Preparing for a Wedding in the Episcopal Church

Resource for clergy to give/use with couples seeking to be wed in an Episcopal Church

Many couples come to an Episcopal Church seeking a place to hold their wedding ceremony because they love the setting in our beautiful churches. Others seek to be married in the Episcopal Church because their parents are members and/or it was the church of their childhood but have lapsed in attendance. While marriage is a tradition for many rooted in the religious tradition, the church continues to be an agent of the state in performing the legal components. And some couples are deeply connected to their parish family and seek a marriage grounded in the rites of the church.

Intended as an accessible resource, clergy can give this book to couples and use as a preparation tool in planning "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage" in the Episcopal Church. This book will satisfy the request clergy often receive from individuals (as well as newcomers, unmarried parents, same gender couples, those seeking remarriage) who desire to be married but don't know what is involved from an Episcopal perspective. It includes essays, an outline and explanation of the marriage service, and how couples can live out the promises they make to one another.

Auteur

Tobias Stanislas Haller, BSG, is the author of the bestselling revision of The Episcopal Handbook. He has been a deputy to General Convention for several sessions, and served in leadership across the church. He is also a member of the Society of Catholic Priests, a regular reviewer for the Anglican Theological Review, and served for three years as its Religion and Culture Book Review editor. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Contenu

Introduction

1. The Marriage Canon: What the Church Requires
2. The Officiant
   The Civil Law
   The Church's Law
3. The Choice of Liturgy
   On Whether to Have the Eucharist
   An Outline of Wedding Possibilities
   A Note on Place
4. And So It Begins ...
   Eligibility to Marry
   The Civil Side
   The Sacred Side
5. Premarital Instruction
6. Witnessing and Registration
7. For Those Already Married
8. When Not to Wed
9. Planning the Liturgy
   When and Where?
   Big or Small? The Cast of Characters
   Layout of the Church: Inside
   Layout of the Church Grounds
   Flowers and Décor
   Wedding Planners
   Photography
   Music
   Receptions and Where They Happen
   Family and Friends
   Sextons
   Rings and Symbols
   Bulletins and Programs
   The Wedding Rehearsal
   Final Preparation
   About Arriving on Time
10. Walking Through the Liturgies
    Before the Celebration
    A Note on the Post-Celebration
    The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage (BCP and 2)
    The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage
11. Sample Forms
    Marriage Information and Application
    Information Concerning the Couple
    Concerning the Ceremony
    Guide to Planning the Liturgy: Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage
    Guide to Planning the Liturgy: Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2
    Guide to Planning the Liturgy: Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage
    The Declaration of Intention
    A Traditional Wedding Service
    A Glossary