Seven Sorrows Parish has established certain guidelines to help you make your wedding personal and prayerful. A complete wedding packet explaining the guidelines will be given to the couple when they schedule their wedding date. Briefly the guidelines are as follows:
Pre-Ceremony Guidelines
1. Matrimony arrangements should be made well in advance, at least twelve (12) months prior to the date, of the proposed marriage date by calling the rectory. The Church is reserved on a "first-come, first-served" basis. The times for weddings are on designated Saturdays at 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM.
2. The bride and/or the groom should be a registered member of Seven Sorrows Parish. Marriage in another church needs the written permission of the pastor. The priest will advise regarding interfaith marriages.
3. To prepare for the marriage, all couples in the Diocese of Harrisburg are required to attend one of the established preparation programs: (A) Engaged Encounter which is a weekend experience offered by the diocese on pre-selected dates or (B) Seven Sorrows Marriage Preparation Program, where the couple will meet with parish mentors approximately four times (at a time convenient for both the mentor and engaged couple) to discuss such topics as communication, spirituality, finances, etc.
4. In addition to the above programs, the couple will meet privately with the priest. The exact number of meetings varies and will be negotiated by the priest and the couple.
Ceremony Guidelines
1. The book Together For Life contains all the Scripture readings and prayers that are a part of the Wedding Liturgy. This book will be given to you to help you make your selections in consultation with the priest who will witness the ceremony.
2. All music and hymns/songs are required to be approved by the Pastoral Musician of Seven Sorrows Church. Contact is to be made with the Pastoral Musician at least three months prior to the date of the wedding. Individual appointments will be scheduled to plan your music. The Pastoral Musician of Seven Sorrows Parish must be used. Any exception is to be approved by the Pastoral Musician or the Pastor.
3. The photographer must respect the prayerful environment and the sacredness of the sacrament. A full set of guidelines will be provided to your photographer if you give us his/her name and address.
4. The flower arrangements are required to remain on the altar for the weekend liturgies. Rice or birdseed is prohibited. We do not permit balloon launchings or a horse and carriage on church property. Also, no rose petals are to be dropped in church. No white runner is allowed, because of the hazard it presents to the bridal party walking down the aisle. Bows or flowers are permitted on the ends of the pews, but we do not permit candles to be placed in the aisles by the pews.
Couples who receive the Sacrament of Matrimony at Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church have the unique opportunity of having a Parish Wedding Coordinator to assist them. Prior to the wedding ceremony, she/he will act as a liaison between the bride and groom and the priest, and will be available to answer questions regarding; the rehearsal, the wedding ceremony, the use of the church, or any other miscellaneous questions.
The Parish Wedding Coordinators work with the bride, groom and their families to ensure that all the wedding policies of the parish are met; while helping the bride and groom to be "at ease" during their wedding ceremony so that the wedding day is filled with the Spirit of God, and not with worry and confusion.
