Your Wedding at the Cathedral

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THOSE CONSIDERING THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR WEDDING AT THE CATHEDRAL.

At the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception we are committed to insuring that your wedding glorifies God and serves as a proclamation of the divine love, which is the ground of all lasting human love. In choosing to have your wedding in the church, you are choosing to make your covenant with each other before God and in the context of a Christian worship service.

For your convenience, we have developed an online process to initiate the planning for the music and liturgy elements for your wedding. The goal of this online approach is to give couples as much time as possible to review the information, listen to music samples, collect their ideas and sketch out as many details before meeting to discuss and finalize their wedding music and liturgy plans.

The FIRST STEP in this process is to contact Gail Monaco [816-842-0416 x124] to schedule a date for your wedding. After your date is "inked" in on the Cathedral calendar, the next step is to email the office of Liturgy and Music mpearson@kcgolddome.org for LOGIN information to access the information booklet, listen to music samples and complete all the requested information in the online forms.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WEDDINGS SCHEDULED AT THE CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

If a couple would like to be married at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church, how do they begin planning?

To check available dates, the couple should call Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception's executive secretary, Gail Monaco at 816-842-0416 x124.

How soon in advance of the wedding should a couple contact Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception?
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church suggests up to one year in advance.

When may weddings be scheduled at the Cathedral?

Weddings are scheduled at the Cathedral on Saturdays at NOON or 6:30pm.  Rehearsals take place the Friday before at 5:30pm for NOON weddings and 6:30pm for Saturday evening weddings. Weddings and rehearsals may not be scheduled Sundays, New Year’s Eve and Day, the week preceding Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve or Day, or when there are scheduled worship services. Weddings are not scheduled during the Lenten Season.

Does the couple need to be parishioners of the Cathedral Church to be married at Cathedral?
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception requires that at least one member of the couple be a registered parishioner. We DO permit weddings for couples who are members of other parishes. All couples getting married at the Cathedral MUST be affiliated with a Catholic parish!  They are as it were "renting" the Cathedral for their wedding. They must fill out the marriage registration form in their own parish as well as getting their marriage prep from that parish. They are also required to make arrangements with and bring their own priest to officiate at their wedding.

Can we book a date if one or both of the wedding party is in an annulment process?
The church says NOT to schedule a wedding until the annulment is granted.

What about photography during our wedding.

If you haven't already secured a photographer, may we recommend the Cathedral's resident photographer Mr. Paul  Chokota to you. Paul is a professional photographer of amazing talent.  His work is on display at the Cathedral and on his website.

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE OF HIS WORK.

Reflections by Paul
Paul'luc Chokota
PHONE: 816-520-2957
WEBSITE: www.reflectionsbypaul.com
EMAIL: paul@reflectionsbypaul.com 

Should we make our own arrangements for organist, cantor/choir and/or instrumentalists?
NO! CONSULT THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT BEFORE MAKING ANY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MUSIC/CANTORS/CHOIR/ORGANISTS/INSTRUMENTALISTS.  The Cathedral department of music will assist you in making ALL arrangements for cantors, organists and other musicians. Well intentioned family members and friends who are not professional singers and instrumentalists may potentially wreck your wedding because they are unfamiliar with the acoustics, logistics for the service and the music.  The online policy-guidelines manual fully addresses this item.

The Cathedral's principal organist Dr. Pearson is assigned to be present and play for all weddings at the Cathedral.  When he is unavailable, he will make arrangements with a staff organist to play for your wedding. Cathedral staff organists are Mr. Fred Crouch, Mr. George Hans, Mr. Jonathan Davis, and Sr. Claudette Schiratti.

OUTSIDE ORGANISTS/PIANISTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PLAY FOR WEDDINGS AT THE CATHEDRAL. Family and friends who are keyboardists are welcome to share their talents at your wedding, but they may not play for the entire wedding. 

Which music ensembles are recommended by the Cathedral  for weddings?

The Cathedral Music Department can assist you in hiring any additional musicians for your wedding. The Cathedral music department frequently works with some of the finest local instrumental ensembles such as the Panapolli Trio, Moment Musical, Serenade, Trio Fontana,Chaconne String Quartet, Kansas City Brass Works, Cantilena String Quartet and instrumentalists from the Kansas City Symphony. Please shop around! Contact all of them, find out their fees, instrument combinations are and make arrangements with them to play for your wedding.  Some are also available to play for your reception cocktail hour.  The wedding couple is responsible for making arrangements with any of the recommended string ensembles. Be sure to let Dr. Pearson know what you decide.  Single instrumentalists such as a trumpeter and string players can be hired through the Cathedral music office.

The Cathedral Schola is a professional choir whose singers are available to perform at your wedding. You may hire the entire ensemble of 12 singers or in groups of 4 or 8.

What if one person being married is Catholic and their future spouse is not? Is that a problem?
Usually not, but a special type of Church permission called a dispensation is required. Contact Gail Monaco or the presiding priest for your wedding for additional information.

What if someone was previously married and is now divorced? How does this affect planning for the wedding?
There are a number of issues that must be addressed surrounding the matter of a previous marriage. The couple will need to meet with one of the parish priests or premarital ministers to discuss their situation.

What are the suggested fees for a wedding service at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception?
Contact Gail Monaco 816-842-0416 x124 gmonaco@kcgolddome.org to get information about current Parishioner and Non- Parishioner rates for weddings at the Cathedral. The wedding fees paid to the Cathedral do NOT include the services of the cantor and additional musicians or the stipend for the priest or deacon who presides at your wedding.

May other Catholic priests or ministers from other denominations participate in the wedding ceremony?
Priests from other Catholic parishes or ministers from other denominations are welcome to participate in the wedding ceremony. Visiting presiders from other Catholic parishes are expected to be present at the wedding rehearsal and must follow all Cathedral guidelines and policies for weddings. Our Diocese has specific guidelines for ministers of other denominations who participate in weddings at the Cathedral. Please ask them to contact the rector six months in advance of your wedding for information.

May we write our own vows?
Vows written by the wedding couple are not permitted.

What is an appropriate stipend to give to the Presider for our Wedding?
The term "Presider" refers to ordained Clergy -- Priests or Deacon's presiding at your wedding. It is a courtesy and a thoughtful gesture to provide the presider for your wedding with a stipend for officiating at your very important day. While there is no set fee, they rely on your generosity showing appreciation to them for their time and preparation in making your wedding a meaningful celebration of your love. We recommend a stipend of $200.
 

What about parking during our Wedding?
Please let your guests know that NO PARKING is permitted in the Cathedral Towers parkinglot. The Cathedral has no authority over that property. They have a strict towing policy which is enforced 100% of the time. Guests who choose to park there assume the risk of being towed.

CLICK HERE for driving directions to the Cathedral and parking information.

What other information is helpful to those considering a Cathedral wedding?

Because we are the Cathedral Parish, of the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, we request that brides use prudence when choosing a wedding gown.  Modesty in bridal and attendant’s gowns appears to be a lost virtue. Strapless and low-cut gowns, although fashionable and popular are not appropriate in a Cathedral setting. If you select a strapless or low-cut gown, we ask that you also select a stole, bolero or short jacket to wear during the religious ceremony. Most bridal shops provide these cover-ups that can be easily shed when it’s time for the reception.  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Who should you contact if you still have questions after securing your date on the Cathedral's calendar and after reading the online wedding guideline booklet?

• Business, diocesan paperwork elements of your wedding: Gail Monaco 816-842-0416 x124 gmonaco@kcgolddome.org
• Questions about your wedding rehearsal, readings, readers, Eucharistic Ministers, servers, logistics etc: Deacon Steve Livingston 816-842-0416 x113 slivingston@kcgolddome.org
• Questions about music, organists, cantors, musicians, liturgy: Dr. Mario Pearson 816-842-0416 x119 mpearson@kcgolddome.org

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