Guidelines for Marriage: Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

The Sacrament of Marriage is a sacred act which has to be respected with utmost reverence. In line with the Marriage Guidelines implemented by the Archdiocese of Cebu, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral has these provisions to be strictly followed:

I. Requirements BEFORE Marriage

1. Reservation by the contracting party is made personally at the parish office at least two months before the wedding.
2. Canonical interview of the contracting parties by a priest of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is made one month before the wedding, with Baptismal Certificate, Confirmation Certificate, Government Marriage License  (or Marriage Contract if already civilly married) shown to the priest.
3. Certificate of Attendance of one whole day Pre-Cana Seminar conducted in Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral or other parishes is to be presented.
4. Publication of marriage banns is made in the parishes of the bride and groom.
5. A written permission from the Archdiocesan Chancellor is required for mixed marriage (Catholic with non-Catholic), or if one is a non-Filipino citizen, and for those who cannot have the marriage banns published for serious reasons.

II. Important Information

1. Time for the whole ceremony should be limited to one hour and thirty minutes from processional to the end of picture taking to allow for another scheduled wedding or mass to follow. In case the wedding cannot start on time, such actions are to be implemented:
          a. 15 minutes late - no more homily
          b. 20 minutes late - no more homily, no more singing of offertory, Sanctus, Our Father
          c. 25 minutes late - no more processional, homily, singing of offertory, Sanctus, Our Father
          d. 30 minutes late - no more processional and picture taking, ONLY mass and wedding rites
2. Children who have taken first communion can only be ring bearers and flower girls
3. Only installed lectors are allowed to read the readings and prayers of the faithful and installed psalmists are allowed to sing the psalm.
4. Commentators and commentaries are prohibited during the mass.
5. There is no unity candle or bible blessing or any other extraneous rites to be added.
6. Cords made either of fibers or synthetic materials are to be used. Cords made of rosaries are prohibited. Coins should be loosed and placed in a pouch not in cagers.
7. There should be no offertory procession.
8. Two candles are lit during the singing of Sanctus, followed by the laying of veil and cord.
9. The veil and cord are removed during the singing of Lamb of God.
10. Only sacred music is allowed to be sung during the wedding. Secular and popular music are not allowed during the liturgy and within the church building. No music during the marriage rite.
11. Photographers and Videographers are not allowed in the sanctuary. Video cameras should be stationary. They should be properly dressed in polo or polo barong and wearing of t-shirts and shorts and slippers are not allowed.
12. The couple and the whole of the entourage are strictly asked to dress modestly