Policy for the Sacrament of Marriage

Getting Started
At Saint Jude Parish, engaged couples are asked to initiate the process twelve months prior by calling Margie at 412-661-0187  ext 333.  A date cannot be confirmed until approved by a member of the Parish's clergy.
 

Introduction to the Sacrament of Marriage
Freedom to Marry
Date and Time
Marriage Preparation Programs
Final Completion of Prenuptial Questionnaire and Related Forms
Spiritual Preparation
Preparing the Liturgy
Music Preparation
Flowers and Decorations
Photography/ Videography
Other Important Information
Fees and Donations

 
Introduction to the Sacrament of Marriage
When the Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament, it is saying that the couple’s relationship expresses in a unique way the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. 
 
Freedom to Marry

It is important that before making any arrangements, the couple establish that each of them is both free to marry within the church. This must be determined through a discussion with the parish clergy.
Contact must be made with a member of the parish clergy at least twelve months before the desired wedding date.
 
 
Bride and Groom - The Priest or Deacon
The parish priests are available for the weddings of both parish members and non-parish members.  The couple is responsible for asking a parish priest to officiate their wedding.  If a couple would prefer, they are also welcome to ask a priest of their choosing to officiate their wedding.  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.  If both bride and groom are Catholic, the wedding should be a Nuptial Mass.  Deacons may officiate at weddings which do not include a Mass. 
 
 
Date and Time
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 2:00 PM at Saint Raphael Church and 4:00 PM at Sacred Heart Church.  At both churches, the time on Fridays is after 4:00 PM. 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 officiant.
 
Marriage Preparation Programs
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 available programs for marriage prep. 
 
An optional program for Natural Family Planning is highly recommended for every couple.  Click here to learn more and view schedule options.
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
 
Spiritual Preparation
Weekly participation in Sunday Mass, daily prayer, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are important elements of spiritual preparation.   The couple should seriously consider living as single persons before the wedding.
 
 
Preparing the Liturgy
The booklet “Together for Life” is a guide for preparation for the wedding. A planning sheet is included inside the back cover. It is important to collaborate with the priest or deacon to finalize the liturgy details.
 
All friends and guests are encouraged to share in the prayers and songs. Please note that with the celebration of Mass, Holy Communion is shared with persons of the Catholic faith who are spiritually prepared.
 
Persons selected to proclaim the Scripture readings should be of the Catholic faith and familiar with this role.
 
A wedding coordinator is assigned to facilitate the rehearsal and the wedding day.  The coordinator will contact you four to six weeks before the date of the wedding.
 
 
Music Preparation
Make an appointment with the music minister six months before the wedding by contacting JR at [email protected] or 412-661-0187 ext 126.  Before the meeting, please review the suggestions below and complete the Music Selection Form:

• Bride and Groom - The Priest or Deacon
• Sample Worship Aid
• List of Music Suggestions
• Wedding Music Selection Form

Flowers and Decorations

Photography/ Videography
Please keep the following guidelines in mind:
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 is permitted from a fixed position. Additional lighting is not permitted. Wires and equipment are not to be visible. Electrical outlets are not available.


Other Important Information
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.

Rice, confetti, birdseed, candy, bubbles, etc. are not to be thrown outside or inside the church.

While bottled water is permitted in the church, other beverages are not permitted [coffee, soft drinks, etc.].
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.

Weddings at Sacred Heart Church
The baptistery area is available for waiting or preparation before the entrance procession.
Parking for the car is available at the “Christopher 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.

Weddings at St. Raphael Church
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.


Fees and Donations
A “Parish Member” is understood to be a practicing Catholic, who is registered and contributing to the Parish for at least one year before their wedding. 

The suggested donation by parishioners is $350.

For non-members, the fee for a wedding held at Saint Jude Parish is $1,200. $300 nonrefundable is required once the date is scheduled.

A gift for the celebrant is greatly appreciated.
 
For all couples, the fees for other participants are given to the Wedding Coordinator the day of the rehearsal and are as follows: 
Music Minister: $250 
Cantor: $125 
Wedding Coordinator: $125 
Servers: $20 each (cash) 

All balances are due one week before the wedding date to the parish office – 310 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. 

Individual checks should be made for each fee.  Gratuities for altar servers should be made in cash.