St. Ambrose Catholic Church

 

 

 

St. Ambrose Style Wedding

 

 

 

 

Q. What do I have to do to have my wedding at St. Ambrose?

 

A. First, at least one of the couple to be married must be a registered member of St. Ambrose Church. Secondly, you must make your request to the pastor for the wedding no less than six months before the desired date.

 

 

Q. Are pre-marriage counseling sessions required?

 

A. Yes. You will be informed of these sessions by the pastor during your first appointment with him.

 

 

Q. Must my spouse-to-be also be Catholic?

 

A. No. However, the spouse must participate in the prep sessions and should understand the nature and obligations of Christian marriage.

 

 

Q. Can the pastor deny our request for being married at St. Ambrose Church?

 

A.Yes. However, the reasons must be of a serious nature, such as immaturity, inability to understand the obligations of married life, disagreement with the Church’s teaching about the nature of marriage, or obvious serious conflicts between the persons wishing to marry.

 

 

Q. We were married in a civil ceremony but now wish to be married in the church, is there anything I should know about that circumstance?

 

A. Yes. Ordinarily, a church wedding which follows a civil ceremony should be low key. The tone of the church wedding will be determined by the couple in consultation with the pastor.

 

Q. I am divorced, does that affect having my wedding here?

 

A. It may. You need to speak with the pastor as soon as possible. There are many issues and questions that need to be discussed.

 

Q. May I have a private wedding?

 

A. Yes. The only requirements are the bride and groom, a priest or deacon and two witnesses. However, six months advance notification and prep sessions are still required.

 

 

Q. May I have another priest or minister officiate at our wedding at St. Ambrose?

 

A. Yes and No. A guest Catholic priest or deacon may officiate at your wedding but must receive permission from the pastor of St. Ambrose Church. While non-Catholic ministers are welcome to assist the priest or deacon, he or she may not officiate at a Catholic wedding.

 

 

Q. What are the ordinary days and times for weddings at St. Ambrose?

 

A. Ordinarily weddings are conducted on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings and early afternoons. Wedding ceremonies on Saturdays must be finished no later than 3:30PM. We do not have weddings on Sundays or major holidays (e.g., Christmas and New Years Day). There are also specific days on which weddings may not be celebrated by church law. Weddings may not be celebrated during Holy Week, that is the week before Easter Sunday. Weddings are discouraged but permissible during the season Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday).

 

Q. Is there a fee for having a wedding at St. Ambrose?

 

A. No. However a donation to help cover maintenance and utilities will be accepted.

 

Q. May we have our reception at St. Ambrose?

A. No. Our liability coverage does not permit renting out the school hall for non-church or non-school events.

 

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