Marriage Ceremony

Wedding rehearsals are held on the Friday evening before the wedding. The priest will direct the rehearsal with the assistance of a St. Andrew’s wedding coordinator. Outside wedding coordinators may not assist in the church. The entire wedding party, parents of the bride and groom, and those the couple have chosen to proclaim the scriptures are required to attend this rehearsal. Please advise your wedding party to be on time. It is possible that another rehearsal may be scheduled the same evening.

Our wedding liturgies begin with a full liturgical procession which includes the entire wedding party. We encourage the bride and groom to enter with both of their parents, or family representatives, as part of this procession. This makes a very strong statement regarding the family unit. This differs from the popular custom of the bride on her father’s arm alone, a custom that comes from the Middle Ages when marriages were arranged and the bride was viewed in terms of property being exchanged. Since every family situation is different, we recommend that couples give serious thought early on as to whom they will walk with in the procession. Procession models will be presented and discussed at the St. Andrew’s Wedding Liturgy Workshop.