The Marriage Ceremony
Congratulations to the newly weds! May God send his blessings to you and the family you are about to start. The Cathedral Basilica parish strives to prepare you for a your wedding ceremony. Below you will find more details on the marriage ceremony.
For your wedding to go smoothly, you should have received a booklet titled Together for Life, which contains the scripture readings that may be used in the ceremony and the texts for the Marriage Rite. When meeting with the priest or deacon who will be witnessing your marriage, you should discuss the readings and any other questions regarding your ceremony.
The Cathedral does not provide decorations or storage, so delivery and removal must be made the day of the wedding.
An aisle runner and the tossing of flower petals are not allowed at the Cathedral for safety reasons.
Set up times are as follows for each wedding –9:00 am for the 10:00 am wedding; 12:45 pm for the 1:30 pm wedding; and 5:30 pm for the 6:30 pm wedding.
Decoration Guidelines
Flourist Guidelines
All parts of the liturgy are expected to conform to the Church’s standards for noble, sacred and appropriate expressions of prayer and celebration. As such, although many tastes in music are expressed by those approaching the sacrament of Marriage, the decisions on what is appropriate and fitting for the liturgical celebration, and the sacred setting, will ultimately be dependent upon the experience and knowledge of the clergy and staff of the Cathedral. For this reason, Mr. Phil Bordeleau, the Director of Sacred Music, will offer assistance and recommendations.
The wedding fee of $1750 for the Cathedral includes the services of a Cathedral Organist and vocalist. If additional or other musicians are desired (e.g. trumpet, violin, flute, harp, etc.), arrangements can be made with several musicians who have performed at the Cathedral repeatedly. Their fees will be in addition to the wedding fee and has to be paid directly to the individuals who will be playing at the wedding. All musicians who perform at the Cathedral Basilica need approval from the Director of Sacred Music.
The best way to contact Phil Bordeleau is by email at pbordeleau@denvercathedral.org or by telephone at 303.831.7010
Please keep in mind the solemnity and dignity of your wedding ceremony. Even though current fashions can be very revealing, there are many choices that can be made for the bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses. If the top is very bare, you should consider wearing a small jacket or a shawl (quite often an option for the bridesmaids’ dresses).
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please feel free to contact us at 303-831-7010 or email office@denvercathedral.org.
The designated photographer must consult the wedding coordinator at the Cathedral before the ceremony.
Common Rules
Posed Photography Times
Photography Locations
Photography Limits
The rehearsal is usually a day or two prior to the wedding, and is usually booked at the time the wedding is booked.
Please be on time, and please advise all of your wedding party that they must be on time. One hour is reserved for the rehearsal, so come prepared. Other rehearsals or events may precede or follow your rehearsal.
The Cathedral Director of Worship will handle the rehearsal. Outside wedding coordinators cannot come and run the rehearsal at the Cathedral.
The Cathedral organist does not attend the rehearsal.
Bridal Room – The bridal room is for the convenience of the bride and her attendants. The bridesmaids should come fully dressed, but there is room for the bride to put on her dress, as well as sufficient mirrors for touching up hair and makeup. All belongings must be removed before the ceremony begins. We suggest that you have one person remove all items and lock them in the trunk of a car, prior to coming into the Cathedral. Please be in the vestibule ten minutes before the beginning of the wedding.
We do not have a separate room for the groom and his groomsmen.
The Cathedral is not liable for lost or stolen items in the Cathedral proper or any other church area.
There are 14 parking spaces in the lot just east of Mary’s Garden. Additional parking may be found on the streets around the Cathedral or in parking lots that charge for their use. Parking is not allowed in the alley next to the Cathedral since it is a fire lane.
ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CATHEDRAL OR ON THE CATHEDRAL GROUNDS.
Rice, confetti, birdseed, etc. may not be thrown inside or outside the Cathedral by Denver City Ordinance.
The sound system is not available for cassette playing or any other electronic device.
The doors to the Cathedral cannot be locked during the ceremony.
Liturgy/song books cannot be removed from the pews.