Wedding Planning Worksheet

Please note there is an option to “Save and Continue Later” at the bottom of this form.

Engaged couples with weddings on the schedule should fill this form out at least three months prior to the wedding. The form is delivered to the wedding coordinators who will follow up with the couple to make sure all arrangements are made for the wedding day.

Key Details
Bride Name*
First Middle Last
Bride Phone*
Bride Email*
Groom Name*
First Middle Last
Groom Phone*
Groom Email*
Wedding Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Please indicate only a date that has been confirmed and scheduled with both the priest and parish office, not your desired date.
Wedding Time*

: Hours

Minutes

AM/PM

Please indicate only a time that has been confirmed and scheduled with both the priest and parish office, not your desired time.
Rehearsal Time*

: Hours

Minutes

AM/PM

Wedding rehearsals take place the Friday evening before the wedding date at either 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, or 6:00 pm. Special permission would need to be given to any couple wanting to schedule their rehearsal outside of these time blocks. Please indicate only a time that has been confirmed with the priest and the parish office.
Celebrant Name*
First Last
The priests of the parish prepare all couples and officiate at weddings. Roman Catholic priests or deacons who are relatives or close personal friends are welcome to officiate at weddings if they are in good standing with their bishop or religious superior and have the religious and civil authority to officiate at marriages for the Commonwealth of Virginia. A letter of suitability must be requested by any priest from outside the Diocese of Arlington, to be delivered to the parish office prior to the wedding.
Additional Celebrant(s)
Nuptial Mass Details and Selections
Wedding Type*
If you are selecting a simple ceremony, please be sure to also fill out the simple ceremony agreement form.
First Reading*
First Reader Name*
First Last
Second Reading*
Second Reader Name*
First Last
Responsorial Psalm*
Will the responsorial psalm be read or sung?*
Responsorial Psalm Reader/Singer Name*
First Last
Gospel Reading*
Prayer of the Faithful Reader*
First Last
Will you have wedding programs?*
The program must be submitted to the wedding coordinators for review at least two weeks prior to the print date.
Will you have ushers available to hand out the programs and assist with seating the guests? If so, please list the names of your ushers.*
It is customary but not required for the groomsmen to serve as ushers. The ushers should arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the wedding. You can plan on guests arriving between 45-30 minutes prior to the start of the wedding. If you do not have people handing out the programs we will provide baskets for the back of the church where your programs will be placed and guests can pick them up. We have samples of programs that we can share with you digitally or you can schedule an in person meeting to review the program samples.
Will there be an offertory procession (for nuptial Mass only)?*
If there will be an offertory procession, who will bring up the gifts?*
Only Catholic wedding guests should be asked to bring up the gifts.
Will altar boys serve during the Mass?*
Please request altar boys with the parish office two months in advance.
If you will provide altar boys, please indicate their names and current parishes.
Expected Number of Guests*
Expected Number of Catholics Receiving Communion*
Special Additions to Ceremony
Please indicate here any special rituals such as handfasting, wedding lasso, etc. that you plan to add to your ceremony. Please note that this should be discussed in advance with the priest preparing you.
Procession Information
At What Time Will the Bride Arrive to the Church?*
St. Mary's can provide a waiting area for thirty minutes prior to the wedding start time. Please select "Yes" in the next question if you are interested in this option.
Will the Bride and Bridesmaids Require the Waiting Area for 30 Minutes Prior to the Wedding?*
Please list any special guests who should be seated in reserved seating before the procession.*
The entrance procession recommended by the Church for weddings is different from current popular practice. If you are interested in learning more about this, please ask the priest preparing you for marriage.
Please list the groom's mother and her escort's name.*
Please list the bride's mother and her escort's name.*
Flower Girl Name & Age
Ring Bearer Name & Age
Best Man Name*
First Last
How many groomsmen will you have (excluding best man)?*
Maid/Matron of Honor Name*
First Last
How many bridesmaids will you have (excluding maid of honor)?*
Bride's Escort*
Please indicate the relationship either the father, uncle, brother, step-father, or both parents and their names.
Order of Procession*
Please list the order from after the mother of the bride sits.
Reserved Seating*
Please list the reserved seating for each side to include who will be in each pew and how many pews to block. For example: first pew, left side- bridesmaids. 1st on right- groomsmen. 2nd pew left – bride’s parents. 2nd pew, right – groom’s parents. Please let us know of any family issues that might affect seating.
Music Arrangements
Please be aware that all music within the church is to be arranged through David Elliott, Director of Music. Please contact David Elliott at least 3 months in advance of your wedding date. David can be reached at delliott@stmaryoldtown.org.
Cantor Name(s)*
Prelude Selection*
Song for Seating of the Family
Song for Procession of the Bridesmaids
For example, Pachelbel's Canon.
Song for Bride's Procession*
For example, Pachelbel's Canon.
Additional Musicians, If Any
Would You Like to See Music Selections from Previous Weddings?*
Photography and Videography
Photographers and videographers must sign the agreement forms on the Basilica's website which the wedding coordinators can help you locate. The forms must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date.

You will be able to take photographs inside the Basilica according to this schedule:
10:30am wedding – photos completed no later than 11:55am
12:30pm wedding – photos completed no later than 1:55pm
2:30pm wedding – photos completed no later than 3:55pm
Due to busy schedules, this schedule is strictly enforced.
Name of Photographer*
Name of Videographer
Will you be taking photos in front of the sanctuary after the wedding?*
Please maintain reverential silence in the church during photographs. Group photographs on the front steps after the wedding may be done in place of photos in front of the sanctuary.
Floral Arrangements
Flowers for the Altar are arranged through the Mary Martha Guild- they will work within the church calendar and coordinate with weddings held on the same day. Please be sure to be in touch with the MMG 3 months prior to your wedding day. The suggested contribution for flowers is $300. Contact the MMG at MMG@stmaryoldtown.org.
Name of Florist*
Will you have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (small bouquet placed at the feet of the statue of Our Lady after Communion)?*
The devotional bouquet is arranged by the couple's chosen florist and typically handed to the bride by the maid of honor at the appropriate time during the wedding Mass. The MMG can provide exact dimensions needed for the bouquet.
Wedding Colors*
Please note that floral arrangements for the altar are arranged by the Basilica's Mary Martha Guild. Please be in touch with the guild at least three months prior to your wedding date. They can be reached at mmg@stmaryoldtown.org.
Other Wedding Vendors
Will Buses Pick Up the Guests After the Wedding? If yes, please indicate the number and size of the buses.
Where Will You Hold the Reception?
Where will You Hold the Rehearsal Dinner?
Are you using a professional wedding planner? If yes, will he/she be at the rehearsal and wedding?*
Additional Comments
Is there anything special we should know about your wedding?
Additional Comments for the Wedding Planners