The Marriage Ceremony

Congratulations to the newly engaged couple. May God send his blessings to you and the family you are about to become. Please pray for each other as you begin the process of planning your wedding.

O God, we want to live our life together with you and always to continue it with you. Help us never to hurt and never to grieve each other. Help us to share all our works, all our hopes, all our dreams, all our successes, all our failures, all our joys and all our sorrows. Help us to have no secrets from each other so that we may be truly one. Keep us always true to each other, and grant that all the years ahead may draw us ever closer to each other. Grant that nothing may ever come between us and nothing may ever make us ever drift apart. And as we live with each other, help us to live with you, so that our love may grow perfect in your love, for you are the God whose name is love. This we ask for your love’s sake. Amen

See below for information about wedding ceremonies at St.Bernadette.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:9-10

The rehearsal is usually a day or two prior to the wedding, and is usually booked at the time the wedding is booked.
Contact Deacon Hal to schedule an appointment one month prior to your rehearsal to select readings from “Together for Life” booklet and discuss ceremony details.
Deacon Hal will run the rehearsal. Outside wedding coordinators are welcome to be present but ideally a priest or deacon are present to maintain the sanctity of the marriage sacrament ceremony. If you have a wedding coordinator, please ask them to speak with the celebrant prior to the rehearsal date.
St. Bernadette musicians do not attend the rehearsal.

Bridal Room

The bridal room is located in Doherty Hall which can be accessed by an elevator or stairs. There is a full length mirror in the hall and a dressing room with mirrors for touching up. Security of this space for personal belongings must be prearranged as this space is not generally secured.

Parking is available along Teller St., along Upham St. and in surface lot on the east side of Upham St. Handicap parking is reserved along 12th avenue. There is a loading zone on 12th avenue which can be used for wedding vehicles upon arrival and departure from the church.

ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CHURCH OR ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS.

Rice, confetti, birdseed, etc. may not be thrown inside or outside the church.

The sound system is not available for playing electronic devices.

The doors to the church cannot be locked during the ceremony.

Liturgy/song books cannot be removed from the pews.

You are welcome to buy and bring flowers and decorations. Be aware that St. Bernadette does not provide decorations for weddings.

Florist Guidelines

A suitable time for delivery is between 8:30am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday or by arrangement through the office for any weekend deliveries
Staff will accept delivery on your behalf but they are not liable for received items that do not meet your satisfaction.
Christian liturgy is marked by elegance and simplicity. Wedding parties are encouraged to use flowers to reflect simplicity.

Decoration Guidelines

For pew decorations, no tape or tacks are permitted. You may use pew clips, may tie ribbon around the pew, or hang items with pipe cleaners.
All decorations must be prepared prior to their arrival .
Remove the decorations immediately. We are not responsible for any items left at St. Bernadette.
Contact the parish office the following Monday after the ceremony for any items that are left behind. The Office Administrative Assistant will arrange a pickup time.

Please keep in mind the solemnity and dignity of your wedding ceremony. Even though current fashions can be very revealing, there are many choices that can be made for the bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses. If the top is very bare, you should consider wearing a small jacket or a shawl (quite often an option for the bridesmaids’ dresses).

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please feel free to contact us at 303.233.1523 or email stbernparish@gmail.com.

Our Pastoral Associate will help you to arrange music for your wedding day. Once you receive your wedding date, you can contact her at stbernparish@gmail.com.

All parts of the liturgy are expected to conform to the Church’s standards for noble, sacred and appropriate expressions of prayer and celebration. We are aware that there are many tastes in music expressed by those approaching the sacrament of Marriage. For this reason, St. Bernadette will provide assistance and recommendations. There is no a charge for this assistance in planning your ceremony.

The music fee for weddings at St. Bernadette is:

$200 and includes the services of a pianist and vocalist
$75 fee for each additional musician (e.g. violin, cello, clarinet guitar, additional vocalists, etc.) if desired.

Our Pastoral Associate will schedule musicians once she’s met with you and discussed your desires for music. All fees will be paid directly to the musicians on the day of the wedding. It is possible to use your own musicians, however, any musicians who perform at St. Bernadette as well as music chosen, needs approval from our Pastoral Associate in advance.

Marriage Ceremony Questions?

Doreen Woodruff

Office Manager

Email Me!