St. Timothy
Catholic Church
Wedding Guidelines
My dear friends in Christ:
We are very happy that you are planning to get married in our church.
In your lives, the sacrament of Matrimony is a very serious and
important step.
As Catholic Christians we know that the most
essential element in a marriage is the Grace of God.
We will work together to make your Christian weeding a worthy and
unforgettable ceremony.
The priest, deacons and parishioners will be praying asking God to
bless your marriage.
The following guidelines explain the steps that you will take to prepare
for this beautiful and important Sacrament.
In Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Tomás M. Marin
Pastor
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Wedding Guidelines
STEPS TO THE ALTAR:
Congratulations! You have decided to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony in
the Catholic Church.
There are several steps to prepare for a wedding in the Catholic Church. During your
appointment with the wedding coordinator, you will obtain all the details about the
steps to the Altar. A tentative wedding date will be set until the proper documents
have been completed.
This should be done prior to any arrangements with regards to invitations,
reception hall, etc.
The following explains the details of the different aspects of the wedding
preparation process such as the Assessment Process, the Instructional Process and
the guidelines that must be followed during the ceremony.
“They are no longer two, but one flesh”
Mark 10:6-9
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ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Baptism Certificates
Each of you must submit a recent copy (not more than six months) of your
Baptism Certificate. If you were baptized in the United States, you can either
call or write to your Parish of Baptism requesting a copy of your Certificate with
all marginal notations.
Please provide your Parish of Baptism with your full name, date of birth, Baptism
date and parents’ names.
If you were baptized outside the United States, write to the Parish or the
Archdiocese or have a relative contact the Parish. The wedding coordinator can
help you to obtain information.
FOCCUS
The process begins with the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple
Communication). The FOCCUS is a self-diagnostic inventory designed to help
couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. It is a tool in
the form of a questionnaire to help couples name and work through issues before
marriage.
A married couple will be assigned to you; you will contact them to schedule a
meeting date to complete the questionnaire. On another date you will meet and
discuss the results.
Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire (Form A)
This form is part of the documentation needed for the parish records and will be
completed with the priest/deacon performing your marriage who will interview you
to get the information needed to complete the form.
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Testimony of Witness to prove Freedom to Marry Forms (Form B)
Two witnesses are needed for each party that is going to be married. The parents
of the bride and groom are usually the persons indicated to complete the
Testimony of Witness to prove Freedom to Marry Forms that are part of the
parish records. The witnesses must sign the document in the presence of the
Priest/Deacon or have the form notarized.
Dispensations
In some circumstances an individual requesting to be married in the Catholic
Church might need to obtain a Dispensation or Permission necessary to be
married. The wedding coordinator will inform you if it is needed. The
Dispensation or Permission is issued by the Archdioceses.
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INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS
During your preparation, you will be required to participate in different programs
of instruction. These will include Archdiocesan programs like an Engaged
Encounter or Camino, or Pre-Cana or Convalidation, as well as the first phase of
the natural family planning program and any other program that the priest/deacon
may suggest. Other programs are also available to help you prepare for the
Sacraments of Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation.
Sacramental Instructions
If you have not received your First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation,
formation classes are offered at the Parish. There are different programs also
offered for those who wish to come into the Catholic Church, or those who just
wish to know more about the Catholic Faith. The priest/deacon assigned to you
or the wedding coordinator will help you get in contact with the appropriate
instructional program and work closely with you in fulfilling your spiritual needs.
Retreat for Couples Programs
You must complete one of the following programs. The applications to
participate in one of these instructional programs will be given to you by the
wedding coordinator during the initial appointment.
Camino - complete the application and mail it to the address provided with
the required fee. You will be contacted with the possible dates. These
classes consist of a Saturday and Sunday, and are conducted in Spanish.
There is no overnight stay.
Engaged Encounter - choose a date and location and mail the application
with the required fee. These classes could be one or two days, are held
during the weekend and are conducted in English.
Pre-Cana II Program – for couples that are planning a second marriage due
to an annulment or death of a previous spouse. It consists of two days in
either English or Spanish.
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Covenant Experience for Convalidations – sacramental preparation for
couples who are civilly married and are seeking to have their marriage
blessed by the Church.
As part of your spiritual preparation attend mass together regularly, if you are not
doing so at this time as it should be part of your married life.
Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning (NFP) refers to the practice of achieving or postponing
or avoiding pregnancy according to an informed awareness of a woman’s
fertility. NFP is taught in a series of classes (English or Spanish). The wedding
coordinator will give you a list of the scheduled classes in the Archdiocese of
Miami. This program is required.
*Please visit www.miamifamilylife.org to register for all of the above classes.
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THE CEREMONY
Wedding Schedule
Weddings are performed according to the following schedule:
Friday: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m 2:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
*IMPORTANT NOTE
There will be no weddings performed during Advent and Lent.
Advent and Lent are special seasons in the Liturgical Year, which by
their very nature are solemn and subdued.
Rehearsals
The priest/deacon or wedding coordinator schedules rehearsal date and time, and
it is held the week of the wedding. Please be prompt, since there are usually
other rehearsals or activities scheduled on those dates.
There is a maximum of four (4) couples, or eight (8) bridesmaids, plus ring boy
and flower girl in the Wedding Party.
Flower arrangements and decorations
 Only two (2) bouquets of flowers are permitted on the Altar. No candles
are allowed in the arrangements.
 An aisle runner is not permitted.
 No flower petals, confetti, or anything else may be dropped on the way in
or out of the Church.
 Bows are ONLY permitted on the FRONT THREE PEWS. The bows can
only be attached with elastic or special holders that do not damage the
pews. No tacks, scotch tape, metal wires or masking tape is to be used.
 No ribbons are to be draped from pew to pew.
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 ABSOLUTELY no rice, seeds, or bubbles are to be dispersed inside or
outside the Church.
 Pedestals for flower bouquets are available. They are 36 or 46 inches in
height with square base and top measuring 8 x 8 inches.
IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THE ABOVE REGULATIONS ARE
FOLLOWED CAREFULLY. NOT FOLLOWING THEM CAN BECOME A
LIABILITY FOR THE CHURCH. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR
AFFAIR IS A SAFE AND JOYOUS ONE.
*A MANDATORY FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR CLEANING AND/OR
ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY OCCURR FROM NOT FOLLOWING THE
REGULATIONS STATED ABOVE.
Wedding Music Guidelines
 All arrangements for the wedding music are to be made with the Director
of Music at least two weeks before the wedding date.
 The Director of Music is to be contracted if music is desired during the
ceremony.
 If you have a soloist, please contact the Music Director at least one month
prior to the wedding date to discuss the music arrangements.
 The Director of Music must approve all music used for wedding
celebrations.
 All music must meet the standards set forth in the Music Catholic
Workshop (revised edition 1983. Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy.
National Conference of Catholic Bishops).
 If a couple desires a soloist or additional instrumentalists, the Director of
Music can assist in enlisting their services.
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Photography
Only the following Photographers and Videographers will be allowed to take
pictures in the Wedding at St. Timothy:
ALBERTO ROMEU STUDIO
ALEX RODRIGUEZ
D. SANCHEZ PHOTOGRAPHY
DANIEL SOÑE PHOTOGRAPHY
HERNAND PHOTOGRAPHY
ORLANDO FELIX PHOTOGRAPHY
PORTRAITS BY KENIA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANILO
RG PHOTOS & VIDEO
TWO MATOS PHOTOGRAPHY
SANCHO PHOTOGRAPHY
305-266-3532
305-361-1992 / 888-815-0392
305-446-8030
305-490-9462
305-221-3628
305-275-0775
305-303-1341
305-458-1960
305-221-3628 / 786-208-7360
305-968-2057
305-223-5151
HALL RENTAL
There are two halls available for wedding receptions at St. Timothy’s:
Archbishop McCarthy Center - located on the West side of the church
grounds, can accommodate approximately 400 guests.
McDermott Hall - located at the Center Patio, between the School and the
Office - consists of 3 smaller rooms that could be used separately or
together. Together it accommodates approximately 125 guests.
A deposit is required to reserve the halls. To see the halls or to make
reservations, contact the Parish Office at 305-274-8224.
BOUNDARIES
St. Timothy’s boundaries are 40th Street on the North; 72nd Street on the South,
97th avenue on the East between 40th and 48th Street and 87th Avenue between
48th Street and 72nd Street; and the Turnpike on the West.
If the Bride resides outside these boundaries, a letter from her Parish must be
obtained requesting permission to be married at St. Timothy’s, even in the event
that the Bride might not be registered in her Parish.
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MARRIAGE LICENSE GUIDELINE
Your State of Florida Marriage License can be obtained from the Marriage
License Bureau, phone number is 305 275-1155. It must be obtained within 30
days of the marriage date.
No marriage can be celebrated without the Marriage License. It is imperative
that you make sure to inform the Marriage License Bureau that you will be
getting married at the church. Do not get married when requesting the license.
Remember to take the Marriage License to the Church a week before the
wedding date.
If you would like to receive additional certified copies of the Marriage Certificate
contact the Marriage License Bureau.
If proof of a premarital course or instruction is presented at the time of the
application for the marriage license, a fee discount will be offered to the
applicants.
Payments are accepted in cash, Visa, Master Card, Cashiers Checks and Money
Order. NO personal checks.
Locations to obtain Marriage Licenses:
Central Office
140 W. Flagler Street, Room 1503
(305) 375-3019
North Dade
15555 Biscayne Blvd., Room 100
(305) 354-8791
South Dade
10710 S.W. 211 Street, Room 1200
(305) 252-5870
Coral Gables
3100 Ponce de León Blvd.
(305) 569-2500
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MARRIAGE PREPARATION TIME LINE
Six months before the desired wedding date.
a) Obtain Baptism Certificates
b) Meet with wedding coordinator to sign Agreement and to complete
Registration Form
c) Complete Form A during interview with priest/deacon
d)
Donation deposit due to set date
e)
Music Agreement and Deposit due to reserve organist
f)
Attend instructional retreat or couples retreat
g)
Take copy of Retreat Certificate to Parish Office
Five months before the desired wedding date:
a) Have Form B completed, notarized and sent in or have witnesses meet
with priest/deacon to complete it
b) Celebrant will be assigned and Mass scheduled.
c) Complete FOCCUS
d) Attend Natural Family Planning Course
Four months before the wedding date:
a) Obtain any dispensations necessary after collecting appropriate
documentation.
Two months before the wedding date:
a) Donation balance due
b) Inform wedding coordinator of any special needs during ceremony –
columns, unity candle stand.
One month prior to the wedding date:
a) Obtain marriage license
b) Take marriage license to Parish Office
Two weeks prior to the wedding date:
a) Contact organist with music selection and pay balance
One week before the wedding date:
a) Select readings, assign readers, make copies of
readings for ceremony
b) Rehearsal
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MARRIAGE CHECKLIST
Baptism Certificate
Bride ____________
Groom ___________
Copies of Certificate of having received other Sacraments
Bride ____________
Groom ___________
Tentative Wedding Date: _______Time:_____
Church Donation: ______________________
Attend Camino/or Engaged Encounter/Convalidation Retreat on _______
Sacramental Instruction_________________
FOCCUS
Couple Name and Phone Number
____________________________
Meeting Dates: ________________
Mass /Ceremony? _____________________
Natural Family Planning Classes__________
Marriage License _____________________
Music Agreement _____________________
Rehearsal Date: _________ Time: _______
THINGS TO REMEMBER
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