Marriage Preparation

1. Catholic parties are required to secure a new copy of their Baptismal Certificate, one issued within the last six months.  Baptized parties of other faiths are required to present their Baptismal Certificate.
2.  For Catholics, a copy of their First Holy Communion and Confirmation certificates are required.  If all sacraments were obtained from the same church, notations of sacraments and dates will be written on the back of the Baptismal Certificate. 
3. A notarized letter from a parent, relative or friend of each party testifying to the fact that they have never been married before. 
4. If the couple is not registered at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart or St. John’s, letters must be presented from the couple’s home parishes indicating that permission is granted for the marriage here and that they are free to marry.  This is called a “Letter of Freedom of State”. 
5. If either party is under 21 years of age, a letter from the parents is required, giving their permission for the marriage.
6.  When one party to the wedding is non-Catholic, a dispensation from the Bishop is required.  This is relatively easy to obtain.  The application completed here will be signed in the presence of both parties. There is an additional fee of $25 for this application.
7. A marriage license is valid for 60 days.  This should be given to the priest performing the ceremony two weeks before the wedding.
8. Go online: Arch NY and sign up for Catholic Couple Check up.
9. Pre-Cana Conferences are required for all couples prior to the wedding.  A listing of dates and locations is available from the parish priest or go online:   to look for listing of classes and to register for class.  The certificate of attendance must be returned here with the other documents. 

Friday and Saturday Marriages: Please schedule anytime from 11:00 am-2:00 pm.

Sunday Marriages: English Nuptial Masses are not scheduled during regular Sunday Mass times.  Please schedule your wedding ceremony anytime after 3:30 pm.   Spanish weddings are usually scheduled during the 1PM Spanish Mass on the 2nd or 4th Sunday of the month  at St. John. 

The celebration of your marriage should be a prayerful experience for all your guests in the church.   
Selection of readings for your wedding:  Wedding Readings

Selection of Prayers of the Faithfulful:  Wedding: Prayer of the Faithful

When selecting your witnesses, please make sure that they are both practicing Catholics. 

1. The offering to the parish is $750 for non-registered parishioners.  $550 for registered parishioners' weddings.  $300 for registered parishioners for Spanish weddings on Sunday at 1PM.  Spanish weddings for Parishioners on Saturday is $550.  We can help you to find musicians according to your preference.  You will contact the musicians directly to discuss the music selections for your wedding.  
2. On making your initial arrangements, a non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to insure the date and time for the wedding,  The fee balance for the church and fee for the musicians are due on or before the initial PMI meeting with the priest.
3. The musicians are $300 for the ceremony.  The bride and groom are responsible to make their own arrangements with the music and flowers for the church.  We will provide you the name of the muscians in order for you to select the music for the ceremony.  Payment should be submitted to the Parish office once you have been in contact with the musician.
4. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and St. John is now pleased to offer webcasting of your wedding.  Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will do it for an additional fee of $150.  St. John, if you will provide 15 photos, we will make a short video for the webcast with your wedding, which will be webcasted on on our website, ROKU an facebook.  The fee will be an additional $300.  
5. An offering for the pirest who performs the wedding is appropriate, though not required.  

1. Photographers are never to enter the sanctuary area
2. Real flowers are not to be place along the aisles of the church
3. Flower girls are not to throw flowers along the aisles as they process down the aisle
4. Pew Bows are permitted and should only be secured with heavy rubber bands.
5. Following the wedding, we ask that you do not allow the throwing of rice, bird seed, confetti, flower petals or other items which may cause a mess and require additional clean-up.

Congratulations!  We are happy to be a part of solemnizing your wedding! 
Our wedding ministry is happy to help you along the way. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call.  May Pang 845-359-0078  [email protected]
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PMI QUESTIONARE FORMfor your first visit with Fr. Tom and use this 
 Checklist  as a reminder of all the "to-dos" for your wedding.