All those wishing to receive a Sacrament must have some form of Sacrament Preparation.
We hope that those who are about to make a lifelong commitment of love to one another will approach their decision with great seriousness, as well as with joyful hearts.
The arrangements for marriage should begin at least six months in advance. Please make an appoiment with one of our priests to process the paper work.
If one or both or you are under the age of 19, please allow for an additional month or so.
THE REQUIRED MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE
1. Documents Needed: Baptism, First Communion and Confimation Certificates; all the Marriage Prepation Certificate, and Marriage License or copy of the Civil Marriage Certificate. Please check below for more information.
2. First appointment with a priest: The date and time for the wedding will be reserved with the priest and “Form A” will be filled out. Couples may receive a book that will help them prepare their religious ceremony.
3. Reserve the Church for the Ceremony: After the appointment with the priest, the couple need to arrage the date and time for your ceremony at the church. Please contact the parish office to reserve the church.
4. Follow-up appointment with the priest: After you complete all the necessary preparation, the couple has a follow-up appointment with the priest for the purpose of finalizing the wedding date and “Form B” witness questionnaire. This form to be filled out at the last appointment with the priest. A parent of the bride and a parent of the groom must fill out this form. If parent is not available, someone who has known the individual for a long time may fill out this form.
5. Rehearsal: The rehearsal date and time will be set when the couple reserve the church. It is conducted by the Wedding Coordinator. She will attend the wedding to assist the wedding party before the celebration which will last about one hour. All who are involved in the ceremony should plan to be in the rehearsal.
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
I. Baptism Certificates
Baptismal Certificates should be obtained from the church of Baptism and dated within the last six months.
Note: As soon as the couple obtains the Baptismal Certificate, they will call the parish office to make the first appointment with the priest.
II. Marriage Preparation Certificate
1. Either Parish Marriage Preparation or Engaged Encounter Weekend
a) Parish Marriage Preparation is a program presented by a trained married couple. These classes are limited to a small number of engaged couples per class and are given in one of the parish rooms or in the home of one of the trained couples. The couple must attend all sessions. There is a donation for this program. Please contact the parish office for more information.
b) Engaged Encounter Weekend: The weekend is led by trained married couples. There is a donation for this program. It is recommended that the couple makes the reservation six months in advance. Visit San Jose Catholic Engaged Encounter for reservation.
c) Diocese of San Jose Marriage Preparation: visit Marriage Preparation of Dioceses of San Jose for registration, or contact the coordinator Diana Cuevas Ramos at diana.cuevasramos@dsj.org if you need more information.
2. Natural Family Planning Certificate
In addition to the above preparation process, you are required to attend an informational session on Natural Family Planning. For more information, visit Natural Family Planning - Dioceses of San Jose.
III. Marriage License
This is not Marriage Certificate. Marriage License is provided by the US Goverment. Please bring this to the follow-up session with the priest 1 month before the wedding.
Get the form at:
Santa Clara Clerk-Recorder's Office
County Goverment Center East Wing
70 West Hedding Steet, First Floor, San Jose, CA 95110
Certificate to be used within 90 days. Blood test is no longer required. For more information, call: (408) 299-5688
IV. Copy of the Civil Marriage Certificate
If the couple is civilly married, they must submit a copy of civil marriage certificate to the priest. In this case, the Marriage License is not required.
PARISH RULES
Decorations: Should be removed as soon as the wedding has ended.
Pew bows: are permitted if you desire. However, they must be attached to the pews with ribbon or plastic hooks. The parish does not allow the use of adhesives or tacks, because these damage the finish of the pews.
Flowers: are provided by the couple and may be donated to the church. We do not provide flowers’ stands. Please do not move the flowers that belonged to the church.
Photos: only limited use of “flash photography” during the ceremony. You may take pictures inside the church for 20 minutes after the wedding has ended.
Video Cameras: are permitted but must be in a stationery position throughout the ceremony, in consultation with the Wedding Coordinator and your priest. We do not allow the use of artificial lights.
Rice, birdseed, petals, confetti, etc. These are prohibited inside or outside the church, because the danger of people slipping. Please advise your family and friends of this.
Smoking: Obviously smoking on our premises in not acceptable. We trust that your wedding party and guests will preserve the cleanliness of the church and surrounding areas.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Church Reservation: Accept cash, check or online. Please pay the check for "Saint Maria Goretti Church."
Choir: The beauty and sacredmess of a wedding is enhanced by the use of good and appropriate music. The couple might contact the parish office to get more choir's contact information.
Note: The parish is not responsible for choir.
"May the Lord bless you abundantly in your new life together."
