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Thank you for choosing to celebrate your wedding in St. Mary's Abbey Church.
1. The registration form is to be submitted to abbey adminsitrative assistant, Mrs. Karen Schiner, as soon as possible to confirm the date of your wedding. Upon receipt of this registration form, the Abbey Church will be reserved for you. You can reach Karen at (973) 538-3235, or at [email protected].
2. You are expected to comply with the Common Policy regarding Catholic weddings of the five dioceses of New Jersey. A record of your marriage is kept at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Morristown; no official ecclesiastical marriage records are kept at the Abbey. You can consult the priest or deacon witnessing your marriage concerning this policy and its requirements. For validity, the priest or deacon officiating is to obtain delegation prior to the wedding, from the pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Church.
3. According to the St. Mary's Abbey Book of Customs, the times available for weddings are:-
no later than 10:00 AM or earlier than 12:30 PM
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no later than 3:00 p.m.
Times available for rehearsals are:
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anytime in the afternoon until 4:45 PM
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evenings between 6:00 to 8:00 PM
4. All flower and plant arrangements are to be tastefully done. You can be in touch with Karen if you have any questions. Decorations at the end of the pews may be fastened with rubber bands or ribbons only. No tape, tacks, plastic brackets or staples are permitted.
5. All music arrangements are coordinated by the Abbey Principal Organist, Mr. Robert Long. Additional musicians or vocalists should be arranged directly with Mr. Long for an additional fee. You can contact Mr. Long by phone at (570) 872-7334 or by e-mail. A stipend of $250 is made payable to the organist. The cantor receives $200.
6. Photographers and videographers are asked to be thoughtful and considerate throughout the wedding ceremony. At no time may they enter the sanctuary. It is best to have the videographer in one stationary place throughout the ceremony. A place behind the credence table has proven to be the best location for the videographer.
7. The sound system for the Abbey Church will be monitored by the sacristan. Those using the sound system (e.g., lectors and cantors) should be present for the rehearsal to familiarize themselves with these microphones. There is also a HD live streaming system. Kindly let us know if that is an option you would like. A cordless microphone is available to the presider and deacon.
8. A donation of $500 minimum (payable to Saint Mary's Abbey) is required for the use of the Abbey Church. The donation should be included with the marriage file for the celebrant, which is submitted at the rehearsal. A donation of $50 is required for the sacristan who will set up before and clean up after your ceremony. Finally, if you have more than 50 guests, you must have a parking attendant which we will supply for a donation of $100. The honorarium for the priest is separate from the church fee and should be given directly to the celebrant of the wedding.
9. For safety reasons, the use of a runner is not permitted in the Abbey Church.
The following practical concerns are brought to your attention:-
Birdseed or bubbles (not confetti, rice, or flower petals) may be used outside the church only.
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Candles and balloons are prohibited. Only the altar and the (optional) wedding candle are permitted.
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Kindly do not rearrange the furniture in the sanctuary. Chairs for the bride/groom and two witnesses will be provided by the sacristan.
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The main entrance of the abbey church is ADA compliant. Parking is available in front of Vincent House for those with handicapped permits.
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Restrooms are located in the area behind the organ near the west door of the abbey church.
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The use of alcoholic beverages is absolutely forbidden in or around the abbey church.
10. Finally, we request that all guests maintain an atmosphere conducive for reverence and prayer throughout the Abbey Church. No smoking, eating, drinking or loud noise is permitted.
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