Parish Policy
Wedding Guidelines
St. Elizabeth Seton Parish
Lafayette, Louisiana
Recommended by parish council March 22, 1999
Revised May 24, 2007

 

The following policies and guidelines for weddings were recommended by the SES parish council and approved by the pastor. They are meant for larger, formal celebrations, not for validation of marriages. For serious pastoral reasons the pastor can make exceptions to these policies. Those with questions may either call the Marriage Coordinator (337.235-1483) or send an e-mail (aileen@setonchurch.org).

1. Scheduling Weddings
Weddings may be scheduled 18 months prior to the wedding date. Couples should contact the parish Marriage Coordinator (Aileen Kidder – 235-1483, aileen@setonchurch.org) to schedule the church as soon as possible.

Decisions regarding the celebration of the wedding should not be made until after the couple has met with Marriage Coordinator and the church officially reserved with the pastor.

Normally the Permanent Deacon will preside at weddings celebrated without a Mass (e.g. Saturday evenings).   

2. Time of Weddings
Weddings, especially large formal celebrations, will normally be celebrated at the following times:

  • Friday, 6:30 or 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, 10:30 AM
  • Saturday, 1:30 PM
  • Saturday, 6:30 or 7:00 PM (without a Mass or Communion Service)

Normally weddings will not be celebrated during Lent (February-March).

3. Time of Rehearsals
All rehearsals will take place on the Thursday before the wedding at 6:00 pm or 7:30 pm. If a wedding is not scheduled on Friday rehearsals are permitted then.  The date and time of the rehearsal shall be scheduled when meeting with the pastor to officially reserve the church.

4. Diocesan Policies
The wedding should be scheduled at least six months in advance to permit fulfilling requirements set forth in Diocesan Wedding Guidelines. Call the Marriage Coordinator for an appointment.

5. Stipend for Use of Church
All couples will be asked to pay $100 for lay staff assistance.  There is no charge for the priest to perform the ceremony.  Any donations in this regard are strictly voluntary.

Those requesting to celebrate their wedding in St. Elizabeth Seton Church will be asked to make the following contribution to the parish building fund:

  • Registered, contributing, participating parishioners --- no charge
  • Others ----- $450 (negotiable for extenuating circumstance or couple agree to begin using church envelopes regularly)

A $100 cash deposit (fee referred to above) is required by all couples when the church is reserved. This fee is non-refundable should the wedding be cancelled or postponed.

6. Time Frame for Use of the Church
When making plans the wedding party should keep the following in mind:

  • The church is available for wedding rehearsals for 30 minutes.
  • The bride's room is available for use 30 minutes before the wedding.
  • The wedding party should arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before the wedding begins
  • Wedding parties may remain for 15 minutes after the wedding to take pictures.

7. Liturgical Guidelines


a. Attire - The attire of the wedding party, especially the bride’s dress, should reflect the dignity and sacredness of the Catholic Rite of Marriage. When meeting with the Parish Wedding Coordinator more specific guidelines will be discussed and explained. Therefore, the wedding dress should be purchased only after these guidelines have been explained.

b. Music Guidelines

  • It is preferred that SES music ministers be employed as organist, pianist, and vocalist for all weddings celebrated at SES. This is to insure the integrity of the liturgical celebration as well as the protection of the musical instruments.
    • The names and phone numbers of the music ministers can be obtained from the Parish Marriage Coordinator or pastor
  • Before contracting with musicians, the couple should discuss the matter of music with the Parish Marriage Coordinator
  • Recorded music is not permitted.
  • Musicians may not bring their own organ, piano, or keyboard.
  • Only the parish musicians are allowed to use the organ and piano, unless permission is obtained from the pastor.
  • Exceptions will be considered for use of the parish organ for those with an advance degree in organ and are members of the American Guild of Organists. There will be a $75 "Bench Fee" for use of the parish organ by someone other than the parish organists.
  • Exceptions will be considered for use of the parish piano for those with prior experience with the type of piano owned by SES. There will be a $50 "Bench Fee" for use of the parish piano by someone other than those listed above.
  • All music before and during the wedding ceremony is to be sacred/religious music. Examples of sacred/religious music are:
    • Songs based on passages in the bible.
    • Songs published in missalettes or church songbooks.
    • Songs which speak of the mysteries of the Christian Faith or Christian love.
  • Secular “love songs” that speak only of human love are not permitted before or during the wedding ceremony.
  • All music used for weddings at SES must receive the approval of the pastor during the planning of the wedding.

c. Decorations

  • The church décor (banner, plants, etc.) will not be removed from the church.
  • The following are to be strictly observed:
    • Candlelabras from outside of the parish will not be permitted. The candle stands owned by SES may be used at no charge.
    • A runner for the main aisle is not permitted.
    • Archways in the church are not permitted.
    • Unity candles are not permitted.
    • The throwing of rice, birdseed, and/or flowers inside or outside the church building are not permitted.
    • Tape and tacks, especially on the pews, are not permitted.
    • Placements of flowers, arrangements, and plants in front of or on the altar or the pulpit are not permitted.
    • Food, drinks, and smoking are not permitted in the church building.
    • Cars are not permitted to park on the front paver brick walkway entrance.
    • “No parking” signs in fire lanes are to be observed by all.
    • No liquor may be brought on the church grounds before or after the wedding (e.g. vehicles used to transport wedding party to and from the church.
  • Real flowers and plants are preferred.
  • The placement of flowers, plants, and/or arrangements are permitted in the following locations:
    • In front of the columns on the left and right sides of the sanctuary area
    • In front of the St. Elizabeth Seton and Holy Family Statues
  • Flowers, arrangements, and other items are to be removed immediately after the ceremony unless other arrangements have been made before hand with the Parish Marriage Coordinator.
  • Placement of flowers, plants, and arrangements may not be permitted until one hour before the ceremony begins depending on scheduled weddings or funerals.
  • The florist is to use the parish plant stand and flower urns provided that they are not removed from the church.
  • The parish provides all needed furnishings (kneeler for bride and groom, 6 candles stands near the bride and groom, flower stands and urns) at no additional charge.

d. Photographer & Videographer: The following guideline should be observed:

  • The wedding party may obtain the services of one still photographer and/or one videographer.
  • Lights will not be turned on in church until 30 minutes before the wedding begins.
  • Photographers are discouraged from taking group pictures in the church before the wedding begins.
  • The wedding party may remain after the wedding for group pictures for a maximum of 15 minutes.
  • Photographers should not stop the entrance procession or recessional to take pictures.
  • Photographers and videographers are not to enter the sanctuary area (wood floors) when taking pictures.
  • Videographers may not use spot lights.
  • Videographers are not permitted to use wireless recording equipment since it may interfere with the church sound system.
  • An audio plug for the videographer is provided on the floor near the choir area. This does not pick up singing which is on a separate sound system.

8. Parish Wedding Sacristan & Family Wedding Coordinator

  • The parish wedding sacristan will be present for all rehearsals and weddings to assist the wedding party.
    • The parish wedding sacristan is aware of all wedding policies and guidelines and is authorized to enforce them.
    • Questions that arise at the rehearsal can be answered by the pastor and/or parish wedding sacristan.
  • During the planning stage, the couple to be married is to appoint a family wedding coordinator who will be responsible for seeing to it that the wedding party observes all parish guidelines.
    • The family wedding coordinator should not be a member of the wedding party who is in the procession or who is involved in an active role in the wedding ceremony.
    • The family wedding coordinator should be given a copy of these guidelines before the rehearsal.
    • The family wedding coordinator must be present for the rehearsal and he or she should arrive at least 20 minutes in advance to meet with the parish wedding coordinator.
    • The coordinator should be at church 30 minutes before the wedding begins.

9. Accountability
The bride and groom shall be held responsible for the actions and behavior of all their guests, florists, musicians, and photographers.

(end of SES Wedding Guidelines)