Rehearsal & Your Wedding Day
We kindly ask that you please take the time to familiarize yourselves with the information contained here. It will answer many of your questions and will help make your wedding a truly sacred celebration, a day which will run smoothly, with no surprises.
Of special importance is the schedule for the day.
The Basilica schedule is very full, as on any given day there needs to be time for parish liturgies, funerals, weddings, rehearsals, cleaning and maintenance. You have use of the church for exactly 2 hours, beginning a half hour before your scheduled start time, no more, no less. This schedule applies to all weddings. For example, for a 2:00 wedding, you have the church from 1:30 to 3:30.
It is imperative that your florist, photographer and videographer are aware of this schedule. They are not permitted into the Basilica to begin set-up or to start taking pictures until that half hour before the start time of the wedding (1:30 for a 2:00 wedding) and everyone must be completely clear of the Basilica at the two hour mark (3:30 for a 2:00 wedding). We are compelled to hold to this schedule even if the wedding gets started late or runs long, so it is in your best interest to be on time. In our example of a 2:00 wedding, if you didn’t start until 2:30 and the wedding goes until 3:30, then you would lose any picture time in the Basilica.
You are permitted to take pictures outside on the grounds, weather permitting, for as long as you would like. If you have any questions or concerns regarding policies and schedule, please contact Paul Scavone at the rectory ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
In addition to all the wedding information you've already read on our site, there are rehearsal notes and a questionnaire pertaining to the rehearsal. Again, this information is very important – please go through it thoroughly. The rehearsal questionnaire must be returned to the rectory at least two weeks before your rehearsal.
Events & Information
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
Archdiocese of Chicago
