Marriage
Engaged? Congratulations!
We rejoice with you! We will walk with you as you approach one of the most important days in your life: Marriage in the Catholic Church. We will help you to prepare for the lifelong sacramental marriage.
Your married life begins by the solemn exchange of vows in a sacred act. The wedding is above all else an act of worship, a public celebration of one of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. That is why we take care to ensure that the sacred liturgy is celebrated according to the Church and its liturgical law. Only Roman Catholic ceremonies are celebrated at St. Mary of the Angels.
Reserving the Church for Your Wedding
To reserve a date for a wedding at St. Mary of the Angels, either the bride or the groom must be Catholic, we mainly serve our active parishioners that have been registered in our parish for at least four months before scheduling a wedding date. An active parishioner is defined as someone who regularly attends Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and supports the parish using the envelope or electronic donation system. Non-parishioners please contact our wedding coordinator for reservation options.
We celebrate weddings on Saturdays only, at 11:00 am 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. There are no celebrations on Fridays or Sundays and no Marriages during Lent.
All arrangements are to be made by either the bride or the groom personally.
We are able to reserve a date and time for your wedding only when the following two requirements are fulfilled:
- Meeting with the Wedding Coordinator
- Reception of the completed reservation contract with the required deposit.
*We expect that the bride and bridesmaids’ dresses will be suitably modest, in keeping with the sacredness of the marriage rite. (Shoulders and back need to be covered at all times, with a neckline that completely covers cleavage).
Timeline for Planning your Wedding Mass
9-12 Months Before Your Wedding:
Contact the Wedding Coordinator
Martha Jaime: 773-278-2644, Ext. 234 or mjaime@sma.family
Call or email as soon as you get engaged! Our Wedding Coordinator will meet with you to discuss your wedding preparations.
In this meeting you’ll learn about the formation process for Holy Matrimony and the necessary paperwork. You will also set your wedding date.
Gather Needed Documents (Martha Jaime will explain these to you)
- Baptismal certificate (Bride)
- Confirmation certificates (Bride)
- (2) Witness Affidavits (Bride)
- Baptismal certificate (Groom)
- Confirmation certificates (Groom)
- (2) Witness Affidavits (Groom)
7-8 Months Before Your Wedding
Meet with the Priest
You will meet with the priest to fill out the Prenuptial Questionnaire and take the Better Together couple assessment. You will share this personalized profile of your relationship, and the priest will schedule a follow-up session to review your results.
Take the Marriage Preparation Classes—Pre-Cana Class
5-6 Months Before Your Wedding
Plan Your Wedding Liturgy
Contact the Music Director Stephen Noon: 773-278-2644, ext. 250 or stephennoon@sbcglobal.net to make your music and musicians selection.
Contact the Rehearsal Coordinator Patti Dire: 773-278-2644, ext. 229 or weddings@sma-church.org. Patti will help you with the following:
- Fill out Wedding Ceremony Planning Sheet.
- Review and choose bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses with the modesty suitable for the sacredness of the marriage rite. (Shoulders and back need to be covered at all times, with a neckline that covers cleavage completely).
- Schedule the rehearsal date
*The Rehearsal Coordinator must approve dresses and ceremony forms.
1 Months Before Your Wedding
Meet with the Wedding Coordinator and Submit Final Documents
- Marriage License (from Cook County, valid for 60 days)
- Review and make sure the wedding file is complete.
The Week of Your Wedding
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Catholics are strongly encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as the final preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Reconciliation and the Eucharist are invaluable sources of grace and healing. Celebrate this sacrament with your spouse-to-be!
1 or 2 Days Before Your Wedding
REHEARSAL WITH WEDDING COORDINATOR
Run through the ceremony with the Wedding Coordinator so that everyone in the wedding party has a clear idea of how they will process in and out, and where to sit and stand during the parts of the wedding ceremony.
We will try to offer Reconciliation for the wedding party at this time. Instructions will also be given as to the proper conditions for receiving Holy Communion.
On The Day of Your Wedding
Be on time and enjoy the moment.
We invite you to read the wonderful document from the U.S. bishops: Marriage: Love And Life In The Divine Plan.
