• Wedding Guidelines: Your Wedding At Saint Mary of the Lake (English)

• Wedding Guidelines: Your Wedding at Saint Mary of the Lake (Spanish)

• Witness Affidavit

• Florist & Decorating Information

• Photographer & Videographer Information

• Program Outline for Mass

• Program Outline for Ceremony (no communion) 

• Post-Marriage Civil Information

• Marriage Preparation Sessions (Pre-Cana) 

At least one member of the couple must be Roman Catholic. We also encourage couples celebrating their marriage here to be registered, active, and participating members of Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. 

At least six months in advance.

Friday 3:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm & 2:00pm

Wedding dates are reserved after meeting with our wedding staff. First fill out the wedding inquiry form, then we will setup a meeting with you.

We are accepting reservations for 2026 and 2027 at this time.

The fee is $1,900 and this fee is mostly all-inclusive of preparation, paperwork, music and liturgy. A $950 deposit is due when the wedding is booked. The balance is due one month before the wedding.

The parish can design and print a wedding program using the parish template for an additional $125. Couples may also prepare their own program in accordance with parish liturgical guidelines. 

All couples are required to complete an approved marriage preparation program, commonly called Pre-Cana as part of the preparation for Catholic marriage. In addition to this, meetings with our parish staff and priest will be scheduled. Various forms need to be submitted and sacramental records will need to be obtained. All of these requirements will be reviewed with you at your initial wedding meeting.

Yes. The Catholic Church provides for marriages between Catholics and baptized non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between Catholics and unbaptized persons or other faith traditions.  

If either person has previously entered any form of marriage, i.e. civil, religious, or common-law, the Church must first determine that the person is free to marry in the Catholic Church. When applicable, a Declaration of Nullity must be provided before the wedding can be booked. This will be be determined during your initial meeting with Parish Staff. 

For Saturday weddings, rehearsals are held on Friday evenings at 5:00pm. If there are two weddings scheduled on Saturday, rehearsals may be held at either 5:00pm or 6:00pm

For Friday weddings, rehearsals are held on Wednesday evening, depending upon the church schedule.  Rehearsals cannot be held on Thursdays due to other church activities.

In order for the rehearsal to run smoothly, we only allow those directly involved with the wedding liturgy and have an assigned role to attend. As rehearsals are tightly scheduled, please arrive on time and plan for traffic accordingly. 

No. The parish musicians do not attend. The wedding rehearsal leader or priest will communicate details to the musicians as needed.

An outside wedding planner is welcome to assist with the non-liturgical aspects of your wedding, but the parish staff and clergy will lead your rehearsal.

No. Alcohol is not permitted on church property, and alcohol consumption immediately before the rehearsal or wedding ceremony is prohibited. Food and beverages should likewise not be brought into the church.

The church does not provide changing facilities, so the wedding party, bride and groom should arrive fully dressed and ready.

No. Because marriage is a sacrament of the Church, couples use the vows provided in the Catholic Order of Celebrating Matrimony rather than privately written vows. 

Personal words, letters, or reflections can be shared privately or at your reception rather than replacing the Church's marriage vows. 

Yes. Family members and friends may be invited to proclaim the Scripture readings or participate in other appropriate liturgical roles. 

Please discuss any visiting clergy requests in your initial meeting with Parish Staff.  A letter of good standing will be required.

Yes, but couples are encouraged to consider the child's age and comfort level carefully. 

No. Flower petals, rice and other various items may not be scattered inside or outside the church at anytime. This applies to anything that is thrown, scattered or left behind.

Yes. The parish Music Director will help you prepare all of your wedding music. Both the organist and cantor (singer) are included in the wedding fee. 

Musicians not affiliated with our parish will need to be discussed with the director of music. Do not make any musical plans before discussing the options with our director of music.

Additional instrumentalists may be possible with the approval of and arrangement through the Director of Sacred Music and Liturgy. Discuss options with the director before making any plans.

Yes, within the parish's liturgical and safety guidelines. 

The beauty and architecture of Saint Mary of the Lake already provides a significant setting for the celebration, so decorations should complement rather than overwhelm the church. 

We recommend two simple floral arrangements only. But even this may not be necessary.

Existing seasonal decorations, flowers, candles, banners, and liturgical furnishings may not be removed or altered. 

Balloons are never permitted inside the church and may not be released on church property. Please don’t bring balloons to the church.

No. Aisle runners are not permitted for liturgical and safety reasons. 

No. Rice, birdseed, confetti, flower petals, sparklers, balloons, butterflies, bubbles, and similar items may not be thrown or released inside or outside the church. Simply do not throw or release anything at anytime while inside or outside the church.

These restrictions are in place because the church remains in continual use and for reasons of safety, maintenance, and scheduling. 

Balloons are never permitted in the church or permitted to be released on parish property.

Bubbles leave behind slippery and sticky surfaces that cause a fall hazard.

Animals are not permitted as part of the wedding ceremony or church décor. 

Yes. Couples are welcome to hire professional photographers and videographers, but they must follow the parish's photography and videography guidelines. 

No. Flash photography and additional video lighting are not permitted while the wedding liturgy is taking place. 

Yes, but the time is limited. 

We allot approximately 15 minutes for post-ceremony photographs. If the wedding begins late, photography time may be shortened or eliminated because the church schedule must continue.

Yes. Parking is available in the church lot on the north side of Saint Mary of the Lake, accessible from Sheridan Road. 

Because the parish may have other liturgies and events following your wedding, guests should move their vehicles promptly after the rehearsal or ceremony. Our lot is monitored and cars cannot be left in the lot after your rehearsal or ceremony.

The church is fully heated and air conditioned.

Yes. Accessible entry is available at the front entrance from Sheridan Road, and public restrooms are available inside the church. 

No. Receiving lines and guest books are not permitted at the church because of the time required between parish liturgies and events. 

Couples are encouraged to greet guests more fully at the reception. 

Punctuality is extremely important. We all know that Chicago is very busy, especially in the Summer months and our church is close to the lake and to Wrigley Field. Plan ample time to allow for street closures, games, concerts, festivals, reroutes and various other situations that will make you late.

Weddings, rehearsals, staff schedules, photography, and other parish liturgies are scheduled around one another. It is at the discretion of the priest as to how the ceremony is shortened if you are late. Post-ceremony pictures are not be possible when weddings start late.