Greetings! We receive many inquiries about weddings at Grace Church. Providing you with this letter assures that all individuals who inquire receive the same information.

In the context of our Anglican tradition and worship here at Grace Church, we believe that a wedding ceremony is a sacramental rite by which two individuals enter into a holy covenant before God and loved ones by way of spiritual preparation and vows that are a natural expression of our Christian faith. We are always pleased, therefore, to plan a wedding that incorporates pre-marital counseling and other preparations undertaken by individuals have been regularly worshiping at Grace Church and taking part in the parish's ministries for a period of at least six months prior to the wedding inquiry. In many instances we are also able to schedule and plan weddings for individuals who grew up in the parish, provided that family members are still actively participating in the worship and ministry of the parish.

From time to time we are also able to accommodate weddings for individuals who are active members of another Episcopal parish and who have compelling reasons to be married here rather than there. If these are your circumstances, please ask the priest in your 'home' parish to contact me on your behalf. This allows the clergy in both parishes and you to mutually reach clear and appropriate expectations about pre-marital counseling and other logistical matters.

Grace Church has previously allowed the building to be used on a rental basis for weddings of individuals who are not Episcopalians and using rites that may or may not be from our tradition. I and the parish's lay leaders look forward to a time when we can do this once again. In some recent situations over the past few years, however, we have been unable to provide the minimum quality and consistency of support that we believe bridal parties deserve. I regret that we cannot schedule any weddings of this kind until after new policies have been approved by the Vestry (parish trustees). We will likely not even begin the process until sometime in 2009.

Please CLICK HERE for additional relevant information. If, having read this letter and the additional information, you believe it is appropriate to begin the process of planning a wedding at Grace Church, please contact me directly at (608) 251-2488, ext. 21 or email: togracechurchrector@gmail.com.

With best wishes,
Patrick Raymond (The Rev.),
Interim Rector

✠ Additional Information Regarding Weddings at Grace Episcopal Church ✠

The Episcopal wedding ceremony. Episcopal clergy may only preside at weddings using the forms from the Book of Common Prayer (see pp. 422ff). The forms do provide many options that allow the service to be shaped to some personal preferences, but some elements are not negotiable. (The vows, for instance, must be those from the Prayer Book.) Most couples value and appreciate the tradition and language used in these worship forms.

Requirement of prior baptism. Episcopal clergy may preside only at weddings in which at least one of the individuals is a baptized Christian.

Prior divorce. If either party to the proposed wedding has previously wed and been divorced, it is necessary to work with the priest who will preside at your wedding to prepare an application to our bishop requesting a judgment of Termination of the former marriage.

Music. The staff organist for Grace Church has the prerogative to play all weddings and to identify, recruit and accompany any other instrumental or vocal musicians who are to take part in weddings. Generally, the music used at Grace Church weddings is traditional. The organist typically meets with couples well in advance of the service to discuss (and play) and select music from a variety of typical options. Music wishes that vary from these norms must be negotiated in advance with both the clergy and the parish organist.

Blessing a Civil Marriage. In rare instances because of pastoral circumstances, the clergy may suggest using a rite in the Book of Common Prayer titled The Blessing of a Civil Marriage (p. 433). In this scenario the service at the church, in which the blessing of God and the Church is given, has been preceded by a civil ceremony, usually held privately on a prior date.

Fees. There are a variety of fees related to a wedding service at Grace Church, most of which are to pay for the services of individuals whose presence, skills or efforts will contribute to a positive wedding day for you. The exact fees are individually explained by the clergy. Some fees are not negotiable, but the parish does not want individuals to be unable to marry solely because of an undue economic burden that these fees would represent for some.

Wedding Coordinator(s). Grace Church normally provides a wedding coordinator, for a fee, who will familiarize you with the building, help with some specific arrangements and be available to you throughout the day of your wedding. Technically, however, the presiding priest at your wedding is 'in charge' of the ceremony itself. To avoid misunderstandings we discourage couples from retaining the services of a separate wedding coordinator, and only the priest will organize and lead the rehearsal and the wedding.

Same-sex unions. Both within the Episcopal Church and in the secular media, a great deal of attention has recently been devoted to ceremonies often called same-sex unions. The Episcopal House of Bishops has asked that no such ceremonies be held for the time being, in hopes that there may be an improvement of relationships and dialog relative to this issue among the member churches in the Anglican Communion. Those in same-sex relationships who wish to make further inquiry about pastoral support for their commitments are welcomed and encouraged contact any member of the clergy here at Grace.

But wait ... there's more! In the event that you are to proceed with plans for a wedding at Grace Church, further matters will be shared by way of a review of the parish's Wedding Handbook and in consultation with the priest who will preside at your wedding and work with you in preparation for it.