Congratulations on your decision to get married! This will be one of the happiest days of your life. We are privileged that you have chosen to celebrate your wedding at St Joseph's. The first step is to arrange an appointment with the parish priest. Six months notice of marriage is required, but we recommend that you contact the priest even earlier so that you have a better chance of booking the wedding date that you want.

At your first meeting with the priest, he will begin to note down important information - names, addresses, dates of birth etc. and tell you what further steps you need to take.

You will be invited to take part in a one-day marriage preparation course. This is required by the Catholic Church to give you the opportunity to reflect on the nature and meaning of Christian marriage. The course usually takes place in Bishop's Stortford and is led by a married couple trained and authorised for this task.

This is a checklist for your information (don't obtain any of these papers until the priest gives the go-ahead. He will explain each one and be able to provide some of them):

Marriage information form
Statutory Declaration (one each), or a Letter of Freedom
Permission/dispensation, if one of you is a non-catholic
Baptism certificate issued within the 6 months prior to the wedding
Registrar's certificates, see below (one each)

Both of you must go in person to the Registrar of the district in which you live, even if it is not in the district in which you are to be married. After 14 days you will be issued with a certificate, which must then be handed on to the priest. He cannot go ahead with the wedding without this certificate.

Bishop's Stortford Register Office is at 2 Hockerill Street.
Phone (01279) 652273 to make an appointment.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday 9am - 1pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

A rehearsal at a convenient time will be arranged with the priest. The priest will also give you assistance in compiling an Order of Service for your guests on your wedding day. The printing of the Order of Service is your responsibility.

The normal offering for a wedding taking place at St Joseph's is £100. If you have any difficulty, do not hesitate to discuss it with the priest.

It is your responsibility to organise the following:

Organ & Choir - You may book one of St Joseph's organists and a choir is sometimes available. Alternatively you may arrange an organist/choir of your own choice.

Flowers - It is important that you contact our 'Church Flower Guild' co-ordinator to let her know what you plan to do about flowers. She may also be able to advise you should you need help finding a florist.

Carpet - A carpet is available for the main aisle of the Church. A fee is payable, which goes to a charity.

Confetti - We ask you to dissuade your guests from throwing confetti. It causes a litter problem and is walked into the church.

Car Parking - St Joseph's does not have car parking facilities of its own. On Saturdays a private car park at the rear of the church is sometimes available but not on normal working days. Contact Pellys Solicitors (01279) 758080 for permission and availability.

Gardens & Photographs - If you are interested in having photographs taken in the gardens at the rear of the church, contact Pellys Solicitors (01279) 758080.

Finally, remember that we at St Joseph's are ready to help in any way we can to make your wedding everything you want it to be. Do not hesitate to get in touch.