WEDDING INFORMATION

 

Scheduling a Wedding 

  1. The initial contact is to be made by either the bride or the groom. Father Hunter and the church staff works only with the couple. No other outside parties (including family members).

  2. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony can only be celebrated inside a Roman Catholic Church and within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. There is no exception to this rule.

  3. If you are getting married outside of the Catholic Church, Father Hunter cannot “bless” your marriage.

  4. No weddings will be booked less than six months before the anticipated wedding date.

  5. As of 1 October 2021, Father Hunter is unavailable for weddings outside of the St. Roch Parish Community because of his busy schedule.

  6. When initial contact is made with Father Hunter, he will refer you to the Wedding Coordinator at St. Roch Catholic Church:

    • verifies the availability of the requested date/time

    • informs the couple that the parish welcomes them and will pray for them as they prepare for their wedding

    • informs the couple that the date/time will not be officially placed on the parish calendar until the non-refundable church stipend, when signed documents have been received, and d. issues to the couple the Wedding Packet, containing all of the necessary forms.

  7. All necessary documents will need to be submitted to the wedding coordinator at least two weeks before the wedding.

  8. Weddings of non-parishioners are welcome.

  9. At least one person in the couple must be a baptized Roman Catholic.

  10. Engaged couples who are not St. Roch’s parishioners are expected to undergo marriage preparation with their own priest. That priest may also serve as the Officiant/Celebrant for the wedding itself, or the couple may arrange for another priest to be the Officiant/Celebrant at the wedding.

  11. If you are requesting a priest/deacon, other than Father Hunter, it is your responsibility to contact and confirm with them.

  12. When both parties are Catholic, it is usual for the liturgy to include both the Sacraments of Holy Matrimony and the Eucharist (Mass). When a Catholic marries a baptized non-Catholic, the liturgy is preferred to be the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. When a Catholic marries a non-baptized person, the liturgy must solely be the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

Necessary Civil and Sacramental Documents

  1. The couple and the officiant are responsible for completing all necessary civil and sacramental documentation.

  2. The marriage preparation file, including any necessary permissions or dispensations, must be completed and arrive at St. Roch at least two weeks before the wedding.

  3. If the bride/groom is Catholic, they are responsible for providing newly issued baptismal certificates within six months of the wedding to the person responsible for forwarding the marriage preparation file to St. Roch.

  4. If the bride/groom is not Catholic but has been baptized, they will need to provide proof of having been baptized.

  5. The couple is responsible for obtaining a civil marriage license and certificate and bringing those documents to the rehearsal. If the license requires the couple’s personal information, it should be filled out prior to the rehearsal. *Do not sign until after the wedding in the presence of the Priest/Deacon. After the couple, officiant, and witnesses signature, the license will be returned to the Clerk of Courts by the married couple. The certificate and a copy of the marriage license will be given to the couple.

  6. If the bride or groom is a resident of Marion County or both the bride and groom live outside of Indiana, the license should be obtained in Marion County. If the residence is in another Indiana county, the license should be obtained in that county. Couples can consult the local Clerk of Courts website for details. http://www.indy.gov/clerk

  7. it is the responsibility of the bride or groom to turn in their completed marriage documents with civil authorities.