Facility Information
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Flowers and Decorations--You may have as little or as much floral decorations as you choose. You may wish to collaborate with other couples who are being married on the same day as you about sharing the expense of flowers.
The florist may come in one-half hour before your wedding.
Tape is not allowed to secure decorations on the pews. Rubber bands or string may be used since they will not leave marks. Pew decorations will be removed after the wedding and discarded unless you wish to keep them. Please do not leave your flowers in the church. Please make arrangements to have someone take them after the ceremony. Any flowers left in the church will be discarded at the discretion of church personnel.
Please note that any decorations, banners or flowers in place for the liturgical seasons may not be moved or adjusted in any way. For example, we will not take down our Christmas trees for a wedding on December 27. Don’t laugh—a couple once asked if we would!
Photographs and Video—It is not necessary for your photo-grapher/videographer to speak with the priest/deacon. They are not permitted in the sanctuary during the ceremony and we trust they will be respectful as they perform their service.
Runner—The church is carpeted and to ensure your safety as well as your guests, the use of a runner is not permitted.
Rice, Confetti, Bird Seed, Balloons, Flower Petals—Rice, confetti, bird seed and flower petals may not be thrown due to insurance concerns and no exceptions will be made. Also, balloons may not be released into the air. Many couples are having their guests use bubbles or ring small silver bells.
Candles—Candelabras are not permitted. Damage done by spilled wax on the carpets is the reason this decision has been made. Pew candles are available for a rental fee of $100. St. Mary’s provides a beautiful Unity candle if you choose not to buy one.
Parking—Please request that your guests NOT block the driveways of the homes across from the church. This could result in being ticketed by the Pompton Lakes Police Department. There is ample parking behind the church.
Alcohol and Drug Policy—The consumption of alcohol and illegal substances is absolutely forbidden in the church or on any church property before, during or after the wedding rehearsal or wedding ceremony. The wedding party and wedding guests are asked not to come to the rehearsal or wedding in any form of intoxication. The pastor or presiding priest or deacon has the right to refuse entry to the church to any person he deems intoxicated—even if that person is a member of the wedding party. An intoxicated person is forbidden from serving as the Best Man or Maid/Matron of Honor. The pastor or the presiding priest or deacon will determine if any person is intoxicated.