ST. Patrick's Old Cathedral
263 Mulberry Street, New York, NY, 10012
tel: 212-226-8075, fax: 212-226-1219
263 Mulberry Street, New York, NY, 10012
tel: 212-226-8075, fax: 212-226-1219
wedwed
The celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage will be one of the most important days in your life. The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral is honored to be part of your great day.
The first step in planning your wedding at the Basilica is to contact our Wedding Coordinator, Rosa Jimenez. She will ask you for basic information about your plans and help you determine if the church is available on your preferred dates.
Before you call Rosa be sure that you have reviewed the conditions and requirements described here below.
Note: If you are a parishioner of the Basilica, but are planning on getting married at another church, all paper work, including the PMI (pre-matrimonial investigation by a priest) is to be done at the church where the wedding will be held. We will be happy to provide for you a letter that states you are parishioners here and are canonically free to get married (without an impediment for a Catholic wedding).
Scheduling Day and Time of Your Wedding
You must secure a date on our calendar at least three months in advance of your wedding. We recommend that you do so as soon as possible in order to secure the exact day and time that you prefer.
Weddings may be scheduled any weekday from 9:00AM – 7:00pm or on Saturdays, between 10:00AM and 3:00PM, and on Sundays between 2:30PM and 5:00PM (Weddings may not be scheduled on major holy days or during Holy Week).
A date is reserved for a wedding only after you have completed an Initial Information Form and when we have received a non-refundable deposit of 0.00.
Completing the Initial Information Form can be accomplished through our office over the phone or we can mail/e-mail it to you.
Planning Your Wedding
Once you have secured your wedding date with Rosa, you should obtain from the Parish offices a booklet entitled Together for Life. You will find this publication invaluable in making choices for the ceremony.
The most basic decision about your wedding is whether or not it will be celebrated with a Nuptial Mass or with a Nuptial Ceremony.
There are two acceptable and proper forms of the ceremony of Holy Matrimony in the Roman Catholic Church. The first may be called the “Nuptial Ceremony”. The second may be referred to as a “Nuptial Mass”.
The Nuptial Ceremony is a beautiful rite that celebrates the sacramental grace that is received by the couple through the exchange of vows in the presence of the Church’s minister. The ceremony includes the reading of Sacred Scripture, a homily (sermon) given by the presiding priest or deacon, a declaration of informed consent, and the exchange of vows and rings. The ceremony usually lasts about a half an hour.
The second option, the nuptial mass, is longer than the nuptial ceremony (about 50 minutes) because it also includes the Eucharistic Celebration (Communion). We recommend the Nuptial Mass only when both spouses and most of their guests attend mass regularly. This avoids uncomfortable situations regarding the distribution of Holy Communion and focuses everyone’s attention on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
We recommend couples speak with one of our priests before deciding whether they will have a Nuptial Ceremony or Nuptial Mass.
Meeting with A Priest from the Basilica
After you have secured a date for your wedding and reviewed the booklet, Together for Life, one of our priests will be eager to meet with you to plan the liturgy, answer your questions, and fill out some official paper work (called “PMI” or Pre-Matrimonial Investigation). This meeting can be scheduled by Rosa.
Before you meet with the priest be sure that you collect the following documents:
Marrying a non-Catholic
If either member of the couple is a non-Catholic, we will help the Catholic obtain the required dispensations. You should mention this in your first conversation with Rosa.
Previous Marriages
If one or both of you were involved in a previous civil marriage, please indicate this in your first conversation with Rosa so that she can advise you what to do. If one or both of you were married in the Catholic Church, you need to supply us with evidence of your freedom to marry (church annulment papers or death certificates).
Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana) Course
Couples are required to complete a marriage preparation course approved by the Archdiocese of New York (or your home diocese).
Couples who are not members of the Basilica, may attend a Pre-Cana course at another location. You may ask Rosa for a brochure that provides the dates and locations where the conferences are held. This information, including the registration form, can be obtained http://flrl.org/MarriagePreparation.htm. A Certificate of Completion must be sent to Rosa before the rehearsal is scheduled.
Participation of Family Members or Friends
There are times within the Liturgy for your family and/or friends to participate:
You may select two persons to read who have experience or are at ease at a microphone. Their attendance at the rehearsal is important.
Up to three people may be involved in presenting the gifts of bread, wine and water to
the celebrant.
Up to three people may participate in reading brief petitions.
Although not part of the Roman Catholic Rite of Marriage, some couples request that the lighting of a “Unity Candle” be part of the ceremony. This is permitted, not recommended. Couples are asked to bring their own candles.
Gifts to the Church
Your contribution to the church is a tax deductable gift.
Your gifts should be made to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral no later than two weeks before your wedding by mail or a visit to the parish office.
The Rehearsal
You may schedule the ceremony rehearsal with our wedding coordinator. Rehearsals usually take place the day before the wedding, but it can be done earlier as well.
Visiting Priest
If you wish to have a visiting priest celebrate your wedding, you must indicate this well in advance of your wedding date. If he is from outside the Archdiocese of New York, he must provide us with a letter of “Good Standing” from his bishop or religious superior. He must offer show proof that he has obtained civil authorization to conduct a wedding in the City of New York. The visiting priest will conduct the rehearsal.
If he is not officiating at your wedding but simply wishes to participate, he is most welcome to concelebrate with the priest from the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.
License
A civil marriage license from the City of New York must be obtained within 30 days of your marriage. It must be given to our Wedding Coordinator at least one day before the rehearsal. The marriage license is signed by the couple and two witnesses the day of the rehearsal and given back to the priest who will mail it to City Hall.
Music
Soon after you secure your wedding date you should contact the Organist, Jared Lamenzo He will guide you through the various times within the Nuptial Mass or Simple Ceremony where music is appropriate. Keep in mind that all music within the liturgy must be sacred. Popular songs or instrumentals should be done at your reception but not in church. However, you may use the courtyard in front of the church for this purpose.
Your fee for the services of the organist is 0. Your check needs to be made out to Jared Lamenzo and can be given to him directly. You can reach him by e-mail at jaredlamenzo@hotmail.com. His phone number is 1-917-405-4352.
The organ in St. Patrick’ is an antique instrument of high quality. Only designated organists approved by Jared Lamenzo are authorized to play it.
Vocalist Fees
If you choose to engage a cantor, there is a fee of 5. Jared will supply you with the name of the cantor for purposes of making a check. Checks need to be delivered to the parish office no later than two weeks before your wedding.
Being mindful of the high standards of liturgical music in the church, only cantors approved by Jared are permissible.
Please keep in mind that musicians are professionals whose livelihood is the provision of music. Their fees are not to be confused with your gift to the church.
Flowers & Carpet
Restraint should be exercised with regard to flower arrangements around the altar. The placement of flowers in one or two vases is all that are needed in the Basilica. If you are thinking of having your flowers transported to the reception, they are probably too elaborate for our sanctuary. You may, however, place elaborate arrangements in the narthex (foyer) or courtyard.
While carpet (runner) may be placed down the aisle, be aware that it is a long aisle. It should be made of a fabric that does not cause a trip hazard for yourselves or your guests.
Photography
Photographers are most welcome. They may seek the best vantage for their pictures but may not enter the sanctuary (altar area). However they may place themselves in the sacristy adjacent to the sanctuary for excellent views of the wedding party. Photographers should speak to the priest before the ceremony to understand this better.
Reception Line
The narthex (foyer) and courtyard of the Old Cathedral affords ample room for greeting your guests. You may place flower arrangements there, provide music and even serve refreshments. Throwing confetti, rice or birdseed is not allowed.
263 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10012
Tel: (212) 226-8075
Fax: (212) 226-1219
E-mail:
info@oldcathedral.org
Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Click on the map for directions