reparing for Marriage
ongratulations! We are
delighted that you are planning to be married. This booklet aims to give
you some basic information on weddings at St John’s. Please get
in touch with us if you have any questions.
Marriage in the Episcopal Church:
Marriage is a sacrament in which two individuals publicly declare their
love for one another. The church believes that the love of the couple
is a reflection of God’s love. The sacrament of marriage therefore
gives us a glimpse of the depth of God’s love for us all.
Preparation
The Episcopal Church requires that couples planning to enter into the
sacrament of marriage are properly prepared. At St John’s pre-marital
preparation usually takes the form of several meetings with the Rector,
The Rev Dr Guy Collins. These meetings are tailored to the needs of each
couple. Couples may also be encouraged to undergo additional pre-marital
counseling using the services of a professional counselor. When you are
ready, contact the Rector to arrange an initial meeting (see back page
for contact details).
Planning the wedding
Couples wishing to be married at St John’s need to give several
months notice in order for pre-marital preparation to take place. Please
contact the Rector to discuss the timing of your wedding before you make
plans regarding the reception. It is important that the couple themselves,
rather than a relative or friend, work with the Rector and Church Office
on the details of planning the marriage.
Remarriage
If either party has been previously married and divorced permission from
the Bishop is required for a remarriage to occur. Normally this takes
at least six months. This ensures that each there is time to talk about
any previous experiences of marriage and explore what this means for their
relationship.
The Service
Marriages at St John’s normally follow the liturgical pattern provided
in The Book of Common Prayer (see page 423). Part of the process of preparation
involves analyzing the marriage service and tailoring it to meet the specific
needs and identities of each couple. The Rector will be the presiding
celebrant at the wedding. If the bridal couple wish to have other clergy
included in the service arrangements this is at the discretion of the
Rector.
Music
Music at weddings involves careful thought and preparation. Valerie Lefever,
Director of Music at St John’s, will be happy to meet with you and
plan your choices. If there is a soloist or instrumental music that requires
accompaniment it is essential that the Director of Music is informed and
suitable arrangements made early on. Usually weddings include hymns to
be sung by the whole congregation. Both the Rector and Director of Music
can help you in choosing hymns.
Location
The couple may marry in either the chapel or the church. Marriages outside
the church grounds are considered on a case by case basis and are at the
discretion of the Rector.
Photography
No flash photography or artificial lights may be used during the service.
All photography and video must be taken from the back of church or choir
balcony. After the service photographers are welcome to film in the church.
Catering
St John’s has a preferred professional caterer who is familiar with
our facilities and has extensive experience of catering for events of
all sizes. We recommend you work with our caterer, Betsy Bernert of ‘Creative
Cuisine’. However, you may select an outside caterer. An additional
$100 kitchen fee is charged if you do not use the church caterer. This
is to cover the cost of liaison between the church caterer and any outside
caterer.
Fees
Marriage fees are payable no later than two weeks in advance of the wedding.
Please contact the Parish Office to arrange payment (see below for contact
details).
Non-member contribution to the church: $500
Suggested member contribution: $100
Organist: wedding and one rehearsal: $200
Organist: with soloist/musician: $250
Parish Clerk $75
Clergy Honorarium $200
Optional fees
Parish Hall rental: $100
Use of kitchen fee: $100
(Waived with church caterer)
Cleaning fee $100
St. John’s Episcopal Church
1333 Old Welsh Road
Huntingdon Valley
PA19006
Tel. (215) 947 3212
Fax: (215) 947 6294
www.stjohnshv.org
email: ruth@stjohnshv.org