Preparation / Date of Marriage

The formalities associated with the planning and preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony should be arranged at the parish to where either the bride or groom is registered.  If the engaged couple does not belong to any parish, they must first formally register at the parish where they typically worship and attend Mass.
It is recommended that the couple contact the parish office at least 6-months before the planned date of the marriage to complete the required forms and to reserve the date and time of the ceremony.  Marriage ceremonies are usually conducted on Saturdays at the following hours: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
The reservation of the date of marriage has to be done in person at the parish office. (No telephone reservations are accepted.)  A $150 deposit is required at the time of the reservation.  In the event that the wedding needs to be cancelled in less than 2-months prior to the originally reserved date of marriage, the deposit will not be refunded.

Documents

The following original documents are required:

  • Certificate of Baptism with an annotation confirming the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation (the document cannot be older than 6-months from the date of issuance).
  • For individuals who have not reached the age of 21, a written consent of authorization of Marriage is required from their parents. This is a mandatory requirement mandated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.  In the case of a widow or widower, a document verifying the previous marriage as well as the death certificate of the deceased spouse is also required.
  • Certification or proof of attendance to pre-marriage classes.
  • Documentation of a canonical meeting with a priest.
  • Acknowledgement of two witnesses for the future bride and two witnesses for the future groom
    (4 witnesses in total) regarding the coupe’s identity and free will to enter in to the union of Holy Matrimony. (This document should be prepared during the aforementioned Canonical conversation with the priest.)
  • Marriage License granted by the County Clerk. (Please note the Marriage License is only valid for a 60-day period from the date of issuance.)  In the case of a former civil union, a Certificate of Marriage is required.  In the case of multiple civil unions, proof of the current union and all the court’s decisions of nullification regarding the former unions is also required.

Please note: all the required documentation must be completed, submitted and received by the parish office AT THE VERY LATEST, ONE MONTH prior to the date of marriage!

Sacrament of Reconciliation

It is required that the soon to be married couple individually receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The individuals should indicate to their confessor that this is a pre-marriage confession.  At St. Ladislaus Church the sacrament of Reconciliation is available one-half hour before the start of each Mass.

Offering

The offering is to be paid at the very latest, during the rehearsal before the marriage ceremony.

  • The offering for an engaged couple, where at least one person is an “active parishioner” and belongs to the parish: $250 plus $150 deposit. An “active parishioner” is defined as registered with our Parish for at least 18-months prior to the date of inquiry, attends Mass regularly and actively participates in a ministry and stewardship, consisting of the contribution of time, talent or treasure.
  • The offering for an engaged couple not belonging to the parish and not supporting the parish through the regular use of contribution envelopes is: $400 plus $150 deposit.

Preparation for Marriage through Conferences/Workshops

The engaged couple is required to participate in conferences/workshops on various marriage preparation topics.  Dates and locations can be found at: www.familymnistries.org.

The Rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal at church is usually held on the Wednesday prior to the date of the marriage ceremony at 7:45 PM unless a different time and date is arranged with the priest.  It is important for family and friends to take an active part in the Holy Mass by reading both the Word of God and the prayer of the faithful and by carrying the gifts to the altar.  Witnesses, bridesmaids, groomsmen and those involved in the liturgy should attend the rehearsal.

Music

The selection of songs must reflect liturgical norms and must be arranged with the parish organist at least one month before the date of the wedding.  Payment for the organist is not included in the offering for the marriage.  The fees and contracts between the couple, organist and soloist(s) should be arranged and paid directly to them and not to the church.  Please contact Mr. Zdzisław Koc, Parish Organist directly at (773) 715-5336 for further information.

Pictures/Video

During the ceremony, persons taking photographs or video recordings cannot enter the sanctuary (presbytery) or the area surrounding the altar.  Before the ceremony, the photographer and/or videographer must meet with the priest in the sacristy.  After the ceremony there will be an opportunity for group pictures (outside the sanctuary/presbytery) assuming that the Holy Mass begins on time.
All wedding party members must leave the church at least 15-minutes before the next marriage ceremony or other liturgical service.

The Order of the Marriage Ceremony

  • It must be emphasized that the wedding ceremony must begin on time!  Any delays will shorten the photo session or make it impossible.
  • No wedding ceremony can be longer than one and a half (1.5) hours – this includes the photo session. This strict time frame ensures the elimination of conflicts between other marriage ceremonies and/or liturgical services that are scheduled for the same day.  Adherence to the prescribed time frame must be respected.
  • Preparation of flower bouquets for the altar of Our Lady of Czestochowa, extra flowers, decorations, white carpeting, unity candles, etc., have to be arranged and are the responsibility of the wedding party.  In like manner, the wedding party is also responsible for their removal and disposal of all packaging materials at the end of the ceremony.
  • It is not permitted to throw rice, confetti, flower petals, etc. on the steps or at the entrance of the church.
  • Please remember the sacramental nature of the church setting when selecting dresses for the bride and bridesmaids as they should be appropriate for this location.