marriage preparation programs their parish may have organized.  Following the successful completion of Marriage Preparation programs, the couple is to request the permission of the pastor from their parish to have the wedding in this parish.  Note:  The Pre-Matrimonial Investigation prior to marriage and collection of required documents may be completed here.

 

PRE-MATRIMONIAL INVESTIGATION  may be done here at Our Lady of the Sierra parish or in your home parish.  It must be completed at least two months prior to the date of the wedding ceremony.  If you complete it in your home parish, please insure that a copy is sent to our office, along with the letter from the pastor granting permission to marry in our church at least two months prior to the date of the wedding ceremony.

 

MARRIAGE LICENSE

A marriage license is to be obtained at the County offices and is valid for three months after being obtained.  The marriage license must be in our office no later than four weeks prior to the wedding ceremony.  You may obtain a marriage license in person at the Madera County Clerk’s office (209 W. Yosemite Avenue, Madera, CA  93637 ~ (559)675-7721 or at any California County Clerk’s Office.  Important:  Without a Marriage license obtained prior to the wedding ceremony date, the wedding ceremony will be cancelled.

 

WEDDING FEES AND GIFTS

          The wedding fee for registered and active parishioners of Our Lady of the Sierra parish is $700.00.  This fee includes the use of the worship space and bridal waiting room,  Pastoral Music Ministry and the fee for wedding coordination as well as a non-refundable deposit fee of $50.00 which is required to reserve the wedding date.

 

        The fee for non-parishioners is $800.00.  This fee includes the use of the worship space and bridal waiting room,  Pastoral Music Ministry and the fee for wedding coordination as well as a non-refundable deposit fee of $50.00 which is required to reserve the wedding date.

 

          The gift to the clergy is not included in the above-mentioned fees.  A  gift of $150-$200.00 is suggested and may be paid at the Parish Office prior to the wedding date.

 

          A gift of $10.00 or more per Altar Server is appropriate and may be paid at the Parish Office prior to the wedding date.

 

Our liturgy associates or wedding coordinators will be delighted to answer any other questions regarding general or Church etiquette.

 

LITURGY AND MUSIC PLANNING

Your wedding ceremony may be celebrated during a Nuptial Mass (recommended when both parties are practicing Catholics) or during a Liturgy of the Word Ceremony (which includes a service of Prayer and Liturgy of the Word as well as the Rite of Marriage.)

 

At a convenient time following your initial meeting with the clergy, please call Kevin Jonas who is our Director of Liturgy and Pastoral Music Ministries (contact information on the last page).  Kevin will guide you through the planning of your wedding liturgy and will discuss your music requests as well as other important elements of church etiquette for a personally planned and spiritually dimensional wedding liturgy.

 

During your liturgy planning meeting, a rehearsal date and time will be scheduled with your wedding coordinator.   All participants at the rehearsal are required to be punctual, appropriately dressed and respectful in the worship space.  All telephonic devices (cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc.) must be turned off prior to entering the worship space.  Any staff member who has reason to believe that any member of the wedding party is under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the day of the wedding will cancel the wedding ceremony.  All members of the Bridal party must be dressed appropriately and respectfully.  Bridal attendants may not be attired in strapless or off the shoulder attire;  in the event the dresses are fashioned thus, shawls must be worn while in the worship space.

 

FLOWERS, CANDLES, DÉCOR  

The Church buildings of Our Lady of the Sierra Parish are sacred places where we gather, we pray and we celebrate. The architectural beauty of our Churches and the furnishings of the celebrations of liturgy are designed to express a sense of unity and “noble simplicity.”

Decorations used at weddings should be appropriate to the space and a quality that reflects the dignity of Christian Marriage.

The following policies are provided in order that the beauty of the Church be respected and maintained.

 

POLICIES:

1. No decorations are required. The natural beauty of the Church and its décor already enhance the dignity of the wedding ceremony.

2. Décor for weekend Masses including special seasonal décor (Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter) may not be changed or moved. During these times, additional décor should be appropriate to the season. Please consult with the Wedding Coordinator or Liturgy Associate for this information.

3. All existing plants, flowers and pedestals in the Church are to be left in place.

4. If flowers or plants are to be left in the Church after the wedding ceremony, please inform the Wedding Coordinator or Liturgy Associate .

5. FLOWERS: One (1) or two (2) arrangements may be used in the sanctuary space (Altar and Ambo areas). Sanctuary flowers should be large enough to be visible but never obstruct the action of the liturgy. Only fresh, natural flowers and foliages may be used. Plastic, preserved or silk flowers and foliages are not permitted as they do not speak of the natural reality of Liturgy.  Flower arrangements may be used at the back of the pews.

6. POTTED PLANTS: Plants used must have waterproof pot covers or placed in saucers to protect the carpeting. Suggestion: Use potted plants instead of flowers and then use the potted plants in the couple’s first home.

7. PEW DECORATIONS: Pews must not be scratched. Use of plastic clips, tape, Velcro, staples, clamps, floral pins, etc., is not allowed. Bows, greenery or floral sprays may be used only if attached with a ribbon loop and must be removed after the ceremony.
8. FLOWER PETALS, etc.: Insurance liability prohibits the use of Flower petals (real or artificial) may not be thrown or dropped down in the aisles. As well, Rice, birdseed, confetti, etc., may not under any circumstances be thrown on the Church grounds. 

9. RUNNERS: Insurance liability prohibits the use of plastic or paper Runners are not allowed. Only cloth Runners, properly secured are allowed.

10. CANDLES: Existing sanctuary candles are used in the wedding ceremony. Candelabrum may be used. Florist must provide adequate plastic floor covering under the candelabrum to protect the floor. Candelabrum must be non-drip.  Insurance liability prohibits the use of Aisle candles.

11. UNITY CANDLE: The unity candle stand is furnished by the Church but you will need to furnish the candles.

12. The Church is available for floral setup no earlier than one (1) hour before the wedding.
13. Florists are responsible to reclaim any pedestals, etc., they provide immediately after the ceremony. The Church should be left in the same order it was found. Florists are responsible to clean up pedals, twigs, etc. which may have dropped during transit of flowers or arrangements.

PLEASE GIVE A COPY OF THESE POLICIES TO YOUR FLORIST

 

PHOTOGRAPHY ~ VIDEOGRAPHY

The official wedding photographer and/or videographer will be directed prior to the commencement of the wedding liturgy as to where he/she may stand during the wedding liturgy without disturbing its religious atmosphere.  No flash photography is allowed.  No additional lighting is allowed.  Bridal couples are allowed 30 minutes of photography following the ceremony;  after they have, with the Best Man and Maid of Honor, gone immediately to the Sacristy  to witness the signing of the documents.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

          It is our sincere hope that this information will be of assistance to you as you plan for your most special day.  Our parish clergy, Liturgy Director, and wedding coordinators are delighted to offer any assistance you should require or request.

 

To begin your planning, please call:

 

Our Lady of the Sierra Parish Office

Located on the grounds of Our Lady of the Sierra Catholic Church

Oakhurst, California  93644

(559) 642-3452

 

Rev. Patrick Joel Davidilla, Pastor    

559-642-3452

 

Mr. Kevin Jonas, Director:  Office of Worship

213-910-7252 / 559-642-3452

 

 

 

 

 

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