| St. Christopher's By the Sea |
 Chatham, Massachusetts |
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Weddings
At St. Christopher's, The Rev. Brian McGurk considers weddings a ministry. "It helps strengthen marriage and families," he says. Hundreds of couples have been married in our church or chapel, many of them from off-Cape. We assist couples with music, floral arrangements and reception plans. We are delighted that you are interested in being married in St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. The church sees marriage as a deep and sanctified covenant: "Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man 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." (Book of Common Prayer, p. 861) Marriage is a sacramental rite of the Episcopal Church, and a wedding is a sacred liturgy. At St. Christopher’s, all weddings are done according to the rite prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), with appropriate dignity. All marriages are performed by the clergy of St. Christopher’s Church. We also welcome same-sex couples who are considering marriage. The bishop of Eastern Massachusetts has given our clergy permission to perform the marriage ceremony and sign the marriage license. No weddings are permitted at St. Christopher’s Church during the penitential season of Lent. To be married at St. Christopher’s, at least one of the persons must be a baptized Christian. If one or both of the persons is divorced, the clergy must obtain the permission of the Bishop of Massachusetts in order to perform the marriage. The feasibility of performing a wedding will be determined after an initial meeting of the clergy with the couple. Premarital counseling is required by Episcopal canon of all couples who wish to be married at St. Christopher’s. The counseling will be done by a priest at St. Christopher’s. Music for the service is chosen by the couple in consultation with St. Christopher’s Church organist, who plays for all weddings and will arrange for soloists and instrumentalists as requested. Non-classical music should be reserved for the wedding reception. All floral arrangements and decorations must be approved by the church at least 3 weeks prior to the wedding. Still photography and video are permitted with certain important restrictions. All photographers must report to the officiating clergy before the service for instructions. Flash photography, whether by the professional photographer or wedding guests, is not permitted during the service. With clergy approval, a stationary video camera (but no special lighting) may be used. Clergy are happy to cooperate in re-staging any part afterward for additional photographs. The use of confetti, petals, rice or birdseed is prohibited in the church or on the grounds, as is the release of balloons. Aisle runners and unity candles are not permitted. The Parish Hall may be used for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. Arrangements should be made at the time the wedding and rehearsal dates are placed on the church calendar. Parking near the church is very limited. Please arrange for alternative transportation, such as buses or vans, to bring guests to and from the church. Fees for Weddings Usage fee exemption: Usage fees are waived for a person who has been an active, pledging member of St. Christopher’s for at least two years. (An active member attends services on a regular basis.) Usage fees:
Church $1,500 Standard fees (payable by all)
Sexton $100 (Cash) Off-site fees (Off-site weddings are performed at the discretion of the clergy)
Wedding service
$500 Parish Hall (for receptions)
Wedding reception $750 ($200 for Communicants) Rehearsal dinner $250 ($100 for Communicants) Music fees
Organist $300 A deposit of $500 is required to reserve your wedding date. The deposit is non-refundable if the wedding is cancelled less than six months before that date. The balance of all fees is due in the Parish Office no later than one month prior to the rehearsal. The check should be made out to St. Christopher’s Church. The wedding license is the responsibility of the couple. It should be given to the clergy before the rehearsal begins. Music The fee for our organist, Julie Winchell, includes music consultation, rehearsal and wedding. Ms Winchell may be reached at (508) 385-2022. For the services of soloists: their fees vary and should be paid directly to them. Our music director will arrange and advise. Church musicians depend upon wedding fees as part of their compensation. If a couple wishes to bring an outside organist, and St. Christopher’s organist would have been available to play for the wedding, the basic music fee must still be paid. Any outside organist or musicians must be approved by St. Christopher’s organist. Flowers All floral arrangements and decorations must be approved by the church at least 3 weeks prior to the wedding. Two matching arrangements are required for each side of the altar. If you wish to leave flowers for weekend services, please advise the office at least two weeks prior, (508) 945-2832. The use of confetti, petals, rice or birdseed is prohibited in the church or on the grounds, as is the release of balloons. Aisle runners and unity candles are not permitted. Parking is very limited near St. Christopher's during the summer. We highly recommend wedding parties consider using a shuttle service or alternate form of transportation. For a recommendation of companies that have worked well with the church, please check our Wedding Links page. Would you like more information? You can reach us at (508) 945-2832 or by email. You may also complete this downloadable form and mail it to St. Christopher’s Church, 625 Main St., Chatham, MA 02633. For a printer-ready copy of our Wedding information: For a Microsoft Word document, click here. We recommend Click here for a list of florists, photographers, and caterers who are members or friends of St. Christopher’s parish. They are familiar with church policies and facilities. |
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