Weddings at Saint Paul's Church

Holy Matrimony

Requirements

It is required that this document be read in its entirety before there is any conversation with a staff member of Saint Paul's Church concerning a wedding.
It is required that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian and a member of Saint Paul's Church in good standing.
It is required that the couple makes an appointment with the rector seeking permission to be married. (Exceptions to this requirement may be considered on a case by case basis. Non-members must first submit a written petition, either by mail or email, to the rector before seeking an appointment with the rector.)
No wedding date will be scheduled until after the couple has meet with the rector.
After the initial meeting with the rector, the couple is required to undergo premarital counseling under the supervision of the rector, or a priest of the rector's choosing. Information concerning remarriage after divorce is found on the Diocese of Georgia web site.

The Service

The proper liturgy is "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage" as precisely found in The Book of Common Prayer (1979.) Printed bulletins must first be approved by the priest who is officiating, and then may be prepared by the church or by an approved printer. If the church is printing a bulletin, all information concerning lists of participants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, readers, etc.) must be submitted to the parish office ten (10) days prior to the ceremony.

Church Music

Once the rector grants permission for a wedding, it is the responsibility of the bride and groom to schedule an appointment with the Music Director of Saint Paul's. The Music Director or Music Assistant will serve as the primary musician at the wedding and will handle all arrangements pertaining to the music including their fees, which are in addition to the facility fee. Permission must be obtained from the Music Director before any invitations are issued to other musicians or soloists to participate in the wedding ceremony. The arrangement of singers and/or instrumentalists, as well as their fees, will also be handled through the Music Director. During the initial meeting with the Music Director, various options for wedding music will be discussed.

The music must be appropriate to the worship of the Church and must possess a level of musical integrity consistent with that of the regular parish music program. The texts of vocal music must originate in the Scriptures, The Book of Common Prayer, or Hymnal and must be concordant with the theology of the Episcopal Church. There is a great variety of appropriate music available for weddings and the Music Director will be pleased to play examples for you.

The Wedding Guild

The Wedding Guild is composed of members of Saint Paul's Church who assist the clergy with the wedding. Members of the guild will be present at the rehearsal to help position the bridal attendants, to pace the procession, and to assist in preparation on the day of the ceremony. Outside wedding consultants are not permitted to assist at the church.

The Wedding Party

Please provide the clergy with a list of the names of all persons in the wedding party no less than 10 days prior to the rehearsal. The list should include the names of the bridal party, ushers who will seat parents and grandparents and those reading lessons. It is customary for an acolyte to serve at the ceremony. The church will make these arrangements.

Requirements and Fees

The Marriage License should be obtained at least two weeks prior to the wedding.

A minimum fee for use of Saint Paul's Church by members of the parish is $500. This non-refundable fee does not include music, and a deposit of one-half the facility fee must be paid once a wedding date has been set by the rector in order to reserve the date and the church. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the event.

The $500 church member fee includes:

Sexton
Acolytes
Bulletins (optional)

The River Room is available for receptions, based on availability, for a $500 church member usage fee.

Exceptions to these fees may be requested of the rector.

Non-member fees are $1500 for the use of our sanctuary. The addition of the River Room is available at standard rental prices.

Additional Information

It is important that all members of the wedding party arrive promptly for the rehearsal. This is a most important preparation for the wedding ceremony and lasts about one hour. The rehearsal will not begin until all members of the wedding party are present. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. It is strongly suggested that alcoholic beverages not be consumed at home or in other places prior to the rehearsal or wedding.

Smoking is prohibited in the buildings.

On the day of the wedding, the bride and attendants are requested to be ready to dress when they arrive at the church. The groom and his attendants should arrive dressed.

All members of the wedding party are to be at the church one to one and a half hours prior to the ceremony (depending on instructions from the Wedding Guild.)

Photographers and Video

Photographs (and making videotapes) of the ceremony are strictly controlled. Only photographers approved by the church will be allowed. Pictures may be taken in the dressing area prior to the liturgy, but no items are to be moved into that area to accommodate such photographs. Flash pictures are prohibited during the ceremony. One professional photographer may take pictures from the rear gallery. Photographs may be taken after the worship service is concluded. This photography session is limited to thirty minutes. Video cameras are permitted in fixed positions provided they are remotely controlled. Hand-held video cameras are prohibited. Wedding guests should be instructed prior to the wedding ceremony by the bride and groom that taking pictures from the pew is inappropriate.

Flowers and Candles

Flowers or greens may be placed only in the traditional space atop our altar and may not exceed the length of the altar cross. No flowers are to be placed in any other area, and further decorations in the church of any type are inappropriate. Only florists approved by the church will be allowed. All floral arrangements become the property of the church at delivery and may not be removed from the church for other purposes. No artificial flowers may be used in the church. No candles may be used in the church with the exception of those at the altar, which are provided by the church. Unity candles are not permitted. Rice, flower petals, and birdseed are prohibited in the building and on the church grounds.

Exceptions to this policy

The rector will consider allowing other Christian denominations use of our worship space upon special petition.


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Worship Services


	Sunday 8:00 - Rite I 10:30 - Rite II Wednesday Noon - Rite II in Chapel