Weddings

As mandated by the Archdiocese, each couple needs to attend a marriage preparation class (which should be completed at least three months before the wedding).  They can choose from:

• A one-day seminar (Schedule under "Forms & Links"). Each of those pages will show the churches offering the classes for that month. We are part of the San Gabriel Region, so the closest churches to us will be in that section). To register, call the number for the church with the date/location you prefer. More instructions are on the website for the church selected.
• A full weekend through the Engaged Encounter Program offered by the Archdiocese.  More information about the Engaged Encounter Weekend can be found by selecting "Engaged Encounter Program" under "Forms & Links".  If you would like to attend but cannot afford the $550 fee, please ask the office for a request to pay a lower fee.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING:  St. Therese Church also requires each couple to attend Natural Family Planning Classes offered at our church, followed by individual training sessions.  The couple should attend the classes at least three months before the wedding.  

WEDDING TIMES:  The normal wedding times you can choose from are Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., Noon, or 2:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. is the latest time available on Saturdays). You may, however, request a different day or time, depending upon our regular schedule of Masses.

READINGS FOR THE WEDDING MASS:  Couples are encouraged to choose the readings for the wedding Mass in order to make it more personal.  A copy of the booklet, TOGETHER FOR LIFE, may be picked up from the St. Therese Church offices (it contains a form in the back to enter your selections).  OR under "Forms & Links" you may choose your readings by selecting "Readings for the Wedding Mass". This will take you to a website that has links you click on to take you to the readings at www.foryourmarriage.org, a website that is an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  
Once you have selected your reading, complete the "Wedding Reading Selections Form".

MUSIC FOR YOUR WEDDING MASS: Please note that all music must be liturgical (no "pop" music of any kind). St. Therese Church policy is that we do not *allow outside musicians but only our own musicians to serve as organist/pianist and cantor (the cantor leads the assembly in the singing.) (*except under extraordinary circumstances). Also note that we do NOT allow recorded music at wedding Masses.  The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states in Nos. 39-40: "The Christian faithful who gather together as one to await the Lord's coming are instructed by the Apostle Paul to sing together Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Coloss. 3:16). Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass.”  The reason for this is that the use of music in the liturgy is always to enhance the quality of liturgical prayer and can never be considered as entertainment. It is practically impossible for recorded music to serve the same function."

CREATING THE PROGRAM FOR YOUR WEDDING MASS:   For help in creating a program for your wedding, select "Creating Your Wedding Program" under Forms and Links.  A program is a great way to increase participation by the congregation.  If you would like St. Therese to prepare your program, there is a fee of $75 for a full 8.5 sheet folded in half (4-page program) OR  $150 for two full 8.5 sheets folded in half (8-page program), which includes printing copies of up to 50 (for the 4 page) or 100 (for the 8 page) (extra charge of .20 each for additional copies). For this option, contact Denise.

VIDEO AND/OR LIVESTREAM YOUR WEDDING MASS:  We offer the option to have the wedding ceremony live-streamed on YouTube and/or recorded offline for your loved ones who are unable to attend. Fees begin at $550. For details, please contact littletheresemedia@gmail.com.

ENGLISH OR SPANISH MASS CHURCH FEES: Submit the wedding fee ($1100) to the office at the time the wedding date is scheduled with the priest. This amount includes the fees for the use of the church ($500), the church organist ($250), the church cantor ($200), and the celebrating priest ($150).

MARRIAGE PREPARATION FEE IF WEDDING IS IN ANOTHER CHURCH:  If you plan to be married in another diocese (different state or country) but you are asking St. Therese to do your marriage preparation (prenuptial questionnaire, etc.), there is a flat fee for this of $200.  This fee will be not be charged to any couple being married in our church. 

OTHER FEES: There are also fees (totaling $550) that go to 1) Angie Sandoval, the wedding liturgy planner ($200); and 2) Either Katrina Crow or Martha Lacayo, the NFP Coordinators ($250). Please submit a check to each of those persons directly.

ALTAR SERVER FEES FOR NON-LATIN MASS WEDDING: Please arrange to have someone in your family or your wedding party give $20 each to the two altar servers (cash) ($40 total)--either before or immediately after the wedding.

LATIN RITE MASS CHURCH FEES:  Submit the wedding fee ($950) to the office at the time the wedding date is scheduled. This amount includes the fees for the use of the church ($500), the church organist ($250), the cantor ($200).

OTHER FEES: There are also fees (totaling $700) that go to 1) Angie Sandoval, the wedding liturgy planner ($200); 2) Katrina Crow or Martha Lacayo, the NFP Coordinators ($250); 3) John Janosik ($100),  the sacristan who will purchase the necessary Latin Mass supplies; and 4) the Norbertine priest who will celebrate the wedding ($300). Please submit a check to each of those persons directly

LATIN MASS ALTAR SERVER FEES: This amount does not include the honorarium of $50 each for two Latin Mass altar servers ($100 total). Please arrange to have someone give this amount to each of the altar servers (in cash--either before or immediately after the wedding).

Please note that flowers are not provided and are not included in the fees.

RECEPTION FEES: The use of the PARISH HALL for a reception is subject to availability, but, again,  it cannot be used when our School is in session. There is a fee of $500 for the use of the PARISH HALL PLUS a DEPOSIT OF $500 for any damage/excessive messiness (it will be returned to you if the space is the same as when you got there). You are responsible for setting up the tables and chairs and putting them away after the event; however, arrangements can be made with someone to do it for a fee.  

There is a fee of $300 for the use of the GUADALUPE COURTYARD--PLUS a DEPOSIT OF $300 for any damage/excessive messiness (it will be returned to you if the space is the same as when you got there. You must set up any additional tables and chairs AND take them back down).