Marriage is not just a civil contract, but a vocation, a call from God to enter into a relationship that reflects His own relationship with His Bride, the Church. A wedding is not just a celebration of the beginning of a marriage, but (when both parties are baptized) it is a sacrament of the Church
A marriage ceremony in a Catholic Church must reflect sound theology and employ the principles of good liturgy, whether celebrated within or apart from the Mass. The norms of the Church and the principles of good liturgy have priority over all other procedures, opinions and preferences.
While couples of mixed religion are allowed to married at Mass, we are inclined to recommend otherwise. The rite, however, is still patterned on the Mass. It consists of the Liturgy of the Word (Scripture readings), the Homily, the Rite of Marriage, and the Nuptial Blessing.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, the bride and groom minister the sacrament of marriage to one another by virtue of their baptism. A priest or deacon and two witnesses (Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor) are also required to be present.
Since you are asking the Church to witness your marriage, it is important that you are practicing your faith. The Church asks that those who marry here attend Mass regularly (each Sunday), use the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and prepare prayerfully for marriage. The Marriage preparation program is designed to support your preparation at all of these levels.
The “unity candle” is a commercial product that is not included in the Roman Rite marriage ceremony. Additionally, no candles may be attached to pews or other fixtures in the church. Candles blow out and die; we hope that your love and marriage will last forever.
On occasion, a couple may invite at priest friend or priest relative to preside at the wedding. In this case, the couple should mention this to the clergy at St. George early in the process. Once the appropriate civil and ecclesiastical delegation have been secured, the priest will communicate to the visiting priest with regard to parish policy on the celebration of the liturgy in general and of weddings in particular. Visiting priests are asked to observe canon law and the parish customs regarding the celebration of sacraments.
*Wedding coordinators are strictly prohibited from interfering with the Liturgy. The priest or deacon are the appropriate professionals once inside the church.