Rehearsal Notes for the Bride and Groom


Please remember that your rehearsal is led by parish volunteers, and you can show your appreciation to them by being on time for your rehearsal. Being punctual is especially important because many times there are multiple rehearsals in one evening.

Rehearsal Schedule: Thursday 6:30 p.m.
Friday 6:30 p.m.

The Rehearsal

1. Please make sure that you return your Wedding Rehearsal Questionnaire to the rectory at least two weeks before your wedding. This will allow those involved with the rehearsal and the wedding to become familiar with the information and to insure that your rehearsal goes smoothly.

2. We will run through the rehearsal only once and it should take approximately 45 minutes. The rehearsal team will not be at church on the day of your wedding. The parish wedding coordinator will be there on that day to help you get organized and start on time.

3. The wedding rehearsal team will meet you in the vestibule of the church. Please gather your wedding party inside so that we may start on time. Anyone who will be in the procession should stay in the vestibule; all others should be seated at the front of the church. Any valuables, purses etc. should not be left in the vestibule as the church doors are open to the public.

4. Please do not come to the rehearsal or wedding with alcohol or under the influence. Please save the celebration for afterwards. Please do not bring any food or drinks into the church.

5. The church is a place of worship. Please make sure that those attending your rehearsal dress and act appropriately and respectfully. Gentlemen must remove hats. Children should be supervised.

6. Please help the rehearsal team get your wedding party organized and ready to go down the aisle.

Traditional Order of Procession
Groom’s Grandparents followed by Brides Grandparents (& escort if necessary)
Parents of the Groom (& escort if necessary)
Mother of the Bride (& escort)
(In the case of Cultural traditions) Primary Sponsors followed by Secondary Sponsors (as couples)
Bridesmaids
Children
Maid / Matron of Honor
Bride / Father (or escort)

7. Those reading the First and Second readings as well as anyone reading the Prayers of the Faithful (petitions) should have a copy with them at the rehearsal.

8. If you will be lighting a Unity Candle, giving your parents a flower at the Sign of Peace or taking a bouquet to the Blessed Mother, you will need to make sure that the items are given to the wedding coordinator before the ceremony begins. Choose someone reliable to take care of this task for you.

9. If you plan to go to the Blessed Mother, decide who will accompany the bride: the Groom, Maid of Honor, or mother of the bride.

10. Please do not bring the Unity Candle, wedding booklet, etc. to the rehearsal. We cannot be responsible for anything left in the church the night of the rehearsal.

11. Please let us know if you want your bridal party to come forward into the sanctuary to witness your vows. If so, Father will call them forward at the appropriate time.

The Wedding

1. You will have the use of the church for a total of 2 hours, from one half hour before the scheduled time of the wedding until one and a half  hours after that time.  For example, for a wedding scheduled at 2:00 p.m., you have the church from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m..  It is very important that each couple has equal access to the church for florist preparation, privacy and pictures.  Therefore, we ask that your entire wedding party and guests leave promptly so that everyone has the same privileges and accommodations.

 2. Please make sure that your wedding party arrives one half hour before the wedding is to begin.  Anyone who is to be in the procession should wait in the Baptistery.  This will give you privacy as your guests begin to arrive.  If you start talking to guests it can be difficult to break away and start on time.

 3. At 5 minutes before the start of the wedding, the wedding party should line up in the vestibule.  Any guests that are still arriving at this point will be directed down the side aisles.

 4. Please remember that only practicing Catholics should receive Communion.  Anyone in the wedding party who will not be receiving Communion should bow their head and the priest will move on to the next person.  Please remember to receive the sacrament of Penance within a few weeks of the wedding.  You may contact our rectory for help with confession.

5. Remember to eat something before coming to church.  We want everyone to get through the ceremony without fainting.

Events & Information

Weekly Bulletin

eNewsletter - Dec 5, 2020

Donate to IL Tax Credit Scholarships - info here

Santa Drive-Thru - Dec. 13, donate a gift! Info here

Worldwide Prayer Svc & Candle Lighting - Sun., Dec. 13, for the Loss of a Child, info here

Letters to Santa - how to here by Dec. 18

Simbang Gabi - Dec. 19 at 7pm, more info here

Mass Intentions - Details on how to request one here

UPP News- read the last UPP news, view the Program eBook, read Fr. Simon's letter, thanks to our business sponsors

Resources & Prayers - help during the Coronavirus

Ways to Give - GiveCentral instructions and more

Lectors - schedule 4th qtr

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Archdiocese of Chicago

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Queen of All Saints Basilica
6280 N. Sauganash Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60646
Phone: 773-736-6060   Fax: 773-736-6099
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