Practical Considerations Regarding Weddings at
Holy Ghost Church

1. Weddings must be scheduled at least 8 months in advance.
   
2. Couples must be registered at a Catholic parish, where they must be actively involved in their church community. If only one of the two couples is Catholic, he or she must be registered and actively involved.
   
3. Weddings are not scheduled during the Lenten or Advent seasons.
   
4. Couples receiving marriage preparation classes in their own parish need to provide their own priest or deacon.
   
5. Weddings are held on Saturdays at 11AM and 2PM (or, if bringing your own priest, 6PM).
   
6. The priests who staff Holy Ghost Church are NOT able to celebrate 6PM weddings.
   
7. The fee for a wedding at Holy Ghost is $850. A $200 deposit is required.
   
8. Couples will be required to complete a period of marriage preparation classes, which include:
   • God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage (cost: $75)
   • 4 – 6 meetings with the priest or deacon celebrating the ceremony, which includes the marriage preparation inventory called FOCCUS a tool used to help assess a couples strengths and growth areas.
   • A course in Natural Family Planning (cost: $70)
   • Catholic Engaged Encounter/Couples Retreat (cost approximately: $200)
     
9. Holy Ghost Church has strict guidelines regarding the music, decorations, and photography to be used at the wedding.
   
10. Holy Ghost Church seats up to 650 people.
    
11. Couples married at Holy Ghost are exhorted to live their faith more fully.
    
12. There is a $100 charge for any changes made on wedding dates and times.
    updated 01/03