A Catholic wedding mass at the Cathedral of St Eugenes

Weddings

In the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, a man and a woman witness to Christ’s love for his Bride, the Church, through the covenant they make to each other. Their marriage commitment is also a reflection of the Holy Trinity, who is a community of persons bound in love.

  • The Catholic sacrament of marriage requires formal marriage preparation. Diocesan policy requires that this preparation begin no later than six months before the wedding date. For information on approved Catholic marriage preparation, please visit the Diocese of Santa Rosa website.

    Weddings may be scheduled in the Cathedral no more than one year in advance and require the approval of a priest. To contact a priest to schedule a wedding date, call the Parish Office at (707) 542-6984. Please print out our Marriage Booklet and bring it to your meeting with the priest.

  • A convalidation is the ceremony by which a marriage that is not recognized by the Church (for example, a marriage where one party is Catholic and the parties were married by someone other than a Catholic priest or deacon) is celebrated in the Church. It is very similar to a regular wedding but usually takes on a much simplified form. The preparation process is also similar to a regular wedding. Couples who wish to have a convalidation should contact a priest to begin the preparation.

  • At the time of special anniversaries, married couples can have a special liturgical celebration where they renew the wedding vows and receive a special blessing. The celebration usually takes place within the celebration of a Mass where the couple can have family and friends participate through reading the scriptures, etc. If you would be interested in this, please make an appointment with a priest well before the anniversary date.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • According to diocesan policy the preparation for a wedding must begin no later than six months before the scheduled date. You must meet with a priest or deacon to schedule your wedding, complete the necessary preparation and plan the ceremony. No weddings are scheduled more than twelve months in advance. Call the parish office to make an appointment with a priest or deacon.

  • Weddings are usually scheduled on Saturdays at 11:00am & 1:00pm. If you would like to celebrate your wedding on a day other than Saturday, please check with a parish priest for available dates & times.

  • Yes, in most cases. However, the Rector of St. Eugene’s must give prior approval for visiting priests or deacons before any plans are finalized. Priests and deacons from outside the Diocese of Santa Rosa must get approval from the Bishop of Santa Rosa.

  • Diocesan policy requires all couples to complete an approved marriage preparation program which must be completed prior to your wedding date. Allow six months for this process. Both Evenings for the Engaged and Natural Family Planning preparation programs must be completed. Contact your priest for more information.

  • A refundable deposit of $250 is required to reserve your date at the time the wedding is scheduled. The wedding fee is due one month prior to the wedding date and must be made on time to hold your scheduled time slot. The fee is $1,000. In addition to the church fee, it is customary to give a monetary gift to the presiding priest or deacon starting at $100.

    Price and times subject to change. Please contact the parish office for the latest information.

  • The maximum seating capacity of the church is 490. There are 24 pews on each side of the church. Each pew is 16 feet long. You may place pew bows on the ends of the pews if you desire. Clips, ties or other material is to be used and must be removed immediately following the ceremony. No tape, staples or glue is allowed — only materials that will not leave marks on the wooden pews is allowed.

  • Please speak to your priest or deacon for music and musician suggestions. The choice of music should be in good taste and in keeping with the religious nature of the occasion. All music must be approved by our Music Director, Pam Zieminiski. The Cathedral organist may be available to play the organ at your ceremony. Other vocalists & other Cathedral musicians may be available. If you hire vocalists to perform, we recommend that they make arrangements to come to the church beforehand to review the sound system. They can call the parish office at 707-542-6984 to schedule a time between 9:00-4:00 Tuesday-Friday to do so.

  • Yes, you may rent an aisle runner elsewhere and bring it into the cathedral. The aisle is 71 feet long.

  • Yes, a rehearsal is required to take place on an evening shortly before your wedding when the church is not in use. Please schedule your rehearsal when you reserve the church for the wedding.

  • The most common forms of wedding decoration in the church are pew bows, floral arrangements on the sides of the main altar and on the side altars. Flowers may be placed in front of the ambo (pulpit). No floral arrangements are allowed in front of the altar, nor may they be placed in locations that would inhibit the path of the priest or ministers. Flowers may be presented in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary after Communion. No unity candles are permitted during the ceremony. Wedding floral arrangements may not be left in the church after the ceremony. Parish liturgical decorations may not be removed for ceremonies. It may be possible to share flower expenses with other couples who have weddings scheduled for the same day. Call the parish office for pertinent information.

  • The church will be available one-half hour prior to the wedding for set up and pre-wedding photos. All photography must be completed and equipment removed from the church one-half hour after the wedding. There are no exceptions to this policy. Photos may be taken in the church using natural light with NO camera flash. No additional lights, umbrellas or screens may be used. Studio-type portraits of the bride and groom or bridal party should be taken at the studio or at the reception. During the wedding ceremony or Mass, the photographer or videographer is to show proper respect for the religious rites. Photographers and videographers are not permitted in the sanctuary area around the altar during the wedding and are expected to remain stationary during the entire ceremony. Videographers are limited to 2 cameras and may not plug into the existing sound system. No video editing equipment is allowed in the church. Make arrangements with the priest or deacon if you have any special needs for photography, such as the use of the choir loft and placement of video cameras. It is a good idea to have your photographer see the layout of the church prior to the ceremony. The photographer can call the parish office to schedule a time between 9:00-4:00 Tuesday through Friday to do so. Photographers & videographers must read and sign the information sheet.

  • The photo session must last no longer than 30 minutes after the ceremony. This is to accommodate any other services, weddings or the Sacrament of Reconciliation that may follow your ceremony. The priest or deacon will ask you to leave the church after 30 minutes if your session has not concluded. It is the bridal couple’s responsibility to advise your photographer and guests of this requirement prior to the wedding. The church must be completely vacated by 12:30 p.m. for an 11:00 a.m. ceremony or 3:00 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. wedding.

  • Throwing rice, birdseed, rose petals or any other objects is NOT permitted in the church or on church grounds. Please notify your guests of this policy.

  • It is the responsibility of the wedding couple to designate individuals to remove flowers, wedding decorations and other items immediately following the ceremony. We are unable to store any items without the prior approval of the priest or parish office receptionist. Florists may call the office if they are unable to pick up floral baskets or stands immediately following the wedding ceremony.

  • Yes, the Monsignor Becker Center may be available for rent, although availability is limited. It is recommended that the reception facility be reserved when scheduling the wedding. Please call the parish office for further information.