The Marriage Ceremony
When meeting with the priest or deacon who will be celebrating your wedding, you should discuss the readings and other liturgical details.
The Cathedral does not provide decorations or storage, so delivery and removal must be made on the day of the wedding.
Time is provided to set up flowers only during the short period immediately before the scheduled wedding time.
Set up times are as follows: 9am set up time for the 10am wedding; 12:45pm for the 1:30pm wedding; and 5:45pm for the 6:30pm wedding.
An aisle runner and the tossing of genuine flower petals are not allowed at the Cathedral.
Artificial flower petals are allowed.
Candles may not be placed down the aisle or attached to the pews.
Wedding programs/booklets are allowed, but not provided by the Cathedral.
Decorations directly hanging on the pews are not allowed without special permission.
There are 23 pews on each side of the main aisle.
All flower arrangements must be prepared prior to their arrival to the Cathedral.
Remove the flowers immediately. Please assign this duty to someone in your wedding party. We are not responsible for any items left in the Cathedral.
If items have been forgotten, please have someone call the parish office on the Monday after the wedding to arrange pickup.
Florist Guidelines
All parts of the liturgy will conform to the Catholic Church’s standards for divine worship. Therefore, despite personal preferences, the decisions on what is appropriate for the liturgical celebration will be dependent upon the Director of Sacred Music, Phil Bordeleau.
The wedding fee of $1750 for the Cathedral includes the services of a Cathedral organist and cantor. If additional musicians are desired (e.g. trumpet, violin, flute, harp, etc.), arrangements can be made with several musicians who have performed at the Cathedral repeatedly. Their fees will be in addition to the wedding fee and have to be paid directly to the individuals who will be playing at the wedding. All musicians who perform at the Cathedral Basilica need approval from the Director of Sacred Music.
The best way to contact Phil Bordeleau is by email at pbordeleau@denvercathedral.org or by telephone at 303.839.0210
The bride and her bridesmaids are expected to dress modestly. If the top of your dress is low cut, backless, or strapless, you should wear a shawl or small jacket. The bride's legs should also be covered.
If you have a doubt about whether your dress is appropriate, you may submit a photo and have it approved directly by the Cathedral Rector. If it is not, he will suggest adjustments to bring it up to standard, by either adding fabric or adding a shawl.
More detailed instructions regarding attire will be provided when you come to schedule your wedding.
The designated photographer must consult the master of ceremonies at the Cathedral before the ceremony.
Common Rules
Posed Photography Times
Photography Locations
Photography Limits
Videography
The rehearsal is usually the day prior to the wedding, at a set time, and is usually booked at the time the wedding is scheduled.
Please be on time, and please advise all of your wedding party that they must be on time. One hour is reserved for the rehearsal, so come prepared. Other rehearsals or events may precede or follow your rehearsal.
The Cathedral Director of Worship will direct the rehearsal. Outside wedding coordinators cannot run the rehearsal at the Cathedral.
The Cathedral does not provide a venue for a wedding reception.
Bridal Room – The bridal room is for the convenience of the bride and her attendants. The bridesmaids should come fully dressed, but there is room for the bride to put on her dress, as well as sufficient mirrors for touching up hair and makeup. This room is available for only the one hour immediately preceding the wedding time.
All belongings must be removed before the ceremony begins. We suggest that you have one person remove all items and lock them in the trunk of a car, prior to coming into the Cathedral. Please be in the vestibule ten minutes before the beginning of the wedding.
We do not have a separate room for the groom and his groomsmen.
The Cathedral is not liable for lost or stolen items in the Cathedral proper or any other church area.
Please see our Visiting and Parking page and share it with your guests.
Alcohol or drugs are not allowed in the Cathedral or on the Cathedral grounds.
Rice, confetti, birdseed, etc. may not be thrown inside or outside the Cathedral by Denver City Ordinance.
The sound system is not available for cassette playing or any other electronic device.
The doors to the Cathedral will not be locked during weddings.
Liturgy/song books may not be removed from the pews.
Videography is strictly prohibited.