Requirements and Guidelines for Alumni who wish to be married at St. Thomas of Villanova.
The following requirements have been developed considering the requirements of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the traditions of our parish.
Marriage Registration Form for Alumni
The following requirements have been developed considering the requirements of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the traditions of our parish.
- Only Villanova University undergraduate alumni or current, active parishioners of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish are eligible to be married at St. Thomas of Villanova.
- Couples must complete and send to the Wedding Director a “Marriage Registration Form” (link) and provide a separate “Letter of Permission” from either the bride or the groom’s parish.
- Marriage Registration Form” has a top section (demographic information) and a bottom section (for pastor/priest validation and signature.) The bottom section can be signed by your intended priest/officiant or the pastor of your home parish.
- “Letter of Permission” is required by Canon Law and must be obtained from the pastor of the bride or groom’s home parish giving them permission to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage outside of the parish of either the bride or groom.
- Once the Registration Form and Letter of Permission are received, a date will be agreed upon and then a Letter Agreement/contract outlining Parish requirements and directives for the church & Pre-Cana will be sent for the couple’s signature.
- The signed agreement and payment (check made payable to St. Thomas of Villanova or via on-line giving website- insert jump link to giving page”) of $2,000.00 must be returned to the Wedding Director within three weeks.
- Weddings should be booked at least eight months in advance and may be booked as far out as twenty months.
- Alumni wedding times at St. Thomas are at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on Saturdays only. Rehearsals are held on Friday evenings: 4:00 pm for the 11:30 am wedding and 5:00 pm for the 1:30 pm wedding.
- The Parish is unable to engage or provide a priest for alumni weddings. Alumni may ask a Villanova Augustinian, their own parish priest, or relative or friend who is a Catholic priest. The officiant/priest should be confirmed at the time the contract is issued. For additional guidance, contact the Wedding Director.
Marriage Registration Form for Alumni