Sunday Mass:
5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass of Anticipation
7:30 a.m. Sunday  -  9:15 a.m. Sunday  -  11:00 a.m. Sunday
Daily Mass: 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

611 South Third Street, Stillwater, MN 55082
Parish Office: 651-439-4400 - FAX: 651-430-3271 -
info@costm.org

Contribution Policies

While there is not a “ fee” to celebrate the sacrament of Marriage, there are certain real costs incurred by the parish in assisting couples to prepare and celebrate their marriage. We expect the couple to make a contribution to the parish based on the actual costs incurred by the parish, the couple’s ability to pay and the entire cost of their wedding. Some of the costs incurred by the Church of St. Michael in the preparation and celebration of your marriage include the following:

  • Ongoing training and support of marriage sponsor couples
    About 20 married couples in the parish volunteer their time to assist the priests and deacons in marriage preparation. These couples are trained facilitators who use an inventory to discuss your readiness for marriage. After their initial training, couples receive periodic training and enrichment in marriage preparation.
  • Materials
    Several materials are used in preparing for marriage, including the pre-marriage inventory, books, pamphlets, music tapes, etc.
  • Parish staff time
    St. Michael's office staff handles scheduling and sacramental paperwork. The liturgical staff assists in the planning and preparation of your wedding ceremony. The maintenance staff cleans the church and bride’s dressing room before and after weddings and ensures that everything is functioning for your wedding. A wedding assistant is assigned to assist you, your wedding attendants, your families and your guests at your rehearsal and on your wedding day.  The wedding assistant opens the church, sets the lighting and sound system and answers questions about your ceremony or the church facilities.
  • Parish facilities
    Facilities costs include heating or air conditioning, electricity, candles, sacramental supplies, etc. at your rehearsal and wedding.

In discerning the amount you wish to contribute to St. Michael, we suggest that you consider tithing, or giving a percentage of the total cost of your wedding to the Church. A guideline for this practice is to give 10 percent of the total amount you are spending on your wedding. In addition to giving to St. Michael, you may want to donate to another charity, in gratitude to God for the blessings He has given you.

The actual costs incurred by St. Michael in preparation and celebration of your wedding amount to approximately $300. We request a contribution of at least this amount. If this amount is a burden, please speak to the priest or deacon with whom you are working. We ask for a $100 non-refundable deposit at the time your date is reserved. Please pay this deposit at your initial meeting with the priest or deacon. You may also mail this deposit to the Parish Office, in care of the priest or deacon with whom you are working. The balance of your contribution should be paid at least two weeks prior to your wedding date - if possible, at your last meeting with the priest or deacon. Pleae make checks payable to “Church of St. Michael.”

Other Possible Wedding Costs

  • Church Decorations
    Most “decorations” available through St. Michael (e.g. green plants at the marble altar, candles and candelabra, the unity candle stand, etc.) are free of charge. However, a few other options may require a small fee. Please refer to the “Request for Church Decorations” form in your folder or call the director of liturgy and music at 651-439- 4400.
     
  • Musicians
    Payments for musicians should be negotiated directly with them. You are responsible for discussing their fees and what services they include ( i. e., Does the fee include any rehearsal times? Is purchase of music involved?). Please note: Please make payments to musicians before the ceremony begins; it is easy to forget to give musicians their fees after the wedding, and it leaves the musicians in the awkward position of having to find the couple and ask for payment while the couple greets their guests.
     
  • Optional Stipends
    A  stipend is a payment made to thank a person for their services; it is similar to a “ gratuity” or “ tip.” A stipend gift is optional, and the amount is up to the discretion of the couple. The $300 wedding contribution does not include any stipends to the priest, deacon or altar servers.

    The priest or deacon officiating at your wedding ceremony or Mass does not receive a “ fee” for presiding at your wedding, and there is no requirement that the couple pay the priest or deacon for his services. However, many couples ask what a “normal” stipend is when given as a gift to the priest or deacon. While there is no set guideline, many couples present their presider with a stipend of $50-$150.

    If the parish provides an altar server to assist at your wedding Mass, many couples offer the server a small stipend.

    The wedding assistant from St. Michael already receives a small stipend for helping at your rehearsal and wedding day. Couples sometimes choose to provide an additional card of thanks.
     
    If you choose to give a stipend to the presider or altar servers, it is also best to do so before the ceremony.
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