Marriage

Chapel Fee: There is a $1000 Chapel Fee which includes chapel rental, a wedding sacristan for the rehearsal and wedding, and the Bellarmine Engaged Couples Retreat. If the Bride and Groom reside locally and will be married by a Bellarmine priest, their marriage preparations will occur at Bellarmine Chapel. There is no additional cost for preparations, including attending the Bellarmine bi-annual Engaged Couples retreat. 

• If a couple resides outside of the Cincinnati area, they will typically need to request preparation with a priest or deacon at a parish in the city where they currently reside at least eight months prior to their Bellarmine wedding.  

Additional Music Stipend: In addition to the Chapel fee, there is a $500 Music Stipend that is paid directly to the Director of Music Ministry, Roberta Whitely. The Director will select all musicians involved. The stipend includes the cantor, pianist/organist and the expertise of our Director. The fee includes a music consultation and selection, organization, distribution of music to musicians, sound system setup, and up to a one-hour rehearsal, if needed, on the day of the wedding. There is an additional fee for instrumentalists such as violin, cello, guitar, trumpet, flute, etc., and that fee will vary. At least three months before your wedding, you will need to directly email the Director of Music, Roberta Whitely, at whitely@bellarminechapel.org to begin planning and get answers to any music-related questions. Approval of any outside musicians must be obtained by the Director of Music Ministry. Any use of outside musicians will not eliminate the required fee.  

Presider Stipend: A minimal recommended stipend of $250 for the presiding priest and/or the preparing priest is encouraged. Any stipend is given directly to the priest/deacon.  

PREPARATION FEES WHEN WEDDING ELSEWHERE:

• Upon approval by the Parochial Vicar, there is a $400 fee for marriage preparation that covers parish expenses, including meetings, FOCCUS facilitation, the Engaged Couples Pre-Cana retreat, and the administrative organization and transfer of your file to the diocese and church where your wedding will take place. Please see the timing for requests and the process for approval noted above.
• The fee is due when the couple receives confirmation that their request is approved.

Fees for your deposit, preparation, and Chapel usage can be paid online here.

The couple is responsible for timely completion of all marriage preparation requirements as set forth by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and as directed by the priest or deacon completing the preparations.  

The Director of Marriage Ministries will assist the couple by answering any questions and facilitating progress in completing the requirements. Any questions during the preparation process may be directed to the preparing priest or to the Director of Marriage Ministries at marriage@bellarminechapel.org.  

Please see a list of sacramental preparation requirements per the Archdiocese of Cincinnati below.

PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI:

1. The couple will have in-person meetings with a priest, pastoral associate or deacon, depending on the parish. This person will assist you in filling out the official paperwork to document your preparation and will work with you to plan your liturgy. This process takes between two and four in-person sessions over the course of several months prior to your wedding.  
2. Each person completes a form called a M-1 insert that is printed and shared directly with your preparing priest or deacon. The information in the forms will be included in the priest’s M-1 form.
3. Each person must obtain a NEWLY ISSUED Baptismal Certificate within six months of the wedding date from the churches where they were baptized. Newly issued certificates must be given to the preparing priest/deacon for inclusion in the preparation file. Copies or digital images will not suffice. If a person is not baptized or a baptismal certificate cannot be obtained for some reason, the priest will provide a form to be completed and signed by that person’s immediate family member(s).   
4. The couple will complete an online FOCCUS Inventory which is similar to a compatibility survey. If the couple is being married at Bellarmine Chapel by a priest affiliated with the Jesuit Parish Family, the couple will meet in-person with an assigned married couple from Bellarmine Chapel for discussion about the inventory and marriage’s everyday life, joys and struggles. Couples should expect to meet with their FOCCUS couple two times.  
5. The couple is required to attend and complete a Pre-Cana Engaged Retreat. (See a description of the Bellarmine Engaged Retreat along with other retreat options on the website.) A copy of the completion certificate must be provided to the priest for the preparation file. If the couple is unable to attend one of bi-annual Bellarmine retreats, other options are outlined on the website. 

If a couple is living in another diocese and is being married at Bellarmine Chapel or if the couple is being prepared at Bellarmine and married outside of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati – each person must have two (2) MB forms completed by immediate family members with original (not digital) signatures. All MB forms need to be given to the priest to be stamped with a parish seal and will be included in the preparation file.

Preservation of Liturgical Items:
All liturgical items, including but not limited to the altar, ambo, statues, and other sacred furnishings, as well as any liturgical enhancements present in Bellarmine Chapel, must remain in their designated locations. No movement, removal, or alteration of these items is permitted without the prior written consent of the Pastor or Parochial Vicar of Bellarmine Chapel.

Restrictions on Alterations:
Visiting priests and presiders, family members, friends, wedding planners, the bride, groom, and any member of the wedding party are strictly prohibited from making any changes to the Chapel, including decorations or adjustments to its liturgical setup, without explicit approval from the Pastor or Parochial Vicar.

Seasonal Liturgical Decor:
During liturgical seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter, the Chapel will reflect the appropriate seasonal liturgical colors and decorations. These enhancements are integral to the liturgical identity of the Chapel and may not be altered or removed.

Fee for Unauthorized Changes:
Any unauthorized movement, removal, or alteration of liturgical items or Chapel decorations will result in a penalty fee of $500, which will be charged to the party responsible for the wedding booking.

“A marriage is not successful just because it endures; quality is important. To stay together and to know how to love one another forever is the challenge for Christian couples.”
Pope Francis, Address, February 14, 2014

Bellarmine Chapel offers a quality Retreat for Engaged Couples, led by a dedicated team that includes both seasoned and young married couples. The retreat reflects our Jesuit spirituality. We seek “God in all things,” led by God into a married life that is deeper and greater than we could have imagined.

The retreat is offered twice a year, once in late January/early February and once in late July/early August. You will need to register to attend the retreat here. For those marrying or being prepared at Bellarmine, the cost of this retreat is included in your fee. For those asking to attend the retreat from another parish, the fee is $200 and includes the program, materials, food and beverages.

Schedule and location:

The retreat begins with a Friday evening social hour and continues the next day with time to explore such themes as improving communication, enhancing intimacy, living the Sacrament of Marriage, and more – with time for each couple to focus on their relationship and to interact with other engaged couples. Materials, food and beverages are provided throughout the retreat.

Schedule: Friday evening from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Franciscan Sisters of the Poor St. Clare Campus, 60 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215. The retreat is held within Schervier Hall located near St. Clare Chapel. There is ample free parking available.  

Other Engaged Pre-Cana Retreat Options:

St. Xavier Church

Within our Jesuit Parish Family, an Engaged Retreat is offered at St. Xavier Church located at 611 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The St. Xavier retreat is offered bi-monthly on a Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration may be completed here. The workshop registration link is at the bottom of the page. There is a separate fee of $175 for this retreat upon registration.    

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

It is acceptable to attend the retreat offered by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Genesis Marriage Retreat. Follow this link to learn more. Please note that If you are participating in marriage preparation in another diocese, you will need to consult with them about available programs.

• Where do my guests park for our wedding? Non-ticketed wedding parking must be arranged through Xavier University Auxiliary Services/Parking Services prior to your wedding. The Director of Marriage Ministries will facilitate the request and then share information with the couple to share with their wedding guests. General parking information can be found here. Please note that for weddings, only one vehicle (no buses) will be permitted to park in the circle in front of Bellarmine Chapel. Arrangements may be made through Auxiliary Services for physically-challenged guests. For questions, status or application details, please contact Auxiliary Services directly at 513-745-4281. Click to view a parking map for reference.

• Does Bellarmine provide a Priest or Deacon to preside at our wedding? If the bride or groom is a local registered parishioner at Bellarmine, the couple will consult with the Parochial Vicar to confirm that he is available to preside. If neither the bride or groom is a registered Bellarmine Parishioner, the couple is encouraged to attempt to find another priest or deacon to preside. If no other priest or deacon is available, Bellarmine will attempt to assist the couple to find a presider.   

• May we have a presider outside of Bellarmine Chapel and/or the Archdiocese of Cincinnati? Yes, our Pastor will grant permission as long as the Priest or Deacon provides a Letter of Good Standing and is licensed in Ohio to perform weddings.  The process to become a licensed minister is efficient and can be accomplished through the website for The Ohio Secretary of State.

• Do both the bride and groom need to be Catholic? No, only one is required to be a baptized Catholic to celebrate the sacrament in the church.

• Does either the bride or groom need to be confirmed Catholic to marry in the church? No. While confirmation is highly recommended prior to marriage, it is not necessary. A baptized Catholic may marry even without having received First Communion; baptism alone is sufficient for the sacrament of marriage.  
• When will our rehearsal be scheduled? Rehearsals are typically scheduled at 5:45 p.m. (after the 5 p.m. daily mass) on the day prior to the wedding. Day and time will be confirmed by the Director of Marriage Ministries when the wedding is officially scheduled.
• Where and when do we obtain a marriage license? Please refer to this website. Your Ohio marriage license is issued by the Hamilton County Probate Court within 60 days of your wedding. Couples should bring their license paperwork to the wedding rehearsal.  After the wedding when all required signatures are gathered, the couple is responsible for returning the completed license paperwork to the Hamilton County Probate Court for proper filing.
• When can my vendors access the Chapel prior to the wedding? The Chapel may be accessed one hour prior to the start of the wedding ceremony and is reserved for 30 minutes after the ceremony for photos. Please note that any items brought in must be removed immediately after the wedding.
• Does Bellarmine provide live-streaming and digital recording of the wedding? Yes, however, the couple must contact the audio/visual coordinator and there is an extra fee required for this service. To arrange, please contact Greg Botos at greg.botos@gmail.com.
• How do we make sure our wedding ceremony details are communicated prior to the rehearsal? About 2 months prior to the wedding, the couple will receive a reminder of all wedding details. The couple will be required to complete a Wedding Planner and return it at least two weeks prior to the wedding. The Planner will be shared with the Wedding Sacristan to make sure that all plans and logistics are shared in advance. 
• How far in advance should we contact the Music Director to plan our music? The Music Director, Roberta Whitely, must be contacted at least three months in advance to assure that your wedding music is coordinated and approved. Her email address is whitely@bellarminechapel.org.  
• May we have outside musicians or vocalists? This must be discussed with and approved by Roberta Whitely.  
• Who will lead the rehearsal and make sure that we know what to do at the wedding? As part of your Bellarmine wedding fee, the Chapel provides a dedicated Wedding Sacristan that will lead your rehearsal and be present at your wedding to assist with all wedding day logistics. The Sacristan will have a copy of your Wedding Planner to follow your wedding day plan.
• Are there private rooms available for the bridal party prior to the ceremony? The Chapel and adjacent rooms are available for both the bride/bridesmaids and groom/groomsmen one hour before the wedding. If you have any special requests, please discuss with the wedding sacristan at the rehearsal.