Marriage

 

 

St. Joseph’s Catholic Community

435 Monterey Avenue

Capitola California 95010

831.475.8211    (fax) 831.475.2601

stjosephs@stjoscap.org

 

 

Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Community

 

Congratulations on your engagement and your decision to marry in the Roman Catholic Church.  You join countless couples that, throughout the centuries, have shared this great sacrament with one another.  We, along with the entire church, rejoice with you and wish you God’s fullest blessings.

 

We are sure you have many questions about this wonderful as well as stressful time in your lives.  The church seeks to help you prepare to make your wedding day a Sacrament that will last a lifetime.

 

We hope the guidelines that follow will help you prepare for your sacrament and wedding day here at St. Joseph’s.  Please read these guidelines over carefully thus avoiding embarrassing and hurtful misunderstandings. 

 

At any time please feel free to contact the parish office.

 

Joyfully,

 

 

The Pastor and Staff of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why enter into a Christian Marriage?

 

Marriage in the Roman Catholic Church, besides being a legal contract, is a Sacrament that is, a sacred covenant in which a man and a woman publicly express their love for each other and commit themselves to a permanent and faithful relationship.

 

 


 

 

Who may marry at Saint Joseph’s?

 

Couples may be married at Saint Joseph’s if one or both:

 

Other considerations:

·        Catholic engaged couples sometimes inquire about the possibility of being married before a priest in a non-church setting.  The policy of the Diocese of Monterey is that all Catholic marriages be done in a Catholic Church setting.

·        A Roman Catholic priest/deacon is required as a witness to your wedding ceremony.  A visiting priest/deacon may officiate with the permission of the pastor of Saint Joseph’s and the approval of the Chancellor of The Diocese of Monterey.

 

 

 

When can weddings be scheduled?

 

Weddings may be scheduled on Saturdays between the hours of 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  Only one wedding is scheduled per Saturday.  Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays or between Ash Wednesday and Easter.  Rehearsals are usually held Friday evening at 6:00 pm.  All members of the wedding party are expected to be present for the wedding rehearsal. 

 

 

 

 


First step –

Call to make an appointment with our pastor, Father Matt Pennington.  At this time you may schedule your wedding date with him, taking into account his availability and that of the church.  You need to allow at least six months for your preparation.

 

Items listed below need to be obtained and/or completed. 

 

  1. A current copy of your Baptismal certificate.
    1. Contact the parish where you were baptized and request a current copy of your baptism record. (Not copy issued at the time of your baptism.)
    2. Ask them to include all NOTATIONS.            
    3. Also, if not included in the notations, dates and churches were you received First Communion and Confirmation
  2. Completed Pre-Nuptial Investigation form.
  3. Completion of a Sacramental Marriage Preparation Program.
    1. Saint Joseph’s uses FOCCUS
    2. If you are bring prepared elsewhere they might use a different program and that is acceptable
  4. Engaged Encounter Weekend.
    1. You are responsible for your own registration for EE.
    2. Copy of certificate of completion.
  5. An introductory Natural Family Planning Meeting.

      a.  Copy of completion certificate/letter.

 

The priest has no choice but to postpone the wedding if these items have not been presented in sufficient time prior to the wedding.

 

 

If you live out of our area and are being prepared at your parish you need to have your completed document package sent to our diocese forty days before your wedding date.  Here is the address:

                        Diocese of Monterey

                        Tribunal

                        P.O. Box 350

                        Monterey, CA  93942-0350

           

 

Remember, it is your responsibility to obtain your Civil Marriage License from the county not more than ninety days before the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Fees and stipends required for having your wedding at Saint Joseph’s

 

 

Parishioner                             $325.00 stipend/maintenance & church related costs

            +cleaning deposit          $100.00 (refundable fee)

            +Music             $300.00 (one cantor & one pianist)

(If you want additional musicians we will do our best to accommodate you and their fees will be at the going rate.  Contact music director below.)

At least $200.00 must be paid when your wedding date is confirmed and the balance 30 days prior to date.

 

 

 

Non-Parishioner                     $525.00 stipend/maintenance & church related costs

            +cleaning deposit          $100.00 (refundable fee)

            +Music             $300.00 (one cantor & one pianist)

(If you want additional musicians we will do our best to accommodate you and their fees will be at the going rate.  Contact music director below.)

At least $300.00 must be paid when your wedding date is confirmed and the balance 30 days prior to date.

 

 

 

Fees for registered parishioners wanting preparation only at Saint Joseph’s for marriage at another Catholic Church, please contact the parish office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music:

Music is an important part of your wedding ceremony/Mass. Please contact our music director Tom O'Brien at 475-8211 Ext 11, at the beginning stage of your marriage preparation to discuss selection of music and musicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers, decorating and clean up.

Please note:  The normal environment of worship space is appropriate to the specific liturgical season and may not be changed.  For example, the decorations of the church for Christmas and Easter are ordinarily quite festive, while during Advent it is very sparse.  We also may have decorations up for First Eucharist or Confirmation.  Be sure to discuss any questions with the office.

 

 

  1. Decorating may begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the wedding.  Clean-up must be completed within 30 minutes after the conclusion.
  2. Flowers may not be on high stands that obstruct the ambo, altar or presiders chair.
  3. Please use pew clips on the pews. You may not use tape, tacks or staples.
  4. Flowers are not allowed on the altar, organ or piano. 
  5. Aisle runners may not be used.
  6. Kneelers may not be used.
  7. You may not use unity candles or candelabras.
  8. No rose petals, rice or birdseed.
  9. Receiving lines and guest book signing must be held at the reception.
  10. Please appoint individuals to remove all your flowers, pick up programs, remove florist’s boxes etc.  If this is done the $100.00 cleaning fee will be refunded.
  11. There are no dressing rooms or waiting rooms available.

 

 

 

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We have read the complete guidelines and agree to abide by them.

 

Wedding Date:____________________________________________

 

Brides signature___________________________________________

 

Grooms signature__________________________________________

 

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Please inform your florist of our decorating policy and have them sign below.

 

Wedding Date:_____________________________________________

 

Florist’s signature__________________________________________

 

Business name and address__________________________________

 

 

 

 

Photography and Videotaping Guidelines and Policy Agreement

To be read and signed by couple and photographer/videographer.

The liturgy during which you celebrate your marriage is a sacred moment of rejoicing in prayer, song and gesture.  While we understand your desire to record this moment, we ask you to observe the following so that the sacred joy of this day will not be marred by photo and taping equipment and those who operate it.

 

There is no photography allowed during the actual ceremony.  You may have your photographer take photos during the entrance procession and final kiss and presentation at the conclusion only.  Videotaping may take place in a stationary, noninvasive location at the back of the church. You may use the church for 30 minutes after the ceremony.

 

I have read the Photographer/Videographer Guidelines and agree to abide by them.

(Return this to parish office at least two months prior to wedding.)

 

Bride’s Signature____________________________________________

 

Groom’s Signature___________________________________________

 

Photographer’s Signature______________________________________

Business Name______________________________________________

 

Videographer’s Signature______________________________________

Business Name_______________________________________________