Getting Married at
Church of the Holy Family
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Information for Weddings atChurch of the Holy Family
- Congratulations!
- Wedding Fees & Deposit
- Selecting a Date
- Securing a Priest/Deacon
- Required Documentation
- Pre-Cana
- Wedding Request Form
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Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to Church of the Holy Family.
We look forward to helping each couple plan for their special day. The information on this site will answer the many questions you may have in preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage at Church of the Holy Family. Please click on each tab for more specific information, and use the buttons at the top of the page to pay fees, see a wedding checklist, and more.REQUIREMENTS: At least one of the parties seeking the Sacrament of Marriage at Church of the Holy Family must be a member of the Saint Ignatius College Prep faculty or employee, an alumnus/alumna of Saint Ignatius or have a current, long-standing relationship with a member of USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus or Church of the Holy Family and provide a brief explanation of the nature of the relationship.
In addition, please note that because we are not a parish, we do not have priests, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers or musicians/cantors on staff. You will need to secure your own presider, sacristan or musician/cantor where needed.
Since COTHF is not a parish church, a letter of permission from your actual pastor is required.
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- The fee for a wedding is $2,000. This fee does not include stipends for presiders, wedding coordinator, musicians, flowers, etc.
- A $1,000 deposit is required to secure the date and time you selected for your wedding. This deposit is due after your request has been approved by our territorial parish, Our Lady of the Holy Family at Notre Dame, and prior to your initial meeting with our church’s wedding coordinator. Deposits are non-refundable for cancellations done less than six months in advance.
- The remaining balance of $1,000 must be paid, in full, six weeks prior to your wedding rehearsal date. Payments may be made by online by clicking here. If paying by check, please make it payable to Church of the Holy Family (note wedding date in the Memo section) and mail to the following address:
Church of the Holy Family
Attn: Wedding Coordinator
1080 W Roosevelt Rd
Chicago, IL 60608
- The fee for a wedding is $2,000. This fee does not include stipends for presiders, wedding coordinator, musicians, flowers, etc.
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Wedding Request Form
Weddings at Church of the Holy Family may be scheduled on Saturdays at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. Sunday weddings are not held.
NOTE:
The set up time allowed is 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. A maximum of 15 minutes will be allotted for pictures after the ceremony ends. Late starts result in shorter time allotment for photos after the ceremony.
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- It is the responsibility of each couple to secure a Catholic priest or deacon to preside at their wedding nuptials as COTHF is not an operating parish.
- Once you have selected your presider, it is the couple's responsibility to meet with the presider to review your wedding ceremony requirements. The priest/deacon will also be responsible for filling out the necessary paperwork in order for you to marry in the Catholic church.
- DUE 60 DAYS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DATE:
Completed wedding files and documents as required by the Archdiocese of Chicago are due no later than 60 days before your ceremony date. Contact Cathy Hooper at [email protected] to arrange a drop-off date/time. - Because we are not a parish, we do not have priests, altar servers or Eucharistic ministers on staff. You will need to secure your own presider and assistants.
- Donations for your priest/deacon should be made directly to that individual. Donations for priest/deacon are NOT included in church wedding fees.
- It is the responsibility of each couple to secure a Catholic priest or deacon to preside at their wedding nuptials as COTHF is not an operating parish.
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Once the date, time and security deposit have been confirmed and received, the church requires the following information to be delivered to our offices (please see 'Wedding Checklist' for more details). You and your priest are responsible for these documents and you must provide completed files no less than 60 days prior to your wedding to COTHF.
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All couples are required to register and complete the Pre-Cana course offered through local parishes and church approved sites. The class must be completed before your wedding date. Upon completion, you will submit the certificate to our offices for your file.
You may find more information about PreCana classes if you are getting married within the Archdiocese of Chicago at https://formedcatholiconline.com/Marriage-Preparation. These classes fill up quickly and it is our recommendation that you register as soon as you are able.
Please email [email protected] with additional questions regarding marriage preparation.
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To start the process, you will need to complete the online wedding request form. It is important to complete both the bride and groom’s information, so that we have contact phone and emails for both of you.Note: At least one of the parties seeking the Sacrament of Marriage at Church of the Holy Family must be a member of the Saint Ignatius College Prep faculty or employee, an alumnus/alumna of Saint Ignatius or have a current, long-standing relationship with a member of USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus or Church of the Holy Family and provide a brief explanation of the nature of the relationship. In addition, because we are not a parish, we do not have priests on staff and you would need to secure your own presider.
After you submit the form, our wedding coordinator, Cathy Hooper, will contact you to discuss the day and time you are interested in securing. If you have any questions, please email Cathy at [email protected].
Online Wedding Request Form
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Planning your Ceremony atChurch of the Holy Family
- Planning the ceremony
- Rehearsal
- Your Wedding Day
- Photos & Videos
- Floral Decorations
- Musicians
- Wedding Planners
- Parking
- Handicap Access
- Other Information
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Couples must inform their presider that Church of the Holy Family is not a parish and, thus, we do not provide altar servers, Eucharistic ministers or musicians/cantors.
It is the responsibility of the couple to secure and meet with their priest/deacon to plan the wedding ceremony. Completed wedding files and documents as required by the Archdiocese of Chicago are due no later than 60 days before your ceremony date. Contact Cathy Hooper at [email protected] to schedule drop-off date/time.
Since COTHF is not a parish church, a letter of permission from your actual pastor is required.
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Once you have met with your presider, contact our wedding coordinator, Cathy Hooper, to schedule a rehearsal date. Rehearsals are on the Thursday or Friday before your Saturday wedding. Times available are: 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 PM; however, the church schedule may require a change to these dates and/or times.
Wedding rehearsals are for the participants in your wedding ceremony. This includes wedding party, family members, readers, etc. We DO NOT ALLOW music or practice of music at the rehearsal. Our wedding coordinator will be on hand to manage the rehearsal, answer questions, and help keep the rehearsal on time. You will be given instructions for the day of ceremony and time allotment for use of the church.
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Our Bride's Room will be available for the bride and bridal party to wait while guests are arriving in the church.Our wedding coordinator will be on-site to answer questions and to ensure the wedding starts in a timely manner.
Mass Requirements: It is the responsibility of the couple to bring printed copies of the readings and petitions to the ceremony.
Weddings at Church of the Holy Family are scheduled at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. The set up time allowed is 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. A maximum of 15 minutes will be allotted for pictures after the ceremony ends. Late starts result in shorter time allotment for photos after the ceremony.
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All inside wedding pictures MUST BE TAKEN BEFORE the bridal party exits the church. Family and bridal procession must immediately return to the altar after the recessional walk, and complete family photos. Time allotment will be incumbent upon when the wedding ceremony ends.
**CHURCH USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGES
Unless individuals specifically prohibit the use of photographs, videos or other images of themselves taken at the Church of the Holy Family or an event related to the church, the church assumes the right to use said photographs, images, and videos for promotion material, educational purposes, and church literature. Individuals must notify the church office in writing of their desire not to allow the church to use said material.
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Flowers arrangements are allowed on the altar. We do not allow aisle runners or the tossing of petals in the church. Florists may call our office if they have questions about placement of flowers.All flowers and the containers from flowers must be removed from the church at the conclusion of weddings by the bridal group.
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Couples are responsible for hiring and contracting musicians and cantors for their wedding as COTHF is not an operating parish and does not have a music director. It is essential that the musicians know and are able to sing the parts of a Catholic wedding. Couples should consult with their presider.Liturgical hymns and music must be performed at the wedding Mass and ceremony. Secular music is not allowed during Masses at Church of the Holy Family.
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We are happy to have wedding planners at our church. Our wedding coordinator will give them direction, and let them know where their assistance is needed at the church. If they have questions, they may contact our coordinator, Cathy Hooper, at [email protected].
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Parking is available for wedding guests in the lot located on the corner of May Street and Roosevelt Road. Parking is also available on Roosevelt Road. Please refer to street sign directions.
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Handicap access to the church is provided in the Burke Gearing Center just west of the main church doors. Entrance to the center is at the corner of May Street and Roosevelt Road.
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FOOD AND ALCOHOL POLICY
- NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE SANCTUARY
- NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS OR IN THE CHURCH
other policies
- No food related items, i.e. rice, may be tossed at bridal exit from church. Suggested alternatives include bells, noise makers, ibbon flags, bubbles, etc.
- Transportation buses may wait in the church lot for exiting guests.
- Runners of any material or flower petals are NOT allowed in the church down the center aisle.
- NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE SANCTUARY
