Saint Anne Parish Wedding Letter

This letter will be sent to all couples several months before the scheduled wedding date.

Dear Bride and Groom:

Your wedding date is approaching rapidly. I am sure that this is a time of very real anticipation for the two of you.

Fr. Chris and I look forward to being with you on your wedding day to witness your vows. We certainly want everything to go serenely on that day and the rehearsal day as well. I am sending you along with this letter a theological overview. Please take the time to read it.

To avoid confusion, one month prior to the wedding is the appropriate time:

• To pay the fee for the organist ($100.00 - check payable to Normand Gingras);
• To pay the Church fee to Saint Anne's Parish on the occasion of your wedding. Suggested Minimum offering - for Parishioners, $125.00 - for others, $200.00 (check payable to St. Anne Parish). I have enclosed a self-addressed envelope to facilitate your payment. Both must be paid before the rehearsal!
• Be sure to make an appointment, for your rehearsal with Mr. Normand Gingras (401-624-4463).

Your wedding will take place within the context of a Catholic worship service. This will call for a prayerful atmosphere and a modest approach that will avoid ostentatious display.

Being late is rude. Be sure that the limo driver and photographer know that you intend to be on time. Please, remind your photographer that your wedding takes place within the context of a most sacred worship service of the Catholic Church. All should come primarily to worship God - even the photographer! His/her behavior should be appropriate to worship. The photographer should never intrude upon or interrupt the ceremony in any way. Plastic and other runners are simply not allowed. They sometime cause falls.

You must bring the Massachusetts Marriage License and your selection of Scripture Readings to us at the rehearsal. You will be guided in your choice of the readings by the Together For Life Booklet (available free at the parish office). Please fill out the "selections page" at the back of that booklet and bring that to the rehearsal.

On the day of the wedding it is customary for the best man to give a gift (about $5.00 /each) to the altar servers. Many who were altar servers will gratefully remember this little courtesy.

Gratefully yours in Christ-Jesus,
(Rev.) Marc H. Bergeron, M.Div.
Pastor

Hint: A personal gift to the priest on the day of the wedding is always appreciated and optional.

Hint: You must inform the Social Security Administration about name changes so that information will be correct when you file your income taxes as a couple. That could save you lots of grief with IRS later on.

Last Revision: February, 2005

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