Marriage

- Formation
Marriage faqs
- Have a date?
  - Call the Parish Center at 410-592-7071 to see if your desired date is available
- What time are weddings held?
  - 10 AM, Noon or 1 PM
- What are the fees?
  - $400 for the use of the Church.
  - Music is a separate charge which our music director will discuss with you.

Marriage

Archdiocesan policy states that couples are required to make an appointment with a priest or deacon of the parish at least six months in advance of the date they plan to celebrate their wedding. Sometime during this period of time, the couple is required to participate in a marriage preparation program.
Pre-Cana Presentations are scheduled throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore in other parishes. Please visit www.archbalt.org to see when classes are available. Also, available to engaged couples is a form of marriage preparation known as Engaged Encounter, as well as the "Sponsor Couple" Program. Contact the Parish Office for further information at 410-592-7071.
If you plan to be married by a priest or deacon affiliated with St. Stephen, you must be a registered parishioner. However, if you wish to use the church building for your wedding and you are not a registered parishioner, you may do so only if you provide your own priest or deacon and have him contact the priests at St. Stephen for permission.
Music in the Wedding

Your wedding day is, without a doubt, one of the most important and memorable events of your life. We want to share these moments with you and coordinate with you to make that special day a beautiful liturgical expression of your love for each other and for God.

As soon as you schedule the date, you should contact the Pastorate Office, 410-592-7072 to begin planning the music for the wedding liturgy as soon as possible.

Keeping in mind the sacred nature of the liturgy, some musical selections are not appropriate for use in church. Music should reflect the faith, love and commitment being made on your wedding day. All musical selections and musicians need to be approved by the Director of Music Ministry prior to the wedding.

There is no substitution for professional, live musicians and to that extent, the Church does not allow pre-recorded music during the Liturgy.

The organist will arrange for a cantor/soloist to lead the sung parts of the liturgy. The acclamations and responses are the most important music in the liturgy and should not be omitted or spoken. Outside soloists must be cantors in a church, are expected to be competent and prepared. A rehearsal with the soloist is required and an additional fee will be charged.

The Director of Music Ministry will discuss fees for the organist and the cantor/vocal soloist. Fees for musicians are in addition to the fee for the Church and should be paid prior to the wedding date. Please note that the Director of Music Ministry's contract specifies that his fee must be paid (a “bench fee”) even if a couple chooses to use an outside musician or musicians, regardless of instrument.