Weddings – Receptions and Rehearsals

A Note on Rehearsals

We will always try our best to accommodate your rehearsal needs. Please review the following:

  1. Please note that the time and stipend structure calls for us to be on-site for no more than 30 minutes for scheduling purposes. If we start the rehearsal any later than 30 minutes from schedule, an additional fee will be requested.
  2. Please note that any rehearsal over 20 miles from our parish will also be assessed an additional mileage fee and no rehearsals are accepted where the distance, or the timing with traffic, will exceed 30 minutes in one direction.
  3. We do not attend rehearsals that are beyond 30 minutes for any reason, or where traffic will delay us for more than 30 minutes, as time at a rehearsal is normally less than 10 minutes once it starts. This includes state to state weddings or high traffic areas.
  4. We allow ourselves a ten minute margin of travel error since rehearsals normally do not start promptly and being right on time is not normally an issue, unless otherwise noted.
  5. Rehearsals on Fridays are placed secondarily to Wedding Ceremony bookings to allow every couple the opportunity to have a priest present for their special day. We will make every effort to accommodate a rehearsal request, even when we have a wedding booked, or we will try to arrange for someone to ‘stand in’ for the primary officiant such as one of our deacons or a wedding planner familiar with us.
  6. Please also recognize that for most weddings, having the celebrant attend in person is not needed and it does not necessarily make the ceremony flow much better. The main reason for having the celebrant present is for complicated weddings, odd or complicated movements or ceremonies, or one where there is no wedding planner engaged. A wedding Planner may “stand in” for the Celebrant and negate the need for most venues. Please consult with your venue, and inquire of our thoughts, prior to making a request.
  7. The standard stipend for a rehearsal is $200.

AFTER your wedding date is confirmed and on our calendar, please book/schedule your rehearsal separately from your wedding to ensure it is scheduled appropriately to the correct priest. To request a rehearsal booking online, please click here.

PLEASE NOTE: We, as a common practice, do NOT accommodate Friday rehearsal requests unless we have no weddings booked, and any rehearsals for a Friday will take a secondary place to wedding ceremonies. If a rehearsal is added to an existing package as an after thought, the normally requested stipend will be added to the final amount as indicated below. Please also be aware that no rehearsals will be accepted after 6:00pm and none after 3:00pm on Fridays. Additionally, there are no Center City wedding rehearsals on Friday afternoons or any wedding beyond 35 minutes in travel time. If no wedding planner will be present and the celebrant/officiant must run the entire rehearsal than an additional $50 will be added to the standard stipend.

A Note on Receptions

Our general policy is to not attend the wedding reception, as we believe that this day is all about the couple and we graciously take our leave after a brief mingling post-ceremony. However, if our schedules permit, we suggest that attending the rehearsal dinner, if asked, works better. We get a chance to see the couple, the wedding party, and the family in a more relaxed, casual setting. Additionally, we are available to answer questions during the dinner. Our exception to this policy is the case where we are close friends. Many ask why? Well, usually the officiant(s) doesn’t know anyone, and sometimes, people feel like they can’t have a “good time” if a priest, etc., is sitting at their table! On occasion we have been asked to say the opening prayer at the reception. This is normally not possible as the primary placement is hours after the ceremony and cocktail hour is completed.

Late Fees:

There will be an additional fee of $50.00 for every 30 minutes past the agreed to and booked start time. Also, if the priest is late, there will be a $50 per 30 minutes credit or reduction applied.

As Seen on The Knot

Wedding Booking Cancellation Policy 

Since most of our Priests earn their living by dedicating themselves to the service of wedding couples, and the closer to the wedding date they are usually unable to replace the date that has been booked, it is incumbent that we have a basic understanding of what happens if the couple should cancel their arrangement with their chosen officiant. Our cancellation policy is as follows: 

  • If the wedding is canceled, or the chosen priest is no longer needed, for any reason, the following is understood by all parties:
  • Prior to 90 days from wedding date: No cancellation fee applies. Deposit is forfeited.
  • From 89 to 60 days from wedding date: A $100 cancellation fee applies. Deposit is forfeited.
  • From 59 to 30 days from wedding date: A $200 cancellation fee applies. Deposit is forfeited.
  • Less than 30 days or less from wedding date: A $300 cancelation fee applies, or the balance of the originally booked wedding package, whichever is less. Deposit is forfeited.

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