Once freedom to marry is established, a date and time can be confirmed.  For a wedding to take place, all the necessary requirements must be fulfilled.  Weddings can be celebrated on any day except Sundays* and Holy Days of Obligation. 

The wedding time for a Saturday wedding is 2:00pm at Saint Raphael Church and between 1:00pm and 4:00pm at Sacred Heart Church.  At both churches, the time on Fridays is after 4:00pm. Members of the group may arrive 60 minutes before the wedding. The wedding party must depart no later than 90 minutes after the scheduled time of the service. 

Rehearsals will generally take place the evening before the wedding and be coordinated with the wedding coordinator.

The couple is required to participate in a marriage preparation program. The program should be completed at least three months but no more than twelve months before the wedding date.  Typically, a couple should select and register for a program six months before the wedding.

Click here to view the approved programs for marriage prep. 
 
A Natural Family Planning program is highly recommended for every couple.  Click here to learn more and view schedule options.

The parish priests are available for the weddings of registered members of Saint Jude Parish.  A registered member is understood to be a practicing Catholic, who is registered and contributing to the Parish for at least two years before their wedding. 

If neither the bride nor groom are members of the parish, the couple is responsible for asking a priest to officiate their wedding.  A visiting priest is responsible for filling out all pre-nuptial papers, as required by the Diocese. If the couple plans to have an officiant from outside the Diocese, a Testimonial of Suitability must be obtained from the visiting priest’s order or diocese and sent to the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 

f both bride and groom are Catholic, the wedding should be a Nuptial Mass.  Deacons may officiate at weddings which do not include a Mass. 

Final Completion of Prenuptial Questionnaire and Related Forms
Official church documents are required for every wedding. The Prenuptial Questionnaire and related forms should be completed at least two months before the wedding by the priest or deacon who will preside at the wedding.  For some weddings, the paperwork will need to be completed more than two months prior to the date.  Questions? Contact Deacon Bill Hahn at [email protected].  
 
By PA state law, no wedding may be conducted without a valid marriage license.  To avoid problems on the wedding day, the Pennsylvania Marriage License should be given to the officiant before the rehearsal begins.

• For parishioners, the suggested donation is $500.00.  A parishioner is understood to be a practicing Catholic, who is registered and contributing to the Parish for at least two years before their wedding. 
• For non-parishioners, the fee for a wedding held at Saint Jude Parish is $1,200.00. A $600.00 non-refundable deposit is required once the date is scheduled.
• A gift for the celebrant is greatly appreciated.  The suggested donation is $500.00
• For all couples, the fees for other participants are given to the Wedding Coordinator the day of the rehearsal.  Individual checks or cash should be given for each fee.  Gratuities for altar servers should be made in cash.
  • Music Minister: $250.00 
  • Cantor: $150.00 
  • Wedding Coordinator: $150.00 
  • Servers: $20.00 each (cash) 
• All balances are due one week before the wedding date to the parish office – 310 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. 

In the event of cancellation, please notify the wedding coordinator as soon as possible so that we may release the date and inform our clergy and staff.  

• Sample Worship Aid
• List of Music Suggestions
• Wedding Music Selection Form

• Photographers should be as inconspicuous as possible throughout the ceremony. The church is not a public building, and the wedding is not a public event, but a sacred celebration.  The clergy and staff of the parish respect the professionalism of the photographers and expect that they in turn will respect the sanctity of the occasion.
• Upon arriving at the church, please have all photographers or videographers speak with the parish wedding coordinator.
• The Parish will not provide photographers with extension cords, ladders, or other items/props.
• Photographers and videographers are NOT permitted beyond the altar rail.
• Time is available before and after the liturgy for photographs. During the processional recessional, photos may be taken from the center aisle without disruption of the flow of the procession.
• During the liturgy, photographers are restricted to the side areas of the church.
• Stools and chairs in the sanctuary area are not to be moved or used.
• Videotaping, if permitted by the celebrant, is from a fixed position. Additional lighting is not permitted. Wires and equipment are not to be visible. Electrical outlets are not available.
• Live streaming of the ceremony is not permitted.  

• It is customary for the couple to provide appropriate flowers for the sanctuary of the church and they should remain in the church. The floral arrangements may not obstruct the view of the altar. The florist may enter the church one hour before the wedding.  No flowers are permitted on the pews. Tacking or taping anything to walls or entrances of the church is prohibited.  Flower petals and wax candles are not permitted.
• Pew bows are permitted, but they must be secured in place with ribbon or rubber bands only.  NO thumbtacks, tape, or clip-on holders are permitted.  It is the florist’s responsibility to set up such decorations.
• Candles or torches of any kind are NOT permitted in the aisles or attached to the pews.
• The florist or one of your family or friends should distribute the corsages and boutonnieres. 

• By law, alcoholic beverages are not permitted on church property at any time. The celebrant can refuse to preside at your ceremony if the bride or the groom is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• No food or beverages, including bottled water, are permitted in the church.
• Items are not permitted to be thrown outside or inside the church (i.e. rice, confetti, birdseed, candy, bubbles, etc.).  In addition, no releases of any kind are permitted outside or inside the church (i.e. doves, butterflies, balloons).  
• Restrooms are available in the vestibule.
• Please remember that you are responsible for making sure that the church and all the pews are clear of facial tissues, water bottles, etc. both after the rehearsal and after the wedding liturgy. You may wish to ask the ushers or other members of your family to ensure this task is completed.

• The baptistery area is available for waiting or preparation before the entrance procession. Parking for the car is available at the “Christopher Arch.”  Please note that buses and trolleys DO NOT fit under the arch.
• Parking is available at curbside or at the Activities Building [Shady and Alder Streets].
• Smaller weddings may be celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

• Dressing area: a small, but private, dressing area is available for the bride in the church vestibule (the main entrance to the church).  The groom may make use of the restroom in the church sacristy (the room near the front of the church where the priest prepares for Mass.
• Parking is available in the circular driveway in front of the church.  Please note that buses and trolleys DO NOT fit under the arch.