Weddings

  WEDDING RECEPTIONS

Arrangements can be made for the use of the Parish Hall for wedding receptions.  All arrangements, flowers, decorations, refreshments and clean-ups are the responsibility of the bride and her parents.  All arrangements must be worked out well in advance of the wedding.  The caterer should be in contact with the church at least two weeks before the wedding.

WEDDING FEES & LICENSE

Checks or cash for the church, organist, sexton, and clergy, along with the marriage license should be brought to the church at least 4 days before the wedding. 

Weddings

 

FEES

Use of Church or Chapel:       Fee is waived with the understanding that it is only active parishioners and Mission Area churches who will be allowed us of Grace Church for weddings.

Organist:                                 $125

Sexton:                                    Ranges from: $50 - $100 for the entire wedding (rehearsal and wedding ceremony) negotiated in terms of number of guests.

Clergy:                                    $150 + (negotiable)

                                              Six sessions of Counseling, Rehearsal and Wedding

Aisle Candles:                         $100.00 (Check payable to “Grace Church”.) 

Revised March 2010

    GUIDELINES FOR WEDDINGS

  Grace Episcopal Church 315 Wayne Street Sandusky, OH  44870

(419) 625-6919

Email:  graceepiscopal@bex.net

Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage!  It is appropriate for Christians to begin their life together as husband and wife in Church.  We hope that your wedding at Grace will be a beautiful and wonderful event providing you with happy memories of lasting spiritual value.

Please read these guidelines carefully at your earliest convenience.  If there are questions, they should be discussed early in the process so there won’t be last minute disappointments and surprises.

GENERAL

 A wedding at Grace is a religious service in the Episcopal tradition.  Typically, to lead the wedding party procession into the church and to lead them out at the conclusion of the service.  The rector directs the wedding.  The congregation participates in the responses in the service.  Bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers and other participants in the wedding should be persons who can in good conscience commit themselves to a religious ceremony.

It is expected the couple will worship regularly at Grace Church or at the Episcopal Church where they reside.

 

PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS

You may call the church office (419-625-6919) to make an appointment with the interim rector to discuss possible dates for the ceremony.  The Canons of the Church require that the clergy be given at least 30 days notice before the wedding is to take place.  If one or both parties are divorced, it is possible to be married in the church, but certain criteria must be met, including consultation with the Bishop of the Diocese, which takes time;  therefore, 90 days notice before the wedding needs to be given.  Every effort will be made to give you your first choice of dates, but there are schedules of events to be checked in order to avoid conflicts, which might arise.  Weddings are not scheduled during Lent, or Advent.

The church requires that one of the clergy of Grace Church conduct the wedding and rehearsal.  However, assisting clergy of other denominations are always welcome.  The clergy of Grace Church are happy to extend an invitation to other clergy.

COUNSELING

Pre-nuptial counseling sessions are required by Canon Law well before the wedding.  These sessions, usually six, are designed to provide an opportunity to discuss the ideals and expectations of marriage as understood by the couple and the Church.  The sessions are conducted in an open, friendly and informal setting.

MUSIC

The organist of Grace Church is normally required for all weddings in which the organ is to be used.  If other musicians, or a soloist, are desired he/she/they must be chosen in consultation with the organist.  All music must be approved by the clergy. 

HOLY COMMUNION

Many couples desire to begin their life long union with receiving Holy Communion.  If Holy Communion is desired at the wedding, all Christians will be invited to receive.

FLOWERS AND CANDLES

White hangings are used on the altar for all weddings.  The bride should contact the church office, to let us know which florist is doing the wedding.  You are encouraged to use just the church flower arrangements, which are in the two vases on the retable.  All other flowers – the bride’s, the attendants’ and the boutonnieres for the bridegroom, best man and ushers – should be delivered to the church at least one hour before the wedding.  The use of rice or confetti at the church is not encouraged; however, birdseed is fine. 

Extra candelabra provided by the church may be used at the altar.  Aisle candles may be used for a fee from the Altar Guild.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographs may be taken of the wedding party before the service.  They may also be taken following the service, in the church if desired.  However, NO PHOTOGRAPHS  OR  VIDEOS ARE TO BE TAKEN DURING THE SERVICE - flash or no flash!  The bride is responsible for informing the photographer of this rule and the photographer should talk to the clergy before the service.  It is expected that you will consult with the photographer well in advance, listing the persons and groups of persons – family, etc. you want photographed so as to save time after the wedding and during the reception – when you would rather be talking to your friends than to a photographer.  

THE REHEARSAL

The clergy conducts the rehearsal.  You are asked to set a realistic hour for the rehearsal, which normally takes between 30 to 45 minutes.  We ask that the bride and groom take responsibility for all participants being at the church ON TIME for the rehearsal.  We intend to start promptly and when people are late it delays the proceedings to inform them on what they missed. 

BULLETINS

The church secretary will type bulletins given to her in advance when the wedding involves Grace Parishioners.  The bulletin cover is the responsibility of the bride.  

RECEIVING LINE

A receiving line is discouraged at the church due to the length of time between the end of the service to picture taking to reception.  The reception is an alternative place for a receiving line. 

AISLE RUNNERS

Aisle runners are no longer permitted because of safety factors.