Wedding Policy

Christ Episcopal Church
64 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
802.223.3631
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A wedding ceremony at Christ Cburch is a service of worship solemnizing a Christian marriage, and it is, therefore, subject to requirements and regulations (canons) which
have been established by the Episcopal Church or which have been adopted by Christ Church to make the occasion as reverent and joyful as possible.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

To be married in the Episcopal Church a couple must fulfill the following requirements:

a.   At least one member must have been baptized, though not necessarily in the Episcopal Church. It is the practice of the clergy of this parish to agree to solemnize marriages only when one or both parties are members of the Episcopal Church. Close family members of parishioners of Christ Church may be married in this parish at the discretion of the clergy. However, such couples must have an active life in a church in their community.

b.   The priest must be given at least a thirty-day (30) advance notice of the intended wedding. Thirty days is rarely adequate at Christ Church or any other parish. Most members desiring to be married at Christ Church by the priest of the parish give at least six months notice (twelve months is desirable) in order to schedule their preferred date and time. This also helps to allow sufficient opportunity for the premarital instruction and counseling.

c.   The couple must have five interviews with the priest, in which they are instructed in the nature of Holy Matrimony.

d.   The couple must sign a Declaration of Intention to the effect they plan, with God's help, to enter into a Christian marriage and to undertake to establish a Christian home (this declaration is found in Diocesan Policies).

e.   The couple must obtain a valid Vermont marriage license, which is good for six days. A license may be obtained at any Town Clerk's office in the State of Vermont for residents of that town. For out-of-state residents, the license must be obtained from one of the Town Clerk's of Washington County. Vermont has a one-day waiting law, which means that the license is effective one day after application is made. No blood test is required to receive a marriage license in Vermont. The license signed by the bride and groom must be given to the priest at the wedding rehearsal. The signed license will be returned to the clerk's office by the priest. Under no circumstance will the signed license be returned to the couple. During the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom and two witnesses are required to sign the Parish Register.

f.    The service for the "Celebration of a Marriage" as printed in the Book of Common Prayer, pages 423-432, will be used at all wedding ceremonies at Christ Church. In close consultation with the priest one of the wedding liturgies from the New Zealand Prayer Book may be used. No readings from works other than Holy Scripture are normally included in the service. The Episcopal Church makes no provision for a couple to write their own vows. The church has always found the celebration of the Holy Eucharist to be appropriate and meaningful at various significant events in the lives of the faithful. The Prayer Book provides for the Holy Eucharist to follow the Marriage Rite only with minor lengthening of the service. When Holy Eucharist is included in a service at Christ Church all who have attended the wedding are invited to receive the Sacrament.

2.    IN CASE OF DIVORCE

If either of the couple has been divorced, written permission for the priest to perform the marriage must be obtained from the bishop before the priest can agree to solemnize the marriage. The bishop will not usually consider a petition for remarriage unless the decree of divorce is at least one year old. This consideration adds a sixth counseling session for the couple and the
application to the bishop requires at least 90 days.

3.    PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS

As soon as the couple has agreed to be married, the bride or groom should contact the Parish Office concerning a possible date for the wedding. It is to be understood that no date is final until it has been approved by the priest at the first meeting with the couple. To avoid any misunderstanding or disappointment later on, it very important the couple read this instruction and
then reserve the Church as soon as possible. Weddings are not usually held on Sundays (some exceptions can be made). Weddings are normally held in the Church and not in home, parks, hotels, etc. Exceptions are always made for weddings held in the Geer Memorial Garden on the Church grounds. The marriage service is planned with the priest during the last of the five or
six sessions.

4.    MUSIC

After the initial interview with the priest, the couple should contact the church organist through the Parish Office (223-3631) to discuss music. It is the prerogative of the church organist to play at all weddings at Christ Church in which music is requested. On rare occasions an outside organist may play at a wedding, but only after discussion with the music director and organist. The parish organist should be contacted three months before the wedding date so arrangements can be made for the organist and couple to meet. Use of soloists and other musicians are to be discussed with the organist and then approved by the priest.

5.    SERVICE LEAFLETS

If the couple desires service leaflets, the wording is subject to approval by the priest in advance. The couple is responsible for making the arrangements with either a printer or the Parish Office for printing of leaflets. Like all worship services, a marriage service in Christ Church represents the parish as well as the couple.

6.    FLOWERS

The use of flowers in the Church is under the direct supervision of the parish priest and the Altar Guild Director. The possibilities of design and placement of flower arrangements should be discussed with the priest well in advance of the marriage date. Once placed in the Church the flowers remain in the Church for Sunday services and then are distributed to sick or shut-in members of the congregation. Artificial flowers are not permitted.

7.    REHEARSAL

The rehearsal provides an opportunity to prepare for the marriage service itself by rehearsing the participants in their part of the liturgy. The time is set in consultation with the priest who leads and directs the rehearsal and the marriage service. It is important to set the rehearsal time before planning any post rehearsal functions.

8.    PHOTOGRAPHS

Any photographs may be posed after the wedding. However, during the actual wedding ceremony, the official photographer can take non-flash exposures from the back of the Church. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT PERMITTED BY ANYONE DURING THE SERVICE. This includes relatives and family members. Videotaping is allowed after consultation with the priest.

9.    CONFETTI AND BIRDSEED

Under no circumstances is confetti, rice or birdseed to be thrown inside or outside the Church.

10.    FEES

Holy Matrimony is a sacrament of the Church and the clergy rejoice to share with you in the joy of your marriage. A customary honorarium of $200.00 is given to the officiating priest for the priest's service (including premarital sessions and the rehearsal).

The organist fee for the service is $150.00. If additional meetings with soloists or other musicians are necessary the organist shall be paid $25.00 for each occasion that his services are needed.

The Sexton's fee for cleaning up after the ceremony is $50.00.

For members who have made a pledge to Christ Church during the current year, or individuals whose immediate families have made such a pledge, there is no fee for the use of the Church buildings and grounds. Any members who are not givers of record for the current year and whose immediate family are not either, are asked to make a minimum donation of $300.00 for the use of the facilities. Non-members are expected to make a donation of $400.00.

It is unseemly and embarrassing for the priest to ask for the fees on the day of the wedding. All fees are to be paid at the rehearsal. If the fees prove to be a burden to the couple, arrangements should be made with the priest early on in the counseling process. Fees (except for the organist and sexton) can be reduced, or in some cases waived, at the priest's discretion.