Additional Options

Additional options include decorations as well as additional parts to the ceremony.

 

Pew Decorations

Pew decorations and/or floral pieces may be placed at the ends of the first few pews.  Candles must be free standing and have glass globes. Floral pieces may be attached to the pews by removable tape or by clips provided by the parish.

 

Aisle Runner

Aisle runners date to the era when church aisles were wood and stone. Then they were needed to keep the trailing material of the long dresses from getting dirty.  Our aisles are tiled.  The runner is an unnecessary option that can become a hazard.   

Flowers and Decorations

In the Church, everything should be natural.  Therefore, it is improper to use artificial flowers at the altar.  Saint Columban Church was designed to use a minimum of decorations.  It is the people who make the Church come richly alive. An excess of flowers or other decorations will make the Church look overdone and spoil the atmosphere of your wedding.  The decoration of the Church may normally begin about one hour before the ceremony.

 

Since the decor must be returned to the way it was before the ceremony, any flowers, candle holders, etc. that you want to save should be taken with you after the wedding.  At times there may already be proper and sufficient decorations in the Church and additional decorations would be unnecessary.  When two weddings are celebrated on the same day, decorations and their cost may be shared.   

Flowers at the Statue of Mary

If you have a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, flowers may be placed at the statue of Mary.  Since our statue is in the back of Church, this sign of devotion should be made during the entrance of the bride.

 

Unity Candle

The Unity Candle is not an official part of the ceremony.  Its use began as a way for another Christian denomination to extend the length of their wedding ceremony.  We discourage, but do not forbid, its use. The new Revised Guidelines for Marriage, expected in the near future, may eliminate its use in the Catholic Church.

 

Gift for the Poor

Since we are all called as Christians to provide for the less fortunate, it is proper for the bride and groom to make some monetary or material offering to the poor as part of this celebration.  The gift may be brought forward as part of the offerings procession if the wedding is celebrated during a Mass.  If the celebration is outside the Mass, the gift is placed on the offerings table at the back of the Church.  All such gifts are given to the St. Vincent de Paul society.

 

Programs for the Ceremony

If you choose to print a program for your celebration, the celebrant and the music director will assist you in the preparation.  You must have the permission of the publisher before printing any copyrighted song (words and/or music).

 

Confetti, Rice, Bird Seed

The throwing of confetti, rice, and birdseed is not permitted on Church property.  It is not good for the environment and the wildlife.  Also it is a pagan custom that does not belong at a Christian celebration.

 

Dressing Rooms

Just off the main gathering space for the Church is the Family Room, which can be used for the women in the wedding party to freshen up.  It is recommended that all the wedding party members dress at home before coming to the Church.  Because the Family Room and washrooms are used on Sundays, any hangers, cosmetics, etc. must be removed before the wedding party leaves.

 

Photographer

A good professional photographer will obtain all the photos of your wedding that you desire without getting in your way or the way of the celebrant.  This is not the time to ask an inexperienced friend or family member to do you a favor and take pictures.  Your photographer should consult with the celebrant to see if he has any restrictions.  There is ample time both before and after the celebration to pose for special photographs. 

 

Videotaping

Videotaping  is permitted as long as the camera is placed in one location for the entire liturgy.  Video camerapersons are not permitted to move around the Church.  The operator  is to consult with the celebrant and with the still photographer for the best location for the video camera.