Congratulations ~ on your up-coming marriage!  Our parish shares in your joy, and we look forward to helping you prepare not only for the wedding day, but also for your lifetime together.

All Marriage Arrangements ~ are the responsibility of the bride and groom.  Contact the parish at least six months prior to the proposed date of the wedding to arrange an initial appointment with the priest or able to do so even earlier, so that you may have a better chance of reserving the date you desire.  It is necessary for the couple to come to the parish center and schedule their wedding personally with the priest or his delegate. Please arrange the wedding date and time with the church prior to booking a hall for the reception.  No wedding dates may be reserved over the telephone. 

Wedding Times ~ Marriages take place at Saint Bonaventure's on:
Saturdays ~ between 10:00 AM  and 2:00 PM, or at 5:30 PM or thereafter
Sundays ~ after 1:00 PM

Marriage Preparation ~ Prospective brides and grooms are required to complete a Marriage Preparation Program that provides engaged couples an opportunity to gather together with married couples and consider important issues concerning married life for reflection and discussion.  Information about the various programs offered in the Plymouth area will be provided by the priest or his delegate working with you.  Please enroll in a program as soon as possible as sessions fill up very quickly. 

Planning the Ceremony ~ After the initial meeting with the priest or his delegate and completion of the Marriage Preparation Program, schedule a second meeting to fill out the necessary papers.  Planning the ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day.  The priest or his delegate will assist you in selecting the prayers, readings, blessing, and other ways which will personalize your ceremony.  The last meeting includes reviewing these choices and finalizing the particulars of the wedding ceremony. 

Spiritual Preparation ~ Prayer is an active part of your preparation to give yourself to one another as a free gift before God and to receive one another as a gift from God.  Couples do well to prepare for a common life of prayer by attending Mass together, reading scripture, and celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation  (Confession) prior to their wedding day.  Please talk to the priest or his delegate who works with you if someone is in need of completing their initiation into the Catholic church through the sacrament of Confirmation, or if one of the parties is considering becoming Catholic.

Visiting Clergy ~ Ordinarily, the parish priest officiates at your wedding.  However, priests who are relatives or friends of the bride and groom are welcome to officiate.  If the visiting clergy comes from outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he must receive an official document of permission from the Commonwealth.  Please explain this to him well in advance of the wedding date.  Such authorization can be obtained by calling the Office of the State Secretary, Division of Public Records, Commissions Section, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108, telephone: 617-727-2836.  They will provide papers for him to complete and return. 

Marriage License ~  A civil license is necessary for marriage.  It can be obtained from any city or town clerk in Massachusetts.  Both parties must be present to apply.  Once the license has been issued, it is valid for 60 days.  Give the license to the priest or his delegate arranging your marriage at the time of the rehearsal.  After the wedding, he will complete his section of the license and forward it to the city/town hall where it was obtained. 

Music ~ The bride and groom and all visiting musicians need to contact the Director of Music, Mr. Christopher Ricci at 508-224-3636, Ext. 151, at least 3 months prior to your wedding.  Mr. Ricci plays the organ at all weddings here at St. Bonaventure's and arranges for a soloist if needed.  In planning your music, Mr. Ricci will help you make choices that reflect the Church's liturgical guidelines and the religious nature of the sacrament you are celebrating. 

Rehearsal & Photography ~  The priest or his delegate who is assisting you schedules your rehearsal at a mutually convenient time.  There, you will meet our wedding coordinators, who will guide you through the logistics for your ceremony.  Your photographer and/or videographer needs to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the wedding, introduce him/herself to the wedding coordinators, and they will work with the presider at your wedding to ensure your wedding ceremony is captured properly.

Flowers & Decorations ~  Flowers are placed within the sanctuary by the florist or your delegate upon delivery.  If you wish to purchase a white carpet on the center aisle, please not that our aisle is 100 ft. long.  It is the responsibility of the florist or person you have chosen to see that floral arrangements and decorations are in place at least one hour before the ceremony.  Nothing may be placed on the altar.  Note: Flowers should remain in the church after the wedding.  Use of any type of confetti, rice, flower petals, or other materials of this kind, either inside or outside of church, is not allowed.  Please notify your family and friends of this ahead of time. 

Offerings ~  Payable at the Rehearsal

Church - $400.00 Check payable to "St. Bonaventure Parish" This offering            includes a $5.00 stipend for the priest officiating at a nuptial Mass.  No part of the offering goes directly to the priest who celebrates your wedding.

Music - $225.00  Check payable to "Christopher Ricci" our Director of Music.  See Mr. Ricci for the fees that are due for other musicians and/or the soloist.

Coordinators - $50.00 Check payable to "Cash".