For many years, Catholics from Chicago and throughout the U.S. have chosen to marry at St. Michael in Old Town. The church’s beautiful interior, its long history, 1,300 main floor guest capacity, 125-foot main aisle, historic Kilgen pipe organ, and adjacent parking lot make it the perfect place for this special occasion. The church also has a courtyard across the plaza, perfect for photos – weather permitting!
We will be happy to work with you to plan your wedding celebration. Here you will find important information to help begin your planning:
The Archdiocese of Chicago recommends making wedding arrangements at least six months prior to the ceremony. To be sure your preferred date is available, we recommend contacting St. Michael’s even sooner than that, if possible.
Friday weddings are scheduled for 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Saturday weddings are scheduled for 12:30, 3:00, and 6:30 p.m. With demand as it is, we will consider a wedding any day of the week. All wedding times must be approved by St. Michael's wedding scheduler and the priest witnessing the wedding.
To begin the planning process and determine available dates and times, contact the wedding scheduler,
Toni Dunning.
For a larger wedding with many guests, you’ll want the church. There are four seating areas, separated by three aisles, with great sight lines. The church can seat more than 1,700 people.
Music in the church is provided by the historic Kilgen pipe organ and the trained musicians that are on staff at St. Michael.
The Ancilla Domini Chapel is a perfect location for a smaller, more intimate wedding, a space that will hold up to 25 people. Music in the chapel is provided by a baby grand piano and the trained musicians that are on staff at St. Michael. Scheduling for the chapel is fairly flexible is often easier, as there are often more dates available.
Stipends for a wedding ceremony or Mass in the main church at St. Michael is $2,800, which include offering for the church, and stipends for the priest, cantor, music director, the wedding coordinator for the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. The couple and the priest witnessing the marriage determine whether the ceremony will take place within Mass or outside of Mass.
There are two options for weddings (ceremony or ceremony within Mass) in the Ancilla Domini Chapel. A $1,400 stipend is requested for the chapel and stipends for the priest, pianist, cantor, and the services of the wedding coordinator for the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. When no music is requested, a stipend of $1,000 is requested (for chapel and priest).
A deposit is required when the couple to be married submits a signed agreement to the wedding scheduler. The deposit is non-refundable, but the wedding date may be changed, subject to availability.
1. The Catholic Church requires couples to complete a PreCana Marriage Preparation program before the wedding ceremony. Click here to learn more about PreCana and view dates and register for coureses that will be offered.
2. There are also a number of documents you’ll have to complete, including:
3. Couples will also have to complete a relationship inventory program or couple check up with their priest. This program looks at how effectively couples communicate regarding their marriage expectations.
Couples should start the planning process at least six months in advance of the proposed wedding date. The first step, as noted earlier, is the work with the wedding scheduler to check time and availability, select a site (church or chapel), complete a formal agreement, and submit the initial stipend. At that time, you should contact the parish office to schedule your first meeting with the priest who will be witnessing the marriage. Things begin to move at a quick pace after that.
Six Months before the Wedding:
Three Months before the Wedding:
Two Months before the Wedding:
Can my family priest preside at the ceremony or Mass?
Of course. If he resides outside of the Archdiocese of Chicago, a Letter of Good Standing from his diocese must be sent to the Archdiocese of Chicago. The stipend structure, however, does not change.
May I request a specific priest from St. Michael’s?
Yes, provided that his schedule is open for that date and time.
Is there any flexibility regarding the times St. Michael’s can perform weddings?
The standard 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. times were set because they don’t conflict with other planned activities at St. Michael. We will work with you to be flexible, if possible, but any changes must be approved by the wedding scheduler and the priest witnessing the wedding.
How do we schedule the wedding rehearsal?
Discuss this with the wedding scheduler. Rehearsals are normally the day before the wedding, and the times are specified on the written agreement. It may be possible, schedules permitting, to change the timing.
How do we select the music for the wedding?
The Director of Liturgy and Music will be in touch with the couple to help with planning your liturgy. St. Michael Church does not allow musicians, who do not are not on staff or hired by the church, to lead the music during the liturgy. There are other opportunities for a guest musician to participate in the music at your wedding. To avoid hardship, please contact the Director of Liturgy and Music before making any liturgy or music plans.
Is there parking available at St. Michael?
Access to St. Michael's parking lot is not guaranteed. If possible, it will be available to all guests attending the wedding, but it cannot be assumed that the parking lot will be open for use by wedding guests. Efforts may be made to inform couples of a conflict at booking or as soon as the parish is informed about the conflict.
The priests and staff of St. Michael commit to working with you to make this wedding a most memorable day as you commit your lives to each other in the unity of Holy Matrimony. We look forward to working with you and exceeding your expectations.