In order to be married in the Episcopal Church, at least one member of the couple must be baptized.  If you need help, the priest can assist you in obtaining verification of your baptism.

In cases of remarriage after divorce, the divorced person(s) must provide the priest with the final judgment of divorce from the court.  The priest must also obtain the bishop's consent before he/she can officiate at the marriage of a person who has been divorced.  This process takes at least eight (8) weeks, and so should be addressed at the first meeting of the priest and couple.

A marriage license must be obtained.  BE SURE YOU BRING YOUR MARRIAGE  LICENSE TO THE WEDDING REHEARSAL!!

At the time you reserve the date for your wedding, you will also reserve a date and time for your rehearsal.  Wedding rehearsals are generally held in the late afternoon or early evening of the day before the wedding.

The rehearsal should take about an hour.  Please arrive fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled start of your rehearsal.  Remember to bring your marriage license to the rehearsal.

No alcohol.  The wedding ceremony is a time for celebration which reflects the sacredness of the occasion.  Customary church reverence should be maintained even during the rehearsal.  The consumption of alcohol or drugs on church grounds during the rehearsal or the wedding will not be tolerated.  Your wedding party should not come to either the rehearsal or the wedding intoxicated.  Please share this information with your wedding party.

Timeliness.  Couples are strongly encouraged to start their wedding on time.  If a wedding starts more than fifteen (15) minutes late, the church cannot guarantee that the organist and sexton will stay until the end of the ceremony.

The Altar Guild.  Christ Church has a skilled Altar Guild whose members will prepare the church for your wedding.  The Altar Guild and rector have the final word on wedding decorations and flowers.

The Wedding Coordinator Christ Church’s wedding coordinator will be present at the wedding rehearsal and wedding. The wedding coordinator has final authority on the conduct of the wedding ceremony. Your wedding coordinator should be informed of this policy.

The Sexton (church caretaker) will be present at your wedding.  He will open and close the church, patrol the parking lot and church grounds, and be available to answer questions and offer assistance.

For your wedding ceremony we will use the service The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.  Within the framework of the marriage service, the assembled community will give thanks for your love and witness your vows to each other.  On behalf of the wider Church community, the priest will bless your marriage.

In planning your wedding ceremony within the framework of the Prayer Book, many options are possible.  You will be asked to select scripture readings and some prayers.  Family and friends may serve as lectors, oblation bearers, and in other ways.  The priest will work with you and explain your options in greater detail.

In the Episcopal Church the Holy Eucharist -- also called the Mass, Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper -- is frequently celebrated as part of the wedding service.  A celebration of the Holy Eucharist as part of your wedding means that your first act together as a married couple will be to receive Holy Communion.  The Holy Eucharist is our primary symbol of the sacrificial love Christ has for us and that married persons have for each other.  In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians who have been admitted to Communion in their own church, are invited to receive Holy Communion.

A wedding ceremony without the Holy Eucharist is also appropriate.  The priest will work with you to help you decide which type of wedding ceremony best fits your spirituality and circumstances.

Music is an important part of your wedding ceremony.  You will need to make an appointment with the Organist and Choirmaster prior to your wedding.  He will work with you to select appropriate music.  The music for a wedding must be sacred in nature and appropriate for a worship service.  You may choose to have instrumentalists or soloists in addition to the organ.  If additional rehearsals are needed with the organist, a nominal fee will be assessed for his time.  In some instances couples prefer not to use the organ, using instead musicians such as a string quartet or a recorder ensemble.  If you choose not to use the organ, the priest will discuss your options with you.

Live musicians can respond to the moment and allow the flow of the liturgy to occur.  Music from tapes, compact discs, or karaoke-style music represent something that is artificial and inauthentic.  Though these may be fine for parties or night clubs, they are inappropriate for a church service.  If there is a particular piece of recorded music that is meaningful to you, you might consider using it at your wedding reception.

The Organist and Choirmaster of Christ Church New Brighton has the rights of first refusal to any wedding held here.  Any other organist or musician must be approved by Christ Church’s Organist and Choirmaster.

The rector of Christ Church New Brighton is the usual officiant at all weddings held at Christ Church. On occasion the rector may designate another Episcopal priest to officiate at a wedding.

Clergy of other denominations are welcome to assist at Christ Church weddings with the approval of the Rector. In consultation with the Rector, visiting clergy may read the Exhortation, receive the Declaration of Consent, read lessons, preach, and lead the Intercessions.

Some couples choose to hold their wedding reception at the church in the second floor hall.  Couples who have their reception at the church generally hire a caterer.  The church can provide dinner plates, glasses, coffee cups, and flatware.  Often couples ask the caterer to provide these items in addition to tablecloths and decorations.

The sexton will prepare the auditorium for the reception and will assist the caterer.  Because of the additional time and effort required to prepare the hall, the sexton will receive compensation in addition to his usual fee.

The fees include stipends for the organist, altar guild, wedding coordinator, sexton, and a donation to the Rector’s discretionary fund.  If the organist requires additional rehearsals with soloists, an additional fee will be negotiated. 

Parish members are those who have their baptisms registered at Christ Church New Brighton and who have been regular at worship and support of the parish.

All wedding fees are due TWO WEEKS prior to the wedding day.  Please write one check payable to Christ Church New Brighton.