Marriage Preparation

Wedding information and checklist

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!  We, the staff at St. Joseph's, have provided this information to help make your wedding day and wedding preparations go smoothly.  We are here to help!  If there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to call us.

SETTING THE DATE

Begin by making contact with the priest or deacon whom you would like to officiate at your wedding.  If you have no particular one in mind, call St. Joseph's and ask to speak to Deacon John Jennette. Contacting the priest/deacon of your choice should be done before booking a hall, and at least six months before the wedding.  Once you have a clergyman and a time reserved for the Church, it is safe to make a deposit to reserve a hall for a certain date and time.

IF YOU SHOULD CHOOSE A PRIEST/DEACON NOT ASSIGNED AT ST. JOSEPH'S, we will assume that he will be taking care of all of the preparations, the paperwork, rehearsal, etc.  If he needs our assistance, have him call us.

THE TIMES NORMALLY AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS TO START ARE:

Friday, in the evening

Weddings may be booked no closer than two hours apart, and no closer that two hours before any other liturgy.

A DONATION TO THE PARISH  is customary.  The suggested amount is $250, and any checks can be made out to "St. Joseph's Church". 

PLEASE BE ON TIME FOR YOUR WEDDING!  Often other ceremonies are scheduled to follow yours.

IF YOU DECIDE TO POSTPONE OR CANCEL your wedding, please immediately notify St. Joseph's, your priest/deacon, and any musicians you may have booked.  This date would then be available for another couple.

REHEARSALS are normally conducted by the priest or deacon.  Your priest/deacon however must book the rehearsal time so as to assure that the church will be free.  The times normally available are: Thursday evening at 5:00 or 6:00 pm or Friday evening at 5:00, 6:00 or 7:00 pm

On Thursday evening there is a Mass at 7:30 PM and on Friday evening there could be another rehearsal immediately following yours.   SO IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU GET ALL YOUR PEOPLE TO BE ON TIME (OR EVEN BETTER EARLY) FOR THE REHEARSAL.

MUSIC. We leave it up to you to contact our Music Director, Ms. Jini Vickery at (617) 471-2657.  It's advisable to speak with her after the 10:30 a.m. mass on Sunday, preferably no later that 3 months prior to the wedding celebration. She would be happy to assist you with any musical questions or if you are looking for additional musicians or singers.  If you desire Jini Vickery as your soloist her fee is $125.  The parish organist's fee is also $125.

TWO ALTAR SERVERS will be assigned.  If you have someone special in mind, let us know as soon as possible.  It is customary to give an offering to the 2 servers.  $20 for each is the usual amount.

LICENSE.  To get a license, you must go together to any city hall in the state.  They will give you the license.  It is not valid until 3 full days following your getting it, then it is valid for the following 60 days.  It expires after that.

A WHITE RUNNER/CARPET is optional. If you desire one, you can arrange it through your florist.  Our aisle is 80 feet long.

If you desire the use of a WEDDING CANDLE as part of your ceremony, you can buy them at any religious goods store.  During the wedding, the wedding candle will be on a special table, not on the altar.

If you choose to have BOWS on some of the pews, they may not be affixed by use of tape.  Please use large elastic bands instead.

NO RICE, BIRDSEED, CONFETTI, ETC.  inside or outside the Church or its surroundings.  It is very difficult to clean-up and dangerous underfoot.

If you would like the priest/deacon to come to the RECEPTION, send him an invitation.

Couples must complete a MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM formerly called "Pre-Cana" programs.  Deacon John Jennette will help you find a program.  He can give you the precise dates for you to reserve a spot.  It's advisable to call him as soon as possible.  Another excellent choice for a pre-marriage program is: "Engaged Encounter".  If you desire information on other options for marriage preparation, consult Deacon John.

BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATES. After your initial meeting with your priest/deacon, each party should call the parish where they were baptized and have them mail the "long form" of their baptismal certificate directly to the priest/deacon.  Do likewise with regard to your confirmation certificate.  You don't have to specify "long form" with regard to confirmation as there is only one kind of form.  It's best to call parishes for these certificates at a time their parish secretary is most likely to be in.

Your priest/deacon will likely give you a "TOGETHER FOR LIFE" BOOKLET which will help you choose the readings, prayers, etc. that will be in your wedding.  Complete the "Selection Sheet" checklist at the back of the booklet, and bring it to the rehearsal, or earlier if your priest/deacon needs it before then.

BRING IT TO THE REHEARSAL AND LEAVE WITH YOUR CELEBRANT the following: the offering for the church, organist and soloist, the gifts for the two altar servers, the license, the "Together For Life" readings checklist and the wedding candle (if you are going to have one).

IF WE CAN HELP YOU IN ANY WAY, DON'T HESITATE TO CALL ON US!