... The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage,
... is an act of Christian worship ...
We are delighted that you are interested in
getting married at St. James’ Church, Stratford!
We hope this information will answer
any questions you may have.
Please look it over, and then let us know
if you wish to move forward to begin
planning your wedding here at St. James’.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact our clergy:
Rector - The Ven. Dr. Lorne Mitchell
Tel - 271 – 3572 ex.202
email - lornemitchell@cyg.net
Associate Priest – The Rev. Lynn Mitchell
Tel - 271 – 3572 ex. 207 email - lynnmitchell@cyg.net
Getting Married in an Anglican Church
The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, or the Solemnization of Matrimony as it is also called, is an act of Christian worship in which two people promise in the sight of God and in the presence of family and friends that they will love, comfort, honour and protect one another, and live faithfully together for the rest of their lives.
This service takes place in the Church and the service itself is the responsibility of the priests of the parish. The clergy of St. James’ do not perform marriage services outside St. James’ Church, except in the case of significant, extenuating pastoral circumstances. In order to be married in the Anglican Church, a least one of the couple must be baptized. If this is a problem please do speak to Lorne+ or Lynn+.
We invite couples who ask to be married in the Church to join with us for Sunday worship at St. James’, and to consider seriously (if not already faithful members) renewing their life in the Church at this time.
There two choices for the marriage service, both of which are found in the Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada. The first, found on page 528, is The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage with the Holy Eucharist. The second, found on page 541, is The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage. It is important to know that it is the custom in the Anglican Church to welcome all baptized Christians to receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist, regardless of denomination.
Date & Time
The Canon Law of the Anglican Church of Canada requires that those who intend to marry give notice to the clergy of at least sixty (60) days before the day proposed for the wedding. It is helpful if more notice than this can be given so that the church building might be reserved and that there be time for thoughtful and unhurried preparation.
License or Banns?
A license to be married, issued by the Province of Ontario, is obtained from the City Clerk at City Hall, and may be purchased (by either one or both parties to be married) within three (3) months of the day of the wedding. Currently that cost is $125.00 and the City Hall takes VISA or cash.
Please note: The couple to be married must complete Questions 1 – 27 on the license before bringing it in its envelope to the priest during the week prior to the wedding. The license, however, must not be signed until the day of the wedding. Following the wedding the church office will mail the completed license to the Office of the Registrar General in Thunder Bay.
Also, any mistakes/changes to Questions 1 – 27 must be corrected by crossing out and initialing the correction. DO NOT erase or use white-out. The Office of the Registrar General refuses to accept changes that have not been properly made.
For those couples who are regular worshippers at St. James’, and who are thus well-known to the congregation, provincial regulations allow that the Banns – the announcement of the marriage – be read in church at the main service on three Sundays prior to the wedding date, and that the license be issued from the church office. Couples must be in attendance at church when the Banns are read.
Marriage of Divorced Persons
Divorced persons must obtain a marriage license; they cannot be married by the reading of Banns. It is important that you inform the City Clerk that you are divorced when you apply for the marriage license. They will require the court order # for the marriage license form.
As part of the preparation for the wedding day, the priest who is performing the marriage will want to reflect with the divorced person(s) about their previous marriage(s). Some premarital counseling may be recommended. As with any couple seeking marriage, those who have been divorced will be asked to attend a marriage preparation programme.
Marriage Preparation
Marriage is one of the most special and sacred moments in a couple’s lives. At St. James’ we are honoured to walk with you at this important time. As Anglican clergy we are unable to marry couples unless we have satisfied ourselves that they are suitably prepared to enter into marriage. Couples seeking marriage at St. James’ meet with the priest performing the marriage ceremony on 2 - 3 occasions to discuss their journey together and expectations for the future. All plans for the wedding ceremony itself will also be discussed, including the marriage service as found in the Book of Alternative Services.
Couples will be asked to attend a marriage preparation course recommended by the priest. These 2 day courses, held at various times throughout the year, usually involve a Friday evening, and a full day Saturday. During the marriage preparation course, couples will discuss topics such as in-laws, communication, conflict resolution, intimacy in marriage, children, shared values, and the place of faith in busy contemporary relationships. During the busy months leading up to the wedding, the marriage preparation course is a gift of time couples give to one another, and contributes to the building of a strong marriage relationship. These courses can be valuable for all couples, even those who have been living together for some time.
Also part of marriage preparation is participation in the life of St. James’ Church. Couples will be asked to attend Sunday worship on a reasonably regular basis during the months leading to their marriage.
The Rehearsal
The rehearsal usually takes place on the evening preceding the wedding, and takes approximately one hour. The rehearsal is to be attended by the wedding party (bride, groom, person(s) walking the bride down the aisle, best woman, best man, bridesmaids and ushers) and by those taking part as scripture readers or in other ways. This ensures that those taking part will be familiar with their roles, and enables them to take their parts with confidence on the day of the wedding.
Please note it is essential that everyone involved arrive right on time for the rehearsal.
If there are children in the wedding party, a responsible adult (not in the wedding party) should be assigned to care for them during the rehearsal and wedding. This allows the adults in the wedding party to concentrate on their role and not be distracted. If the children are quite small, one person per child should be assigned.
Decoration of the Church
The decoration of the church is the responsibility of the Chancel Guild. This is an organization within St. James’ of people whose ministry it is to have the church ready for all worship services, including weddings. Any arrangements for flowers, pew decorations, candles etc. are to be made in consultation with the priest and the coordinator of the Chancel Guild. If your wedding is on a Saturday, you are asked to provide the Altar flowers, which will then remain in the church for Sunday. The cost of this is approximately $75.00 - $100.00.
If you are using a professional wedding planner, it is important to note that, while they may have some ideas about flowers and decorations, they have no jurisdiction over the decoration of the church.
Music for the Wedding Ceremony
St. James’ Church has a very high quality music programme, a wonderful four-manual organ, a fine grand piano and an excellent Music Director. We also have a marvelous chimer and a lovely set of church bells. Some of the best church music in south-western Ontario can be found here at St. James’. Since a wedding ceremony is an act of Christian worship offered to God, the music is always sacred in character and conforms to the religious and musical standards of this parish and the Diocese of Huron. Our Music Director wants to work with you to make the music at your wedding the best it can be. All music and soloists must be approved by the Music Director.
To contact the Music Director please call 271 – 3572.
Our Music Director has the right to provide the musical accompaniment for all weddings at St. James’. If you wish to bring in other musicians you must get permission from the Music Director and the priest.
Wedding Bells
You may wish to have the church bells ringing for your wedding day! Our chimer Peter Ryde would be delighted to meet with you. He may be reached at 271 – 3572 ex.216 in the Bell Tower, or at home at 519-285-3443.
Wedding Fee Schedule
- Church $150
- Priest $150
- Organist $100 (with soloist $125)
- Caretaker $60
- Chancel Guild $75 (if on a Saturday)
- Chimer $50
Photographs & Videotaping
During the wedding service itself the attention of all in the Church should be on the solemn ceremony which is taking place.
Therefore, it is not permissible for pictures to be taken by the official photographer during the actual service. We will also request that all wedding guests refrain from picture-taking during the service.
An official photographer may take pictures:
- during the Processional as the bridal party enters
- during the signing of the register
- during the Recessional as the bride and groom leave following the ceremony
- following the service pictures may be taken inside the Church
You may have your wedding ceremony videotaped from a stationary position only and in a position agreed to by the priest. Lights may not be used with the video camera.
The photographer and videographer should attend the rehearsal to consult with the priest. If this is not possible they must be present at the Church one hour before the start of the service.
Some Additional Thoughts ……………
A wedding ceremony requires the participation of many people. Please have your wedding party arrive on time, both for the rehearsal and for the wedding itself. This helps everything to be calmer and less stressful for all concerned, especially the bride and groom!
Remember that your wedding is not a Hollywood production. Most weddings have a least one minor glitch, and that is really okay. So relax and rejoice in your special day. Our clergy will be right with you, to help you make your day meaningful and memorable.
We hope your wedding day will be a time of joy, celebration and blessing. We are honoured to share with you in this significant day, and we pray that God may richly bless your lives together.
A Celtic Wedding Blessing
Bless to them, O God, the earth beneath their feet.
Bless to them, O God, the path whereon they go.
Bless to them, O God, the room wherein they bide.
Bless to them, O God, the bed whereon they lie.
Be thou a bright lamp before them,
Be thou a guiding star above them,
Be thou a pure flame within them.
Be thou the light and love they see in one another’s eyes.
Keep them, O Christ, in a love that is tender,
Keep them, O Christ, in a love that is strong,
Keep them, O Christ, in a love that is true,
Today, tonight and forever.
Amen.
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