In the Christian tradition, marriage is a covenant, an expression of God’s covenantal love with His people. In the Catholic Church, it is one of the seven (7) sacraments which are expressions of God‘s love and presence in our midst. The love between husband and wife in a Christian marriage becomes an expression of God’s self-giving and self-sacrificial love for all of us. Their love for one another is patterned, influenced and inspired by God’s love for all of us. They become witnesses of God’s love and presence in our world. They commit to a loving union that is generous, faithful and life-giving. The Church rejoices in this celebration of God’s love in the life of the bride and the groom as they join together as husband and wife through the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. To assist couples in their preparation for this special day in their life together and in the life of the church community, the following guidelines have been outlined for guidance and implementation. A wedding planner or consultant might be helpful, but we do planning and preparation with the bride and the groom together, not with wedding consultants or parents of the bride and/or the groom.

An INITIAL INTERVIEW of the bride and groom with a priest or deacon begins the process of documentation, including the setting of the date and time of the wedding celebration. Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays, Noon pm and 2:00 pm. There are no weddings scheduled on Sundays. If one of the parties has been married before, this will require further consultation. Couples in this circumstance should contact the church at least a year before the proposed wedding.

A THANKSGIVING FEE of $150.00 is suggested has to be made on the day of the initial interview. Otherwise, the booking of the wedding date will be deferred until receipt of the thanksgiving fee. The fee can be paid by cash, cheque (payable to St. Francis De Sales Parish), debit or credit. Fees for musicians are extra and are paid for by the wedding party. There is an in house musician you may use. 

A MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE is required in the Diocese of Calgary. St. Francis De Sales offers marriage preparation courses (Call the office @ 403-652-2203). Other courses are offered by the Engaged Encounter Program (Jane & Mike McLeod at 403-912-0421), the Life and Family Resource Centre (Gabriele Kalincak @ 403-218-5504) and the Catholic Family Services at 403-233-2360. 

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES for the Catholic parties are required, with pertinent notations and issued for marriage purposes and dated after the initial interview to conform with the diocesan requirement to establish freedom to marry. You may contact the parish of your baptism for a recent copy. The non-Catholic party also needs to present a document to establish his/her religious affiliation.

A MARRIAGE LICENSE, which can be obtained at any registry office in Alberta and expires in ninety (90) days after date of issue, must be submitted with the other requirements at least forty-five (45) days before the wedding, together with complete names and postal addresses of the two witnesses (usually the maid of honor & best man).

THE WEDDING CEREMONY is celebrated within a Mass or within a Liturgy of the Word. Mass is celebrated when both parties are practicing Catholics. If the marriage is one of mixed religion, Mass is not celebrated. The wedding parties are expected to involve themselves in the planning of the ceremony, including the selection of Scripture readings, prayers, readers. A Wedding Ceremony Form is available in our website. They may discuss with the presider some of the reasons of choices of readings which may help him in preparing his homily/reflection for your wedding.

Readers/Lectors or Proclaimers of the Word to be chosen for the celebration should possess the necessary gifts to proclaim the Word of God effectively and reverently. They have to be present during the rehearsal.

Normally, servers or acolytes are not required. If, however, family members or friends are invited to exercise this ministry, they are required to be present during the rehearsal.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, if required, may be the relatives or friends of the bride and groom, if they serve in this ministry in their respective homes parishes.

MUSIC has to be sacred and religious, in keeping with Catholic liturgy. Music is meant to accompany an action (entering or leaving the church), to proclaim the Word of God or to offer praise to God. Samples are available in our website. Please contact Parish Office at (403) 652-2203 for consultation. Guest musicians have to coordinate and have their music repertoire approved by the music director. The designated place of musicians is in the choir area. Taped music is not allowed. Please be aware that there are copyright rules governing publication/printing of copyrighted music compositions.

FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS are the responsibility of the couple. Only fresh flower arrangements are to be used. You are encouraged to leave some for the weekend services. Aisle runners or extra candles like candelabras are not allowed for safety reasons. An arch is not allowed at the entrance. In using pew bows, use elastic ribbon or string to attach them. Adhesive tapes are not allowed.

NO CONFETTI, rice, birdseed or flower petals are allowed inside the church or within the church property. Flower girls cannot scatter petals as they come in or out of the church. Bubbles are not appropriate to be used inside the church. Please inform your decorators, florists and others involved about these restrictions. It is recommended that decorations be kept simple and tasteful.

The Unity Candle ceremony is not included in the Catholic wedding ritual. The product is sold as a trio of candles, two small ones and a large one, with the expectation that the bride and the groom share in lighting the larger candle with the light from the two small ones. For liturgical reason, this is not included in weddings celebrated in this church.

If ringbearers and flower girls are to be included in the celebration, they should be at least be of school age or completed the age of five (5) years. They have to be present during the rehearsal.

WEDDING CARS No vehicle is to be left in the church parking lot following the wedding or rehearsal. Carpooling from the church parking lot to the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception is not allowed. The parking lot is required for the church celebrations following the weddings.

PHOTOGRAPHS. The designated photographer is asked to consult with the presider during the rehearsal or prior to the wedding. A separate guide sheet for taking pictures indicates the designated areas for non-flash pictures or video coverage during the ceremony. Friends and relatives are asked to put cameras away after the entrance procession and can resume taking pictures during the signing of the register. No additional lighting may be used in the church.

PUNCTUALITY. The party for the wedding has to arrive at least 15 minutes before the wedding

VISITING PRIESTS. Permission from the bishop and authorization from the Government of Alberta are required for visiting priests to solemnize marriages. The visiting priest has to inform the office of his intention to officiate the wedding by e-mail, fax or mail within thirty (30) days after the registration of the wedding. The visiting priest agrees to abide by the pertinent parish customs and policies regarding the celebration of marriage.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION is strongly recommended as part of the preparations for the Catholic parties to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony as they make marriage a new beginning. St. Francis De Sales celebrates the Sacrament on Saturdays, 4:00 to 4:45 pm or any day 345 minutes before Mass, or by special appointment. The non-Catholic party may choose to talk with the priest about issues which might be helpful in the marriage.

REHEARSALS are scheduled the day before the wedding. All those having a part in the wedding are to be present, including bridesmaids, grooms, ushers, readers and parents. This is only a “walkthrough” of the ceremony. It is not a time for musicians, including singers, to “rehearse”. Punctuality is to be observed.

WEDDINGS FROM OTHER PARISHES. If neither party belongs to St. Francis De Sales Parish, written permission from the parish priest of bride and/or groom, also indicating his willingness to help complete the wedding requirements if this is the case, is required. All required subsequent documentations are to be received by the office forty-five (45) days before the wedding.

CANCELLATION should be considered if there are pressures to get married or if there is lack of preparation for this lifetime commitment. Marriage must be a free choice. The priest should be able to help assess your readiness and maturity to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. If the wedding is being cancelled, let the priest and parish know about it sooner than later. Re-imbursement of fees can be considered.

At least six (6) months before the wedding, the wedding parties meet with the priest or deacon for the initial interview and the setting of the wedding date.

At least six weeks before the wedding, the wedding parties attend a Marriage Preparation Course or Workshop. A certificate of attendance is part of the marriage documentation.

At least six (6) weeks before the wedding, the wedding parties meet with the priest for the canonical interview and complete the required documentation, including the following documents:

1. Certificate of Baptism for the Catholic party/parties, issued for marriage purposes after the initial interview. A copy of baptismal certificate of baptism of the non-Catholic party.
2. Proof of freedom (Form 2A) & Concerning Baptism (Form 2B)
3. Certificate of Marriage Preparation Course
4. Musical program (approved by parish musician)
5. Wedding Service program (readings, prayers, vows & blessings)
6. Permission letter from parish priest (if from another parish)
7. Marriage License
8. Complete legal names of two (2) witnesses with their respective complete mailing addresses (with postal codes) and Phone Numbers.

At least a month before the wedding, the Catholic parties celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.