Updated 9/10/26
Costs
| Venue | Max Capacity | Parishioner* (currently registered for at least 9 months) | Non-parishioner, in the Diocese of Orange* | From outside the Diocese of Orange** |
| Cathedral | 2,200 | $2,090 | $2,590 | $2,890 |
| St. Callistus Chapel | 150 | $2,090 | $2,590 | $2,890 |
| Chapel in the Sky | 80 | $1,950 | $2,450 | $2,750 |
| Arboretum | 800 | $1,790 | $2,290 | $2,590 |
| Large Gallery | 250 | $1,650 | $2,150 | $2,450 |
| * $700 non-refundable deposit is due and payable upon confirmation of wedding ceremony venue, date, and time (includes marriage preparation course). ** $500 non-refundable deposit is due and payable upon confirmation of wedding ceremony venue, date, and time (does not include marriage preparation course). Deposit is due within 7 days of confirmation of wedding date. Fees are subject to change and remaining balance due no later than 30 days prior to the date of the wedding. Fees are given to the parish and not to the priest/deacon celebrating the wedding. You may wish to offer him a thank you gift. | ||||
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Coordinator
A Christ Cathedral Wedding Coordinator will help prepare your wedding celebration.
- Assigned once your wedding date is confirmed
- They guide the bride and groom through ceremony planning per Christ Cathedral’s protocols
- Point of contact for: presiding priest, ceremony details, flowers, photographers, and rehearsal scheduling
- Present before and during the ceremony to ensure smooth, orderly liturgy and guest comfort
- Coordinates the wedding party, florists, photographers, and ushers on the wedding day
A copy of Together for Life will also be provided to help plan your wedding ceremony
Visiting Clergy
If you will have a Catholic priest/deacon that is not from Christ Cathedral celebrating your wedding, please have them follow the instructions:
- Handle and execute all necessary paperwork required of a visiting priest.
- If the priest/deacon is not a member of the Diocese of Orange, he will need to submit to the Rector a current letter of good standing signed by his superior/(arch) bishop. Please turn it in to the Rector two (2) months prior to the wedding.
- Obtain your delegation letter from the Rector two (2) months prior to the wedding
Catholic Wedding Rites
There are three different rites of the Catholic celebration of marriage. All three are valid in the Catholic church.
| RITE I – Within Mass | RITE II – Without Mass | RITE III – Between a Catholic and a Catechumen or a Non-Christian |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Rites • Welcome • Procession • Gloria • Collect | Introductory Rites • Welcome • Procession • Collect | Rite of Reception • Welcome • Procession |
| Liturgy of the Word • Old Testament • Responsorial Psalm • New Testament • Gospel • Homily | Liturgy of the Word • Old Testament • Responsorial Psalm • New Testament • Gospel • Homily | Liturgy of the Word • One or two readings *at least one must explicitly speak of marriage • Homily |
| Celebration of Matrimony • Introduction • Questions before Consent • Consent • Reception of Consent • Blessing and Giving of Rings [and Arras] • Universal Prayer/Prayer of the Faithful | Celebration of Matrimony • Introduction • Questions before Consent • Consent • Reception of Consent • Blessing and Giving of Rings [and Arras] • Universal Prayer/Prayer of the Faithful [Lord’s Prayer] • [Blessing and Placing of the Lazo or Veil] • Nuptial Blessing | Celebration of Matrimony • Introduction • Questions before Consent • Consent • Reception of Consent • Blessing and Giving of Rings [and Arras] • Universal Prayer/Prayer of the Faithful • [Blessing and Placing of the Lazo or Veil] • Nuptial Blessing |
| Liturgy of the Eucharist • Preparation of the Altar • Eucharistic Prayer • Lord’s Prayer • [Blessing and Placing of the Lazo or Veil] • Nuptial Blessing • Sign of Peace • Communion • Prayer after Communion | • [Holy Communion] • Lord’s Prayer • Sign of Peace • Communion | |
| Conclusion of the Celebration • Solemn Blessing • Recessional | Conclusion of the Celebration • Blessing • Recessional | Conclusion of the Celebration • Blessing • Recessional |
Table from Together for Life (pg. 10)
Readings
Please use the Together for Life book to help select the prayers and reading appropriate for a Catholic wedding ceremony.
Music
After confirmation of your wedding date, please schedule a meeting with the Christ Cathedral Music Administrator, Lauren McCaul, to plan your music selection for your wedding.
All music before, during, and after the wedding liturgy reflect Christian meanings, reverence, and faithfulness of the Marriage Rite, and is therefore sacred in nature and important that only sacred music is used for your wedding liturgy. Music selections can be found at Christ Cathedral Music’s website.
Weddings at Christ Cathedral are provided with one organist and one cantor who sings the sung parts of the liturgy and acts as the soloist.
The following Cathedral-approved musicians can be included for an additional fee:
- Cathedral Schola (4 person quartet)
- Cathedral Spanish Choir
- Cathedral Vietnamese Choir
- Contemporary Choir (young adults)
- Mariachi (must have received Mariachi Certification Training in the Diocese of Orange)
- Cathedral Instrumentalists
The use of any musicians not listed above must be trained in sacred liturgy and approved by the Christ Cathedral Music Administrator, Lauren McCaul.
Photography
Photographers/Videographers are to be unobtrusive as possible. In other words, you are to observe the basic “line of sight” rule throughout the ceremony. Please have the photography team observe the following guidelines. Contact your Wedding Coordinator for further details.
- Do NOT position yourselves in the following areas:
- In front of the center (nave) pews of front row seats
- In any part of the sanctuary area
- Flash photography during the ceremony is prohibited.
- Drones are prohibited.
- All photographs, videos, and livestreams are to be used for private use only and not to be sold or used for marketing purposes.
- Please speak with your coordinators for details and arrangements.
- Couples may take photos in the ceremony location and designated outdoor spaces following their wedding. Access to other areas is not permitted.
- Photo sessions are only allowed on the wedding day. For photography on a different date, a photo permit must be obtained from the Hospitality and Events Department. Call (714) 620-7920 or email [email protected]
| Worship Space Photographer Positions |
|---|
| Christ Cathedral |
| Chapel in the Sky |
| Arboretum 1 Arboretum 2 |
| St. Callistus Chapel |
Wedding Decorations, Floral Arrangements, and Props
Marriage is a sacramental ceremony. To maintain safety and cleanliness at each celebration, please observe the following guidelines. Contact your Wedding Coordinator for further details.
- Any existing floral arrangement or decoration present on the day of your wedding may not be removed
- No more than two arrangements are to be used in the worship space.
- The church does not provide any floral equipment, stands, or pedestals.
- All floral arrangements must be in complete readiness when brought to the church.
- All floral arrangements are to be delivered no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the wedding ceremony. We advise delivering boutonnieres and corsages to families’ prior to arriving to the ceremony to avoid last minute mishaps.
- No unity candles, other candles, or aisle runners.
- No flower petals (real or fake), rice, bird seed, confetti, and bubbles allowed during and after all wedding ceremonies.
- No animals are allowed inside worship spaces (excluding service animals)
How to Plan Your Wedding Celebration
- Wedding Arrival Time
Each wedding celebration must begin promptly at its scheduled time out of respect for the many liturgies and other activities that are scheduled at the parish. The church is on a strict schedule with many other obligations, responsibilities, and masses. Your party, parents, and anyone else in the ceremony should be notified that they are to be in attendance 30 minutes prior to the Wedding.
- Wedding Rehearsal
When a date and time has been sent for your wedding, you will be assigned a wedding coordinator. The wedding coordinator will secure your rehearsal date and time, explain the expectations, and guide you through your wedding celebration. Rehearsals will be conducted by the wedding coordinator and will last no longer than 60 minutes.
- Etiquette
The church is a sacred place of worship. Respectful behavior is expected from all who enter the church. Loud talking, shouting, smoking, eating, or drinking etc., are not appropriate at any time in any location. We ask that you, the bride and groom, to kindly remind your wedding party and guests of these practices.
Read Christ Cathedral Visitor Guidelines
- Reconciliation – Trilingual
It is appropriate for the Bride and Groom to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a way of preparing for your wedding day. You should plan to attend regular reconciliation times at the parish or set an appointment for a private confession in the days before your wedding celebration. Reconciliation time will not be available during your wedding rehearsal or on the day of your wedding. For your convenience, the parish reconciliation times are Fridays 6:00 pm and Saturdays 8:30 am.