The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

"For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." -- Mark 10:7-9

One of the great joys of parish life is the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Weddings require careful preparation, and at Epiphany, are normally performed only for regularly attending parishioners in good standing and members of their immediate families.

All couples contemplating marriage are required to meet with the priest for pre-marital instruction on the Church’s teaching concerning marriage. This normally is conducted over three sessions of one-and-a-half hours each. Additional sessions may be required at the priest's discretion. By canon law, the priest must be satisfied that the couple intends and is able to undertake a Christian marriage before consenting to conduct the wedding or to allow it to take place in the priest's parish.

The permission of the bishop must be obtained for remarriage in the church of divorced persons if the former spouse is alive.

All weddings take place in the church using the authorized liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer. Flash photography and videography are strictly prohibited during the service. One photographer is permitted in the balcony to take non-flash photographs during the service.

Couples planning a wedding are urged not to schedule the reception until the priest has agreed to conduct the service on the anticipated date. Weddings are not scheduled for Sundays or during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Deacons are prohibited by the bishop from performing marriages.

There is no charge for celebrating the sacrament of holy matrimony at Epiphany. If music is desired at the wedding, the parish Music Director must be engaged. The Music Director coordinates all music in the parish and is paid a fee directly for their services. The Music Director charges a finder's fee for any other musicians, and approval of the priest for all music played or performed must be obtained. Additionally, there is a fee for the services of the sexton, which is required. Many couples also wish to gift an honorarium to the priest due to the additional extra work required for marriage preparation, as well as make an offering to the church in thanksgiving. It is suggested that a tithe of ten percent of the cost of the wedding festivities and reception be donated to the ministries of the church.