Marriage, as an institution, has existed for thousands of years.  Every culture has a form of marriage or wedding ceremony.  Most weddings are performed in a church, temple or synagogue. Choosing a time of year and location, for your wedding ceremony, can be a difficult decision.  Deciding on a location to have your ceremony is usually based on the denomination of the bride and groom and can be influenced by immediate family members.  Couples who want to have a church wedding, but do not have a specific location in mind, usually consult with family and friends for suggestions.  Cost can be another factor when choosing a location.  Church fees range from a non-specified donation to as high as $2,500.  Every location has their own policies, services and availability during the year.  The majority of New Orleans area weddings are Catholic.      Couples often choose the church where one or both of them attend.  They may also select the same location as one of their parents may have wed.  In many cases, a church or religious institution is not required at all.  It is becoming more popular to have your ceremony and reception in one location.  This is very convenient for out-of-town couples and guests.  Your marriage can be performed by a nondenominational minister, and later blessed by your local priest, in many cases.  Even though it can be easier and more cost-efficient to have your entire wedding at one location, the ambience of having your ceremony in a 100 year-old decorated cathedral will make a lasting impression and produce amazing wedding images.

Photography by Louis

CHURCHES If you decide to have your wed-ding performed in a Catholic Church, it is best to plan early.  There are over fifty Catholic weddings per week, in just New Orleans, and certain churches are in high demand.  You should not set a firm wedding date until you know if your first choices are available.  The exception is if you have a special date in mind; such as an anniversary, birthday, etc.  Once you have selected a particular church, always check, in advance, to see if there are any church restrictions that inhibit your ideas for the ceremony.  You may wish to seek the advice of a wedding planner or coordinator who has worked at that location.  Their opinion of past weddings at that location will be valuable.

COSTS
Church fees sometimes differ de-pending on the day of the week and time of year.  Students who attended the church's school and parishioners usually pay a smaller fee than non-parishioners.  If the bride and groom are of two different religions, or one has no denomination, check to see if the church will still allow you to be married in their church.
     Before finalizing the booking, make sure the exact location rental fee is specified.  Ask if there are any additional fees, and if priests from other parishes may perform a wedding there.  Ask if you are required to use their coordinator and musicians.  If you are required to use their vendors, what will be the additional cost?  Details about what is provided to you and the total amount you will need to pay should be itemized in writing.  Note that some churches reserve the right to cancel your ceremony, if the church is needed for another event.  Make sure the contract outlines that they cannot cancel your booking.

REQUIREMENTS Catholic churches allow weddings on any day of the week except Holydays of Obligation and Sundays.  The church minister will need to approve your wedding date and time, so that it does not conflict with the churches regular mass schedule.  Couples being wed in a Catholic church will need to take the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study) instrument.  This is a series of written questions each partner must answer separately for evaluation purposes.  After-ward, couples will have to attend one of the following programs: the Engagement Encounter, an Evening for the Engaged, a Day for the Engaged, the Re-marriage program in a situation where one or both of the parties have previously been married/widowed, or a Special Marriage Preparation program, usually for couples who are already legally married. You can contact the Family Life Apostolate at 504-861-6243 for more information.

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RESTRICTIONS
Always require a detailed written list of all requirements and if any restrictions on your vendors exist. Common church restrictions include: no taped aisle runners, burning candles, rose petals, rice, bubbles in the church, flash photography, video lights and anything attached to the pews or altar.  Make sure to inform your vendors, in writing, about any location restrictions.  You should discuss these requirements with the pastor or minister who will perform your wedding ceremony.  Catholic ceremonies can last as long as ninety minutes; this should be considered when booking your limousines and reception.  You should speak with the minister who will perform your ceremony and agree on a maximum length.  Some officiates are known to give sermons of twenty minutes or more.
     Whether you are having your ceremony performed in a church, synagogue or one of the wedding reception locations that specialize in ceremonies, it is invaluable to have a qualified wedding coordinator present.  This will guarantee everything starts on time, and everyone is doing what they are supposed to.  Choosing your ceremony location is the first of several important decisions you will be making, choose wisely.