So you’re planning to get married! That’s wonderful. In the Episcopal Church, Holy Matrimony is a sacrament involving a solemn, lifelong commitment. Part of this commitment is the expectation that the couple–or at least one of them–will be an active member of the faith community, at Holy Cross or elsewhere. Marriage in the Episcopal Church also entails a course of preparation. At Holy Cross that means meeting with the Vicar to explore and discuss important areas of the marital relationship–working out differences, handling finances, raising children, sex, roles, expectations. It also involves planning the ceremony and talking about the meaning of its various parts. We want to work out a wedding that speaks to the couple’s values and dreams, while being consistent with the theology of Christian Marriage in the Episcopal Church.
This means that couples need to meet with the Vicar and explore what is involved before they, or the church, can commit to go forward with marriage plans. Normally a period of at least six months is necessary in advance of the ceremony.
If either person has been previously married, the permission of the Bishop must be obtained to permit remarriage. What this involves can be explained by the Vicar.
We do not have fixed charges for weddings at Holy Cross except for an organist. What constitutes an appropriate contribution is discussed with each couple, based on their financial circumstances, their wedding budget, and the scope of their ceremony–including whether they wish to use the Parish Hall for their reception. People who are serious about wanting a church wedding will understand that their contribution will be substantial in comparison to what they spend on other elements of the occasion.