Wedding Guidelines:
Planning Your Wedding at Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Welcome to St. Joseph Church! Our beautiful church is a wonderful place for couples to begin their new life together as husband and wife.
Contact the parish office at 219-932-0702 or saintjosephhammond@comcast.net with questions or to begin the process of arranging a wedding at St. Joeseph. More details can also be found on below.
STEP 1: The requirements
At least one member of the bridal couple (bride or groom) must be Catholic.
If either party (Catholic or not) has been married before, previous marriages must be annulled or the proper paperwork finalized. This includes weddings that took place outside of the Catholic Church. Inform St. Joseph of previous marriages when inquiring about available dates. Please do not let a previous marriage deter you from inquiring about getting married in the Catholic Church. Our pastor is willing to assist you with the annulment process if necessary.
If you wish to be married at St. Joseph but you or your fiance are not registered parishioners, then you would need to provide a delegation permission letter from your pastor.
There is a six month minimum requirement for marriage preparation. Weddings must have at least six months notice.
Both bride and groom must be able to be married in the Catholic Church.
STEP 2: THe Cost
There is no required fee for weddings at Saint Joseph Catholic Church. But a donation to cover the priest’s stipend is expected. If utilizing the services of the parish organist, a $100 fee is required to cover his services.
This includes the following.
The use of the church on the wedding date for a two-hour block. One hour for the ceremony, one half-hour before the ceremony for primping and details, one half-hour after the ceremony for formal photography.
A wedding rehearsal the day or two before the ceremony.
STEP 3: Celebrant & musicians
Celebrant
Our pastor, Father Mens, is available to preside as wedding celebrant. Yet family members or friends who are priests or deacons are welcome to conduct the ceremony as well; we just require necessary paperwork to be filed beforehand. Celebrants must follow the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Gary and be ordained for Catholic ministry. Non-Catholic clergy are welcome to participate according to the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Gary. Contact the parish with questions.
Musicians
The parish has an organist on staff that is available to play at weddings. Guest musicians are welcome at St. Joseph also. All visiting musicians, including singers, organists, and instrumentalists, must be approved by the pastor at least 2 months before the wedding ceremony.
STEP 4: Marriage preparation
Marriage preparations may take place at St. Joseph or at another parish. Father Mens is happy to provide additional information.
Before the wedding takes place, St. Joseph requires the following:
Sacramental records dated within the past 6 months
Adequate marriage preparation
If marriage preparations take place at another parish, you are asked to follow the requirements of the church where you are being prepared. The pastor is required to send the marriage file to St. Joseph so the information can be accurately entered into our sacramental records.
Marriage licenses can be obtained within one month of the wedding. We ask that you bring the marriage license to the St. Joseph parish office one week before your wedding so that the marriage certificate can be accurately completed for signature.
STEP 5: decorations
Flowers and adornments are allowed, but nothing that leaves a mark on our historic church. Tape, tacks, pins, nails, staples, and glue are not permitted. Decorations may be free-standing or attached with pew clips or ribbons in a way that respects the historic space.
Church furnishings must not be moved.
Aisle runners are allowed. Please note that our aisle is 100 feet long. Keep the dimensions in mind when ordering.
If you would like to visit the church venue, you can make an appointment by calling 219-932-0702 or saintjosephhammond@comcast.net.
Please do not throw rice or glitter. Clean-up is difficult and time-consuming, and poses a safety hazard for those coming to worship. Out of respect for those coming to worship and our very small staff, please refrain from distributing these or any items.
Step 6: Photography
Photographs are permitted before, during, and after the ceremony.
Photographers are expected to be as unobtrusive as possible. Movement in the sanctuary, walking on the altar, and flash photography during the ceremony are not permitted. Flash photography and respectful movement is permitted during the entrance processional and recessional. Photographers must be respectful of the space; appropriate attire is expected.
Pre-ceremony photographs may be taken. The church and grounds surrounding the church are available one half-hour before the wedding ceremony starts.
Post-ceremony photographs may be taken. The photography session following the wedding will end 90 minutes after the scheduled beginning of the wedding, in consideration for later weddings, parish events and parish staff. (Example: a 2 p.m. wedding will have until 3:30 p.m.).
