Kent & Nepean Streets
Parish Office - 281 Nepean St.
Ottawa ON K1R 5G2
CANADA
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Welcome!
The clergy and staff of Saint Patrick's Basilica extends congratulations to you on your engagement! Your decision to enter into marriage can serve as a wonderful sign of commitment, faith, and hope to many around you. If you are considering a wedding at Saint Patrick's, the following guidelines will help answer many of your questions and help you plan your wedding day, when you enter into marriage in the sight of God, before the Church and before your family and friends.
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Introduction
At Saint Patrick's, we follow all guidelines and regulations as directed by the Ottawa Medical Officer of Health, Government of Ontario, and Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. There are no exceptions. Please be aware that these could change at any time. We appreciate your understanding.
In the words of the marriage ritual, those who marryenter into a union which is most sacred and most serious, a union which was established by God Himself. By it, He gave to man a share in the greatest work of creation, the work of the continuation of the human race. And in this way He sanctified human love and enabled man and woman to help each other live as children of God, by sharing a common life under His fatherly care.
Because God Himself is thus its author, marriage is of its very nature a holy institution, requiring of those who enter into it a complete and unreserved giving of self.In the eyes of the Church, marriage is a life-long covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life. Marriage is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. Marriage has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.
The marriage of any Catholic is governed not only by divine law but also by the canon law of the Church, without prejudice to the competence of the civil authority concerning the merely civil effects of the marriage bond. -
PART I: Preliminaries
Couples wishing to marry at Saint Patrick's are asked to contact the parish office for further information. The future bride and/or groom must be a registered parishioner of our parish for at least 6 months prior to requesting an initial interview for their marriage. Once an initial interview has taken place and it is established that the marriage will take place in the Church, a date of marriage may be reserved and deposit received through the interviewing clergy member. Saturday at 2:00 p.m. is the customary time set aside for weddings at the Basilica. Due to other liturgies in the Basilica on Saturday afternoon, weddings MUST begin on time. Wedding ceremonies are discouraged during Lent.
Contact our parish office at 613 233-1125, or by email at info@basilica.ca
For Those Previously Married
For anyone wishing to marry in the Catholic Church and who has been previously married, civilly or in any religious ceremony, a Declaration of Nullity or Freedom to Marry is needed before a wedding date can be booked. These are issued by an ecclesiastical Marriage Tribunal. This step is necessary even if the previously married party is non-Catholic, or if the previous marriage was entered into outside of the Catholic Church. This step is not necessary if the former spouse has passed away. If you have any questions please speak with one of our parish priests.Documentary Requirements:
You have chosen to exchange your vows of love and fidelity in the Catholic Church, and your faith is an important determining factor in how you will enter into this intimate relationship of marriage. The Church is responsible for discerning your intentions and capacities for consenting to marraige, and is required to assemble various documents.-
Certificate Of Completion of a Marriage Preparation Course
Marriage Preparation Courses are designed to assist the couple in building a successful marriage by deepening their understanding of each other and by addressing issues of communication, finances, psychology, faith, sexuality, and family life. Marriage Preparation Courses are available at a number of churches in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. To benefit most from such a course we recommend you take it well before the wedding date. -
Baptismal Certificate
In the case of Catholics the Certificate of Baptism should be newly issued and dated within six months of your wedding date. Catholics should contact their parish of baptism in order to obtain the certificate. Please note that your confirmation details should appear on the Certificate of Baptism.
In the case of a fiancé(e) who is a non-Catholic Christian but is baptized, a copy of his or her original baptismal certificate will suffice, together with a signed letter from the parent(s) stating that he or she has never been previously married. In the case of a fiancé(e) who is not baptized, a signed letter from his or her parents will be required. It should state that he or she has never been baptized, never been previously married, be dated and have contact information. If your parents are both deceased the letter should come from someone who has known you since childhood (such as a brother, sister, aunt or other relative) and can vouch for your marital history. These are essential documents and should be collected as early as possible and brought to our office to be kept in your wedding file. -
Record of Confirmation
When a Catholic receives the Sacrament of Confirmation ordinarily a notification is sent back to the parish of baptism and it is recorded in their register. This should appear on your newly issued baptismal certificate. If it does not appear, then a copy of your original Confirmation certificate will suffice. Please note that a Catholic can still be married in the Church without being confirmed but it is highly recommended that you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation before you are married. If you decide to seek Confirmation, kindly contact our parish office as soon as possible. -
Civil Marriage Licence
This is a necessary civil document for your marriage in Ontario. All persons marrying in Ontario must obtain an Ontario Marriage Licence. It can be obtained from the provincial government through City Hall. Marriage licences are valid for only 90 days and so should never be obtained earlier than 90 days before your wedding date. The priest or deacon performing the marriage is responsible for completing and returning it to the Registrar General's Office and so it needs to be brought to the parish to be included in your wedding file. Please note that our parish does not use Banns of Marriage.
Church Fees:
Saint Patrick's Basilica is a large parish providing for the spiritual needs of its parishioners, as well for those of commuters and visitors to the downtown core. Your wedding offering assists us in covering the expenses incurred by the parish in helping to celebrate your wedding day. These expenses include maintenance and upkeep of our beautiful and historic church building (including heating, lighting and repairs), cleaning of the basilica and surrounding environment before and after your wedding. The fee also helps covers salary costs of clergy and staff needed to prepare and celebrate your wedding.
The fee for weddings is $1,100, payable by a non-refundable deposit of $300 payable at the time when you reserve a wedding date, and the balance of $800 payable no later than one month before the wedding date. The fee includes the music consulting services of our organist Ms. Francesca Bailey, and her services as organist at your wedding. The engagement of additional musicians and singers, if desired, are your responsibility and does not impact the Basilica fee. Further information on wedding music is provided below.
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PART II: The Wedding Celebration
The Ceremony:
You probably already have many ideas about the kind of wedding liturgy you would like to have. One of the first things to consider is whether you will be having a Wedding with Mass, or a Wedding with simply the Litugy of the Word. Please note that mass can be celebrated only when both parties are Catholic.Readings and Liturgical Prayers:
We will provide you with a booklet that contains a wide selection of befitting Scripture readings as well as various prayers and blessings. Non-scriptural readings, song verses, or poems are not permitted to replace scripture texts. You are welcome to choose relatives or friends to proclaim the readings from the Holy Scriptures and the "Prayers of the Faithful" (General Intercessions). The Gospel reading is reserved to a priest or deacon.Music:
At a Catholic wedding the emphasis must be on sacred music that gives honour and glory to God, whose blessings we invoke on the union of the bride and groom. As the wedding ritual notes: Music in Catholic worship must express the worship of God for the mystery of love he created and transforms in this sacrament. For this reason the Basilica does not allow secular music — such as popular love songs or themes from movies. Neither do we permit recorded music.
The couple, in consultation with our Music Director and Organist, Francesca Bailey, should plan music for the wedding. She has a great deal of experience and expertise to share. If requested she can make particular recommendations. Ms. Bailey can also recommend soloists, choral ensembles and instrumentalists. For a selection list of appropriate wedding songs, click HERE.
Ms. Bailey is entrusted with the task of judging the suitability of musical selections within the context of a Catholic wedding ceremony. Ms. Bailey must approve all music decisions for our church. As our organist, Ms. Bailey is available, at no extra charge as indicated above, to play at your wedding. She does not attend the wedding rehearsal.
At your expense, you may engage outside instrumentalists (excluding the organ) and / or singers, subject to prior approval by our Music Director Ms. Bailey. Any music which guest musicians wish to use must be submitted (with texts) to Ms. Bailey for approval at least three months before the wedding date. Each rehearsal with your personally selected outside instrumentalists (excluding for the organ) and / or singers will cost an extra $100 and should be scheduled not less than two weeks prior to your wedding date.Music Director & Organist, Francesca Bailey, may be contacted at 613 233-1125 ext 561 or by email at francescabailey4@yahoo.ca.
What follows below is a description of the points when music is used in a wedding ceremony:
Prior to the beginning of the liturgy there is a Prelude consisting of about 15 minutes of instrumental music as guests arrive and are seated. Music during this time is usually selected at the discretion of the organist/instrumentalists. Often the prelude is comprised entirely of a solo organ repertoire but the utilization of other instruments is possible.
The Processional is played as the bridal party begins to walk up the aisle. Depending on the number of bridesmaids, flower girls, etc. separate musical selections can be played for the bridal party and for the bride.
The Responsorial Psalm can be sung but it requires the presence of a cantor. If there is no cantor, the Psalm is spoken. An acclamation ("Alleluia") may be sung just before the proclamation of the Gospel.
For those planning a Wedding Ceremony without Mass, there is the possiblity of a meditation piece after the exchange of rings. Music is usually provided at the Signing of the Register followed by the Recessional that concludes the service. The wedding Recessional is best accompanied by a festive musical selection.
If you are planning a Mass with your Wedding, the liturgy continues with music during the Offertory. The next opportunity for music is at Holy Communion. Finally, there is the Signing of the Register and the Recessional.Times for Weddings:
Weddings on Saturday are to begin at noon, or at 2 p.m. Due to other church activities, couples are asked to be punctual.
Rehearsal:
Rehearsals should be booked well in advance of the ceremony. They are best scheduled the evening before, or two evening before, the wedding, when most members of the wedding party are in town. The rehearsal times on Friday are usually at 5:30pm. As with the ceremony itself, punctuality is critical. Anyone taking an active part in the wedding ceremony should be at the rehearsal, including ushers, readers, bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc. If there is to be a flower girl or ring bearer, they too should be present at the rehearsal. It is important that children performing these roles be at least 4 years of age in the context of worship. Plans should be made to have the "real" rings present in the church before the wedding begins. Ring bearers, therefore, process with "ceremonial" rings.Flowers:
Arrangements of flowers are left to the couple's choice. Flowers may be left in the basilica after the wedding ceremony or they may be taken to the reception hall. Please plan with someone in your wedding party to remove any runners, pew markers, flowers, programs, boxes, etc. immediately following the ceremony. Permanent adhesive, such as Scotch tape, should not be used.Photographs & Video Recording:
Photographers and videographers and their assistants are welcome. Because of the sacred nature of the church and the ceremony, they must maintain a respectful decorum at all times. They are to be reverent and discreet with as little movement as possible. They are not to stand on pews, nor may they come into the sanctuary (i.e. beyond the communion rail) during the service. If there is a Mass and Communion they are not to take photographs during Communion. Please note that the presiding priest, or deacon, will not wear a microphone provided by a videographer. Couples will need to make other arrangements for the audio recording of their wedding.
At the signing of the register, a designated photographer may move forward. Flash photographs are to be avoided. No extra lighting equipment is to be used. Photographers and videographers should introduce themselves and consult with the priest or deacon before the ceremony.Confetti, Rice, Flower Petals, Glass Vases, etc.
We ask that no confetti, rice, or bird seed be used inside or outside the Basilica. We also ask that flower petals not be scattered. Rice and bird seed are hazardous as people can slip and fall. Flower petals can stain the marble floor or carpeting when crushed under people's shoes. The use of glass vases in the aisles is prohibited as they create a safety hazard. Decorations to the pew ends can be done on the condition that ribbons or pew-holders are used. Adhesives of any kind are to be avoided. Removal of decorations are the responsbility of the couple being married. Additional cleaning and/or repairs caused by the used of prohibited material will result in an extra charge being payable by the couple.Wedding Planners:
Should a couple use a wedding planner, or any other intermediary in the planning of their wedding, it is the responsibility of the couple to inform the planner about these conditions and ensure that they are followed.
Parking:
Metered on-street parking around the basilica is currently free on Saturdays. We have a small parking lot on Gloucester Street that is available for wedding guests. Saturday parking is also permitted, during the wedding ceremony only, at the school yard of Saint Patrick's Adult School on Nepean Street, across from the church office. Please be aware of the time issues involved - spaces will be required by others after your wedding.Wedding Invitations:
For wedding invitations, please use the church address, not the office mailing address. The church address is:Saint Patrick's Basilica
220 Kent Street
Ottawa, Ontario
(the corner of Kent and Nepean Streets)Wheelchair & Disability Access:
There is a ramp leading into the Basilica on the Nepean Street side of the church. There is a wheelchair accessible washroom near the ramp entrance. The lower level washrooms are also wheelchair accessible. Ramps leading to the lower level are on both sides of the church. -
PART III: Options
Flowers, Pew Bows & Runners:
The basilica is beautiful and so you need not go into extra expense to try to augment it. Arrangements of flowers are left to the couple's choice. They may be left in the basilica or taken to the reception. Flowers may be placed near the altar of sacrifice but not on it. Your florist must provide any stands or pedestals used. Pew bows are allowed as long as they are not affixed by pins, tacks, nails, staples or adhesives. Elastic bands, string, plastic pew clips or ribbons are suggested. Decorating is generally done one hour before the ceremony. Please arrange that a designated person(s) will remove any decorations, boxes, etc. immediately following the ceremony. We do not supply a carpet for the central aisle, nor is one to be used.Cultural Wedding Traditions:
Some cultures have additional rituals in their wedding ceremonies. If these are part of your cultural heritage, please consult, well in advance, the priest or deacon performing your wedding.Wedding Programs:
Wedding programs are optional. They can be helpful in guiding the unfamiliar through a Catholic wedding ceremony, acknowledging the wedding party and parents, and as mementoes. We recommend simplicity. Excessive detail can lead to guests looking too much at the program instead of participating in the ceremony.
Before having any program, we recommend that you have it approved by the priest or deacon who will be presiding at your wedding. We have sample programs that can be viewed for your guidance. -
May your wedding ceremony be a memorable blessing as you begin your life together!