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. (Please also note: We ask that you choose female participants’ dresses that are appropriate for a church setting - i.e., brides and bridesmaids' dresses should not be indiscreet.)UshersUshers tshould be informed to have all guests seated before the wedding is scheduled to begin.
Eucharistic Ministers, 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 Holy Communion (EMHC) to assist with the distribution of communion. Also, relatives or friends may act as servers, if they have been trained in that capacity. Please contact our Wedding Coordinator at the parish office (651/439-4400 x255) if you are in need of a server or Eucharistic Minister and do not have a family member or friend who can serve in these capacities.
Parish Wedding AssistantsA wedding assistant from St. Michael’s is assigned to assist you and your bridal party at your rehearsal and the day of your wedding. This wedding assistant will be available to open the church, help set up for your wedding, 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.
MORE ABOUT YOUR READERS AND READINGS
USING THE MICROPHONE SYSTEM AT ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH All readers should familiarize themselves with the microphone they will be using. If the readers are at the rehearsal, they can take the opportunity to walk up o the pulpit and learn how to adjust the microphone for their use.
WHEN SHOULD READER COME TO THE PULPIT? Readers may be seated in the congregation and come up to the pulpit at the proper time; it is helpful when the readers seat themselves at the end of the pew at the center aisle.
Readers reading the First and Second readings (and the psalm, if it is not sung) can come up together when the priest/deacon announces the time for scriptures, or each can come up by him/herself before they read. (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 doing both the first and second readings, but not the psalm, that reader can be seated at one of the chairs behind the pulpit after reading the first reading, until it is time to read the second reading.
The person reading the intentions (Prayers of the Faithful) can come up after the rings have been exchanged and the unity candle (if used) is lit. This reader should remain standing at the pulpit until the priest/deacon offers the concluding prayer for the intercessions.
PREPARING COPIES OF YOUR READINGS/PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL (INTENTIONS)Our Wedding Coordinator will prepare and distribute copies of the reading so that the readers can become familiar with the readings before the wedding day. Your Wedding Assistant will have an additional copy of the readings on your wedding day in the event your reader forgets to bring a copy. It is your responsibility to bring two (2) typed copies of your Prayers of the Faithful (Intentions) with you to your wedding rehearsal. Please leave one copy with your Wedding Assistant so one will be available the day of your wedding.
