Weddings

St. Paul Chong Hasang is a place of beauty, quiet and reflection. Because it is a house of God, we expect that a sense of reverence be honored in the Church at all times. We want couples to feel comfortable and enjoy the celebration, and we will extend a gracious hospitality to guests of all faiths. All wedding party members and guests must be dressed appropriately.

The following information will assist you in planning your special day. Following these guidelines will ensure that the ceremony is all you want it to be, and that Church facilities will be properly maintained. For more information, please contact the Wedding Coordinator, Sylvia Schnapp at 254-698-4110.

 

ST. PAUL CHONG HASANG
 WEDDING PREPARATION
 BROCHURE AND GUIDELINES

Congratulations on your engagement! We are thrilled that you are considering having your wedding at our beautiful church. We have prepared these policies to assist our parishioners in planning their wedding. Our goal is to support you in making your wedding day here at St. Paul Chong Hasang a holy, happy, and memorable experience. By choosing to have your wedding at St. Paul, you are expressing your desire to begin your married life in an act of Christian worship celebrated before God and the community, according to the rites of the Catholic Church. These guidelines will help you plan a joyful and beautiful wedding that also praises God in a sacred act of worship. We encourage you to read these guidelines thoroughly and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. For more information, please contact the Wedding Coordinator, Sylvia Schnapp, at 254-698-2990 or 254-291-3474.

SCHEDULING YOUR WEDDING

1. ELIGIBILITY: Either the bride or groom must be a registered practicing parishioner, and both must be free to marry in the Catholic Church. (According to Church law, a baptized Catholic is to marry in his or her parish of residence.)

2. INITIAL MEETING: The couple needs to meet with Fr. Brian McMaster or Deacon
Alfred Ponce at least six months prior to the ceremony date to do the pre-nuptial
questionnaire. A date can be penciled into the calendar at that time. Please contact them at 254-698-4338 or 254-698-4110 to make an appointment. (See below for the documents you will need to obtain.)

3. INVENTORY FOR MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The couple needs to take the
PREPARE & ENRICH assessment. Please contact the Wedding Coordinator, Sylvia
Schnapp, at 254-698-4110 to schedule a meeting for the assessment.

4. MARRIAGE PREPARATION CLASSES OR RETREAT: All couples are required to
complete either a retreat or classes that fulfill these diocesan requirements:
o Together in God’s Love / Image: An Introduction to Catholic Marriage Diocese of
Austin.
o Natural Family Planning: This requirement is met through the Together in God’s
Love / Image program.

Please make arrangements at least six to nine months before the ceremony date as the retreats fill up fast. To register for the classes through the Austin Diocese, visit
www.austindiocese.org and click on Ministries of the Diocese, find Family Life Office,
and then locate Marriage Preparation Information for the necessary details. (This is also available online if the couple cannot attend in person. Please follow directions on the Austin Diocese website.)

5. ALLOWABLE DATES & TIMES: No weddings on Sundays or during Lent. Saturday
wedding time choices are 11:00 am or 2:00 pm. Church cleanup and clearance must be completed by 4:00 PM.


6. WEDDING RECEPTION: The Parish Center and facilities are available for your
convenience. Please contact Buzz Gilliland at 254-698-4110 for more information.

7. WEDDING PARTY: We kindly request that all members of the wedding party are 5
years or older. Additionally, all members of the wedding party must be dressed
appropriately for a Catholic Church wedding.

CHURCH DECORATIONS

1. FLOWERS: All flowers in the sanctuary must be live flowers. Silk flowers are allowed in the body of the church. A maximum of three (3) displays are permitted - one in front of each rostrum and one on the front wall pedestal, left of the altar. (Flowers with Amor,
254-680-2667, or Christell’s, 254-781-3769, are recommended). You may take your
flowers after the ceremony, or we would appreciate it if you could donate them to the
church for the weekend masses.

2. PEWS: Only pew bows may be used, but they must be attached with elastic or ribbon (please no tape). No decorations or streamers can block pew entrances or rest on the
floor.

3. ARCH, AISLE RUNNERS & CANDELABRAS: These are not permitted.

4. The use of RICE, REAL ROSE PETALS, BIRDSEED, CONFETTI, GLITTER, and
 BUBBLES OR OTHER MATERIALS in or out of the Church is not permitted. Artificial
rose petals are allowed but need to be removed after the ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

1‘Flash’ pictures may be taken as the wedding party enters and leaves the Church, during group pictures following the ceremony. During the ceremony, once the bride and groom reach the altar, a photographer is only permitted outside the Sanctuary area and without a flash.

2. A photographer is never permitted to be in the sanctuary of the church.

3. If a video is made, videotaping equipment is allowed when it is done from a stationary tripod. The videographer may be with the camera by the Baptismal font during the procession, but then the camera must be left unattended on a tripod. No photographer or camera person is allowed in the Sanctuary.

4. Photographers and videographers are to remain behind or to the side of the congregation during the wedding ceremony NOT in the front main center aisle. They may be in the back center aisle.

5. Any equipment needed by photographers or videographers, such as extension cords, must be supplied by them.

6. After the ceremony, photographs are allowed to be taken with flash; however, we would
remind you that the church is a house of prayer, and certain decorum should be
maintained. Please limit the post-ceremony photographs to 30 minutes.

7. Photographers need to be dressed appropriately.

MUSIC

1. Only music of a sacred or classical nature is appropriate. Recorded music is not
allowed. The parish wedding coordinator will recommend names of musicians if needed.

2. The Church has its own sound system.

3. The piano and organ are not to be moved under any circumstances.
 

DRESS CODE

We want your wedding day to be a celebration of love and joy, and we believe that dressing in a manner worthy of the dignity of a religious service adds to the beauty of the occasion. While we don't wish to be overly strict, we kindly ask all members of the wedding party and guests to dress in a respectful and modest manner.For the wedding party, we recommend elegant and tasteful attire suitable for a Catholic Church wedding. Bridesmaids and female guests are encouraged to choose dresses that cover the shoulders and are not too revealing. Grooms and male guests are kindly requested to wear suits or dress shirts and ties. We understand that different styles and cultures vary, so please feel free to reach out to the Wedding Coordinator if you have any questions or need guidance. Our intention is to create a beautiful and reverent atmosphere for your wedding day while ensuring everyone feels comfortable and respected. Thank you for understanding and helping us maintain the sacredness of our church and the significance of your union.

CARE OF CHURCH FACILITIES

1. SPECIAL WEDDING ROOMS: The Brides Room and the designated Groom’s Room are off the foyer. The bride’s room is to the right, and the groom’s room is to the left. (Altar server’s room)

2. CLEARING THE CHURCH: The Church proper, Brides Room, Grooms Room, foyer and restrooms need to be left in the same condition as found. Please remove all floral paper, food, drinks, boxes and all materials brought into the Church for the ceremony. It is recommended that purses and items of value NOT be left in the church. It is also recommended that the bride and groom designate a friend or family member to do a sweep of the Church at the conclusion of the ceremony to gather any items that the guests or wedding party may have forgotten.

WEDDING PARTY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. READINGS: The bride and groom will need to consult with Fr. Brian when selecting the Scripture readings and music. Your selections need to be turned in at least two weeks before the wedding. Fr. Brian, Deacon Al or the wedding coordinator will give the bride and groom the Wedding Scripture book to help you prayerfully choose your readings.

2. PREPARING THE WEDDING PROGRAM: The wedding coordinator will provide advice and samples; however typing and printing of the program are the responsibility of the wedding party.

3. CEREMONY AND REHEARSAL TIMES: All wedding times are booked for a three (3) hour time slot, (1 1⁄2 hours before the ceremony and 30 minutes after). Wedding rehearsals are scheduled for a one (1) hour time slot and are usually held one or two days before the ceremony. Please be on time. If your ceremony or rehearsal begins late, due to wedding party delay, you still must be out of the Church by the agreed upon time. All wedding party members must attend the rehearsal and be at the church 30 minutes before the wedding ceremony.

4. Guest books are allowed in the foyer of the church. Please discuss with wedding coordinator.

5. DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED

A. A Newly Issued Copy of Baptismal Certificate (with notation of Confirmation): This
certificate must be dated no more than six (6) months before the wedding. This is
requirement for the Catholic party. Call the church where you were baptized and ask
them for a NEWLY ISSUED BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE.

B. Other Christian faiths also need proof of their Baptism. Please contact their church at least 6 months before the ceremony to obtain this information.

C. Bride & Groom will need to obtain two (2) copies of the “Witness Affidavit of
Freedom to Marry”. (This paper will be given to you to have completed.) If both are not
members of our parish the one not a member will need to obtain a letter of permission to marry from their pastor.

6. CIVIL MARRIAGE LICENSE: This is obtained from any County Clerk. There is a waiting period of 72 hours before the license may be used, and it expires in thirty (30) days. A wedding ceremony cannot be conducted until you present a valid marriage license. For any acceptations and more information please call the Bell County Clerk at 254-933-5168. YOUR LICENSE MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE REHEARSAL.

7. SERVERS: Altar servers are optional.

EXPECTATIONS

We expect everyone to be respectful of our Church and its furnishings. There is no smoking, drinking, food, chewing gum or alcoholic beverages allowed in the Church at the time of the rehearsal nor on the day of the wedding. Any indication that members of the wedding party have been drinking may result in cancellation of your wedding, or the offending parties may not be allowed to participate.

STIPENDS AND FEES

1. STIPEND: A stipend given to the Priest or Deacon is optional and up to your discretion.

2. FACILITIES FEE: There is a fee to cover the use of the church. Please make checks payable to St. Paul Chong Hasang. (Parishioners ($300.00) (Non-parishioners ($600.00) All fees are due at the time you reserve the church. There is no fee covering the Adoration Chapel.

3. MUSICIAN STIPENDS: A financial stipend is expected for the following (if applicable).
 Organ/Piano Player (if supplied by St. Paul’s)

Revised August 2023