Archdiocese of Portland's Office of Marriage and Family Life

Everyday Counseling PDX (Dr. Patricia Mackie)

Congratulations! We are blessed to assist you in preparations and planning for your wedding. Please call Fr. Chrispine Otieno at 503.775.6731, extension 106, at least six months to one year prior to the date you hope to celebrate this beautiful sacrament to begin preparation (one year is preferred). As well, under normal circumstances it is expected that you have been a parishioner for at least a year before beginning marriage prep. At your initial interview with the priest, he will discuss with you a variety of options for your matrimony preparation.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
According to Church Law, Catholics who have not been Confirmed are to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation before being admitted to marriage, if they can do so without serious inconvenience.  It is also strongly recommended that Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to their wedding so that they may fruitfully receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Baptismal Certificate - Catholics must obtain a current copy of their Baptismal certificate from their parish church of Baptism.  Non-Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Baptism are also asked to obtain a copy of their Baptismal certificate, or a letter verifying their Baptism.
Church Forms - There are normally two forms required by the Church, and both parties must complete them.  One form is a statement of your name, address, and phone number on which you state you have never been married before, and that you understand the Catholic doctrines on Matrimony.  The second form is a statement filled out with the priest by a relative or friend, which also attests to your freedom to be married in the Catholic Church.
Civil License - It is the responsibility of the couple to secure the civil license to marry.  Information for Multnomah County may be obtained by calling (503) 988-3027.

HOURS OF WEDDINGS
Weddings at Our Lady of Sorrows can be celebrated on any day of the week (except Sunday) as long as the date and time works with the parish calendar and Fr. Chrispine's schedule.  If celebrated on a Saturday, the start time of the wedding must be between 10 am and 1 pm.  The liturgical season of Lent, due to its penitential nature, is not recommended for the celebration of Matrimony.

CEREMONY
According to Archdiocesan guidelines, because Matrimony is a Sacrament and a sacred act of worship, it is to be celebrated within the sacred environs of a church where the faith community gathers for worship.  Weddings may be celebrated either with or without Mass.  Priests or deacons from outside the parish are required to follow our guidelines, and be registered to perform marriages in Oregon.  Clergy who come from outside the Archdiocese must present a letter of good standing-This letter is sent to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese and a copy to the pastor of the parish.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Pictures may be taken before, after, and during the ceremony, but not during the consecration.  Please remember that the church is always to respected as a place of prayer and worship.  If pictures are taken before the ceremony, we ask that you notify your photographer that he/she must be finished and out of the Sanctuary (altar area) 30 minutes before the ceremony.  Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony.  Pictures taken after the ceremony must be completed before any other scheduled parish use of the church begins.

REHEARSAL
The rehearsal will typically be scheduled the night before the wedding.  Please remember to bring your civil license to the rehearsal along with the rings.

MUSIC
Everything about the wedding ceremony should witness to all those present your understanding that you are entering a sacred and holy union - a Sacrament.  Therefore, everything about the ceremony, including the music, calls for careful planning that will contribute to this understanding.  Everyone present at your wedding should be led by the dignity and beauty of the Liturgy to a deeper understanding of Christian Matrimony and, consequently, to a greater commitment to it.  In a sense, your wedding is your gift to your family and friends.  It is your invitation for them to enter into and share your faith, your love, and your prayer.  We know that you are anxious to make it the best possible gift.  You have chosen to invite Christ to make your love a Sacrament, so the music you choose for your wedding is an expression of this unique and distinct encounter.

Popular contemporary music is not appropriate within the ceremony.  There are many choices of music that are liturgically appropriate and complementary to your Nuptial Mass or wedding ceremony, including classical music and selections from our hymnals.  The parish music director will be happy to assist you in making your selections, and you will be asked to review your music with him/her as part of your planning for the ceremony.

WEDDING COORDINATOR
Here at Our Lady of Sorrows, a wedding coordinator, appointed by the parish, will help you with the coordination of the church for your wedding.  He/she will be available to help with questions regarding the church's environment, and will assist with the execution of both the rehearsal and the ceremony itself.

CLEAN UP
You are responsible to see that all wrapping, flower boxes, garment bags, hangers, and other refuse are removed from the church and other facilities following the wedding.  It is also your responsibility to remove any extra candles, bows, runners, etc.  

RECEPTIONS
If you desire to use one of Our Lady of Sorrows's facilities for your reception, please contact the Parish Office at (503) 775-6731 for more information.  We have two facilities available: Carberry Hall (which seats about 5o to 70 people), and the gymnasium.

WEDDING FEES
Church fee: $400 (check payable to Our Lady of Sorrows)
Priest: $200 (suggested)
Wedding Coordinator: $150

If you are using OLS musicians (checks made payable to the individuals)
Organist: $200
Cantor: $150-$200

If you are using guest musicians, they must be approved by the pastor and parish music director, and arrangements for their fees are made privately with them.

If you like, you may also make an additional donation to Our Lady of Sorrows, as a means of expressing your thanks to the Lord for all the blessings that have led up to this joyous event.  This donation, made in love, also expresses your appreciation to the parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose contributions pay for the cost and upkeep of the church and it is also a way to support the ministries of this God's Church. 

Please also note that if any any of these fees create significant financial difficulty for you or your family, you can talk with Fr. Chrispine, and one or more exceptions might be made.

PLEASE NOTE:  
1. To celebrate the sacrament of marriage at OLS, you need to first meet with the pastor to complete the marriage preparation forms. Wedding date will be tentative until all the documents are complete. Please note that the Wedding will not take place unless the marriage file is complete. To ensure proper and beautiful preparation for the wedding, please contact us atleast 6 months in advance.
At the initial meeting, please come with your baptism certificate. If you were baptized outside OLS, request the most recent certificate be sent to us. If you have been married before and received a decree of nullity from the tribunal, please bring that letter with you.
2. If you are not a member of OLS parish and you wish to celebrate your wedding at OLS, you are welcome here. However, you will need to ask your pastor to sign archdiocesan permission form granting you permission to marry outside your parish. You will have your parish complete all your marriage paperwork including freedom to marry forms and attach a memo from your pastor that you have completed your preparation and, for some reason, prefer to celebrate your wedding at OLS. Please have your pastor send us this whole file before we can confirm or accept a date for your wedding in our parish. If you need our help, please schedule a meeting with our Pastor atleast 6 months in advance. We are here to support you and accompany you.