
Holy Matrimony is a Sacrament instituted by Christ as a sign of unconditional love and permanent fidelity, in imitation of God's life-giving love for his people.
Parishioners:
- Call to meet with Rosa Jimenez, our Wedding Coordinator, at (212) 226-8075. She will send you an initial information sheet.
- Complete the information sheet and present it to our rector after Sunday Mass.
- After your initial meeting the rector, Rosa will review the next steps you need to take. At this time, you may secure a date for your wedding with a non-refundable deposit towards the payment prior to the wedding.
- Sign up for Pre-Cana marriage preparation program.
- When Rosa has received all the required documents and you have completed the Pre-Cana weekend, Rosa will have you contact the rector to schedule a meeting. At this meeting, you will complete the Pre-Marriage Inquiry, affirming that you understand Catholic marriage as a solemn and unconditional covenant. Father will also review the wedding ceremony so that you will be ready for your wedding rehearsal, which is usually scheduled the day before the wedding. If either of you is not Catholic, the application for a dispensation is to be signed at this time.
- Deliver the marriage license to Rosa before the rehearsal date. It will be signed by the bride and groom, along with two witnesses at the rehearsal.
- Wedding Rehearsal.
N.B. If there is a visiting priest to witness your marriage, he must contact the rector well before the ceremony.
Non-Parishioners:
- Call to meet with Rosa Jimenez, our Wedding Coordinator, at (212) 226-8075.
- Before we set a date for your wedding, you need to acquire a Letter of Freedom from your parish priest stating that he understands that you will be married here. Once Rosa receives that letter, she will meet with you regarding your next steps, such as obtaining sacramental records and a marriage license.
- Secure a wedding date with a non-refundable deposit.
- Obtain your sacramental records for Rosa. These must be newly issued and dated within six months of the wedding.
- Sign up for Pre-Cana.
- Meet with your parish priest for Pre-Marriage Inquiry and dispensations (if necessary).
- Contact our rector at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral to discuss your wedding ceremony.
- Deliver the marriage license to Rosa before the rehearsal date. It will be signed by the bride and groom, along with two witnesses at the rehearsal.
- Wedding rehearsal.
Parishioners getting married elsewhere:
- Call to meet with Rosa Jimenez, our Wedding Coordinator, at (212) 226-8075. She will send you an initial information sheet and arrange for you both to meet with our rector.
- Present the completed information sheet to our rector after Sunday Mass.
- Afterwards, Rosa will review the next steps you need to take. She will assist you in gathering all the documents you need for the church where the wedding will be celebrated.
- Sign up for Pre-Cana.
- Meet with the rector to complete the Pre-Marriage Inquiry and apply for dispensations (if necessary).
- The rector of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral will write a Letter of Freedom.
- Rosa will send all relevant documents to the church where the wedding will occur.
Wedding Day
Your wedding should be secured at least six months in advance. A date is secured for a wedding only after we have received a non-refundable deposit.
Weddings may be scheduled:
Any weekday from 9:00AM – 7:00pm
Saturdays, between 10:00AM and 3:00PM
Sundays between 2:00PM and 5:00PM (only a nuptial ceremony, not a Mass)
Ceremony
A booklet entitled Together for Life will be very helpful to you in planning your ceremony. The most basic decision about your wedding is whether it will be celebrated with a Nuptial Mass or with a Nuptial Ceremony. This decision should be made in consultation with the priest who will be officiating at your wedding, as well as the pastor of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.
The Nuptial Ceremony is a beautiful rite that celebrates the sacred union of the couple through the exchange of vows in the presence of the Church. The ceremony includes:
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- Welcome and Opening Prayer
- Readings from Sacred Scripture
- Homily (sermon) given by the presiding priest
- The Declaration of Consent & Vows
- The Blessing & Exchange of Rings
- The Prayers of the Faithful
- The Our Father
- The Nuptial Blessing
The second option for your wedding is the Nuptial Mass. It contains the same parts as the Nuptial Ceremony previously described, but also includes the Eucharistic Prayer and the reception of Holy Communion. We recommend the Nuptial Mass only when both spouses are Catholic and most of their guests attend Mass regularly.
Music
Soon after you secure your wedding date, please contact the Basilica’s Director of Music and Organist, Jared Lamenzo. He will send you the Basilica’s Wedding Music Guidelines.
Keep in mind that all music within the liturgy must be sacred. Also, please note that music fees are in addition to your payment to the church and must be paid in full prior to the wedding date.