"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:"
Ephesians 4:2-3 NABRE
Matrimony
Couples who wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony at Our Lady of Hope or Saint Luke Parish should contact the Parish Offices no less than six (6) months before the desired wedding date to arrange for a priest/deacon to meet with them to discuss preparation. All couples must complete an approved Marriage Preparation program before their wedding date.
If either the Bride or Groom or both have been previously married, it is advisable to contact a priest/deacon one (1) year ahead of the wedding date, in case there is a need for an annulment process that could take more time.
Reserving your wedding date
Couples should not make any official arrangements before speaking with the priest/deacon. This includes arrangements with a place of reception, stationary, etc.
Weddings can be celebrated on any day of the week, with the following parameters.
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Saturday: Between 10:00AM and 1:00PM, or at 6:00PM at Our Lady of Hope; or between 11:00PM and 3:00PM, or at 7:30PM at Saint Luke
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Sunday: After 2:00PM at either parish
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Monday through Friday: between 11:00PM and 7:00PM
The fee for weddings at Our Lady of Hope and Saint Luke is $300.00. The Pastor may make exceptions to this upon request. To reserve the church for the desired date, a deposit of one half of the fee is required. The remainder of the fee should be paid no later than 2 weeks prior to the Wedding date. In the case of a cancelation, deposits can be refunded, as long as cancelations occur more than 2 weeks prior to the Wedding.
Wedding Rehearsal
Rehearsals are typically scheduled for the evening before the Wedding. The entire wedding party should attend, as well as parents, and anyone who will have a role in the Wedding (readers, gift-bearers, etc.). Rehearsals usually take one hour, whether you have a Mass or a ceremony.
Documents
The Bride and/or Groom should obtain a church copy of their Baptismal Certificate within six (6) months of the wedding date. This should be obtained by contacting the church of your Baptism to request an official copy be sent. This is done free of charge. Your original Baptismal Certificate is not valid, because the back of your official certificate will also have your Sacramental information listed.
The couple is responsible for obtaining a Marriage License from Baltimore County. The License should be presented to the priest/deacon at the time of the rehearsal. Without the License, the wedding cannot take place.
The couple will be given a booklet for choosing prayers and readings for the celebration of the Sacrament. THey should choose, at the very least:
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First Reading from the Old Testament
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Psalm
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Second Reading from the New Testament
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Gospel
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Prayers of the Faithful (Intercessions/Petitions)
Couples should choose individuals or an individual to read these selections (except the Gospel, which the priest/deacon proclaims).
Celebrant and Music
Celebrant
If the couple would like a priest/deacon from outside of the Pastorate (Our Lady of Hope and Saint Luke) to celebrate the wedding, he should contact the Pastor to receive delegation. Any priest/deacon in good standing is welcome to come and celebrate.
Musicians
The couple should contact the Director of Music for the parish where the wedding will take place:
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Our Lady of Hope: Mr. Donald Appel - 410-592-7527
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Saint Luke: Mrs. Kathy Marschall - 410-935-5465
If the couple is bringing their own guest musicians and/or singers, the Directors of Music should be contacted.
Music
Music selected must be of an appropriate nature for church (ie., no modern popular music during the ceremony). The music fee is separate from the church fee and should be payable to the Director of Music.
Miscellaneous
Runners
Runners are discouraged for the Wedding, as they can create a tripping hazard for those walking on them.
Flower Girls/Boys
Flower girls/boys are more than welcome, but no petals, etc. can be dropped in the church.
Outside of the church following the ceremony
The throwing of rice, birdseed, etc., outside of the church is prohibited.
Photography
Flash photography is permitted, but photographers/videographers must check-in with the priest/deacon to discuss rules for positioning. At no time may anyone other than the couple or wedding party be in the sanctuary during the celebration of the Sacrament.
Start time
The ceremony must start within 5 minutes of the scheduled starting time.
To get started on your journey, please call the rectory:
410-284-6600.
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