1. The couple should have good pastoral reasons for being married in the College Chapel, rather than their home parish.
    
2. There should be a formal relationship between the couple and the College. At least one party must be either a current student, recent alumnus or a member of the faculty or staff of the College. Children of faculty and staff and alumnus are eligible if Saint Michael's College Chapel is presently their ordinary place of worship.
    
3. Those requesting to celebrate their marriage ceremony at the College Chapel should be practicing their faith.

4. Marriages may be celebrated at any time except on a Sunday, the last weekend of August and the first two weekends of September. Weddings can be scheduled at either one of three times on a Saturday: 10am, 1pm, and 4pm.  Weekday weddings are permitted if the scheduling of a priest/deacon can accommodate.  It is also advisable to schedule a time for your rehearsal. Please note that we do not offer a room for the wedding party to dress before the wedding.
    
5. Requests for permission to be married at the College Chapel shall be sent in writing to the Director of Edmundite Campus Ministry at least six months before the wedding. The request should indicate the pastoral reasons why the marriage ceremony should take place at the College Chapel and the relationship of both parties to the College Community. The letter must include a statement by the couple stating that they have read these wedding guidelines and agree to follow them.  A letter confirming the date and time of your wedding will be sent to you.
    
6. The music for your marriage ceremony must be planned with the assistance of Jerome Monachino, the Director of Liturgical Music.  He can be contacted by phone at (802) 654-2254 or via email at jmonachino@smcvt.edu.  All music at wedding ceremonies should adhere to the Music Guidelines for Weddings issued by the Diocese of Burlington.  There are no exceptions to these music guidelines as we are accountable to the Bishop's Office.
   
   Guest musicians are allowed only on a limited basis and only with prior approval of the Director of Liturgical Music.  The use of the Chapel organ is limited to members of the music staff.  Guest organists are not allowed.
    
7. Within six months of the wedding date, the couple should obtain copies of their baptismal records. These can be obtained from the parishes where the baptisms took place. The baptismal certificates must be recent ones and must be issued within six months of the wedding date. (Do not send original baptismal certificates).
    
8. If the bride is a Catholic, she must also present a written note from her pastor granting permission to get married in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel (Diocesan regulation). If the bride is a non-Catholic, then the groom must obtain the same type of written permission from his pastor.
    
9. The couple is required to participate in a formal Diocesan or parish approved "Pre-marriage Program." Such a program not only acquaints the couple with the spiritual, social, financial, and sexual dimensions of marriage, it helps the couple to deepen their relationship with one another.
    
10. There are three approved "Pre-marriage" programs: The Catholic Engaged Encounter, Pre-Cana and a Couple-to-Couple Program. Applications and information concerning the dates, times and places for programs in Vermont are available through the Diocese of Burlington, 351 North Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 802-658-6110. The pre-marriage program can either be completed through the Diocese of Burlington or in any Catholic diocese.  The couple must also complete the FOCUS Survey with the priest witnessing the marriage. 
     
11. Licenses are issued by Vermont Town Clerks.  If both the bride and groom are Vermont residents, you may go to the town clerk in either of your towns of residence.  If just one of you resides in a Vermont town, you must buy the license in that town.  If neither of you are Vermont residents, any Vermont town clerk's office can issue you a license.  Licenses cost $23 and are valid for 60 days from the date issued.
     
12. A donation of $250.00 to the Campus Ministry Stewardship Fund is requested of all couples celebrating their marriage at Saint Michael's College and should be mailed with the initial letter of request.
     
13. Visiting priests from outside the state of Vermont must obtain permission from the government to witness the marriage. Call 802-651-1518 to obtain the necessary application forms or write to: Chittenden County Probate Court, 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401.

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GETTING MARRIED IN VERMONT

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Questions and answers to help you plan your Vermont wedding:

Who can get married in Vermont?

A man and a woman who are each at least 18 years old can marry in Vermont. If you are at least 16, but under 18, you will need the consent of a parent or guardian. Your parent or guardian should go with you to the town clerk's office to sign an affidavit giving you permission to marry. (The affidavit is on the back of the marriage license and is a legal part of the license.) If one or both of you are under the age of 16 and a Vermont resident, you cannot be married in Vermont unless you first furnish the town clerk with a certificate from a probate, district, or superior court judge of the district or county in which the underage person resides. If the underage person is not a Vermont resident, you must furnish the town clerk with a certificate form a judge of the district or county in which the marriage will take place. By Vermont law, no one under the age of 14 may marry in Vermont.

Are there any other marriage restrictions?

Anyone under guardianship cannot marry without the guardian's written consent. Vermont also does not allow marriage between most close relatives. You cannot marry a parent, grandparent, sister, brother, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle. First cousins who are Vermont residents, or residents of another state where marriage between first cousins is allowed, may marry each other in Vermont. You cannot marry in Vermont to evade the laws of the state where you live. You cannot marry if either of you is currently married to someone else. The law also requires that both parties be of sound mind.

Do we need a marriage license? Do we need blood tests?

You will need a license, but you do not need blood tests, and there is no waiting period.

Where do we get a marriage license and how much does it cost?

Licenses are issued by Vermont town clerks. If both bride and groom are Vermont residents, you may go to the town clerk in either of your towns of residence. If just one of you resides in a Vermont town, you must buy the license in that town. The license costs $23, and is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. During that time period, an authorized person must perform your wedding ceremony--otherwise, the license is void.

What if we are not Vermont residents?

If neither party is a Vermont resident, you may get the license from any town clerk in the state.

What information must we provide to get a marriage license?

Besides basic information about yourselves (names, towns of residence, places and dates of birth), you must also provide your parents' names, including your mothers' maiden names, and their places of birth. (A certified copy of your birth certificate can supply most of this information).