This is an exciting and joyful time as you prepare to celebrate the Bond of Matrimony. Begin your preparations early, but remember to pay special attention to your spiritual journey. We encourage you to pray together and integrate yourselves into our parish community in a special way during this period. This will help you to build a strong foundation for your married life. 

Before contacting our Wedding Director, please carefully read the Wedding Guidelines for St. Anthony of Padua Parish. 

After carefully reading the Wedding Guidelines, please contact our Wedding Director, Doris Bahr (weddings@sapparish.org / 504.205.6548) who will be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps, including how you can reserve a specific date and time for your wedding at St Anthony of Padua.  She will also provide you with a copy of the Wedding Contract. (No date is considered to be reserved until the contract is signed with the requested deposit.)

The following fee applies for weddings in our church:

• $2,600which includes:
  1. the use of the church (utilities, liturgical items, sound system, and ongoing preservation of our historic space and its furnishings depend on these fees)
  2. the services of our wedding coordinator
  3. sacristy services
  4. use of the parking lot
  5. security attendant for the parking lot
  6. organist and cantor
• A non-refundable deposit in the amount of $1,300 must be paid at the time the church is booked. The balance is due at least three (3) months prior to the wedding.
• $250 stipend to be paid to the Celebrant separately.

Registered, active and contributing parishioners may inquire about adjusted rates. (“Registered, active and contributing parishioners” are those who have been registered, participating in the life of the parish, and contributing financially for at least one year before attempting to reserve the church for a wedding.)

Vietnamese, Spanish and Portuguese parishioners may inquire about adjusted rates and policies.

• Weddings normally begin as follows:
  • Friday evenings (except during Lent) between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday at 11:00AM, 1:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

• Rehearsals are ordinarily scheduled Wednesday through Friday the week of the wedding. 

• To reserve your date:
  • The couple must meet with the Wedding Director to:  
    • Complete the initial wedding paperwork.  
    • Review the policies.
    • Pay the $1,300 deposit.  
      
      
• The Wedding Director will assist you in selecting music for your wedding. To help you choose your music, please refer to this list of traditional wedding music arranged for each section of the service.  Each of the suggestions has a link to a YouTube clip.