
Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. We at the Parish of Subiaco welcome you to celebrate this day in our beautiful, historic church of St Joseph’s with a Nuptial Mass (with communion) or a Wedding Service (without communion).
Your choosing to have a Church wedding indicates your commitment in celebrating before God, the Church Minister and your family and friends.
Booking the Church
Before you can book the Church you must talk with our Parish Wedding Co-ordinator, Lina, who is available on Thursday from 9.30 – 5.00 on 9381 0420 or e-mail at weddings@stjosephssubiaco.org.au.
Of course you are always welcome to leave a message at any time on voicemail at the above number and she will get back to you on Thursday.
We need to ensure that this can be a valid Catholic marriage, this means that one of you must be Catholic and neither one of you has been married before, or if so an annulment has been obtained through the “Catholic Marriage Tribunal”.

Important Information: Once you have spoken with the Wedding Co-Ordinator and a date and time have been penciled in our Booking register, you will be sent out a letter and booking form which sets out fees and methods of payment. This booking will be subject to your payment of the relevant fee by the date noted in the form. Failure to do this results in your booking being automatically cancelled and passed on to others.
Six months prior to your wedding you are responsible for contacting the Priest who will perform the ceremony and setting up a meeting to fill in relevant paperwork. Documents required at this time are full copies of both Birth Certificates and copies of Baptismal Certificates.
Three months prior to your wedding you are responsible for contacting the Parish Wedding Co-Ordinator and booking a rehearsal time which is held the week of your wedding. An appropriate offering for the priest’s services can be made at the rehearsal.
One month prior to your wedding you are responsible for presenting your prepared Order of Service to our Wedding Co-Ordinator if our Parish Priest is marrying you or your own Priest may direct you on this matter.Details to help you prepare this are further on.
Pre Marriage Course
The Archdiocese of Perth strongly encourages all intending couples to partake of these courses. The ideal time is as soon as a couple signified their intention to marry.
Information regarding these courses can be obtained by contacting Catholic Marriage and Fertility Services at www.cmfs.org.au. This is an excellent investment in a relationship which will be lifelong.
Preparing the Church Wedding Service
Before beginning to prepare you must decide whether you wish to have a Nuptial Mass or a Wedding Service.
The following text is available on-line and may be useful: When we Marry: A very detailed guide to organizing your day. It covers the readings, hymns, vows, prayers; what is possible in a Catholic wedding and what is not.
Our Wedding Co-Ordinator also has some copies of previous weddings conducted in St Joseph’s and you are welcome to borrow these.
Gatto Christian Shop also carries a text called Together for Life which may be helpful, their phone number is 9345 5700.
Order of Service consist of the following parts:
| Nuptial Mass | Marriage Service | |
| Entrance Rite | Entrance Rite | |
| Entrance song | Entrance song | |
| Opening Prayer | Opening Prayer | |
| Liturgy of the Word | Liturgy of the Word | |
| 1st Reading | 1st Reading | |
| Responsorial Psalm | Responsorial Psalm | |
| 2nd Reading | 2nd Reading | |
| Gospel | Gospel | |
| Homily | Homily | |
| Rite of Marriage | Rite of Marriage | |
| Giving of Consent (Vows) | Giving of Consent (Vows) | |
| Blessing & Exchange of Rings | Blessing & Exchange of rings | |
| Prayers of the Faithful | Prayers of the Faithful | |
| Lord’s Prayer | ||
| Liturgy of the Eucharist | Nuptial Blessing | |
| Offertory | ||
| Preparation of the Gifts | Conclusion | |
| Eucharistic Prayer | Final Blessing | |
| Lord’s Prayer | Signing of the Register | |
| Nuptial Blessing | Final Hymn | |
| Communion | ||
| Prayer after Communion | ||
| Conclusion | ||
| Final Blessing | ||
| Signing of the Register | ||
| Final Hymn |
Once you have decided on the type of ceremony, you need to make the following choices:
Step 1
Choose a suitable Opening Prayer
Step 2
Choose the Readings
Step 3
Choose your Vows
Step 4
Choose a Nuptial and a Final Blessing
Step 5
Choose or write your Prayers of the Faithful
Step 6
Choose readers
A reader from another Christian congregation (not Catholic) is always welcome to do the readings. Please note; The Priest always reads the Gospel
Step 7
Organise music
Step 8
Compile an Order of Service sheet (or your Church booklet) with all of the above outlined and show to our Wedding Co-ordinator or your priest.
(a useful website is www.gettingmarriedbooklet.com).
Church Surrounds
The Church and the surrounding grounds are a non-smoking area. Confetti, rice, rose petals etc are not to be used.
Music
The parish has organists, local musicians, professional vocalists and a small choir.
Please call Michael Peters on 0414 294 338 or Ailsa Gleeson on 9381 6140 to discuss your music requirements.
Live Sacred or Classical music is to be used for your wedding.
CD/iPOD Facilities are not available.
Flowers
St Joseph’s Church has its own resident florist who has sole responsibility for all floral arrangements. There is a charge for this service and this is covered in your booking fees.
Three large altar arrangements and pew bows are provided as standard.
These flowers remain in the Church.
For further information contact Linda Green, our Church florist on 0411 729 338.
The Church
The Church is decorated according to the Liturgical Season. These times are Lent, Easter, Advent or Christmas. If you choose to marry in these times all decorations are not to be removed or tampered with.
Wedding Bells
You may wish to have the church bell rung on your wedding day, a fee does apply for this service. For further information contact Chris Rowley on 0419 955 070.
Parking
Parking is available at St Joseph’s for your guests. Further parking is available in the basement of the Ear Science Institute, east of the Church, with access to the Church from the basement parking via our lift. Directions are clearly sign posted.
Photographers and Video Cameras
In our Catholic tradition, a wedding is a religious event of great significance in the life of a couple. We understand your need to capture the ceremony on camera and your photographers are welcome. Please remember that filming should be done in a respectful manner and that photographers should be suitably dressed.
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You are welcome to visit St Joseph’s Church any day.
During weekdays the Church is closed at 6pm or on the weekends after the 6pm Mass.
Pamphlets containing more information regarding weddings are available in the room to your left as you enter the back of the Church.
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Application Form
To download a copy of the Weddings Booking form please click on the link below:
As you focus on this wonderful celebration of your love for each other, we offer our congratulations and prayers.
We pray to God our Father to keep you both united in your love throughout your married life.
Amen

