​​Congratulations On Your Engagement!
​PLANNING THE WEDDING CEREMONY
The booklet, “Together for Life,” contains guidelines for planning Catholic wedding liturgies that are liturgically appropriate and walks you through the process.  When you meet with Father, he will review your plans for the wedding ceremony and make any modifications that may be needed.  We strongly encourage you to follow the guidelines to minimize the possibility of any last-minute changes due to lack of liturgical appropriateness. This will help avoid disappointment and keep stress levels to a minimum.
WEDDING WITHIN OR OUTSIDE MASS?
It is appropriate and encouraged that a Mass be celebrated when both members of the engaged couple are practicing Catholics. The Mass is not required to make a wedding “Catholic”. 

When a baptized Catholic marries a person baptized in another Christian Church, the Mass is not usually celebrated. This ensures that both the Catholic and non-Catholic party and their families feel equally comfortable and included during the ceremony since the non-Catholic party and family cannot share in the Eucharist. 
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When a baptized Catholic marries a non-baptized person Canon Law does not allow the Mass to be celebrated. The pastor will be happy to explain these guidelines in greater detail and answer any questions.
The Catholic Wedding
While allowing for certain personal preferences and choices, the wedding liturgy follows certain prescribed norms.
† The congregation actively participates in both spoken and sung parts of the liturgy
† Readers may be family members or close friends with a good reading voice
† Servers are provided by the Church but may be Catholic family members or close friends
† Gift presenters may be family members or close friends
† The Parish Musician is usually secured by the couple.
† Music selections are sacred or classical pieces performed well and live (Recordings are never allowed)
† Church decorations may not be altered
† In the Catholic Church the bride’s father does not give her away; she is giving herself in marriage to the man she loves, and he is giving himself to her.
​NOT PERMITTED
​The Unity Candle is not a Catholic practice and more appropriate for the wedding reception. The true signs of unity at a wedding are the Exchange of Vows and the Eucharist. In the recent revision of the Rite of Matrimony, the Church has prohibited the use of the unity candle at wedding ceremonies.

The Sand Ceremony, a popular sand blending ceremony as a sign of unity during the wedding is prohibited. Again, this practice would be more appropriate for the wedding reception.

Flower Petals, Rice, Birdseed, Confetti or Bubbles: The throwing of flower petals, rice, birdseed, confetti, or the blowing of bubbles inside the church or on church grounds is prohibited as it is a messy injury hazard.
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Animals and Wagons: The use of animals and wagons as part of the procession or ceremony is prohibited
PERMITTED
​The Blessing and Giving of the Arras
Important to those in Hispanic and Filipino families and is certainly available to those for whom it would have deep significance.

The Veil
(Hispanic/Filipino tradition) After the couple has exchanged rings, they kneel side by side.  Then two chosen people will take one end of the bride’s veil and drape it over the groom’s shoulders.  It signifies that they are dressed for the world as one.

The Lasso/Cord
(Hispanic/Filipino tradition) A white cord is placed over the couple’s shoulders in the sign of infinity (a sideways figure-eight).  It symbolizes everlasting fidelity and signifies that they walk the world as equals.  The meaning is quite clear: what God has joined, let no one divide.

Flowers to Mary
Some couples choose to bring flowers to the statue of Mary at an appropriate point in the wedding. This is permissible and should be done as a sign of true devotion to Mary as our Mother and as a consecration of your wedding to the Blessed Mother.
 

Choosing Scripture Readings 

Liturgy of the Word generally consists of a first reading from the Old Testament, a Psalm, a second reading from the New Testament, and a Gospel from the New Testament.  
​Old Testament Readings
Genesis 1:26-28,31
Genesis 2:18-24
Genesis 24:48-51; 58-67
Tobit 7:6-14
Tobit 8:4b-8
Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
Songs of Songs 2:8-10,14,16
Sirach 26:1-4,13-16
Jeremiah 31:31-34

Responsorial Psalms
The goodness of the Lord (33) 
The Lord is kind & merciful (103)
Blessed are those who fear the Lord (128)
Blessed is the man (112)
Praise the Lord (148) 
Bless the Lord (34) ​

New Testament Readings
Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 
Romans 12:1-2, 9-13 (18)
Romans 15:1b-3a; 5-7, 13 
I Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 
I Corinthians 12:31-13:8a
Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32 
Philippians 4:4-9
Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b 
I Peter 3:1-9
I John 3:18-24 
I John 4:7-12
Revelation 19:1, 5-9a

Gospel Readings
Matthew 5:1-12a
Matthew 5:13-16 
Matthew 7:21, 24-25 
Matthew 19:3-6 
Matthew 22:35-40 
Mark 10:6-9 
John 2:1-11 
John 15:9-12 
John 15:12-16 
John 17:20-23 ​

Planning Your Wedding Music

 Choosing Music
St. Ann’s music ministry shares in your joy over your upcoming wedding.  We are honored to help you plan the music for your happy event.
There are many songs available to you from our hymnal. These, and a list of other appropriate wedding hymns will be suggested to you by our music director, Mary Bajda, during a planning meeting.
Popular songs from the radio, Broadway show tunes are not permitted. These are best reserved for the reception.

What to do first: The first step in planning music for your wedding is to contact our parish music director, Mary Bajda. Typically couples make an appointment to meet with Mary a month (or two) before the wedding. 
Please contact Mary at any of the following: 
E-mail: marybajda@gmail.com
Office: (570) 832-4275

Wedding Programs

A wedding program can be a great help to your guests—especially those who are unfamiliar with the Catholic liturgy. Providing guests with a wedding program that contain the service music and the assembly's responses can help your family and friends actively participate in your wedding ceremony.  
St. Ann's is happy is provide couples with a wedding program.