Marriage

Marriage is a covenant or partnership of life between a man and woman, which is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children. When validly contracted between two baptized people, marriage is a sacrament. (From Catechism of the Catholic Church)

If you are a parishioner who would like to be married at Christ the King, please call Jayne Clarke to check for facility availability, then Fr. Rex to set the date. You also will need to contact our Wedding Coordinator, Kathy Arambula, and our Music Director, Edwin Day. You should make arrangements for marriage preparation as early as possible, which you may do through our Marriage Preparation Coordinators, Toby and Deacon Rick Boothe. Once your wedding is scheduled, you will need to make an appointment with Fr. Rex to begin the process.

Weddings at Christ the King may take place on Friday evenings (except during Lent), on Saturdays from 11am-1pm or on Saturday evenings after the vigil Mass.  Non parishioner weddings will be scheduled no earlier than six months prior to the date of the wedding, in order to accommodate the priority given to parishioner weddings.

Kathy Arambula will be able to answer most questions regarding the wedding cermeony. Please contact Ms. Arambula at least three months prior to your wedding date to schedule an initial meeting. During the meeting she will answer your questions regarding planning the rehearsal and ceremony and advise you about the logistics of setting up and coordinating delivery. She also can talk to you about rules regarding the sacramental aspect of your ceremony.

It is important that Ms. Arambula review your wedding program before it goes to print to ensure that the proper order of the Mass is followed and to verify that all parties are "on the same page" regarding readings, music, etc. She has a number of samples available for couples who need a little design inspiration.

All weddings at Christ the King involve our organist and require the use of a cantor and lector. Altar servers are optional in a non-Mass ceremony, but the use of one or two servers to assist the priest is in keeping with the sacred nature of the liturgy. When the ceremony is a Mass, altar servers are required (three preferred) and at least two gift bearers are needed. Other roles that are not considered liturgical ministers but which enhance the ceremony include ushers, flower girl, ring bearer, bride's maids and groomsmen. Cantors and altar servers must be experienced.

Wedding rehearsals at Christ the King usually take place the evening before the wedding ceremony, beginning between 5:30-7pm and lasting 45-75 minutes, depending on the size and punctuality of the wedding party. Rehearsals during Lent take place on Thursday evenings before or after the 5:30pm Mass.

The wedding coordinator will be in attendance during your rehearsal and ceremony, coordinating the processional and family seating, church decor, payment distribution and any other special arrangements you require.

At the rehearsal the wedding party will walk through the ceremony at least once. Ushers and anyone involved in family seating may come to the rehearsal. The priest and wedding coordinator will give you cues and answer any last-minute questions.

Please note that Christ the King does not permit the use of outside wedding coordinators for any aspect of the rehearsal or ceremony.

It is preferred that your wedding ceremony be a Mass, however, you do have the option to marry outside of Mass. Some couples choose not to have a Mass when the family of one of the parties is not Catholic. However, we make a great effort to conduct a Catholic Mass which is meaningful and as inclusive for non-Catholics as possible.

A wedding Mass usually lasts about 45 minutes, depending on the size of the congregation. A non-Mass wedding usually lasts about 25 minutes. All weddings at Christ the King incorporate the Liturgy of the Word (readings from the Old and New Testaments and from the Gospel) and the Marriage Ceremony (the exchange of vows and the blessing and exchange of rings). At a wedding Mass the Liturgy of the Eucharist (presentation of the gifts, consecration and distribution of Holy Eucharist) follows the Marriage Ceremony.

Aside from your choice of readings and music, you may personalize your wedding ceremony, if you choose, presenting roses to the mothers of the bride and groom, placing a bouquet before the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and customizing the intercessory prayers. You are responsible for providing any needed flowers and the unity candle and holder.

No photography or videography is permitted from the altar area. All photography and videography must take place from outside the communion rail. At Christ the King you have the option of live streaming your wedding for friends and family who may be unable to travel for the occasion. Please contact Kathy Arambula for more information about this additional service.