Marriage

The sacrament of matrimony is celebrated for a man and a woman wishing to be wed in Christian Marriage. The couple must call the parish before setting the date of marriage and at least 8 months prior to the desired date.

The sacrament of marriage is one that brings great blessings to the couple, to their family and friends, and the Church. Saint Joseph Catholic Parish strives to prepare couples for not only their wedding day, but for a lifetime of grace-filled blessings in the relationship that will help lead them to eternal salvation.

Saint Joseph parish has specific guidelines regarding marriage preparation and the ceremony that apply to both parishioners and non-parishioners alike. As exceptions are not typically made, please carefully consider the guidelines below before scheduling your wedding.

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Basic Requirements & Preliminary Prep

The Archdiocese of Denver requires a minimum eight-month preparation period before the wedding.

The couple should schedule an appointment with the Director of Weddings to begin the marriage preparation process. Preliminary preparation will include:

FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory
Marriage Preparation Class
Natural Family Planning Class
Attendance at St. Joseph parish’s Wedding Liturgy Class
- Note: The date for this class will be set at your initial appointment with the Director of Weddings.
If either person has been previously married, be aware that time must be given for a possible annulment procedure. Archdiocesan law prohibits the scheduling of a wedding until the annulment process is complete and an affirmative decision has been given. If an annulment process will be needed, please contact the Director of Weddings to begin this process immediately as it will take time.
If both persons are non-parishioner without any ties to the parish (i.e. parents or grandparents who are parishioners), the marriage request will be considered on an individual basis. Non-parishioners will need to bring their own celebrant, and make an offering to the parish.

Scheduling

Weddings are typically scheduled on Saturdays at 1:00 PM. Depending on availability, other days of the week can be scheduled. For a Saturday 1:00 PM wedding, the church is available to the couple from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM. With no exceptions, the wedding must be finished by 3:00 PM (including pictures and clean-up) so that preparations can be made for the Saturday 4:00 PM Mass.
The couple should contact the Director of Weddings regarding available dates for the wedding day. For up to two weeks, the parish will place a hold on the chosen wedding date. The date will be confirmed once the initial appointment has been set with the Director of Weddings and upon receipt of the wedding fees.

Wedding Coordinators

For all wedding ceremonies at St. Joseph parish, a St. Joseph Wedding Coordinator is required. A Wedding Coordinator will be assigned to you approximately one month before your wedding, and will assist with the rehearsal and the wedding liturgy.

If you request a “no see” wedding (the groom does not see the bride before the ceremony begins) or if there are more than six couples in the wedding party, then a second Wedding Coordinator will be needed and an additional fee will be required.

Liturgical Ministers

Master of Ceremonies and Altar Servers

A Master of Ceremonies is required at all weddings. Altar servers are optional, but they are nice additions, especially if the wedding ceremony includes a Mass. If needed, the parish can provide an altar server.

Readers

Two readers can be chosen for your wedding liturgy. When choosing readers, look for a person who is comfortable using a microphone and speaking to a crowd. A practicing Catholic is ideal; however, a practicing Christian of another tradition is also acceptable. A person from the Jewish Tradition may be chosen to proclaim the Old Testament.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

If Holy Communion is distributed under both species, the couple will need at least two people who are mandated as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to help distribute communion. To verify their mandation, the contact information of these individuals will be required. If needed, the parish can provide Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Wedding Expenses

The fees at St. Joseph Parish do not cover the actual cost of a wedding ceremony. An offering to the parish is greatly appreciated to help offset these costs as well as provides funds for couples who cannot afford the fees associated with a wedding.

If you are unable to afford any or all the fees associated with a wedding at St. Joseph Parish, we are happy to work with you. Please contact the Executive Assistant to set up a time to meet regarding your needs.

To receive an information packet, please contact Kimberly Tallman, Director of Weddings.

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The Ceremony

A Nuptial Mass is the usual form for the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony between two Catholics
A marriage between a Catholic and a baptized Christian is usually celebrated outside of Mass.
A marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person is always celebrated outside of Mass.

You will receive a booklet titled Together for Life, which contains the scripture readings that may be used in the ceremony and the texts for the Marriage Rite. Over the course of the months of preparation, you will want to prayerfully consider these readings and texts. Your choices will be discussed prior to your wedding with the priest or deacon who will be witnessing your marriage.

Forms

Marriage Prep Natural Family Planning Marriage Resources

The Marriage Ceremony

A Nuptial Mass is the usual form for the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony between two Catholics. A marriage between a Catholic and a baptized Christian is usually celebrated outside of Mass. A marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person is always celebrated outside of Mass.

Learn More

Have a questions about Marriage?

Contact Kimberly Tallman, Director of Weddings

Email Kimberly