Sacrament of Marriage

Planning a wedding can quickly become complex and overwhelming.  In order to help simplfy the process here are the guidelines for  having your wedding celebration at the Church of Saint Joseph

Please Note: Due to the large number of wedding requests only registered parishioners of the Church will be allowed to marry at St. Joseph's.

Setting the date:
Weddings must be scheduled at least 6 [six] months in advance.

Times slots available:
Friday afternoon          4:00pm  or  5:00pm
Saturday afternoon     1:30pm  and  3:00pm

Celebrant:
At the time the couple sets the date and time for their wedding,  they should also inform the Rectory Office which priest they would like to officiate at their wedding.

Church Offering:
The church offering for a wedding is $750.00. Plus a $500.00 refundable deposit and late fee.

• Newly issued copies of Baptismal Certificates
  • Certificates must be issued within six months of wedding date.
  • Original copies of the Baptismal Certificate are not acceptable.

• Communion Certificate – copies are acceptable    

• Confirmation Certificate – copies are acceptable

• Pre-Cana Certificate:
  •  Proof of completion of any of the Pre-Cana programs conducted  by the Archdiocese of New York, and attendance at the full day "Focus on Marriage" program organized at our parish are required.  The consulting priest will provide you with this information.

•  Pre-Nuptial Investigation:
  • After  you have completed the Pre-Cana program and have  obtained the newly issued Baptismal Certificates and other pertinent  documents,  an appointment must be scheduled with the priest or deacon who will be presiding at your Wedding. At this time he will collect all  the documents, and  will complete what is known as the  Pre-marital             investigation.  After this, he will set up a rehearsal date.

• Letter of Freedom: 
  • A Letter of Freedom is required from the pastor or parish priest of the bride and/or groom who is not a parishioner of St. Joseph's.

• New York State Marriage License:
  • The state license is valid for sixty days from the date of issuance.
  • It cannot be used, however, within the first 24 hours.

Readings:
All couples are provided with a booklet entitled Together For Life.

This booklet provides you with a large selection of prayers and  reading that can be used for your wedding. Readers should be chosen for the:  

• Old Testament Reading
• New Testament Reading
• Prayer of the Faithful

Please try to make sure your readers have good public reading skills  and are comfortable reading in public.

Music:
Music performed in the Church must be appropriate to the liturgy.  Popular music, Broadway songs or the use of recorded music  is not permitted.  All music is under the direct supervision of our Music Director/Organist.

Couples should  arrange to choose their musical selection by contacting the Music Director at least  two month before their scheduled date.  

Additional instrumentalists can also be arranged  through him. 

Rehearsals:
Date and time for the rehearsal will be arranged by the presiding  priest/deacon.  

Photographers/Videographers:
Our church is a sacred place, and the celebration of Marriage is a  sacred event.  Photographers and videographers are expected to be as  inconspicuous as possible.  They are not permitted to stop any action, come into the sanctuary area or walk across the front of the church.            

For the exchange of vows, they are permitted to stand in the center aisle.  All photographers/videographers must follow the directions  given by the celebrant.

Flowers:
Please limit floral arrangements to baskets and pew decorations.   
           
Miscellaneous & Safety:
For safety reasons, the following are not permitted:

• pew candles
• the throwing of flower petals, rice, birdseed or confetti
•  free-standing arches of flowers
•  balloons

Runner:        
For those wishing to use a white runner, the center aisle is approximately 100  feet in length.

Unity Candle:
While not part of the wedding liturgy or sacramental rite, couples wishing to have a “Unity Candle” can obtain this at any Religious Article store, or in most card stores. Please bring this to the church on the night of the rehearsal.

Punctuality:    
It is absolutely necessary that the wedding begins on time.  We realize that this is perhaps the most important day of your life and this day is surrounded by a lot of last minute details etc. Please be mindful of the fact that our staff members frequently have other commitments on the same day  as your rehearsal/wedding.  Similarly, our church may have additional services scheduled after your wedding.  In cases of excessive lateness, it may  be necessary to change a scheduled Nuptial Mass to a ceremony so as not to interfere with later services. In an attempt to keep things on schedule and to avoid confusion and disappointment, Please make every effort possible to be on time!