weddings

The sacramental rite of the church in which two persons “enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows” (BCP, p. 861). The union is understood to be intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord (BCP, p. 423). At the Declaration of Consent, both persons promise to love, comfort, honor, and keep their spouse, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to their spouse as long as they both live (BCP, p. 424). The congregation witnesses the couple’s promises, and the members of the congregation promise to do all in their power to uphold the couple in their marriage. - Book of Common Prayer

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Marriage in the church is different from a civil ceremony in that it is first and foremost a worship service. Our attention is drawn to God whom we ask to bless, guide, and strengthen our marriage. During the service we hear God’s Word, we offer God our prayers, and we ask the community of gathered witnesses to help support us. There are challenges to even the best marriages, and for this reason if you would like our pastor to perform your marriage ceremony you must meet with them for a six month marriage preparation course. This does not include the wedding rehearsal. The purpose of these sessions is:

  • To establish a pastoral relationship as a resource early in the marriage.

  • To strengthen the spiritual foundation of marriage.

  • To plan the wedding service.

  • To answer any questions on what a marriage in the church is.

If you are being married by our Rector, the form of worship will follow the Book of Common Prayer resources for weddings. Any variations from or additions to the order of service must have the prior approval of the Rector who has final say.

No marriage is conducted at Trinity Episocpal by our Rector until the above outlined marriage counseling sessions have been completed by the couple. These sessions should be scheduled well in advance of the wedding date.

FOR YOUR HELP PLANNING

  • To be married at Trinity at least one of those being married must be a member* in good standing at Trinity.

  • All members of the wedding party must be sober / not under the influence of any substance before and during the wedding ceremony. If any member of the wedding party is intoxicated, high, or under the influence of any substance the wedding ceremony will not go forward.

  • No rice, birdseed, glitter, confetti, glitter bombs, silly string, or other items are to be thrown / used in any part of the building or upon your departure from the building.

  • No releasing of birds, butterflies, or other animals during or following the service.

  • Decorations should be tasteful and appropriate for worship. They should not block any movement down the aisles, around the baptismal font, or in the entry area.

  • Decorations, pictures, flowers, etc. are not permitted in the altar area.

  • No pets or animals, except for service animals**, are permitted in our church building.

  • No smoking is permitted in any part of the church building. This includes electronic cigarettes, vaping, and marijuana.

  • Smoking (cigarettes only) is permitted outside of the Parish Hall under the covered area. Cigarette butts should be properly disposed of in the Smoker Station and not left on church property.

  • Weapons of any kind are not permitted inside the church building***.

  • If you are having a rehearsal dinner at Trinity, or meal following the service, beverages or food items are to be brought into the fellowship hall before the meal.

  • Food and beverages are not permitted outside the Parish Hall.

  • All marriages held at Trinity shall be officiated by the Rector of Trinity unless other arrangements are made.

  • Other clergy/officiants must have the permission of Trinity’s Rector to perform the wedding ceremony at Trinity, or assist with any wedding service.

  • The wedding license and wedding certificate should be given to the pastor/officiant no later than the rehearsal dinner.

  • Trinity’s sound system is not Bluetooth capable and is unable to play recorded music via CD’s, cassettes, USB ports, or other means.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

  • Prepare a date with the pastor/officiant as soon as possible. Inform them immediately of changes in your plans. The wedding service must fit into their personal schedule.

  • Set an appointment for the first counseling/planning session.

  • Rehearsal date and time should be arranged at the first counseling session with the pastor/officiant.

  • You are responsible for engaging a pianist, or other musicians. Don’t put this off—musicians are in high demand! If you would like Trinity’s musician to play please make arrangements with them as soon as possible.

  • All music played during the worship service should be appropriate for the context of Christian worship. Music played during the reception should be family appropriate. The Rector has final say in all music selections for the service.

  • If you would like a printed bulletin you must inform the Rector so copies can be made and printed in a timely manner before the service.

  • If you would like Holy Communion during the service please let the Rector know ahead of time so arrangements can be made for set up and clean up.

  • Please ask your photographer and guests to refrain from flash photography and video recording during the wedding service (opening greeting to dismissal).

  • If you wish to use a unity candle during the ceremony you must provide it.

  • If you wish to have an aisle cloth, please arrange it with your florist.

  • You are responsible for making arrangements with the church custodian or Trinity representative to get into the building for any preparation before the service.

  • You must complete and return to the church office (via email, physical mail, or drop off) a copy of Trinity’s Building Use Policy Page One & Page Two.

FEES

Use of the Church Building

There are no fees charged for the use of the church to Trinity members. For non-members the cost is $250.00 for use of the church building and parish hall. This shall be paid to the church prior to the rehearsal.

Custodial services

In order to ensure that the church is clean and ready for worship / faith activities there is a $100 fee to cover our custodian cleaning the building following the service. This shall be paid to the custodian prior to the service.

Musicians

The Trinity pianist is available to play wedding services, please make arrangements with them as soon as possible. There is a fee of $150 due to the pianist at the rehearsal.  If you would like another musician to play, or if you have other musicians you would like to incorporate into the service, please speak with Trinity’s Rector as soon as possible.

Officiating clergy

Trinity’s Rector will officiate at the wedding services of church members unless other arrangements are made. Other clergy may participate at the Rector's discretion. There is no fee assessed by the Rector for officiating for members of Trinity. 

If you will have other clergy/officiant leading / participating in the wedding service  you should speak with them in advance regarding any honorarium policies they have.

*As per the Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Church a member is defined as someone who has been baptized at Trinity, or been baptized at another congregation and transferred their membership who in the previous calendar year has been faithful to corporate (in person) worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God.

**A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals. – From the Americans with Disabilities National Network  (https://adata.org/factsheet/service-animals)

***This general prohibition includes visible or concealed weapons, even those for which the owner has a valid permit. Prohibited items include any form of weapon or firearm; dangerous or hazardous materials, devices or substances; as well as any other explosive materials that are illegal under federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

Wedding Hymn Suggestions

The following are suggestions that are readily available in our worship materials / hymnals. If you would like to view any of these when considering music please inform the Rector and copies can be provided to you. LEVAS corresponds to the Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal. Hymn numbers without LEVAS correspond to The Hymnal 1982.

  • 397 Now thank we all our God

  • 376 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee

  • 375 Give praise and glory unto God

  • 377 All people that on earth do dwell

  • 390 Praise to the Lord

  • 401 The God of Abraham praise

  • 410 Praise the Lord, the King of Heaven

  • 518 Christ is made the sure foundation

  • 657 Love divine, all loves excelling 

  • 488 Be thou my vision

  • 314 Humbly I adore thee

  • 339 Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness

  • LEVAS 52 Expression of Life

  • LEVAS 63 Glorious is the Name of Jesus

  • LEVAS 98 Praise Him!

  • LEVAS 162 Come By Here

  • LEVAS 201 I’ve Got Peace Like a River

  • LEVAS 216 In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified

Wedding Scripture Suggestions

The following is a list of suggestions and common wedding readings from the Bible. You are not limited to these suggestions. Please note that depending on what kind of Bible you are using some scripture verses may not be listed in them, for example the Tobit & Sirach readings. A helpful bible website has been included below that you can use to search for and read scripture passages. If you have any questions about the readings, please contact the Rector.

Old Testament

  • Genesis 1:26-28

  • Genesis 2:4-9, 15-24

  • Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 8:6-7

  • Tobit 8:5b-8

  • Ruth 1:16-17

  • Micah 4:1-4

Psalms

  • Psalm 25:1-9

  • Psalm 26:1-8

  • Psalm 65

  • Psalm 67

  • Psalm 126

  • Psalm 127

  • Psalm 128

Epistle Readings

  • Romans 12:9-18

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

  • Galatians 3:26-28

  • Galatians 5:14, 22-26

  • Ephesians 3:14-19

  • Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33

  • Colossians 3:12-17

  • 1 John 4:7-16

Gospel Readings

  • Matthew 5:1-10

  • Matthew 5:13-16

  • Matthew 7:21,24-29

  • Mark 10:6-9,13-16

  • Luke 6:32-38

  • John 15:9-12

  • John 17:1-2,18-26


Bible Website - https://www.biblegateway.com/

To use the website simply enter in the scripture passage you want to read. Please note you can choose from a variety of translations, but the one used in worship services at Trinity is the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVU).