St. Anselm is a Catholic faith community centered in the Eucharist, seeing the love of God through worship, word and service.

St. Anselm Catholic Church

Sacrament of Matrimony

Guidelines for Weddings

1. Couples contemplating marriage in the Archdiocese of New Orleans must contact one of the parish priests or deacons at least SIX MONTHS BEFORE their proposed wedding date to make arrangements for their wedding.    

2. Church law requires that weddings ordinarily take place in the parish of the bride or the groom.  Written permission from the proper pastor is needed for non-parishioners.

3. A Priest or Deacon from another parish is welcome to officiate at weddings here; however, he must handle all the necessary preparations and paperwork.  He must also conduct the rehearsal.

4. During the course of their meetings with the priest/deacon, the couple will complete all necessary preparations, including a premarital inventory (FOCUS, MPI, PREPARE, etc.)  The couple will also participate in ONE of the following programs:  Engaged Encounter, Evenings for the Engaged or Day for the Engaged.

5. RECENT BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES (not older than six months) are required for Catholics, Proof of Baptism is required for baptized non-Catholics.

6. Couples who reserve St. Anselm’s for their ceremony and then make any changes in those plans should notify the office at once so that the time reserved for them may be made available for the other couples.

7. TIMES for weddings are:

             WEDDINGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON FRIDAYS DURING LENT & HOLY WEEK.

                          SATURDAYS:    Beginning NO LATER than 1:00 pm or

                                                    NO EARLIER THAN 6:30 PM

                          WEEKDAYS:      Tuesday or Friday evenings only.

8.  DECORATIONS:

             A.          All decorations for the Church’s special season (Advent, Christmas,                                    Lent, and Easter) are to remain in place.  DO NOT ASK FOR THEM                                   TO BE REMOVED.

             B.          NOTHING MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE ALTAR IN ANYWAY—EVER

             C.          Flowers, when used, should be arranged tastefully and restrained in                                   number.  Church will be open for florist on Saturday after 9:00 am.                                      Flower arrangements may be taken if wanted.

             D.          Candles other than those at the altar and pulpit are to be dripless and                                 there must be a protective covering on the carpet beneath them.  The                                 church   has a unity candle holder and stand.  A wax guard is not                                          needed for the unity candle.

             E.          Aisle runners are not necessary.  However, if you choose to have one,                                YOU OR YOUR FLORIST ARE REPSONSIBLE for removing it after                                   the ceremony.

             F.          Pew decorations, if used, must be attached to the wood in a way that                                  does not damage the pew.  It is preferred that those decorations be                                    tied on.  Tape may be used as long as it does not pull off the wood of                                  the pew when it is removed.

                             1.) Netting running from one pew to the next is NOT PERMITTED.

                             2.) Any candle stands that are used in the aisle must be                                                            fastened to the pews and must not have legs that protrude into                                            the aisle of block access to the pew.

             G.          NO outside wedding coordinators. The parish staff will assist with the                                 wedding coordination.

9.  MUSIC

             A.          ONLY the parish musicians may be used for weddings. Please contact                               Mike Piazza at the parish office 985-845-7342 for more information.

             B.          If the wedding takes place during a Mass:

                          1.) Both an organist and a cantor must be used and:

                          2.) A Gathering Song (opening hymn) as well as the ordinary chants of the                                mass (i.e. Responsorial Psalm; Alleluia; Holy, Holy; Memorial                                                Acclamation and Great Amen) must be sung.

                          3.) You may have a soloist in addition to the cantor.

10. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Pictures may be taken from the altar, but the photographer    must be discreet while in the sanctuary and must always be careful NOT TO BECOME A DISTRACTION.  Video cameras are to be inconspicuous.  The priest/ deacon officiating at the wedding may place whatever restrictions he deems appropriate on the photographers and video operators.

             Still photographs are not allowed to be taken during the Eucharistic Prayer nor of              the couple receiving communion.

11. FEE SCHEDULE:  All fees must be paid to the office/musicians PRIOR to the rehearsal.

               CHURCH         FEES ARE DUE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING.

                          PARISHIONERS (registered, active & supporting)                         $   500.00

                                       ($250.00 due when reserving the date for the church.)

                                       DATE IS NOT FINAL UNTIL DEPOSIT IS PAID.

 

                          NON-PARISHIONERS OR NON SUPPORTING MEMBERS         $1,100.00

                                       ($500.00 due when reserving the date for the church.)

                                       DATE IS NOT FINAL UNTIL DEPOSIT IS PAID.

 

               ALTAR SERVERS       $10.00 PER SERVER (optional)

               MUSCIANS                   NEGOTIATED WITH MUSICIANS

               PRIEST/DEACON  A stipend depends on the generosity of the couple.

12.         NO RICE (bird seed, confetti, etc.) MAY BE THROWN INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE              CHURCH.  Please inform your guest and wedding party of this restriction.

Sacraments are an important part of our Catholic Faith.