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Catholic Center Marriage Policy
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Marriage at the Catholic Center
- As a worshipping Catholic community, the Catholic Center is the normative place for the celebration of Marriage of members of the University Catholic Center Community.
- Alumni and others who have been associated with this community are welcome to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage at the Catholic Center.
- For marriages to take place in the Catholic Church, a required preparation process must be completed.
- If couple resides in Austin, the couple must complete the process as approved by the Diocese of Austin.
- If the couple do not currently reside in Austin, they must complete the process as required by their local diocese.
- Date of Marriage is set with one of the priests of the Catholic Center.
- No date will be confirmed until there is verification of the couple being in a preparation program at the Catholic Center or another Catholic parish, and have completed the Prenuptial Questionnaire.
- Availability of priest of the University Catholic Center is by arrangement with the priest.
- Priests/deacons from another parish are welcome to preside at marriages taking place at the Catholic Center.
- If coming from another diocese, you must provide the Center staff contact information for the priest or deacon, who will be asked to submit a letter of good standing to the Vicar General.
- Couples seeking to have an outside priest or deacon preside at the celebration must still be in contact with a member of the pastoral staff of the Catholic Center and abide by all marriage policies of the Center.
- The Catholic Center will only communicate with the wedding couples regarding all matters related to the wedding. The Center will not enter into communications with parents, wedding planners, or other third parties.
- Required documents:
- Baptism certificate(s) for bride and groom if baptized
- If Catholic, baptism certificate need to be recently issued within 6 months of the wedding
- Copies of First Communion and Confirmation certificates (if not notated no the Baptism Certificate)
- Marriage license if celebration taking place at the Catholic Center
- Marriage certificate if the couple has been civilly married before
- Witness affidavit for marriage (2 per person)
- Certificate of completion of marriage workshop
- Prenuptial Questionnaire
- Baptism certificate(s) for bride and groom if baptized
- FOCCUS Inventory
- Required workshop
- Planning the marriage celebration
- Parking lot is available for rental depending on the day of the week and the schedule of the UCC and the University. Reservations will be made through the Administrative Assistant of the Catholic Center.
- Reservation fee for the parking lot is $300 a day and must be made 1 month in advance.
- Staff parking will be preserved on weekdays.
- Pastoral staff parking spaces are reserved at all times.
- Other facility rental can be made with the business manager with referral from the priest contact.
- The suggested donation for preparation and marriage at the Catholic Center is $800, to cover the cost of materials and facilities.
- This donation does not include stipends for the liturgical musicians. Please see the section on music.
- The suggested donations for couples who are being prepared at the Catholic Center for marriage at another Catholic Church is $200.
- While not required, a personal stipend to priest is accepted.
- The Center will be open 2 hours before the wedding unless another arrangement is made with the priest.
- Seating and preparations rooms are available at this time.
- Guests may be seated any time after the building is open.
- Because of the normal liturgical schedule of the church, decorations cannot be set up before the wedding date.
- For weddings during the Lenten season, please consult with the presider on decorations.
- All clean-up and photography must be completed 45 minutes after the wedding.
- At the discretion of the Catholic Center and/or presiding clergy, optional parts of the celebration may be omitted or music choices modified if the wedding party is more than 15 minutes late.
- At the discretion of the Catholic Center, the wedding may be rescheduled for another date if it is more than 30 minutes late.
- At the discretion of the Catholic Center, rehearsals can be canceled and celebration modified if wedding party is more than 20 minutes late to the rehearsal.
- A member of the staff will be present to assist with questions regarding building use.
- Rooms for the groomsmen and bridesmaid are available upon request for a fee. Reservations can be made with the Administrative Assistant.
- No alcohol is allowed.
- Rooms must be restored to original state upon departures.
- Security of valuables cannot be guaranteed.
- Photography and videography are welcome at the celebrations at the Catholic Center.
- Photographers and videographers should not position themselves in a way that would disrupt the celebration of the marriage or place themselves or others at risk.
- Setups may not block aisles, doors, or fire escape access.
- Flash photography is at the discretion of the presiding priest.
- Photographers and videographer are asked to check in with the presiding priest before the wedding to confirm their preferences.
- Flowers and decorations for the wedding must be in keeping with the liturgical nature of the celebration.
- They may not impede movements around the sanctuary or aisles.
- They may not obstruct views of the altar.
- Flowers may not be delivered before the day of the wedding.
- General decorations should be discussed with one of the priests of the Catholic Center beforehand.
- Decorations may not interfere with the fire safety of the Catholic Center.
- Candles may not be placed in the aisles.
- Aisle runners and ribbons blocking the aisles are not allowed.
- Decorations may not damage the furnishing and facility of the Catholic Center.
- No thumb tacks, nails, etc.
- Only masking/ painter’s tape are allowed for use.
- Existing liturgical furnishings and decorations may not be moved.
- All decorations must be removed immediately after the celebration.
- Floral arrangements may be donated to the church in consultation with of the priests of the Center.
- Scheduled by appointment with one of the priests of the Catholic Center.
- If the wedding is celebrated by a priest of the Catholic Center, the priest will lead the rehearsal.
- Music rehearsal is not done during this time. If music rehearsal is determined to be necessary by the Director of Music, a separate time will be arranged with the musicians. See music policies. Musicians’ presence at the rehearsal is at the discretion of the Director of Music.
- All members of the wedding party, those taking part in the procession, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (if applicable) are asked to be at the rehearsal.
- The presiding priest/deacon will run rehearsal and direct the celebration.
- Outside wedding coordinators who will be present at the celebration must communicate with priest presider and Music Director or his designate regarding their roles during the rehearsal and wedding celebration at the Center prior to the date of the wedding.
- All music selections for celebrations at the Catholic Center must be done in consultation and with the approval of the University Catholic Center Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Benjamin Cox.
- Please see attached music policies.
- The Catholic Center does not provide altar servers, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Couples are asked to select their own lector and other liturgical ministers if desired. It is normative to give a small stipend to the altar servers you invite.
- All liturgical ministers are asked to be present at the rehearsal.
Appropriate Attire- Wedding party attire should be modest. Dresses should cover the decolletage, shoulders and back. If you have a question about the appropriateness of dress, please contact the Administrative Assistant.
- Flower petals (real or silk) may not be sprinkled in the church (either before the celebration or by the flower girl).
- The sprinkling of rice, birdseed, or confetti and blowing of bubbles after the celebration is not allowed inside the Center. Bubbles are acceptable outside the building.
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