Saint John’s Abbey
and University Church
Wedding Policy

Saint John’s Abbey and University Church serves as the primary place of worship for the monastic community of Saint John’s Abbey. In addition, it serves the needs of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Saint John’s University, and Saint John’s Preparatory School. The needs of these entities have priority in scheduling use of the church.  The information below answers many initial questions.  For more information, please contact:

 

Saint John's Abbey Wedding Coordinator
PO Box 2400
2900 Abbey Plaza
Collegeville, MN 56321

320-363-3432

saintjohnsweddings@csbsju.edu

 

For the 2027 calendar year

Who is Eligible?

Those eligible for a wedding at Saint John’s:

  • Full-time students registered at Saint John's University and the School of Theology

  • Alumni of Saint John’s University and the School of Theology

  • Alumni of Saint John’s Preparatory School

  • Full-time employees (and their children) of Saint John's Abbey, Saint John's University, Saint John's Preparatory School, and the Liturgical Press.

  • Parishioners of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church

Wedding Dates and Times

  • The Saint John’s Abbey and University Church is available for weddings on available Saturdays of the year. Wedding services are always scheduled at 3 p.m.

  • The church is not available for weddings on major holy days (and also holidays) when they fall on or near Saturday. This would include Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Holy Saturday of Easter weekend, and holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July weekend, or Labor Day weekend.

  • Also, because of the traffic and campus activity conflict, we do not schedule weddings when there is a home football game, or on the weekend of Saint John’s University graduation, and alumni reunions.

Catholic Wedding Service

All weddings at Saint John’s take place in the Abbey Church according to the Catholic Rite of Marriage. Only Catholic wedding services are permitted, so at least one of the couple must be Catholic.

What is the Cost?

A $3,000 fee is charged for the use of the Abbey Church. Your marriage sacrament will be registered with our local parish here at Saint John’s, and confirmation of the marriage sacrament will be mailed to the couples’ baptismal parishes for recording as well.

A ‘hold’ may be placed on an available date for up to thirty days, and the reservation fee must be submitted by the end of that time to guarantee the church reservation for your

wedding date.

Access to Abbey Church

It is important to note that because of the many demands for use of the Abbey Church, the wedding party only has access to the Church for decorating and set-up from approximately 12:45 pm until the start of the 3 pm service, with clean-up completed by 4:45 p.m.

Rehearsal

  • The Saint John’s Abbey and University Church is available the evening before the wedding ceremony for a rehearsal -- from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Other times can be arranged based on church availability if requested by wedding couple.

Priest/Deacon

  • Each couple is responsible for arranging for a priest at their wedding. The priest/deacon may be from Saint John’s Abbey, or from the St Cloud Diocese, or from your home diocese. Or if you have a friend who is a priest within the Catholic faith, they may also preside. If the presiding priest/deacon is not from the Saint Cloud Diocese or Saint John’s Abbey Monastery, he is required to provide a Letter of Good Standing from his Diocese. (You may coordinate this with the Saint John’s Wedding Office staff.)

  • Outside priests/deacons must provide their own Alb and Stole and their own presider copy of the Missal.

Bride/Groom Dressing Rooms

  • The wedding party has access to the bride’s/groom’s dressing rooms in the lower level of the Abbey Chapter House anytime during the morning and afternoon of the wedding. The Chapter House is the building addition on the east side of the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church.

  • The wedding party is not allowed in the church for decorating until approximately 12:45 p.m. -- after the 11:30 a.m. Saturday Abbey Community Mass. Once worshippers attending that 11:30 a.m. Mass have left the church, you are welcome to begin decorating and using the space for your preparations. Thank you for being respectful of this request!

  • The wedding party is responsible for removing all decorations before you leave on Saturday. There can be 5:00 p.m. services scheduled for prayer and/or Mass, so plan accordingly and assign family and friends to assist you with this task.

Decorations

Acceptable Decorations

  • Wedding unity candles are allowed, and the couple is welcome to use the granite stands in between the pews and the altar for these. Please bring your own candle holders and matches or lighter. We only allow the unity candle – no additional candles for decoration.

  • Floral arrangements can be clipped to pews but care of the wood is necessary. (No tape or metal allowed on pews). Any cost to repair damage to the pews will be charged back to the wedding party.

  • Floral arrangements can be placed on the floor in front or on the sides of the altar (not on top of the altar). Floral arrangements may also be set on the granite stands in between the pews and the altar

  • Bubbles to celebrate after the ceremony are permitted outside on the Abbey Church steps; BUT no rice, bird seed, confetti, etc. If any clean-up for items thrown outside is needed, a cleaning fee would be assessed.

Unacceptable Decorations

  • No aisle runners are permitted. The brick floor does not accommodate aisle runners well – it can be a tripping hazard.

  • No tape, metal, or other ‘damaging’ material to attach decorations onto pews.

  • No electric or battery-operated string lights.

  • Flower petals cannot be thrown on the floor.

  • No candles except for the unity candle.

Refreshments

  • No food or drink is allowed in the Abbey Church. You may use the Chapter House bride and groom rooms for this purpose.

    • The wedding party is allowed to set up a light lunch or snacks in the downstairs area of the Abbey Chapter House by the bride/groom’s dressing rooms; NO ALCOHOL is permitted.

    • You may bring in your own food and beverages. There is a table in the space by the bride/groom dressing rooms. If food/beverages are brought in, we kindly request that clean-up of the area is taken care of by the wedding party.

    • Or, you can order food and beverages from Saint John’s Dining Services (320-363-2240).

Music

  • While still following Catholic liturgical guidelines, you are able to select your own music. Your priest can assist you in this process.

  • A listing of your musical selections must be provided to the Wedding Coordinator one month prior to your ceremony for review.

  • Two microphones are available for the cantor(s) and accompanist(s). Please confirm your needs with the wedding office.

  • Music stands are available upon request.

  • If cantor(s)/accompanist(s) would like a date to practice the music prior to the wedding, you must contact the Saint John’s Abbey Wedding Coordinator.

  • The Church bells are not rung for wedding ceremonies; they are used for monastic purposes only.

Parking

  • The wedding party is welcome to park next to the East side of the church in the “commuter” and employee parking lots (the area towards the Abbey Chapter House side.) In addition, all campus parking lots are open to wedding guests.

  • The East and West entrances are handicap-accessible to the Abbey Church. An elevator is available to access the lower level where the dressing rooms are located.

Photography and Videography

  • Photographers and videographers are welcome to be in church for your wedding.

  • Please speak with your priest/presider to determine what his wishes/preferences are for photographs during the Mass.

Drones

    • Drones are not allowed on the Saint John’s campus to video any part of the ceremony, neither inside nor outside of the church without the permission of Saint John’s Campus Security.

Church Environment

    • No food or beverage in the interior of the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church.

    • The Saint John’s Abbey and University Church is not air conditioned, and no fans are available for use.

    • The temperature in the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church during the summer can become very warm. For those who might need a cooler space before or even during part of the Mass, the Great Hall (building just to the west of the Abbey Church) has air conditioning and is open during the weekends.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

    • 90% refund if the wedding is cancelled more than 6 months from the reserved day.

    • 50% refund if cancelled less than 6 months from the reserved day.

    • A full refund less a $100 administrative fee if wedding is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the control of any party (military activation/duty or acts of God)