You need to be prepared to request a wedding date (and up to two alternative dates). You will also need to provide the dates/place of the sacraments you have received when registering for a wedding at St. Mary's-Stony Hill. Once you have thoroughly read the wedding guidelines and you are ready to complete the wedding registration form, hit the submit button below and you will be redirected to the online wedding registration form or access the wedding registration form from the parish website. Please do not hesitate to call the parish secretary on 908 756-6524908 756-6524 x10 at the parish office for further information. Thank you!
MARRIAGE
Marriage is a sacred Sacrament. It is a covenant between a woman and a man committing themselves to live with one another in a bond of married love whose charter was established by God. Your wedding liturgy is a very special event, probably the most important one in you life, therefore, the following guidelines were carefully planned to help make your wedding a smoother affair and one rich in expression. It is necessary that you adhere to all the following guidelines.
PREPARATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR MARRIAGE
DATE & TIME: Arrangements must be planned for your wedding with the pastor, at least, six (6) months to a year before the approved date and time. (This is a Diocesan regulation!). DO NOT book a reception hall until your pastor has approved and recorded the date and time of your wedding.
PLACE OF WEDDING: All wedding liturgies should be celebrated at the Church of the Bride-to-be. When necessary, however, they can be performed in the Groom's Church by his Pastor.
PRE-NUPTIAL SURVEY: Engaged couples MUST attend counseling sessions planned by the pastor, at which time the pastor will complete a PRE-NUPTIAL SURVEY.
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Official Copies of the Baptismal Certificate (issued within six (6) months of the wedding date), First Communion Certificate and Confirmation Certificate must be sent to the pastor from the various Churches where these Sacraments were performed.
For an INTERFAITH MARRIAGE, the non-Catholic Christian must attend a Pre-Cana Conference to prepare for the Spiritual and practical aspects of the Sacrament of marriage, as soon as possible before the wedding. This can be done at another church that holds Pre-Cana.
MAIN WEDDING CELEBRANT: Only the pastor of St. Mary's or his designated official is permitted to perform the Sacrament of Marriage. In very rare cases, a close relative may be granted Official delegation or permission to perform the Liturgy, only after requesting and receiving it from the Pastor of the Church.
BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDS DRESS CODE: Please know that you are in Church and reverence is important, therefore, use judgement and wear a shawl during the ceremony if necessary.
MUSIC: Only music appropriate to the Sacrament and approved by the Director of Music will be rendered during the ceremony. (Please see the director when choosing music).
STIPEND AND FEES
CHURCH FEES: The official stipend for a church wedding is $300 for a registered parishioner. Please contact the parish office (908 756-6524 x10) for more information if you are not a registered parishioner. Please make a check payable to St. Mary's Church-Stony Hill. The address is 225 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069. Church fee is to be paid as soon as possible.
MUSIC AND FEES: The Music Coordinator/Cantor is $250. The organists are $250.00. Any additional musical instrument (violin, etc) cost is $150+ (or more depending on the instrument). Please Note: Music fees should be paid directly to the musician, and should be paid one (1) month before the wedding. Our music coordinator is Suzanne Gallic. 
can be found on our parish website.
FLOWERS AND RUNNERS: The couple planning marriage is responsible for ordering and furnishing decorative flowers for the church. Please note: the church is decorated appropriately to the liturgical season (Christmas, Lent, Easter, etc.). If your wedding is scheduled during a particular church season, your flower arrangement should be planned accordingly.
Two options for flower decorations in the Church: One arrangement for the altar or two freestanding arrangements on each side of the altar, under the crucifix. You can put bows in the aisle pews or flowers, but no tape is allowed.
Runners are strictly prohibited.
RICE, BIRD SEED AND ROSE PETALS: Tossing rice, birdseed or rose petals are a pagan custom and ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN at St. Mary's (bubbles are allowed).
PHOTOGRAPHS, PICTURE, ETC.: Photographs can be taken before and during the liturgy, provided they DO NOT interfere with the time and action of the liturgy. Pictures may be taken AFTER the liturgy for a brief period of time.
WEDDING MASS or CEREMONY: Whenever possible, every couple should plan to be married within the liturgy of the Mass. However, the wedding can be performed 'outside of Mass' or in a ceremony, if necessary. In an interfaith marriage, it is recommended the ceremony be conducted outside of Mass.
PUNCTUALITY: In fairness to all involved it is IMPORTANT that all counseling sessions, Pre-Cana, Rehearsal and the Wedding Service begin on time! This is extremely critical with the Wedding Service because in most cases another Liturgy follows the wedding. Therefore, an unnecessary delay will result in the omission of certain phases of the Wedding Liturgy; i.e. prayers of the Faithful, a blessing, one scriptural reading and the final reception line.
HOURS:
Friday afternoon wedding: 4:00pm or 4:30pm
Saturday wedding: Morning: 10:00am and 11:30 am
Afternoon: 1:00pm and 2:00 pm
Sunday wedding: If for some reason, you wish to have a Sunday wedding, St. Mary's does not have a priest available for Sunday (wedding time 3 pm). You are responsible for providing a pastor or deacon and our pastor must be notified in order to grant permission to the celebrant of your choice for the wedding.