Marriage

Preparing for Your Marriage

In the Diocese of Stockton, engaged couples are expected to participate in a marriage preparation program at least 6 months prior to their wedding ( /).
The Priest, together with the Marriage Formation Coordinator (MFC), will prepare the couple to be ready/disposed to receive the sacrament of marriage, forming them to fulfill God’s plan to be ready for a happy, holy, lifelong marriage!

At St. Joseph’s parish, couples must complete the following marriage preparation prior to their wedding:
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• Initial contact is with a Marriage Formation Coordinator for initial inquiry and paperwork review.

  • Baptismal Certificate: A newly issued (within 6 months) Baptism Certificate with notations for First Communion/Confirmation/Marriage status is needed from the original parish of Baptism.

  • Marriage License: A civil marriage license is required (purchase no sooner than 45 days before the wedding date).

  • Declaration of Annulment / Death Certificate - If you were married before, you will also need a copy of the annulment or a copy of your former spouse's death certificate.

• Couple meets with the Priest to become acquainted and start paperwork.

• Couple meets with their Marriage Formation Coordinator after booking the Church and the Rehearsal.

• Couple attends our 6 week in-house marriage prep course beginning at least 4 months before your wedding date.

• Couple completes a Natural Family Planning course through www.ccli.org.

• Couple contacts Music Director to arrange music for wedding.

• Bride, Groom, Lector and anyone processing down the aisle attend the rehearsal.

• Couple may meet again with priest to go over their consent and vows.

• Catholics should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the Saturday previous to their wedding.

We welcome you to our Church and pray that your marriage or convalidation will be happy and holy. St. Joseph’s wants everything to go smoothly and easily for you. The rules that follow have evolved through long experience with weddings in our church. Please call the Parish  Office at 209-551-4973 to provide your contact information. A Marriage Formation Coordinator (MFC) will then contact you for an initial inquiry call. Once you have your paperwork in order, the MFC will have you contact the Parish Office to schedule your first appointment with a priest. After you meet with the Priest, you will be contacted again by the MFC to schedule a 1-hour meeting.

Planning Your Wedding 

Scheduling

• Weddings are held on Saturdays at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm.

• In keeping with the penitential spirit of the season, marriages are not held during the six weeks of Lent. (Convalidations may take place during Lent.)

Dress Code
​A Catholic parish church is a sacred place which bears the real presence of God. A reverent and prayerful disposition must be adhered to at all times. Accordingly, apparel for the bride, the groom, the wedding party, the lector, and guests should reflect a spirit of modesty, dignity, and decorum.

Dresses which are backless, strapless, or have spaghetti straps, necklines lower than two inches below the collarbone, or do not cover the shoulders, or are shorter than two inches above the knee, are not acceptable during the ceremony itself or for photographs taken inside the church. If the style of dress you choose for yourself or your attendants would offend or scandalize Christian modesty, please make arrangements for alterations or a shawl, wrap or bolero type jacket that provides coverage to be worn for any activity taking place within the Church. Coverings cannot be sheer/see through/etc. (tulle and sheer lace are not sufficient). The Parish has off-white wraps which can be used, at the discretion of the Coordinator, if necessary. It is advised that you consult your Coordinator before making a final decision. Also, please note that these guidelines also apply to Wedding Receptions that take place in the Parish Hall.

Church Donations

The Church never charges for the celebration of a sacrament. For active Parishioners (confirmed by the Front Office), the use of the church and for the services of those involved the donation is $900 which includes the Cantor, Organist/Piano and the Coordinator. For all others, the fee is $1250. If you would like to receive the Sacrament of Marriage or Convalidation, you can have a simple 15 minute ceremony for an administration donation of $50.

Brochure
For further details on music, processions, and other elements, please see:

Contact

Want to get married here at St. Joseph's Catholic Church?

Call our office at (209) 551-4973 for information.