Weddings
History
A Chapel for our Loreto students
Mother Gonzaga Barry had long dreamed of building a 'Children's Chapel' for her many pupils in Ballarat She had seen many beautiful churches in her travels overseas and noted their special features, such as a star-studded celing which she saw in the 'Ara Coeli ' church in Rome
She had very little money to complete her project, however, little by little donations from the Loreto community came in, and in January 1898 the foundation stone of the Loreto Chapel was laid Unfortunately, funds ran out only a few short months later due to unforeseen costs and building was put on hold.
A place to behold
The Chapel was built between 1898 and 1902 The architect was William Tappin and the builder was George Lorimer.
The Chapel is built in an English Cothic style with French influence. The stone used in this church is Barrabool Hills sandstone from near Geelong, with windows faced with New Zealand Oamaru stone.
The interior of the Chapel was not completed until 1906. The inside of the Chapel is decorated in soft pastel colours. The colour blue is traditionally associated with Mary the mother of Jesus. The stars on the ceiling represent heaven and walls have the symbols of the fleur-de-lis – this is an old French symbol used to represent Mary.
The legacy of the Countess
Mother Gonzaga's dream finally came to fruition in December 1902, largely thanks to the legacy of Countess Elizabeth Wolff-Metternich. Elizabeth had been a pupil at Mary's Mount and wished to enter the convent, however, she tragically passed away on a voyage home to Germany, succumbing to pneumonia after caring for a sick young boy on board the ship.
Countess Elizabeth had been very interested in the Chapel that Mother Gonzaga was hoping to complete, and according to a note from her chaperone, almost her last words on board the ship were "Rev. Mother shall have her Chapel."
When the Countess’ will was read she had left more than £15,000 to Rev Mother Gonzaga to be used as she wished. The Chapel was ultimately completed due to the foresight, spirit and generosity of the Countess
Wedding policy
Wedding policy and conditions for the use of the Chapel and College grounds
Please refer to the Loreto College Wedding Policy in the first instance.
The purpose of the Wedding Policy is to provide clear guidance on the accepted use and provisions of the Loreto College Chapel for weddings within the auspice of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat including access and use of the Loreto College gardens and grounds for the purpose of a wedding
As stated in the Wedding Policy, there are some specific conditions for the use of the Chapel: Please refer to the Wedding Policy for the full list of all other conditions
It is a privilege reserved only for certified Loreto College Ballarat Alumni/Past Pupil and/or Loreto Alumni/Past Pupil to celebrate their wedding through a Christian service in the Loreto Chapel within the auspice of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat. The Chapel has a capacity of 175 comfortably seated guests. (Extra seating requires additional chairs or very tight seating in the pews)
Loreto College is a NO SMOKING zone
Loreto College is a NO ALCOHOL ZONE
Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed on the grounds or in the Chapel by any wedding party and/or guests.
No confetti, rice, petals, bubbles or such inside or outside the Chapel
All photography/photographers must respect the significance of the Chapel and College grounds at all times.
Chapel and grounds hire time is 3 1/2 hours maximum from pre-opening Chapel to leaving the grounds
Flower arrangements and decorations must be delivered/set up within the rehearsal and/or opening times.
Wheelchair access is via portable ramps only
Bridal cars and disabled parking (drop off or delivery) only permitted on the grounds.
Preparation & planning
It's all in the detail
Booking the Chapel
The Loreto Chapel can be booked via the College Marketing & Development Office The fee for the Chapel for a wedding is $600 (contact details on back page)
A tentative booking can be made until a Priest and other wedding plans are confirmed and receipt of payment is mailed or emailed. The Office will be your main point of contact until the College Sacristan contacts you for rehearsal and final details at least one month prior to your confirmed wedding date.
Ceremony or Nuptial Mass
A wedding ceremony contains similar components to a Nuptial Mass, but does not have the liturgy of the eucharist or communion. A ceremony goes for about 30 or 40 mins, a Mass goes for about an hour.
Arranging a Priest
It is the responsibility of the couple being married to arrange a Priest/Minister to be available for the date you have selected for your marriage in the Chapel. Loreto College does not have a resident Priest or provide bookings for Priests through the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat.
Please contact the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat directly to request and arrange a Priest for your marriage (www.ballarat.catholic.org.au).
Please refer to the Wedding Policy for important details regarding marriages in the Chapel.
The Catholic Priest requires a minimum of six weeks notice especially where a non-Catholic bride or groom is involved, as some instruction in the Catholic faith, especially in regard to marriage is required.
Preparation & planning
Music, flowers & decorations
Music
The acoustics in the Chapel are beautiful
The Chapel is equipped with a sound system that can play CDs or connect to devices via an existing auxiliary cord
CD/Smartphone will connect via the aux cord - you will need to organise someone to push PLAY
Musician Quartets - can easily be catered for, we can suggest groups if needed
Pipe Organ - the heritage pipe organ can only be used by a trained pipe organist
Your choice of music must be submitted to the Priest/Celebrant for their approval and agreement.
Flowers & Decorations
Flowers and decorations are usually brought and arranged and/or delivered to the Chapel at the rehearsal or at opening time on the day of the wedding.
As the school is usually operational Monday - Friday, they can sometimes be arranged to be delivered before 5pm on the day before the wedding. You must contact the Sacristan and Development Office for this arrangement.
All flowers and decorations must be removed by the family before they depart the grounds unless alternative arrangements have been made.
Please confirm your flower and decoration arrangements with the Sacristan.
Photos in the Loreto Gardens
Loreto College is renowned for our beautiful manicured gardens. However, all gardens require regular maintenance and seasonal planting to ensure their splendour at key times of the year
It is important to note that the front gardens will be WITHOUT flowers in the flower beds due to soil preparation and replanting at the following times of the year, annually:
First week of December to mid February
Mid April - September
There are many areas of the gardens and grounds that are beautiful for photos but the seasonal garden beds will not be flowering at these times of the year.
Preparation & planning
Wedding Rehearsal
Role of the Sacristan
The College employs a dedicated Sacristan to liaise with past pupils for the arrangements of their marriage rehearsal and wedding day in the Chapel.
It is the role of the Sacristan to liaise with past pupils and care for the Chapel and grounds, in particular the sanctuary and the contents of the sacristies and specifics relating to the wedding day
The Sacristan will personally contact all brides a minimum of one month prior to the booked wedding date to confirm details.
The Sacristan will communicate with brides via the contact details provided on the booking forms.
A one-hour maximum wedding rehearsal time is organised in consultation with the Priest or Minister and confirmed with the Loreto College Sacristan one month prior to the wedding date.
The normal time is on the eve of the wedding from 5.00pm.
The Sacristan will be in contact with you to discuss the rehearsal approximately one month prior to the confirmed wedding date. The date, time and any decoration plans must be discussed and confirmed at this time.
The wedding booklet
All printed publications must adhere to Copyright legislation, including wedding booklets. All readings and prayers and most commonly used hymns must be reference cited according to Copyright
Please forward a draft copy of the booklet to the relevant Priest / Minister one month prior to the wedding, otherwise, full responsibility for any breach of copyright will rest with the couple being married.
Documents & Checklist Documentation required:
The Priest will require:
Birth Certificates
Baptism Certificates
Confirmation Certificates
Letters of Freedom from the Parish Priest (if not a resident of St Patrick's Parish)
St Patrick's Cathedral Office requires:
The Marriage Booking Form - Diocese
Other formal evidence of religion and birth certificates etc as required by the Priest / Diocese
Loreto College Development Office requires:
The return of the Wedding Information Form - Loreto College
The payment for the use of the Chapel. The fee is $600
(Please note booking is not confirmed until the fee payment has been received)
Wedding Checklist:
1 Tentatively book the Chapel with the College
2 Send the Marriage Booking Form to St Patrick's Cathedral Parish to confirm the availability of a Priest and to confirm your wedding date.
3. Once the Marriage Booking Form is confirmed, please send the completed Wedding Information Form back to the College with your $600 Chapel Fee.
4. Once you have received your receipt from Loreto College your wedding date is confirmed.
5. Continue to plan the finer details of your wedding.
6. The College Sacristan will be in touch with you approximately one month prior to your wedding to finalise and confirm details such as the rehearsal, flowers and music.
Loreto College Ballarat 1600 Sturt St Lake Wendouree 3350 P: 53296100
info@loreto.vic.edu.au
For Chapel bookings please contact the Marketing & Development Office E: development@loreto.vic.edu.au
P: (03) 53296100