The Wedding Guidelines

St. Thomas More is our parish home. We ask that you treat our facilities with the respect that you would treat your own treasured home and possessions. We ask that the wedding couple and their friends clean up any areas used for preparation for the wedding. There is no smoking, eating, or drinking in the church building, bride's room, or the restrooms.
 
 
DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES
The church provides a bride's room for the convenience of the bride and her attendants. The bride may dress in the bride's room, but all attendants should arrive ready and dressed. The groom and his attendants should arrive dressed for the ceremony and will gather in the Family Center of the religious education bldg. The bridal parties remain in these areas until the ceremony begins. Reminder: Please no food, drink, tobacco or gum in the church, bride's room, or the restrooms.  Please designate a responsible person to remove all trash and flower boxes from these areas, as all areas must be left clean. For example: tidy the bride's room, foyer and church; gather the flower boxes, hangers, wrappings, etc.; check the pews for personal belongings, tissues, etc. Please have this task assigned to someone you trust out of consideration for all coming into the church shortly after your wedding. The church is not responsible for items left behind.The Family Center should be left in the same condition/set up it was found in because the Coffee/Donut ministry will be used early Sunday morning.
 
CANDLES
Only church provided candles are permitted. Candelabras are allowed. The candles on the altar will be lit for the marriage ceremony.
 
FLOWERS
Flowers are optional. Arrangement of the flowers on and around the altar will be discussed with the celebrant. Please contact the church office to arrange a suitable time to deliver the flowers. Florists should deliver the flowers directly to the church.  Flowers or plants used in the sanctuary for the occasion must be live—no artificial or silk flowers. (Liturgy Documents, Art and Environment #102) Silk is fine for pew decoration, but no tape or tacks of any sort may be used, including masking tape. Pew bows or flowers must be attached with chenille stems or paper wrapped wire so they will not damage the pews. The church has pew clips that you may borrow for the ceremony, but they must be returned before you leave the church. There are eleven pews in the center aisle. Decorations provided by the florist must be removed after the ceremony. Flower girls are permitted, but they may not throw petals down the aisle. No loose flower petals are allowed.
 
MUSIC
The music ministry is provided to help you select music that is appropriate and fitting for the celebration of your wedding within the context of your Catholic faith. The Directors of Music at St. Thomas More are Stephanie Mire, Director of Music, and Karen Lawson, Director of Contemporary Ensembles. Stephanie's email and phone are smire@stmaustin.org and (512) 258-1161 x 219. Karen's email and phone are karen@stmaustin.org and (512) 258-1161 x 237. Either can be contacted to help plan the music.  All music and musicians must be approved by the Director of Music for weddings at St. Thomas More.  Recorded or taped music is not permitted. Musician fees are separate and will be discussed with the Director of Music. 

As a Sacrament of the Church, the celebration and blessing of the marriage covenant calls for music that will reflect the couple's understanding of marriage within the context of the church. The selection of the wedding music is to reflect the sacred nature and sense of joy that characterize all Christian worship. The following questions are to be considered in planning the music:
 
a. Does the musical score evoke a sense of sacred action and call the community to joyful prayer?
b. Does a particular selection emphasize and enhance that part of the liturgical celebration at which it occurs?
c. Does the overall music selection allow for some congregational participation?
d. Does the text express a Catholic view of love and marriage?
 
A "yes" response to the above questions will assure that lyrics will celebrate not only the human love between two persons, but love as a reflection of the God who is love, and the wedding music will emphasize the theme of sacred celebration.  As noted above, music and musicians must be approved by the Director of Music.
 
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos may be taken on church grounds and in the church before the ceremony. All photos must end 30 mins before the start of the ceremony. Photographers are asked to be as invisible as possible and to avoid distracting movement during the celebration. The photographer is strictly PROHIBITED from ascending the altar steps and are not allowed in the sanctuary. Movement of any kind is a distraction from the important focal point of the couple and the Liturgy taking place in the sanctuary. The photographer may request to reserve an aisle seat as the wedding party enters the church. Flash may be used during the entrance of the wedding party. Flash may not be used when the bride and groom are at the altar. No flood lights during the ceremony. Flash may be used for the final blessing and kiss. Videographers must have a stationary camera placed at a designated area in the church. Photos taken immediately after the ceremony must conclude within 30 mins. The wedding party should return immediately to the altar.  It is helpful to have a photographer assistant—someone who can round up people for each subsequent picture so the photographer does not have to.  Perhaps one of the ushers could be assigned this task. The first photo is to be taken with the priest/deacon.
 
SEASONAL DECORATIONS
Banners, altar cloths and any hangings or decorative setup are an important part of the current Liturgical season and may not be moved or removed.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Aisle runners are not permitted.

• All doors, pews and aisles are to remain accessible.

 
WEDDING COORDINATOR
The parish has its own wedding coordinator, and she is required at all rehearsals and weddings. Outside wedding planners are not permitted during the ceremony.  She will assist with any church related planning as needed, and will be present at the rehearsal and wedding. The coordinator, Terry Wilkes, (512) 258-1161 x 335, can be very helpful in making suggestions for the décor, as well as explaining furnishings for the ceremony. Please call Terry to schedule an appt. regarding the ceremony, and for any PAC rentals. 
 
WEDDING REHEARSALS
Rehearsals are the last and an essential part of the preparation process. It is imperative that all who are taking part in the wedding, no matter how small their part, be present at the rehearsal. Please take that into consideration when you put your wedding party together. If someone cannot attend the rehearsal, please have a substitute ready. Even one missing member of the wedding party makes rehearsals very difficult. All rehearsals must be at a designated hour. A thorough rehearsal takes one hour. Please inform all members of your wedding party that they must be present and ready to begin on time. The rehearsal allows your attendants to practice the procession into the church, and allows your readers to practice at the lectern with the microphone. Please bring your marriage license to the rehearsal. You may give the priest/deacon a free will stipend at the rehearsal.
 
WORSHIP AIDS OR PROGRAMS
Worship aids or programs are optional. If you choose to use worship aids or programs they must be submitted for approval two to three weeks before the wedding ceremony.  This is to ensure that appropriate artwork, order of service, and photos used reflect the sacrament being celebrated. 
 
REMINDER
Please do not throw rice, birdseed, rose petals, confetti, glitter, potpourri or any other material inside the church, outside the church, or anywhere on the church premises, as they are NOT PERMITTED .