Trinity Episcopal church

Marriage In Trinity Episcopal Church

About Your Wedding at Trinity

We are pleased that you are considering marriage at Trinity Episcopal Church. The celebration of your marriage is a unique moment in your life, and preparation for it is important. Before your first meeting with the clergy, call the parish administrator at (315) 788-6290 and request a wedding information form. Please fill it out. If you have any questions, they can be answered at your first meeting with the clergy.

Who can be married at Trinity?

At least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian; and
Couples in which one or both are active members of the parish or one of their parents is an active member of the parish, or
Persons who are not members of a congregation but who are actively seeking a church where they can worship.

Pre-Marital Instruction

The Episcopal Church specifies at least 30 days notice be given to the priest before he may officiate at any marriage. Make an appointment with the Rector (or other clergy designated by him) so that he may meet you and plan your pre-marital instruction. Church Law requires that the clergy see both of you and provide pre-marital instruction before giving permission for the marriage ceremony to take place in the church. In situations where the couple are living someplace other than the greater Watertown area, they may receive their pre-marital instruction from a priest in that area. The Rector will be glad to make an initial contact on your behalf if you furnish him with the name of the nearest Episcopal Church and its Rector.

Divorced Persons

Persons who have been divorced will bring a copy of their final divorce decree to the first meeting with the priest. The Episcopal Church accepts the civil process for dissolution of marriage, but the consent of the Bishop must be
obtained before re-marriage in the church.

The Officiate

Usually, the Rector of the parish will officiate at all weddings. Other clergy, either of the Episcopal Church or of other denominations who have a special relationship with either the bride or groom, may be invited by the Rector to assist in or officiate at the service.

The Nature of the Service
 
The “Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage” as contained in the Book of Common Prayer is used as the liturgical form for the service. The couple is asked to choose the scripture lessons, the readers of the lessons, the music (hymns, processional, recessional, soloist), whether or not they would like Holy Communion, and other particulars relating to the Service. If there is Holy Communion, all persons in the congregation are
invited to partake of the bread and wine.
The Best Times for Weddings
Weddings are discouraged during Lent, and there are no weddings during Holy Week. During the Christmas season, the Christmas decorations will remain in the church.

Wedding Consultant

The bride and groom are responsible for contacting someone to assist the Officiate in directing the wedding. This person needs to contact the Officiate prior to the rehearsal.

Flowers

The bride and groom are responsible for the cost of altar flowers for their wedding. Flowers must fit the church’s regular altar vase. The Altar Guild will be in charge of placing flowers, altar hangings, etc. It is customary for the altar flowers to remain in the church for the Sunday following the wedding.

Candles

Unity candles are not part of the Episcopal tradition and are generally not allowed as a part of the service. They do, however, make a wonderful addition to marriage receptions.

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Wedding Policy

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Photographs

The bride and groom may designate an official photographer to take pictures during the ceremony. The church requests that no one else take pictures during the ceremony. Advise your photographer not to take pictures using flash or strobe in the church during the ceremony.

A video camera may be used if the location is unobtrusive and if the camera is on a tripod and left there throughout the ceremony. Let the clergy know if you want to include them in photographs following the service.

Music

Music in Trinity Church is used as an offering for the glory of God and to help the congregation in their worship. It is important that music at a wedding support this purpose. Kyle Ramey, Director of Music Ministries, will play for all weddings requiring organ music, unless he is unable to play because of his schedule. Please plan to meet with Kyle before finalizing your music choices. He may be reached at the parish office, (315) 788-6290.

Receptions in the Parish Hall

Receptions may be held at the church following weddings. Contact the parish administrator to reserve the Parish Hall and for information regarding the costs associated with such, (315) 788-6290. The use of rice or confetti is prohibited. Please advise your guests that birdseed is the only acceptable alternative and only outside.

Marriage License

Please bring the license to the church office one day prior to the rehearsal so that the parish administrator can properly fill in the clergy’s information.

Fees

There is a cleaning fee of $50 for church weddings. If there is reception in the Parish Hall following the wedding, the cleaning fee is $100 (total).

Each acolyte receives a fee of $25.

The fee for the Director of Music Ministries is $200, which includes a program of organ music preceding the wedding, playing for the wedding, attendance at the rehearsal and one consultation with the couple to choose music. There is an additional fee of $50 per hour to arrange for singers, soloists or instrumentalists and their attendance at rehearsals. If requested the Director of Music Ministries will arrange for the steeple bells to be played for a fee of $75.

The Altar Guild receives a $25 contribution for preparing the church and for directing the wedding.

There are no additional fees, either for use of the church of for the services of the clergy, providing either the bride or groom are pledging members of Trinity Church. For those who are not pledging members, there is an additional $400 fee, which covers both church usage as well as the priest’s honorarium.

Please pay all fees and gifts to Trinity Episcopal Church (in one single check) 2 weeks in advance of the rehearsal.

(Revised September 2006)

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