marriage guidelines
The people of St. Mary’s joyfully congratulate you on your decision to enter into marriage. God has called you to share in a beautiful sacrament, becoming a living sign of the faithful and fruitful love between Christ and His Church. In raising marriage to the dignity of a sacrament, Christ invites your union to reflect His unbreakable bond with His people.
The churches and facilities of St. Mary’s are blessings made possible through the generosity and sacrifice of many faithful parishioners. As you prepare for your wedding, we offer the following guidelines to help you plan a celebration that is dignified, reverent, and true to your lifelong commitment. We also ask that you treat these sacred spaces with the respect they deserve—for what they represent and for the community that has lovingly built and cared for them.
who may marry at st. mary's
Baptized Catholics
In accordance with Church law, all baptized Catholics who live fulltime within the boundaries of the parish (Summit, Wasatch counties, and Morgan county below I84 in Utah) may be married at St. Mary’s, whether or not they are registered parishioners. The children of registered parishioners are also eligible to marry here.
St. Mary’s provides prenuptial marriage preparation for parishioners, for the children of registered parishioners, and for nonregistered Catholics who live fulltime within the parish boundaries.
Catholics who live outside the parish boundaries must complete their preparation in their home parish and obtain permission from their local parish to be married at St. Mary’s.
scheduling your wedding day
Form and Fee
You may tentatively reserve your wedding date and time by submitting the appropriate form (listed above) along with the required fee no less than six months before your wedding. Upon receipt of the Marriage Date Request form and payment in full, all the information will be reviewed and confirmed, you will then receive notification that your reservation is secured. Please check the notification for accuracy, especially the wedding date and time and rehearsal date and time. If there are any questions, contact the parish receptionist immediately.
Please note that the wedding fee covers the use of the church only. Musician and vocalist fees are not included and must be arranged and contracted directly with those vendors.
Please note: Priests and Deacons DO NOT receive compensation from the parish to preside at your wedding. A personal gift of thanks (stipend) from you on the day of the ceremony would be appreciated to cover the cost of time and travel.
Available Locations and Times
Weddings are typically scheduled on Saturdays on a first come, first served basis at the following times and locations:
10:00 am or 2:00 PM (St. Mary’s White Pine or Old Town Chapel)
12:00 noon (St. Lawrence)
No more than two events will be scheduled on any given Saturday.
Weekday Weddings
Depending on availability and clergy schedules, weddings may also take place in either of the churches on Tuesdays or Thursdays with associated rehearsals scheduled the prior day (other than holy days).
No weddings are permitted on Sundays.
Locations
St. Mary's White Pine – 1505 White Pine Canyon Road, Park City
Located in Park City's entry corridor in the meadow on Highway 224 and White Pine Canyon Road, weddings may be celebrated at St. Mary's Church on Saturdays at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. No exceptions.
Old Town Chapel – 121 Park Avenue, Park City
Located just off Main Street at the top of Park Avenue in Old Town Park City, the Old Town Chapel was St. Mary's original Church building. Built in 1884, it is Utah's Oldest Catholic Church. Weddings may be celebrated in the Old Town Chapel (May - October).
St. Lawrence Mission - 5 South 100 West, Heber City
St. Lawrence Church in Heber City is a mission of St. Mary's Church, bringing the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to the Heber Valley. Weddings may be celebrated at St. Lawrence Mission at 12 noon only.
Rehearsals and Wedding Day
The date and time for your rehearsal must also be scheduled at the time your wedding date is submitted. Rehearsals are typically held the evening before the wedding. One hour is allotted for the rehearsal, and no more than three hours are allotted for the wedding itself, including set‑up, the ceremony, the receiving line, photography, and clean‑up. Because other events are scheduled in our churches, please be mindful of these time limits.
Please also remember to maintain a spirit of reverence whenever you are in the church.
Exempt dates and times
There will be no weddings or ceremonies scheduled on Solemnities, during Holy Week or the following holidays: Labor Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Christmas Eve/Day, New Years Eve/Day and 4th of July weekend. *Weddings are discouraged in the Seasons of Advent and Lent. When weddings are allowed for Pastoral reasons, they should be done simply. Flowers and decorations are to be minimized.
pre-nuptial preparation
Marriage preparation at St. Mary's is in accordance with canon law and diocesan policy. While this preparation varies it can take anywhere from 6 months to a year and normally includes:
1. The completion of church documentation and canonical forms
2. Attendance at diocesan programs
3. Parish mentoring
4. The planning of the ceremony with the St. Mary’s Wedding Coordinator assigned.
Pre‑nuptial Marriage Preparation at St. Mary’s is offered only to those who live full‑time within the parish boundaries (Summit, Wasatch, and southeastern Morgan Counties in Utah).
All others must complete their preparation in their home parish and obtain permission from their local parish to be married at St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s parishioners - A representative of St. Mary’s will be in contact once all the information on your form has been reviewed and confirmed by the parish office and sent to the Marriage Preparation Coordinator. At that time, couples will be informed of all documents needed and Diocesan programs required.
All others – Couples must reach out to their home parish as soon as possible after confirming the date of the wedding to begin their Pre-nuptial Marriage Preparation. The document packet must be received at St. Mary’s no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date.
Civil Document
A civil marriage license must be obtained within 30 days of the marriage date from the County Clerk of any county in Utah. Offices closest to St. Mary’s are listed below and are typically open from 8:00 - 4:00 Monday through Friday. Blood testing is no longer required. Out-of- state licenses are not valid in Utah. Civil marriage licenses may be obtained from the following offices:
- Salt Lake County - 2001 South State St. South Bldg. 2nd floor
- Summit County - 60 North Main, Coalville
- Wasatch County - 25 North Main, Heber
parish wedding coordinator
A parish wedding coordinator will be assigned once all required forms and fees have been completed with the parish office. Your wedding coordinator will assist you as you prepare for the celebration of your marriage. The coordinator’s role is to help you personalize your liturgy while ensuring everything follows the guidelines of the Catholic Church.
Your coordinator will contact you to schedule an initial meeting to discuss your plans. Throughout your preparation, the coordinator will be available to guide you through practical details, lead your rehearsal, and be present on your wedding day to help everything run smoothly. Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions along the way.
Note: Many couples choose to hire a professional wedding planner to assist with the many details of their celebration. These professionals can be a wonderful support to you. If you do hire a wedding planner, please let them know that the parish assigns a coordinator to oversee all church‑related aspects of your wedding. Professional planners have no responsibilities and no authority in your Marriage Preparation, the planning of the liturgy, the rehearsal, or the ceremony itself.
*Please be sure to give your planner a copy of these guidelines and explain that they are to be followed as written.
Attire for a Catholic Wedding
Common sense is a helpful guide when selecting wedding attire, especially for a ceremony celebrated in a Catholic church. Brides are encouraged to choose a gown that reflects modesty and respect for the sacred setting. Dresses that cover the shoulders are preferred for the ceremony. Short sleeves are appropriate year‑round, and long sleeves are a beautiful option for fall or winter weddings. Lace or sheer sleeves are also acceptable.
When choosing your gown, please avoid styles with plunging necklines, sheer bodices or panels, deep‑back designs, or high slits. These styles are not appropriate for the bride or her attendants.
Many brides love the look of a strapless gown. If you choose a strapless or thin‑strap style, be sure it is well‑fitted and does not reveal cleavage. You may also incorporate a complementary shawl, wrap, or cover to wear while in the church—this can be a lovely part of your overall bridal look while ensuring the ceremony remains reverent and respectful.
The bride and her party may dress and prepare for the wedding at the church. The groom and his party should arrive at the church dressed and prepared.
Old Town Chapel: the bride and her party may dress in the Chapel Hall attached to the church.
St. Mary's Church: the bride and her party may dress in the parish meeting room adjacent to the gathering space.
A note to your guests regarding Attire (For your wedding website should you have one.)
“Our wedding will take place within a Catholic church, and we kindly ask our guests to dress in a way that reflects the sacredness of the ceremony. Please choose attire that is modest, elegant, and appropriate for a church setting. Your consideration helps us honor the dignity and beauty of the celebration.”
Planning Your Ceremony at St. Mary’s
Weddings at St. Mary’s are celebrated according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church. Any cultural or personal additions to the liturgy will be reviewed by the priest or deacon to ensure they are appropriate for the sacred celebration.
Your wedding coordinator will assist you as you plan your ceremony. The readings, prayers, vows, music, flowers, decorations, and photography all require thoughtful preparation. The following guidelines are provided to help you plan with clarity and confidence.
Readings
The Word of God always takes precedence in all ceremonies with the Gospels in the place of honor. Secular readings, poetry or personal prayers should be used sparingly and never in place of the Scriptures. A selection of readings from the scriptures appropriate for wedding ceremonies will be made available to you by the person doing your wedding preparation.
Prayers
A variety of prayers are used in both the Nuptial Mass and Nuptial Ceremony. Please select from the options available in the book given to you.
Vows
Two formats for consent (vows) have been approved by the Church. Either may be used. These vows should be memorized by the couple prior to the rehearsal in preparation for their wedding. You will also want to memorize the brief text used at the exchange of rings.
Music
Music for your wedding follows the same principles that guide all liturgical music in the Catholic Church. Your parish wedding coordinator or a member of our music ministry will assist you in choosing selections that are both beautiful and appropriate for the sacredness of the celebration.
When selecting music, please keep the following in mind:
- Liturgical Judgment — Each piece of music should fit the specific moment within the ceremony or the Mass.
- Pastoral Judgment — The music should help those gathered to pray, celebrate, and enter into the joy of the sacrament. Because of this, music from Broadway shows, movie soundtracks, popular love songs, and other secular pieces are best reserved for the wedding reception, where a different kind of celebration takes place.
Wedding Celebrant
One of our parish priests or deacons will be assigned to celebrate your wedding. If you would like to invite a priest or deacon from outside the parish, you are most welcome to do so. Please note that clergy from outside the Diocese of Salt Lake City must submit a testimonial of suitability from their Diocese with your marriage paperwork.
In addition, out-of-state celebrants must confirm their availability in writing. If an invited celebrant is unable to attend at the last minute, the parish cannot guarantee that a replacement priest or deacon will be available.
Ministries for your Wedding
Organists and other musicians: The St. Mary’s Music Director can recommend potential organists or other musicians including soloists or singing groups. Pianos are available in all three churches. The White Pine Canyon church organ is a single manual tracker pipe organ. It is strongly recommended that musicians unfamiliar with the instruments in St. Mary's churches and the acoustics of the buildings reserve, in advance a time to practice prior to your wedding.
Couples are welcome to supply their own soloists or singing groups. These must be approved in advance by the St. Mary’s Music Director. However, It may be necessary to pay to have a member of the St. Mary’s music department present to assist with the sound system at your wedding.
The number of people involved in your wedding liturgy can vary. The essential participants required are the bride and groom, two witnesses and a priest or deacon. In addition to these, you will likely want to have one or more of the following:
Lectors
These readers of the Word should be chosen well in advance and may be family members, friends, or members of the wedding party. One or more lectors should be chosen to read the Old Testament reading, the Responsorial psalm (unless sung), the New Testament reading and the Universal Prayer/Prayers of the Faithful. Lectors should plan to attend the rehearsal. The readings will be provided at the rehearsal and the wedding.
Altar Servers
The use of altar servers is optional. One or more altar servers may be present to serve the ceremony or the nuptial mass. You may select relatives or friends to fill this role if they are experienced. St. Mary’s does not provide Altar Servers.
Eucharistic Ministers
For a Nuptial Mass two Eucharistic ministers are suggested for the distribution of the cup if being done. Check with your wedding coordinator about this. These must be practicing Catholics in good standing, preferably with experience in this ministry in their local parish. The bride and groom may also be Eucharistic ministers, if they are both Catholic. These ministers are delegated by the priest celebrating the Nuptial Mass for this specific occasion. Your St. Mary’s wedding coordinator can assist the presider if necessary. Otherwise, St. Mary’s does not provide Eucharistic Ministers.
Wedding Party
Two witnesses (usually your best man and maid/matron of honor) are required to be present. You may also include others such as groomsmen and bridesmaids. If you choose to include others, due to the space at the foot of the altar, no more than a total of eight per side is allowed. Sometimes Ushers are used to help seat your guests when they arrive at the church. Groomsmen may also act in this role.
Ring Bearers and Flower Girls
Both ring bearers and flower girls, though optional, can be used in the wedding ceremony. Their roles are ceremonial. It is wise not to use children under four years of age for these roles. Flower petals may not be dropped during the procession. It is also ill advised to have the ring bearer carry the actual rings to be used during the ceremony.
decorations, etiquette & more
Altar
The altar is sacred. No candles, flowers or anything else should ever be placed on it.
Liturgical Seasons
Decorations regularly adorn the church, the sanctuary, reredos and Gathering Space. These decorations are never to be moved or rearranged to accommodate a wedding. Furniture, chairs, and floral displays are not to be moved. Plan your wedding colors to complement those already present in the church. As a general guide to monthly theme colors:
- Early January - Christmas Red and White
- Mid-January & Early February - Ordinary Time Green
- *Mid to Late February - Lent Purple
- *March - Lent purple
- April - May - Easter White, Spring Colors
- June-September Ordinary Time green
- October - November Ordinary Time harvest themes
- December – Advent Purple (prior to Christmas)
*Note: the above are meant as a guide. The dates for most seasons and feasts of the church
calendar vary. If this is important to you, be sure to check your wedding date's placement in the liturgical year.
Decorations and Church Care
No tape, tacks, nails, or adhesives of any kind may be used on any surface. If you plan to attach decorations to the pews or elsewhere, please designate someone who will remove them immediately after the wedding.
Candles
Due to Fire Marshal regulations, no candles are permitted other than those already present in the approved areas.
Flowers
While there is no limit regarding the number of floral bouquets or arrangements for a wedding, in both churches, less is more effective than more. Flowers and/or ribbons may be attached to the pews if they can be easily removed without damaging the pew finish. However, no wedding flowers are permitted on the wooden Sanctuary platform and reredos. See instructions below.
Flower arrangements are not permitted on the wooden sanctuary platform in the new church. Arrangements may be placed on the floor at pew level, and any stands needed must be provided by your florist. Please make sure your designated helper is responsible for the prompt removal and return of all items immediately after the wedding. St. Mary’s is not able to store or return florist‑supplied materials if they are not picked up when the celebration concludes.
Your wedding coordinator has been instructed to remove any flowers or decorations that do not follow these guidelines.
Suggestions for flowers in our churches
White Pine Canyon Church: Flowers may be placed directly on the concrete floor. Because of the height of the church, arrangements under 10 feet tall (including stands) have little visual impact. Flowers or candles are already present on the reredos in the new church.
Smaller bouquets work well on the table for the altar gifts at the front of the aisle and at the shrine of the Blessed Virgin. Larger arrangements may be placed on stands at the entry doors to both the main church and the gathering space.
Flowers or ribbons on the pews are permitted when they follow the instructions listed above under Decorations and Church Care.
Old Town Chapel and St. Lawrence Mission: Free-standing arrangements are permitted in the sanctuary. Smaller pieces work well in the entryway, and bouquets may be placed in the windowsills. Flowers or ribbons on the pews are not recommended due to the narrow aisle.
The Unity Candle
The unity candle is not part of the Catholic celebration of matrimony. We ask that if you desire a unity candle, it be used at the rehearsal dinner or reception instead.
Prohibited items inside or outside any of our churches
Fresh or artificial petals or leaves - For safety and cleanliness, no fresh or artificial petals or leaves may be scattered inside or outside at any of our churches. They can stain the floors and create a slipping hazard.”
Balloons - The use of balloons or any helium-filled decorations is not permitted.
Runners are unnecessary and dangerous. No runners are permitted in all churches.
Glitter in any form is not permitted inside or outside at any of our churches. This includes its use in decorations, makeup, or clothing.
No rice, bird or wildflower seeds are to be thrown inside or outside the church. They are not only messy, but dangerous. Bubbles are an appropriate alternative outside the church.
photography and videography
Your wedding photos are important and meaningful, and we encourage you to plan them carefully with your photographer before your wedding day. A well-prepared photographer will help ensure that your celebration is captured beautifully. Please make sure your photographer is aware of the 3-hour time limit for your use of the church.
Flash photography is permitted during the entrance procession at the couple’s discretion. During the ceremony itself, only non-flash photography is allowed. Photographers must remain discreet and avoid drawing attention away from the liturgy. They should also be familiar with the reverence expected in Catholic sacred spaces. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel behind the reredos may not be entered for photos.
Video cameras may be used if they are placed in a stationary, unobtrusive location. No cameras, microphones, or equipment of any kind may be placed on the sanctuary platform.
Photos may be taken in the church and on the church grounds before or after the ceremony. Please remind your photographer and wedding party that the church is a house of worship, not a studio, and should be treated with appropriate reverence.
Because formal portrait sessions can be time-consuming, and because each wedding is limited to 2½ hours, you may wish to take your formal photos before the ceremony. This often helps the celebration begin on time and allows you to arrive at your reception promptly.
Please remember to maintain a spirit of reverence whenever you are in the church.
The following is a brief list of things to keep in mind:
1. Please designate a friend or member of your family to oversee cleanup of the church and bridal areas after the ceremony. This includes removal of personal belongings of the wedding party; attachments to pews, cleanup of the bridal preparation area and returning all spaces to their original setup. This important person is also asked to return all areas to the cleanliness and the orderliness in which you found them by removing all boxes and hangers, make-up kits and spray bottles.
2. In the Catholic Church it is proper that your guests be invited to the Nuptial Mass or the Wedding Ceremony. The physical addresses are provided below.
Old Town Chapel
St. Mary of the Assumption Church
121 Park Avenue
Park City, UT
Approximate seating 125 (includes balcony)
St. Mary of the Assumption Church
1505 W. White Pine Canyon Road
Park City, UT
Approximate seating 600
St. Lawrence Catholic Mission
5 South 100 West
Heber City, UT
Approximate seating 125
3. Rehearsal Information: The church is the House of God and the same quiet reverence that is normally displayed will be expected at the rehearsal and before the ceremony begins. Please dress appropriately. Extremely casual attire is both disrespectful and distracting. Please meet your wedding coordinator outside the church or an area designated prior to the rehearsal day. After all have gathered and been welcomed, a brief introduction to the ceremony will be given and then you will proceed to enter the church. Bring your Marriage License so that it may be prepared during the rehearsal.
4. Other events are often scheduled in our churches on the day of the wedding. Therefore, to avoid being rushed and to make the greatest use of the limited time in which you have reserved the church, please have all the members of the wedding party be prompt for both the rehearsal and the wedding.
5. To keep our church a place of reverence and prayer, we ask that no alcoholic beverages be present during the rehearsal or before the wedding. Food and drinks of any kind are not permitted inside the church.
Note: Since alcohol may impair a person’s freedom and consent it may also adversely affect the validity of marriage. Accordingly, should a wedding coordinator notify the minister of the ceremony of the presence of alcohol among the members of the wedding party, the minister at his discretion may cancel the wedding immediately.
7. Church Etiquette - Courtesy and respect should characterize your rehearsal and wedding day. The main nave of the church is to be honored as a place of quiet reverence. It is a place of prayer. Conduct conducive to prayer is expected.
8. The Parish Center Hall at St. Mary’s is NOT available for receptions
For any questions about the items listed in this document—or for clarification on anything not covered—please contact our parish receptionist during business hours Monday – Thursday at 435-649-9676.
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