Attendants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, junior attendants)  Your wedding attendants are chosen by you to assist in the wedding liturgy. The two witnesses (best man and maid/matron of honor) must be at least 16 years old. If you choose to have a ring bearer and/or flower girl, he/she should be at least six years old. Please note: We ask that you choose bridal and attendant dresses that are discreet and appropriate for a church setting.  Ushers Please inform ushers to seat all guests before the wedding is scheduled to begin.

Readers
You may choose family members or friends to read the scriptures, as well as the prayers of the faithful (the intercessions). At a wedding Mass, your readers should be Catholic. At a wedding liturgy without a Mass, readers do not need to be Catholic. 

All readers should familiarize themselves with the microphone system before guests begin arriving for the wedding ceremony. The wedding rehearsal is the best time for readers to practice adjusting the microphone.

The wedding cordinator will provide copies of readings and place them in a folder for your readers. 

• When should readers walk to the pulpit?
  Readers may sit in the congregation and come up to the pulpit at the proper time; it is helpful when the lectors seat themselves in the seat of the pew closest to the center aisle.
  
  Persons reading the first and second readings (and the psalm, if it is not sung) either may walk up together when the priest or deacon announces the time for scriptures, or may walk up separately before each reading. If the readers walk up together, they should return to the congregation together. The person not reading may sit in one of the chairs behind the pulpit.
  
  If one person is reading both the first and second readings but not the psalm, he/she may sit in one of the chairs behind the pulpit after the first reading (during the psalm).
  
  The person reading the intercessions/prayers of the faithful) may walk up after the rings are exchanged and the unity candle (if used) is lit. This reader should remain standing at the pulpit until the priest or deacon offers the concluding prayer for the intercessions. 
  

Eucharistic ministers and servers
If you are expecting a large number of communicants at your wedding Mass, you may invite a family member or friend who is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to assist with the distribution of communion. Also, relatives or friends may act as servers, if they have been trained in that capacity. Please call Julie Terwey, wedding coordinator, at 651-439-4400, if you need a server or Eucharistic minister.

Parish wedding assistants
A wedding assistant from St. Michael is assigned to assist you and your bridal party at your rehearsal and on the day of your wedding. The wedding assistant will be available to open the church, help set up, set the lights for pictures, turn on the sound system and answer any questions you may have. These assistants are parishioners who offer their time so that your wedding ceremony may run smoothly.