For the celebration of a wedding, recommitment of vows, or anniversary please make an appointment with our rector to begin planning the service.
St. John’s Church is part of the Episcopal Church in America. The Episcopal church allows our pastors to bless and where legal, preside at same-sex marriages. We do not discriminate against couples based on race, socioeconomics, religious background, previous marriages or relationships, having children from previous relationships, desire to have or not to have children, or cohabitation before marriage. All couples are received with welcome and grace, and expected to put serious work not only into preparing for their wedding celebration, but more importantly, into preparation for their married life together.
Pre-Marriage Preparations Pre-marriage preparation consists of the following items to help make both your marriage and your wedding a success: At least five in-person meetings with the pastor focusing on the following areas:
An initial “getting to know you” meeting includes time for you to ask the pastor any questions you might have regarding the wedding procedures and/or ceremony. This meeting with the pastor will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Family of Origin: discussions on family dynamics, relationships and histories. This session will also involve dealing with conflict and health.
Finances and Faith: This third discussion will revolve around some of the issues that may be more intimate and can cause both joy and struggle in a lifelong commitment: faith, money, and sex. A discussion with the pastor about joining St. John's Episcopal Church including expectations of both the church and the couple may occur during this meeting.
Covenantal relationships: What does it mean to be committed for a lifetime to another person? What does the Church have to say about marriage? What are our expectations of one another?
Planning the Ceremony: Putting it all together for the big day.
During this time of preparation, we ask that you make a commitment to attending worship together weekly. This is the beginning of your life together as a Christian couple, and worship is central to who we are as Christians.
Responsibilities of the Couple For the Wedding Ceremony Your wedding involves several events promising life-long faithfulness. Since you have decided to have a Christian wedding, God will be worshipped, and the commands and promises of God’s Word will be spoken. Music:
The Musician for St. John’s shall have right of first refusal in regard to providing music for all weddings and all funerals in the Parish. The Church Musician may, within their discretion, and in consultation with the Rector, permit other musicians to provide music for these services if such will serve the pastoral aims of the services. St. John’s musician shall be responsible for determining, by audition or other means, that the music and the ability of an outside musician for such services will be appropriate to the standards and liturgical requirements of the Parish. St. John’s musician shall receive a customary minimum fee for weddings or funerals when another musician is requested and permitted to play, unless Musician waives such fee.
The minimum fee for weddings and funerals, exclusive of any rehearsal with requested soloists, shall be $200.00 to be paid by the family no later than the day of the service. Rehearsals with requested soloists, additional rehearsals of the Parish choir and other extraordinary work performed by Musician in connection with weddings or funerals shall be compensated by the family at the hourly rate of $50.
Bulletins and Wedding Accessories
If you decide to have a bulletin/program it is your responsibility to provide it. We can provide a simple bulletin (black and white only). The fee is $25 for every 100 bulletins requested.
If you choose to have a Unity Candle as part of the ceremony, it is your responsibility to make arrangements as well as providing the tapers and their holders. If you wish to have a sand ceremony or other variations, please provide all the items necessary for that, and have it approved by the priest well in advance of the wedding.
The Rehearsal
A rehearsal is required. Please let all individuals involved in the ceremony know the time of the rehearsal and stress the importance of being on time. Rehearsals will begin on time, last one hour, and allow for any specific questions you might have regarding the ceremony. A wedding is a beautiful and holy rite therefore, the priest (not your wedding planner) plans the ceremony with your input during your pre-marriage preparation sessions and runs the rehearsal.
Readings and Music - coming soon
Help with readings, Episcopal services normally include a reading from the Hebrew Scriptures (sometimes called the Old Testament), a Psalm, a reading from one of the New Testament Epistles, and a Gospel reading. Friends or family members may, if desired, read the selections from the Hebrew Scriptures, the Epistle, lead the psalm and lead the Prayers of the People. (or the church can provide a reader if requested). The Priest, or a Deacon will read the Gospel prior to the sermon. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
If you have more questions, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact our priest and just ask!