Weddings

 DOCUMENTS: You will need to obtain the following documents for marriage preparations:

• A Newly issued Baptismal Certificate, obtainable directly from the church where you were baptized. If one of the parties was baptized with water in another Christian Church, please obtain a copy of your Baptism Certificate. If either party has been previously married, be sure to advise the Priest so that the proper paperwork or documentation may be attained to assure that your marriage can, in fact, take place in the Church.
• A Civil License.  It is the responsibility of the couple to obtain the Civil License. You must apply for it in person together, and no blood test is necessary in the State of New Hampshire. It is not good to wait until the last minute to apply for it, especially since it is valid for 90 days. You may drop it off at the parish office anytime, and the Priest will keep it in  your marriage file. However, it must be brought to the Priest no later than the time of rehearsal.  

TIME AND PLACE: 
All marriages are normally solemnized in the Parish Church at the following times; Friday evenings after 5:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday evening after 6:00 p.m. Weddings are not normally celebrated during the Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday) due to the special penitential character of that time in the Church. 
No date can be set until the couple has consulted in person with the Priest. Dates cannot be set by calling the office. Please do not make any definite plans with a reception  hall until your wedding date is confirmed by a priest in the parish.
If there is more than one wedding scheduled for a particular date, a 2-hour interval will be required between weddings. 

SHOULD THERE BE A MASS?
It is presumed that all marriages between two Catholics will take place within the context of the Mass, providing the couple is actively practicing their faith.
inasmuch as the marriage ceremony should be a sign for all that unites the bridal couple, when one of them is not a member of the Catholic Church and would therefore, be unable to receive Communion, the marriage normally will be celebrated within the context of the first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word.

MUSIC:
In following the Diocesan Wedding Policy for music, only church music may be used in Catholic Weddings.
Please contact Mr. Alan Labrie (603-524-9609), the parish music director, as soon as possible, after you have set the date for your wedding with the Priest. He will help you with the selection of appropriate music, while keeping in mind the sacredness of the Sacramental celebration. Musicians from outside the Parish  may also be used; however, they, and the music must first meet the approval of the parish music director. 

FLOWERS:
If any flowers are purchased for the wedding ceremony, they are to be left in the Church. Flowers are normally arranged in two pieces: one for each side of the altar or tabernacle, or one large arrangement in front of the altar. Artificial flowers are not permitted.
No flower petals, rice, confetti or birdseed may be thrown in or around the church.

RING BEARERS & FLOWER GIRLS:
For practicality purposes, although it may be cute to have little two or three year olds as ring bearers and flower girls, we ask that they be no younger than four years of age.

AISLE RUNNERS, PEW CANDLES AND BOWS:
Due to accidents that can occur from tripping on the aisle runner, this parish does not allow the use of them. If pew bows are used, they should be clipped or tied to the pews - no tape, tacks, nails, etc...may be used. It will be the responsibility of the bride and the groom to see to it that they are properly in place and removed after. 

VISITING CELEBRANTS:
Ordinarily the Priest or Deacon of this parish will preside at weddings celebrated at the two churches. If, however, for reasons of special relationships, a couple would like to invite another priest or deacon to preside at their wedding, they are free to do so. It is presumed that the visiting celebrant will adhere to the regulations of the Diocese of Manchester and the customs of this parish. He will also agree to be present for the wedding rehearsal and must submit a letter indicating that he is in agreement to preside at the wedding. If the visiting celebrant is from out-of-state, he must obtain the written permission (license) from the Secretary of the State of New Hampshire.
Additionally, a letter of good standing from his Bishop or Superiors must be presented to be kept on file.

REHEARSAL:
The rehearsal is usually scheduled for the evening before the wedding. It normally takes one hour. Please schedule rehearsal parties after the rehearsal.
To waste no one's time, it is important for everyone to be there on time..

BRIDAL ATTIRE:
Out of respect and reverence for the sacred space in which the wedding is taking place, we ask that the bride and bridesmaids have their shoulders covered, either by the dress itself, by a veil, or shawl/wrap.

MARRIAGE FEES:
The following fees should be paid no later than the rehearsal: 

• Church reservation fee for parishioners who are registered and active contributors for at least one years, prior tot he initial contact: $200.00
• Church reservation fee for non-parishioners (non-active, non-registered) at the time of initial contact: $400.00.

The Church is not officially reserved until the church reservation fee is received
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MUSICIAN FEES: 

• Fee for organist: $250.00
• Fee for cantor: $200.00
• Fee for pianist: $250.00
• Other musicians as requested per separate contract

Musician fees are subject to change. 
Musicians may be booked by calling ​the parish office at 603-524-9609.

OFFERING FOR THE PRIEST: 
This offering is not included in the Church fee, but is left to the discretion of the couple.

A letter indicating the reservation of the church will be sent to you following reception of the church reservation fee.