A wedding in the Catholic Church is properly called the Celebration of Matrimony.
When a Catholic marries another Catholic, the preference is to have a Mass with the Celebration of Matrimony occurring right after the homily.
When one of the spouses is not Catholic, the Celebration of Matrimony usually occurs outside of a Mass. There is still a reading from Scripture and a homily, but the Eucharistic is not celebrated.
Dates and Times
Weddings at St Austin's are generally scheduled for Saturdays at 11 am, 2 pm or 7 pm.
Other days may be possible, pending clergy and space availablity.
The Church is unavailable Saturdays from 3:30 pm - 7 pm due to Confessions and Saturday Evening Masses.
The Church is unavailable during Holy Week (March 23-31, 2024), Holy Days (August 15, November 1, December 8), and the weekend preceding Christmas.
Church & Parking Garage
Parish Church: 2010 Guadalupe St.
Those arriving via ride-share or shuttle can navigate to Guadalupe St to arrive at the main entrance.
Parking Garage: 1900 San Antonio St.
The parish owns a parking garage that is free-of-charge for any guests attending St Austin, including weddings and rehearsals.
Guests will have to pull a ticket to enter and then validate the ticket in the church lobby for 6 free hours of parking.
The priests and deacons of St Austin are available to preside at weddings by request. Visiting priests and deacons are welcome to preside with the permission of the pastor and a Letter of Good Standing provided to the Diocese of Austin. Only Catholic clergy can preside at weddings at St Austin, but permission may be sought for visiting clergy of other denominations to participate if requested by a non-Catholic bride or groom.
Weddings are a time to celebrate the family and friends who helped shape you, and in turn, how your lifelong commitment will strengthen you to bless others. We encourage you to integrate your friends and family into the liturgy, and we will discuss options for different liturgical ministers with you as the date approaches.
Sacred Music
Sacred music helps us to reflect on the profound and joyful mystery of God’s love that we celebrate during weddings. St Austin has one of the finest organs in the city, and the parish provides an organist and vocalist that is included in the overall fee for your wedding. You can choose your pieces from a list of recommended hymns and psalms for weddings. You can also discuss bringing other musicians or vocalists with the wedding coordinator, but all musical selections will have to be approved by the presider in accord with the religious nature of the occasion.
Photography & Videography
Before and After the Wedding
Photographs may be taken in the church before the ceremony and MUST BE finish at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
Photographs may be taken in the Church after the end of the ceremony, but the church must be cleared no later than 90 minutes after the wedding “start” time to accommodate other scheduled liturgies.
Please feel free to take photographs in the courtyard, also, but within these same time limitations.
During the Wedding
To preserve the solemnity and prayerfulness of the marriage ceremony, photographers and videographers may not enter the sanctuary (the altar area) or the room adjacent to the sanctuary at any time during the ceremony. They may photograph the wedding from a designated location in from the center aisle, behind the last seated guest. Positions for photography or videography in the balcony is limited to specific locations. The organist can provide you with this information prior to the wedding.
At no time are the aisles to be blocked by camera equipment nor are any wires permitted in the aisles even if they are taped to the floor.
The videographer is permitted to set up a stationary, “unmanned” video camera in the choir room adjacent to the sanctuary, however it must be started before the ceremony begins.
Lighting
In order not to detract from the religious nature of the ceremony, photos and videos taken during the wedding ceremony must be taken with available light only, without the use of flash, spotlights or floodlights.
Flash photography is permissible during the procession and recession only.
Flowers and Decorations
Floral Placement
Two floral arrangements may be placed on the back altar on either side of the Tabernacle.
Flowers (and other decorations) may not be placed in front of the Tabernacle.
No flowers, candles or decorations of any sort may be placed on top of the main Altar table.
Flowers may also be placed on stands in front of the Ambo (pulpit) or in other locations in the sanctuary. Within the sanctuary, ferns, greenery, topiary, and candelabra may be used in moderation and in good taste but may not be placed where they will obstruct the movement of the ministers.
Any unusual or very elaborate floral pieces must be approved by the Wedding Coordinator well in advance of the wedding. The wedding flowers on the back altar are to be left in place in the church after the wedding. Flowers placed in front of the ambo may also be left. Please add water to the plants once they are in place.
Candles
All candles provided by the couple or the florist, including free-standing candelabra, must be dripless candles in spring-loaded metal casings, and clear plastic sheeting (Saran Wrap) must be placed under the candles to protect the floor and other surfaces from dripping wax.
No candles, except the parish candles, may be placed on any altar.