Episcopal
Weddings 101
Here is an
introduction to weddings at St. Timothy’s. If you are interested in marrying in
the Episcopal tradition, remember that it is something we take very seriously.
It is a sacramental union, a holy commitment—as well as an occasion of great
joy.
Please
contact the parish office if you would like to learn more about having a wedding at our parish.
Preparing
Popular culture:
Live together, save up, set the date, make the plans, spend
an enormous amount of money, and then shop for a “venue” and a person to “officiate.”
After all, it’s all about the event.
The Church’s view:
Get engaged, connect with a church and start attending, contact
the priest about setting a wedding date, attend pre-marital counseling, learn
about marriage as a sacrament, make arrangements about the service with the
priest, keep a healthy perspective about the wedding costs…after all, its not only
about the wedding but the marriage that begins at the wedding.
The wedding itself
Popular culture:
Why we are here: To have a party for the couple’s “big
day.” And, oh, yeah, there’s also that “ceremony thing” you first have to do….
Role of those present: audience, onlookers, &
party-goers.
The Church’s view:
Why we are here: A service of worship (liturgy) to glorify God for the gift of
marriage, to witness this couple enter into marriage through making vows, exchanging
rings, and receiving God’s blessing as they begin the rest of their life
together. This is the important part.
Then comes the party….
Role of those present: worshippers, witnesses, active
participants, guests at a celebration.
Parts of an
Episcopal Wedding
Getting into the
church (the procession)
This is usually what people obsess over, but it really is
pretty simple and isn’t the point.
The Address & Betrothal (“Dearly beloved,”
&c.)
The priest explains the purposes of marriage and its
significance; the bride and groom are identified and give their assent to the
terms of marriage, declaring they are free to make this commitment; the assembled
community gives its consent.
The Ministry of the
Word (readings from Holy Scripture)
The priest offers a prayer for the bride and groom. Lessons
from Scripture are read. A sermon about marriage helps apply what we learn
about marriage at the wedding to our own lives.
The Marriage (the
vows and rings)
The couple exchange vows as they hold each other’s right
hand; the wedding rings are blessed and given as symbols of the vows, and the
couple is declared husband and wife by the priest (wrapping the stole around
the bride and groom’s right hands).
The Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer is followed by a series of prayers for
this and all marriages. These prayers deal with what it means to live in holy
matrimony for the “long haul.”
The Blessing of the
Marriage
The couple kneel to receive God’s blessing. This is the high
point of the liturgy.
The Peace
“The kiss” shared between the bride and groom—hugs and
handshakes for all others.
The Eucharist
Holy Communion is the way the Church celebrates sacraments.
The first thing a newly-married couple in the Episcopal Church do is share in
the Eucharist together, with Christ as their host and Lord. All other baptized
Christians are invited to share in the Eucharist, and those who do not are
still invited to come forward for a blessing.
The procession out
Music is played while the wedding and altar parties leave
the church.
Witnessing and signing the licenses &
other documents immediately follows in the chapel
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