Frequently Asked Questions

"Do I have a simple ceremony or a nuptial Mass?"
You work this out with the priest who will be witnessing your vows. He will make the decision after such a discussion with you.

My fiancé and I have not attended church for a long time. Can we still get married in your church? If you would like to marry in any Catholic Church, it is important to establish a tradition of attending mass regularly. In this way, you will become re-acquainted with the prayers and rituals in the Mass and you will get to know a priest with whom you feel comfortable enough to invite to accompany you in the journey through the preparation and the ceremony. We suggest attending services and registering in a parish near your residence or known to your friends or family members.

We’re very concerned about coordinating the reception hall, etc. for that day. Can we book the church now? We ask that you consult with your priest for his availability first. It is helpful to examine a few dates with him and make note of them, so that you have something to work with if your first choice is not available. Note: we are only able to reserve the Cathedral for weddings one year prior to the date of your request. The only exception to this policy would be the registered parishioner of the Cathedral and approval by our clergy.

My uncle is a priest but he lives out of the country. Could he preside at our wedding? If a Catholic priest from out of our Diocese commits to preside at the wedding ceremony, this arrangement is acceptable, given that we can establish that his ministerial faculties are in order and a Letter of Suitability from his Bishop or Superior/Provincial is REQUIRED. The marriage preparation may be overseen locally by another priest of the couple’s choice. In this case, each priest will receive written confirmation of his stated commitment.

My fiancé is not Catholic. Can we get married in the Catholic Church? I was married before. Can I remarry in the Catholic Church? I still need to make my First Communion and Confirmation. Is this a problem? These are some of the issues that are discussed in the initial interview with your priest. Each situation will be examined individually by the priest, who will give the couple recommendations on how to address specific needs. He is the person who ultimately would declare the couple’s readiness for marriage in the Catholic Church.

Who should I talk to if I have more questions? Please contact our Reservation Coordinator, Antonia Lira, at 408/283-8100 ext. 2214 for the reservation or if you have further questions regarding your Cathedral wedding. We look forward to serving you as your wedding day approaches.

Wedding Policy 

Thank you for considering the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph for your wedding. The following covers our basic policy, however, you are most welcome to call and speak with Antonia Lira, at 408/283-8100 ext. 2214 for further information and/or when you are ready to make your reservation.

Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays, at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. We are now offering a Friday at 6:00 p.m. and a Sunday at 3:00 p.m. wedding as an option. Please keep in mind that the Sunday wedding is only a simple ceremony and not a nuptial mass. Each wedding is allotted a 2-hour time slot, which allows for seating of guests, the ceremony and the taking of pictures.

Fees for the use of the Cathedral are a total of $1,600.00. Music and coordination are included in the Cathedral fee. A $300.00 non-refundable deposit is required to be paid within a week of the reservation being approved and the balance is due 8 weeks prior to the date of the wedding. A special discount is given for 10:00 a.m. Saturday weddings.

Reserving the Cathedral requires that you schedule an initial visit with one of our priest regardless of who is presiding or preparing you. You may schedule that time with Antonia Lira at 408/283-8100 ext. 2214. If you are not a parishioner of the Cathedral we encourage you to consult a priest from your own parish about his availability to preside over your ceremony here and his coordinating the pre-marital counseling. Your priest needs to verify that both of you are free to marry in the Catholic Church and you must allow at least 6 months of preparation prior to your wedding. Cathedral Basilica parishioners are eligible to schedule their wedding with a priest from this parish. Your priest will receive written confirmation from us following the $300.00 non-refundable deposit.

Marriage Preparation – The Catholic Engaged Encounter Retreat and Natural Family Planning is required for couples preparing for marriage. The Cathedral Basilica offers a Saturday Engaged Encounter program on a limited basis along with a Friday evening Natural Family Planning program. For more information call Antonia Lira at 408/283-8100 ext.2214. You may also attend a 2½-day Diocesan Engaged Encounter Retreat, which is $365.00 per couple. Your priest will advise you of any other activities that may be required and their fees. All documentation that substantiates the completion of marriage preparation must be submitted to your priest. Your priest will need to submit all your paperwork no less than 6 weeks prior to your wedding.

Music – Our music director will be your consultant regarding musicians and music selections and will also cantor for your ceremony. The Cathedral organist will also be provided. Should you wish to contract additional liturgical musicians, we recommend budgeting approximately $150.00 for each. It is required that our music director meet with you to approve the selections, provide technical information to your musicians and be present at your ceremony to help things run smoothly. This consultation is scheduled through our front office at 408/283-8100 ext. 0. You may also visit the Cathedral web site for more information about wedding music selections and materials for your convenience.

Decorations and Environment – Two floral arrangements are included with the Cathedral fee. The selection of the arrangements will concede with the environment plan for the time of the season at the Cathedral. These are brought to us from Citti’s Florist and are in place behind the Cathedra (Bishop’s chair). They remain through the weekend and the remainder of the week. If you wish additional flowers you may add them in selected areas of the Cathedral but keep in mind that you must cover the cost and make the arrangements with a florist of your choice. No additional structures, chairs, stands, columns, kneelers, candelabras, runners or other decorations that violate safety or liturgical considerations are allowed nor is it permitted any reconfiguration of the pews or movement of the altar table, ambo or baptismal font.

Photography – you may select your own photographer who may or may not already be familiar with our Cathedral and its policies. Before contracting a photographer or videographer, please check with us to see if they are prohibited from working at the Cathedral.

Ceremony Coordinator – The ceremony coordinator will contact you during the last four Weeks prior to your wedding date to fine-tune the details of your ceremony (the liturgy itself and your plan for the members of your wedding party), conduct your wedding rehearsal and attend the wedding in order to help manage the flow of your ceremony. They are knowledgeable in the Catholic liturgical guidelines that direct us in preparing for special celebrations, which include the Sacrament of Marriage. Our wedding ceremony coordinators are also trained in the protocols that guide us as to how we respect and enjoy the Cathedral space.