A Wedding Customary

INTRODUCTION

“No minister of this church shall solemnize any marriage unless he/she shall have ascertained that both parties understand that Holy Matrimony is a physical and spiritual union of a man and woman, entered into within the community of faith, by mutual consent of heart, mind, and will; and with intent that it be lifelong.”
- Title I, Canon 17, Sec. 2(b)

The celebration and blessing of a wedding is a sacramental action of the Church, as well as an event for a couple and their family and friends. It is our desire at St. Peter’s Parish to assist our members as they plan for their wedding so that the preparation time can be a period of growth in the understanding of Christian Marriage. The service itself is a witness to our conviction that marriage was instituted by God and that our Lord does indeed bless those who make a sacred covenant with one another in His name before His altar.

In order to assist couples and their families to begin planning with an understanding of the regulations and traditions of the Church for a wedding of beauty and dignity, the following guidelines are provided.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Under the canons of the Episcopal Church, applications for marriage must be made to the Rector/Assistant Rector at least 3 months in advance. This is a minimum and leaves adequate time for the premarital counseling required by the Church and the many other details that arise. (See #3 below concerning divorced persons.) After speaking with the Rector or Assistant Rector, a wedding date can tentatively be reserved on the parish calendar. However, no final decision can be made as to whether the marriage can be solemnized here until the couple has counseled with the clergy at least once.
We can only celebrate weddings in which at least one party is one of the following:
1. an active member of St. Peter’s Parish.
2. the son or daughter of an active member.
3. affiliated with the parish, active in a congregation, and able to meet guidelines in negotiations with the Rector.
If either party has been married before and divorced and the former spouse is still living, the entire matter must be dealt with in consultation with the Bishop and depends upon the recommendation of the priest on the basis of his/her knowledge of the couple. It is the couple’s responsibility to volunteer this information immediately. No less than four months must be allowed for this process between the initial application and the date of the wedding. Because a knowledge of the couple by the priest is an essential part of the process, at least one person must be an active member of an Episcopal parish.
Under no circumstances can any announcement of a wedding at St. Peter’s Parish be made until the couple has had an interview with the Rector or Assistant Rector and he/she consents to officiate. In the event a judgment is necessitated by virtue of a divorce, no announcement can be made until the Bishop has signified his permission.
Christian marriage is a request for God’s blessing upon a covenant freely undertaken by a man and woman for their lifetime. The service for the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, which often involves the Eucharist, is a sacrament of the Church. There are some options which the couple may elect, but keep in mind that the form of the service itself is prescribed by the Church (see the Book of Common Prayer, pages 422-432; 437-438) and neither the priest nor the couple is free to alter the service beyond the permissible options.
If any clergy of the Episcopal Church has declined, for any reason, to officiate at a particular marriage, no clergy is at liberty to do so without prior consultation with the priest involved and with his/her ready consent. It is the responsibility of the couple to make such circumstances known to the Rector.
The parish clergy will not officiate at weddings other than in a church.
The marriage service is found in the Book of Common Prayer, p. 423. The officiating clergy person, in consultation with the Altar Guild, is responsible for the entire service, including the appropriateness of all arrangements, music (in consultation with the organist), and for conducting the rehearsal. Together with the clergy, the couple will decide such matters as Scripture readings, other participants, and whether or not the Eucharist is to be celebrated.
Contact should be made with the Altar Guild Director and Parish Musician 4-6 weeks prior to the ceremony.
The Chancel area of the Church accommodates a maximum of 16 attendants. The Fire Marshall has determined that the occupant capacity of the Church is 200 people.
It is the prerogative of the resident clergy of St. Peter’s to officiate at all weddings. Other clergy of the Episcopal Church may, with the Rector’s consent, be allowed to officiate.
Clergy from other denominations may, with the approval of the Rector, be invited to assist in the service, but are not allowed to officiate.
The church and associated rooms will be opened two hours before the service.
Serving beer, wine and champagne is permitted at the reception in the Parish Hall, but alcohol is never brought into the church nor are those preparing and dressing for the wedding permitted to consume alcohol.

TIMES FOR WEDDINGS

Weddings are to be arranged at such times that do not conflict with regularly scheduled services. Sundays and major feast days are not appropriate because of the full schedule. In accordance with ancient church practice, marriages normally are not celebrated during Lent.

FLOWERS AND ACCESSORIES

Flowers are appropriate symbols of joy and life.
Flowers on the Altar will be purchased from Dottie B’s Florist. All other flowers in the church are arranged by the family and local florists.
Plans for flowers should be developed at least one month prior to the wedding in consultation with the Altar Guild Director (see the altar guild page).
Flowers placed in the church for a wedding are considered to be an offering to God and are taken to the sick and shut-ins. If the church is decorated for a special event or season, such decorations and flowers may not be removed.
Wedding kneeling cushion will be provided by the church.
Only the candles normally used at the services in the church are to be used.
Reserved pews may be marked only by ribbons or modest floral arrangements. These markers should be removed immediately following the service.
Aisle runners are a safety hazard and may not be used. The dropping of flower petals in the center aisle is not permitted.

DRESS

Dress for weddings should be kept simple, in good taste, and appropriate for The House of God. Rooms are available to the bride and her attendants to dress for the wedding.

MUSIC FOR THE WEDDING

A consultation with the Director of Music (see the music page) should be arranged as early as possible in the planning stages of the wedding. The Director will discuss music possibilities with the couple and advise them. Please observe the following points:

The wedding or the Nuptial Eucharist is a sacred service and all music and texts are to be avoided that have a secular connotation.
Any texts that are sung must, under the Canons and Rubrics, be from the Bible, the Prayer Book, or other authorized services, from the Hymnals of the Episcopal Church, or be theologically consistent with them.
The final decision on the appropriateness of music and soloists must reside with the Rector in consultation with the Director of Music.
Should a guest organist be desired, it must be with the approval and under the supervision of the Director of Music. In such case, the Director of Music functions as a consultant.
Soloists are expected to contact the Director of Music at least four weeks prior to the service and make necessary arrangements for rehearsals.
Recorded music will not be used.

REHEARSAL

The purpose of the rehearsal is to prepare the wedding party to participate in the service in such a way as to render praise to God and joy to the bride and groom. In deference to the nature of the service and to the many people who must be on hand for a rehearsal, members of the wedding party are expected to be present and on time.

The rehearsal is under the sole direction of the officiating priest. It is to be conducted prayerfully and reverently. Any parties to be held should be arranged so as to not cause delay, embarrassment, or difficulty for any concerned. Such events should follow the rehearsal. The rehearsal shall take no more than 50 minutes.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

The marriage license issued in the State of Florida will be brought to the church office by the Monday before the wedding and given to the Parish Administrator.

PHOTOGRAPHER

A wedding is a worship service. No flash will be used during the ceremony except during the bridal party’s entrance and exit. No photos of any kind may be taken during the service by anyone other than the professional. Posed photographs of the wedding group may be taken immediately after the ceremony, and should be done as rapidly as possible. (You may have as much as 45 minutes for those photographs.) Please instruct your photographer about these regulations.

Videotaping may be done discreetly by available light from designated locations. Consult with clergy for details.

RECEPTION

The Parish Hall can usually be made available for a wedding reception.
Arrangements should be made as early as possible by telephoning the Parish
Administrator at 261-4293 and completing a Parish Hall lease agreement. Rice or bird seed may
not be thrown on the church grounds since it creates a hazardous condition on the steps and walks.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND FEES

All fees must be paid two weeks in advance. The checks for the organist and sexton must be made out to them directly. Other fees should be made to the church. Checks should be payable to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. No wedding may take place until these fees have been paid. The established fees for the services associated with your wedding are as follows:

Honorarium for Clergy - The clergy do not charge for their time and do not anticipate any kind of honorarium from active members. Our clergy are supported by your pledges to the total ministry of the parish. Weddings of members are seen as central parts of this church’s ministry to them. However, if a gift from a non-member is planned, it should be determined on the basis of time spent with the couple and the scope of the wedding. Clergy often spend twenty hours or more on each wedding including counseling, planning, rehearsal and the wedding itself. (An honorarium of $100 is appropriate for the clergy discretionary fund.)

Non-members fee + $500.00

Organist $150.00

Sexton $100.00

CONTACT PEOPLE

The Clergy:

The Rev. George D. Young III, Rector 904-261-4293

Staff:

Pat Burns, Parish Administrator 904-261-4293

Parish Office:

E-Mail Address: parishoffice2@stpetersparish.org
Mailing Address: 801 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: 904-261-4293 Fax: 904-277-1617
Actual Location: Corner of 8^th Street and Atlantic (behind the church building and easily accessed from 9^th Street)

THE NUPTIAL BLESSING

O God, you have consecrated
The covenant of marriage that in it
Is represented the spiritual unity
Between Christ and His Church.

Send, therefore, your blessing
Upon these your servants, that
They may so love, honor, and
Cherish each other in faithfulness
And patience; in wisdom and true
Godliness; that their home may be
A haven of blessing and peace

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and
The Holy Spirit, one God, now and
Forever. Amen.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Atlantic Avenue and 8th Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
(904) 261-4293
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ST. PETER’S PARISH, FERNANDINA