Wedding Customary
At All Saints’, we believe that one of our most important ministries is to offer welcome and hospitality. In that spirit, we are glad you are here and hope if All Saints’ is not already your spiritual home, you will consider making it so. We are also grateful to know that you are interested in having a wedding at All Saints’ Church. A wedding is one of life’s milestones, a time for good wishes, feasting and joy. It is also a sacrament binding two souls in a covenant with each other and with God. It is a public and life-long covenant between a woman and man, celebrated in the presence of God and before a priest and congregation.
Because marriage is a commitment “not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly,” we ask that you read through this material and determine if these policies are acceptable to you.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Getting Married at All Saints’ Church
1. Read the material on this web page.
2. If you still wish to proceed, contact the Vicar. An information form will be sent to you.
3. Fill out the form and return to the All Saints’ office.
4. The Vicar will contact you to set up an appointment. If all agree to continue forward after that meeting, the date for your wedding will be placed on All Saints’ calendar.
5. You will meet with the Vicar for at least two more pre-marital counseling sessions.
6. You will meet with Ruth Nicholson to choose flowers.
7. You will meet with Loretta Dirst, All Saints’ organist to plan the music.
8. You and the wedding party will rehearse the wedding.
Should you choose to have your reception in our undercroft, you will need to let the church office know so that arrangements can be made with the sexton.
We expect that people will be on time for the rehearsal and the wedding.
What does the Episcopal Church require? At least one of the parties to the marriage must be a baptized Christian, and the wedding ceremony must be attested by at least two witnesses. You will meet at least three times with the officiating priest during the course of your preparation.
Do I need to be a member? We ask that you worship regularly with us on Sundays or weekdays at All Saints’. We believe that marriage is not just a ceremony in our building, it is part of the community of believers and seekers here. We hope that at some point you would consider becoming members of All Saints. Your individual spiritual journeys, and your marriage journey will be enriched by belonging to a community of faithful Christians.
We will consider a wedding here if you are a member in good standing at another Episcopal church which is out-of-town. We understand that sometimes family arrangements make it easier to be married in the family’s church rather than the church one is regularly attending. In this case we usually make arrangements for the Vicar or Rector in that church to do the pre-marital counseling.
What if I am divorced? In the Episcopal Church, we observe the following procedure if you are seeking to be remarried. Clergy, in consultation with the couple, are asked to determine: that there is evidence that the prior marriage has been dissolved by a final judgment or decree of a civil court of competent jurisdiction; that continuing concern is being shown for the well-being of the former spouse, and of any children; and that the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield grants permission for such a wedding to take place.
What does the State of Illinois require? You must obtain a wedding license (which requires proof of identification: birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, Social Security Card).
How soon can the wedding be put on the calendar? The date will be chosen after your initial meeting with the Vicar. As we deal with a busy schedule, the longer the lead time, the more choice we all have in setting the time and date. Both the wedding and the rehearsal dates and times are scheduled by the Vicar. As you plan, please consider that you may arrive up to one hour before the service and stay up to 30 minutes after the wedding. We ask that you take responsibility for being on time. Please recognize that there may be things scheduled on the same date as your wedding.
Are there times when weddings cannot take place? Weddings are generally celebrated on Saturdays. Weddings WILL NOT be performed in Lent, because of the penitential nature of that season. Throughout the year, priority goes to scheduled worship services. The Vicar must give prior approval for any exception to this rule.
Who plans the service? The Vicar works with the bride and groom to strike a balance that reflects both their relationship and the Anglican tradition.
Rite I or Rite II? The wedding service in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is a Rite II (Contemporary Language service). If you would like a more traditional service, you may consider using the 1928 Prayer Book liturgy.
The Holy Eucharist When both bride and groom are baptized Christians, we strongly suggest that you include a celebration of the Holy Eucharist as the conclusion of your wedding. Some say, “That would make the service unnecessarily long.” We would answer that it is most appropriate to invite your guests to the banquet of the Lord in the same way that you will be inviting them to a banquet afterward. It is most appropriate that your first action as husband and wife be to participate in the mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood. All Baptized Christians, regardless of denominational affiliation, are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the altar of All Saints’ Church. We encourage the participation of friends and family in the reading of lessons and offering of prayers. Clergy of other parishes or traditions may assist in the service, but the invitation comes from, and after consultation with, the Vicar.
We will be happy to provide a program for the wedding at no cost to you.
These next two areas tend to cause needless misunderstandings and conflicts. Please read these sections carefully.
What about music? Loretta Dirst, the organist at All Saints will work with you (or assign another musician) to discuss options and to begin planning. Music at All Saints is some of the finest in the city. Bring your ideas and preferences to her. Because of the nature of the Sacrament of marriage, music outside of the sacred repertoire (popular songs, show tunes, etc.) is best included in your reception, not the wedding service. Mrs. Dirst must be consulted and give consent if other musicians are to be invited.
The music of the service is ultimately at the discretion of the Vicar.
What about photography or video? We strive to maintain a joyful yet worshipful atmosphere in the wedding service. Good professional photographers understand this, and they will agree to minimize distractions and respect the sacred nature of the building and the liturgy. The best way to photograph wedding participants is before or after the service. The steps to the sanctuary lend themselves to beautiful photographs.
Please remember that those who are in charge of securing the building will be ready to leave 30 minutes after the wedding service is over.
No flash photographs may be taken once the service begins. Flash may be used for the procession provided that the equipment and photographer remain behind the congregation at the liturgical west (Actual south)end of the church. Please do tell friends and relatives not to use flash cameras or to stand up in the middle of the service to take a picture. It is disruptive to the service and does not respect the sacredness of the ceremony or building. Videotaping is permitted during the service, with available light only, with the videographer adhering to the same restrictions as above.
Who does the flowers? Typically Johnson’s Florist creates all the arrangements for our services. If ever two weddings are scheduled on the same day, white flowers will be used, unless the wedding takes place on a festival day or during a festival season. At the festival seasons of Christmas, Easter, or Pentecost, All Saints will be decorated appropriately and no concessions can be made as to color. Easter and Christmas decorations remain in the church two weeks. The flowers on the altar, by the tabernacle and any on the windowsills in the church, will remain in thanksgiving for your wedding. All other flowers and greens must be removed within thirty minutes after the wedding. The flowers that are carried by the wedding party are provided through a florist of your choice. If you wish to have pew bows or flowers on the pews, you may make those arrangements with the florist. Ruth Nicholson coordinates the ordering of flowers for the church. Please remember that you will need to make arrangements with her directly.
Final decisions about decorations and their placement are at the discretion of the Vicar.
Does the Episcopal Church use a unity candle? Only candles normally used at the services of All Saints may be used for the Marriage Service. These are the candles on the High Altar, the candelabra by the Tabernacle, two sets of five light candelabra which are normally kept in the sacristy, and Paschal Candle used during the Easter season. For safety reasons no other candles or candelabra are permitted. There is no ceremony of a Unity Candle in the Celebration and Blessing of Marriage in the Episcopal Church. It is suggested that this ceremony might take place at the reception.
Please Note: We do not throw flower petals, rice, confetti, bird seed or any other similar substance inside or outside All Saints’ Church.
What are the fees? Because a wedding involves several persons that work toward making your wedding a reality, there are some fees.
The basic set fees for weddings are:
Organist - $100.00
Energy Charge - $20.00 (Waived for pledging members)
Altar Guild - $20.00 (Waived for pledging members)
Flowers - Depends on your selections
Sexton - $50.00
Arrangements may be made for a vocal soloist or instrumentalist for additional fees. The undercroft is available for receptions at additional cost. The fees are to be paid one month prior to the rehearsal.
We ask that you also consider giving a 10% tithe of the overall cost of your wedding as a contribution to All Saints’ Church. All Saints gives far more than it gets — to its members, to those who come here to use and enjoy our sacred space, to the poor who are helped through our ministries, to the city which benefits from this holy presence in its midst.
The Vicar does not charge any fees for premarital counseling, the wedding service, or any of his work. Should you wish to give something in thanksgiving for his service, kindly make your check out to the Vicar’s Discretionary Fund. That way, your gift can help the needy of the parish and community.
