May the Lord in His goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with His blessings. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

Congratulations! The Sacrament of Marriage is a wonderful step on your faith journey! At St. Patrick, we have a detailed process for your upcoming wedding. The theology of the marriage preparation here at St. Patrick is based on the directives of both the Archdiocese and of our own parish. We believe in the joyful celebration of your wedding ceremony and we will help you to truly celebrate. Also, we look beyond the ceremony to celebrate the marriage relationship that you will have for a lifetime together. Our aim is to serve. We offer these directives as our effort to help you celebrate a faith-filled wedding day and a marrage commitment that is to last a lifetime!

Steps for arranging your wedding at St. Patrick:

• Contact the parish priest to set a date for your wedding (and rehersal date) and to set-up the initial meeting. This must be done at least 6 months prior to your targeted wedding date. Call the parish office at 248-698-3100. *If you are not a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, you must become a member in order to be married at St. Patrick-this includes if you 'grew up' in our chuch but have not become a member as an adult. If both parties are Catholic, the celebration of Marriage will be celebrated in a Mass. Marriages may be celebrated on any day except Sundays and Holydays. 
• Meet with the Priest or Deacon to complete the necessary paperwork. (A pre-marriage inventory will be given to you at your meeting.)
• If you were not baptized at St. Patrick, you will need a copy of your Baptismal certificate from the parish where you were baptized. 
• Attend Pre-Marriage program. (You will be contacted by your sponsor couple about the pre-marriage classes. The completion of this class is mandatory to be married in the Church.)
• Contact the Music Minister about your music selections for your wedding ceremony. Call or email Aaron Kaleniecki at 248-698-3100 x 220 or akaleniecki@stpwl.org. 
• Obtain your Marriage License from the county, but not any earlier than 30 days before your wedding day-you will receive three copies of the marriage license-one week prior to your wedding, bring all three copies to the parish. (The parish will complete the Marriage License and it will be ready for you to sign after your ceremony.)
• Bring a copy of your Liturgy Planning Sheets to the parish one week prior to your wedding. 
• Get Married!

Note: The wedding rehearsal will be conducted by your sponsor couple or another designated person and, therefore, will not be an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at that time. If you wish for an opportunity to celebrate Reconciliation, please consult the parish bulletin for the parish schedule or make private arrangements by calling a priest. 

What to bring to your rehearsal:

• Two copies of your readings
• Completed liturgy planning sheets
• Evaluation of the Rehearsal

Please make sure all members of the wedding party arrive PROMPTLY. 
This practice is a serious preparation for your forthcoming ceremony. Make sure the members of your wedding party refrain from alcoholic beverages until after rehearsal. 

Wedding Day Details:

Flowers: Please confirm flower arrangements with the Worship Coordinator (you may want to check with parish and see if the altar is decorated, depending on the time of year.)
If you are obtaining an aisle runner, the aisle is 100ft. Confirm delivery day and time with parish.
No flower petals may be dropped on the floor or runner. 

Wedding Candle:
If you are including the wedding candle ceremony in your liturgy, it will be necessary for you to provide the candles. The church has a special holder for the candles that holds 2 tapers and one 3" candle. If you arehaving your unity candle put in an arrangement by a florist, be sure that 2 tapers are included in the arrangement along with the unity candle. 
Be sure that someone is responsible for bringing the wedding candle to the church and remove it after the ceremony. 

Altar Servers: 
The Worship Coordinator will arrange for altar servers for all weddings with a Mass.