It is in the spirit of charity and Christian simplicity that we have drawn these guidelines for our parishioners who are preparing for weddings in our parish Church. Christ invites us to be meek and humble in our actions, and the tradition of the Church teaches us to be modest in the celebration of the sacraments. We should keep in mind that our faith in the Lord’s presence as we celebrate special moments in our Christian growth is the important aspect of our celebration. Taking this into consideration, we provide these guidelines for the celebration of weddings in our parish and we invite all our parishioners to understand these norms in relation to the gospel. We hope that you see in them a way of celebrating marriage that is appropriate with the teachings of Christ and His Church.

1. Weddings take place in our parish church as scheduled with the officiating priest or deacon. The Church discourages weddings during the penitential season of Lent. They are not to take place on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligations. On Saturdays, weddings will not begin after 1:00PM. The parish priest is the witness of the Sacrament of Marriage. If another priest or deacon is desired by the family, permission should be obtained from the pastor of St. John the Baptist Church.



2. Rehearsals generally take place the week of the wedding in the afternoon or evening. In order to set a time for the rehearsal, please call the parish office at least 10 days prior to the wedding. Attendants, parents, padrinos, and the bridal couple should be present for the rehearsal. Due to our busy schedules, rehearsals will start on time. We encourage everyone involved in the wedding to be in church a few minutes before the set time. The couple being married should have decided the proper order of the bridal party for the ceremony (going in and coming out of the church). The couple should organize this part of the ceremony, not parents, padrinos, etc. Lectors of the Mass should also be present at the rehearsal so that the proper readings will be selected at that time. Rehearsals generally last one half hour, therefore, promptness and preparation are appreciated.



3. If desired, two floral arrangements may be brought to beautify the sanctuary for the celebration. The flower arrangements should not be obstructing the view of the altar.



4. Music is the responsibility of the couple being married. The music should be conducive to Catholic Liturgical Worship. Our parish has several choirs which may play at weddings in our parish. Any other groups, should be approved by the parish priest several weeks before the wedding.



5. Candelabras are used only for Benedictions, not weddings. Only proper altar candles should be used for weddings.



6. Keeping in mind our starving brothers and sisters throughout the world, no rice will be wasted by throwing it inside or outside the church. Confetti, seeds, flower petals are not allowed inside or outside the church.



7. Our experience has taught us that plastic cloth and paper runners in the center aisle are dangerous. Because of this, no runner is allowed.



8. There is a preparation period of four months required for couples being married. That is from the time a couple fills out the preliminary papers with the priest until the actual wedding. This waiting period may be extended for personal or pastoral reasons.



9. The bride and groom must be at least 18 years of age before marriage arrangements can be started.



10. For the wedding to take place in our parish, either the bride or groom should be a registered member of the parish. If neither the bride or the groom are registered in the parish, a letter of permission from the parish of the bride is required before the marriage process begins.





11. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
• A NEW COPY OF THE BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM. If either the bride or groom is not Catholic a dispensation will be needed from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe before the wedding takes place.
• A MARRIAGE LICENSE FROM THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE WEDDING REHEARSAL. After the license is signed during the wedding ceremony, the priest will mail it to the proper county office. After recording it, the county office will mail it to you. Please write your name and address clearly.
• A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION OF ENGAGED ENCOUNTER. No wedding date will be set until all the needed documents are in the parish office (except for the Marriage License). Do not order wedding invitations until the wedding date has been finalized in the parish office.


12. There is usually one couple acting as witnesses (padrinos) in the wedding Ceremony. Padrinos, if married, should have been married in the Catholic Church and registered in a parish. Padrinos may also be single, as long as they are living as a single person and registered in a parish. Only one couple (padrinos) should sign the marriage license.



13. Photographers are asked to be discreet while taking pictures during the wedding ceremony. We ask that photographers not enter the sanctuary of the church (the carpeted area of the church). Pictures may be taken before or after the ceremony for one half hour only, as we have to prepare the church for another ceremony. If furniture in the sanctuary is moved for picture taking, we ask that it be returned to its original place. Items on the altar may not be moved for picture taking.



14. St. John’s Parish Gym is not rented out for wedding receptions or bridal showers. Tables and chairs are also not rented out.



15. In cases of Mixed Marriages (A Catholic marrying a Non-Catholic) the Mass will not be celebrated, keeping in mind that there may be non-Catholic relatives of the bride or groom who would not be able to understand or participate in the Eucharist. One of our Deacons will generally be the Church witness for the Sacrament of Marriage.



16. Because of the priest shortage in the Archdiocese, a priest may not be able to witness your wedding. In such cases, a Deacon will be asked to do the ceremony.



17. FEE: PARISHIONER: $50.00 OUT OF PARISH: $300.00