We want to support and assist you in the best way possible at Our Lady of Guadalupe as you embark on this very important commitment in your lives.
This page is intended to answer a few of the questions which are most likely on your mind at this time. It may also help you to raise some questions which haven’t yet occurred to you but which will be important for you to consider as you make plans for your wedding.
Who can be married at Our Lady of Guadalupe? Normally, those who are registered parishioners of our parish. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of celebrating the sacraments within one’s own community of faith. There can be exceptions to this, however.
Who is able to officiate at weddings? Our Pastor, normally officiates at parish weddings. But permission can be given for a priest or deacon friend to officiate. And, as indicated above, if you belong to another parish in the Archdiocese, your pastor will be the appropriate person to approach in this matter.
Are people who are not of the Catholic faith able to be married at our parish? They are, if they are marrying a Catholic.
Are people who have been married before able to be married in the Catholic Church? Normally speaking, the answer to this question is no. That is because the Catholic Church regards marriage as a permanent commitment. However, because there are exceptions and extenuating circumstances, you would be well advised to discuss it as soon as possible with the priest or deacon whom you approach about officiating at your wedding.
Is some sort of preparation needed for couples wishing to be married? Yes. Since marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacrament and a lifetime commitment, one of the ways we value and honor it is by taking time to help couples prepare. All parishioners begin this process by completing a comprehensive Pre-Marriage Inventory or questionnaire, followed by an interview with a member of the marriage preparation team. Afterwards, couples are required to participate in a marriage preparation program, a number of which are approved by our parish. Most couples attend
Engaged Encounter. The Archdiocese of Seattle also periodically offers
marriage preparation. Couples who are not parishioners deal directly in this matter with the priest or deacon who will officiate at their wedding.
When may weddings take place at OLG? Weddings can be scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays before 3:00 p.m. They are never celebrated on Sundays. Also, the Church discourages celebration of weddings during the season of Lent.
Do Catholic weddings always take place during Mass? No. Weddings can be celebrated either during the celebration of Mass or during a Liturgy of the Word. Normally, weddings are celebrated during Mass only when both parties are of the Catholic faith.
Does OLG have policies regarding the content of the wedding service, the music to be used, etc? Yes. The content of the service is set forth in the Church’s official Ritual Book for weddings. However, the couple being married is encouraged to engage in helping to plan the wedding service by choosing the Scripture readings that will be used during it. There are certain other options for the service, too, which will be explained to you.
How does a parishioner arrange to get a wedding on the parish calendar? If you are a regular and contributing parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, you may begin scheduling a wedding by calling the parish office up to 14 months (and no less than 9 months) before your desired wedding date. You will be able to schedule an initial appointment with Fr. Jack, our Pastor, who will talk more about your desire to be married, the preparation process in place to help you approach this Sacrament in a thoughtful and responsible way, and possible dates for the wedding itself.
How does a someone who is NOT an OLG parishioner arrange to get a wedding on the calendar? It is necessary first of all for you to have a priest or deacon who is willing to preside at your wedding. Normally, of course, this would be a priest or deacon from your own parish. It could also be a relative or a close friend. Once you have identified the priest- or deacon-presider, the parish will work with you to find an agreeable date for your wedding. This date will remain tentative until the priest or deacon has requested and received permission for the marriage from the Archbishop (if he resides outside the Archdiocese) and the Pastor.
Who provides music for weddings at OLG? Normally our parish musicians do, but exceptions can be made. Please contact OLG’s music director, Ann Sager, at
[email protected] for more information. You can hear wedding music suggestions by going to
www.olgseattle.org/wedding.music
What if a parishioner is planning to be married at another Catholic Church? OLG will provide all the support necessary to help you prepare for your wedding and marriage. Please go to the link "
Check list for couples being married outside OLG" on the right.