Marriage
Marriage Arrangements: Arrangements must be made at least 8 months in advance before the date of the wedding.
Non-refundable deposit of $100.00 in order to reserve date for the ceremony.
St. Sebastian Parishioners: St. Sebastian Parishioners must make an appointment with the Pastor as soon as they reserve the date for Pre-Matrimonial Investigation. A CURRENT Baptismal Certificate (date no more than 6 months prior to your wedding), copies of First Communion & Confirmation Certificates will be needed if one or both made their sacraments outside the parish. Non-Catholics are asked to obtain your Baptismal Certificate if possible.
Pre-Cana Program must be completed by all couples. Options are: Engaged Couples Encounter Weekend or online pre-Cana (call Diocesan Family Services (860) 899-8346. Non-Parishioners: All Pre-Matrimonial Investigation and Pre-Cana must be completed by the church of the bride/ groom). Copies of all the above documents including sacramental certificates and a letter of written permission to marry at St. John Church from your Pastor is required. If you find it difficult due to work or other situations, preparations can be done at Saint John Church.
Marriage License: Marriage License must be obtained from the City of Middletown. Apply one month before the wedding. License must be in the Parish office at least two weeks prior to the wedding.
Guest Priest: if you have a family priest or friend priest who you would like to invite to officiate at the wedding, it is allowed, provided that he is a good standing Catholic Priest. The priest has to request and obtain from his Chancery or Provincial Superior (if he is a religious priest) a permission letter and the Statement of Suitability of Cleric and send them to our Chancery at the following address:
Rev. Dennis Perkins The Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Norwich 201 Broadway Norwich, CT-06360
Fees Parishioners- if they are active members: $400.00 ; Other parishioners $ 500.00 Non-Parishioners $600.00 Sunday weddings are discouraged. For certain situations of the family, they are permitted. Sunday wedding fee will be $ 700.00 $100, non-refundable deposit is due in order to reserve your wedding date. The remaining fee is due two weeks prior to the ceremony.
Music: Mrs. Joanne Swift, Director of Music, Church Organist, and Cantor is available to play and sing at the Church for your wedding. She will gladly assist in planning the music for your wedding in accordance with Diocesan guidelines. Please contact her immediately to reserve your date (860) 729-2538. If you wish to utilize the services of an alternative organist, you must have the permission of the Pastor. In addition, our organist is to be compensated.
Other fees: Altar servers assist at the wedding Mass only. If you would like altar servers at your Mass please advise the church office at least one month in advance. We ask as a courtesy gift of $20.00 be given to each Altar Server (2). You should include this money at the time you bring in your license and final payment. The priest performing the wedding will take care of paying the altar servers for you.
Arrival of Wedding Party Groom & Ushers: The groom and ushers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Bride & Attendants: The Bride should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start ceremony so that she can proceed down the aisle on time. Confetti, Rice etc.: No confetti, rice, birdseed, plastic or flower petals, etc. may be thrown at the entrance of the Church, in the Church or in the street. Please inform your wedding party and guests of this policy. Flowers, Decorations, Center Aisle Runner: Your florist will handle the flower, aisle, etc. The length of the main aisle is 75 feet with 29 rows of pews. It is customary for the bride to leave altar flowers in the Church for Sunday Services. All pew decorations as well as decorations outside the Church must be removed after the ceremony. The use of tape is not allowed. Please call the church office one day prior to the ceremony to see when the church will be open for decorating and flower placement.
Parking: Limousines are to park in the designated area on St. John Sq. directly in front of the Church. Please check with the Pastor for instructions if you plan to utilize a horse and carriage.
Photographers: All photographers, video people, etc., are asked to check with the Priest to determine what areas are off limits. You may return to the Church to take pictures following your receiving line if you wish. Picture taking must be completed within half an hour after the ceremony. If the bride is delayed, photos are not taken in church after the ceremony.
Rehearsal: The rehearsal time and date are set when the Pre-Matrimonial Investigations are completed. All rehearsals must begin on time and end on time. Another wedding rehearsal may be scheduled on your same date. Please inform the other members of your wedding party of this procedure.
Non-refundable deposit of $100.00 in order to reserve date for the ceremony.
St. Sebastian Parishioners: St. Sebastian Parishioners must make an appointment with the Pastor as soon as they reserve the date for Pre-Matrimonial Investigation. A CURRENT Baptismal Certificate (date no more than 6 months prior to your wedding), copies of First Communion & Confirmation Certificates will be needed if one or both made their sacraments outside the parish. Non-Catholics are asked to obtain your Baptismal Certificate if possible.
Pre-Cana Program must be completed by all couples. Options are: Engaged Couples Encounter Weekend or online pre-Cana (call Diocesan Family Services (860) 899-8346. Non-Parishioners: All Pre-Matrimonial Investigation and Pre-Cana must be completed by the church of the bride/ groom). Copies of all the above documents including sacramental certificates and a letter of written permission to marry at St. John Church from your Pastor is required. If you find it difficult due to work or other situations, preparations can be done at Saint John Church.
Marriage License: Marriage License must be obtained from the City of Middletown. Apply one month before the wedding. License must be in the Parish office at least two weeks prior to the wedding.
Guest Priest: if you have a family priest or friend priest who you would like to invite to officiate at the wedding, it is allowed, provided that he is a good standing Catholic Priest. The priest has to request and obtain from his Chancery or Provincial Superior (if he is a religious priest) a permission letter and the Statement of Suitability of Cleric and send them to our Chancery at the following address:
Rev. Dennis Perkins The Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Norwich 201 Broadway Norwich, CT-06360
Fees Parishioners- if they are active members: $400.00 ; Other parishioners $ 500.00 Non-Parishioners $600.00 Sunday weddings are discouraged. For certain situations of the family, they are permitted. Sunday wedding fee will be $ 700.00 $100, non-refundable deposit is due in order to reserve your wedding date. The remaining fee is due two weeks prior to the ceremony.
Music: Mrs. Joanne Swift, Director of Music, Church Organist, and Cantor is available to play and sing at the Church for your wedding. She will gladly assist in planning the music for your wedding in accordance with Diocesan guidelines. Please contact her immediately to reserve your date (860) 729-2538. If you wish to utilize the services of an alternative organist, you must have the permission of the Pastor. In addition, our organist is to be compensated.
Other fees: Altar servers assist at the wedding Mass only. If you would like altar servers at your Mass please advise the church office at least one month in advance. We ask as a courtesy gift of $20.00 be given to each Altar Server (2). You should include this money at the time you bring in your license and final payment. The priest performing the wedding will take care of paying the altar servers for you.
Arrival of Wedding Party Groom & Ushers: The groom and ushers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Bride & Attendants: The Bride should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start ceremony so that she can proceed down the aisle on time. Confetti, Rice etc.: No confetti, rice, birdseed, plastic or flower petals, etc. may be thrown at the entrance of the Church, in the Church or in the street. Please inform your wedding party and guests of this policy. Flowers, Decorations, Center Aisle Runner: Your florist will handle the flower, aisle, etc. The length of the main aisle is 75 feet with 29 rows of pews. It is customary for the bride to leave altar flowers in the Church for Sunday Services. All pew decorations as well as decorations outside the Church must be removed after the ceremony. The use of tape is not allowed. Please call the church office one day prior to the ceremony to see when the church will be open for decorating and flower placement.
Parking: Limousines are to park in the designated area on St. John Sq. directly in front of the Church. Please check with the Pastor for instructions if you plan to utilize a horse and carriage.
Photographers: All photographers, video people, etc., are asked to check with the Priest to determine what areas are off limits. You may return to the Church to take pictures following your receiving line if you wish. Picture taking must be completed within half an hour after the ceremony. If the bride is delayed, photos are not taken in church after the ceremony.
Rehearsal: The rehearsal time and date are set when the Pre-Matrimonial Investigations are completed. All rehearsals must begin on time and end on time. Another wedding rehearsal may be scheduled on your same date. Please inform the other members of your wedding party of this procedure.
