Congratulations!
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! We want to help your special day be a beautiful and holy occasion. This brochure outlines what is required by the Episcopal Church and the State of Minnesota, to ensure that your marriage is a legal, Christian wedding. It also contains guidelines and requirements for using St. Anne’s building and grounds.
It’s a Sacrament
The Episcopal Church views marriage as a sacrament – a sign of God’s love, given and multiplied, binding two people in holy union. We assume this is the kind of relationship you are seeking.
Advance Notice
Call the church office as early as possible before your wedding, to reserve a date and time, and to make an appointment with our priest. A preliminary talk is needed before your date can be confirmed. Weddings are not scheduled during Lent, except in special circumstances.
Preparing for Christian Marriage
You must meet with the priest or another spiritual counselor 4-6 times, to prepare for this important step, and to help you have the insights and tools to build a long and successful marriage.
At least one of you must be baptized, though not necessarily in the Episcopal Church.
If either or both of you have been divorced, let the priest know at your first interview. Diocesan guidelines require that permission for the priest to perform the wedding must be obtained from the bishop in writing 30 days before the wedding.
Marriage License
Although your wedding will take place in church, it is a legal act. You need a marriage license from the State of Minnesota. Once obtained, this license is good for 60 days. Please bring it to the church, along with fees owed for the wedding, at least 2 weeks before the ceremony.
The Marriage Rite
“The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage” is found in The Book of Common Prayer on page 423. Alternative services may be used, from other books authorized by the Episcopal Church, in consultation with the priest.
It is especially appropriate to include Holy Eucharist (Communion) as part of your wedding service. Everyone in attendance at the wedding is invited to receive communion. A full-service printed bulletin allows all guests to participate fully.
Music
If you wish to have organ or piano music, St. Anne’s organist/pianist has “first right of refusal” for all weddings. Since this is part of St. Anne’s contractual agreement with the staff organist, some minimal fee may be charged even if alternative musicians are used.
The organist is available to meet with you to help with music selection. Final decision on the appropriateness of particular music rests with the priest.
Rehearsal
It is essential to schedule a 1-hour rehearsal, for the afternoon or evening before the wedding. All members of the wedding party must attend.
Photographs
Flash photography is strictly prohibited during the ceremony. Non-flash photographs and videos using available light may be taken from the side aisles. If you schedule posed pictures for before the ceremony, please have everything completed at least ½ hour before the service is scheduled to start.
Sanctuary
Saint Anne’s sanctuary seats about 130, and can be arranged to accommodate up to 150.
Decorating the Church
The simplicity of St. Anne’s sanctuary does not lend itself to elaborate decorations. It is customary for wedding arrangements at the altar to be left at church for the following Sunday. Please plan on one or 2 large bouquets for the altar. You may use the window boxes along the sides for flowers and/or candles. If you want to use the 7-branch candelabras, there will be a small fee for candles. If you want a white runner, it must be rented from the florist. All decorating must be completed at least 1 hour before the service.
Reception
The parish hall and/or outdoor grounds are available for your reception, if you choose. Receptions on Saturday evenings must end by 10:00 PM, so the church can be cleaned and prepared for use on Sunday morning.
Maximum occupancy of the parish hall is 150 people. Rental includes setting up tables and chairs to your specifications, and use of
kitchen for storing, heating up, and setting out food. An additional fee will be charged for use of dishes and for cooking on the premises. Fee will be determined by size of party and extent of use. Kitchen must be thoroughly cleaned following the reception, and all dishes and utensils washed. Custodial fee includes only putting away furniture, taking out garbage and mopping floor – cleaning the kitchen, washing dishes and putting them away is not included.
Outdoor Facilities
The outdoor chapel is available for your ceremony, if you wish to have an outdoor wedding. The benches may be arranged to your specifications, and additional chairs may be added. St. Anne’s does have an amplification system, electronic keyboard and microphones that can be used outdoors.
In addition, you may choose to have your reception outside. A tent or canopy may be used on the front lawn, with special permission. Damage deposit will be collected and kept against undue damage to the lawn.
Alcoholic Beverages
Champagne, wine, and beer may be served. Non-alcoholic beverages must be equally available. “Hard” liquor may not be served or consumed, and no charge may be made for any alcoholic beverages served at your reception.
Smoke Free
St. Anne’s is a smoke-free facility. Smoking or use of tobacco products is not allowed in the building or on the grounds.
No Rice or Confetti
Please do not throw rice or confetti, either in the building or outside on the grounds. Birdseed may be used outside, or bubbles, to “shower” the bridal couple.
Fees
Pre-Marriage Preparation $300
Includes premarriage inventory and 4-5 counseling/planning sessions with the priest
Wedding Service
Use of Sanctuary or outdoor chapel, and services of the priest. Includes mandatory rehearsal.
Members No Charge
Non-Members $350
Parish Hall Rental
Includes tables and chairs, and use of kitchen for reheating, refrigerating, and setting up food. User provides all dishes, utensils and glasses. Cooking at St. Anne’s, and use of St. Anne’s kitchen/serving ware are available for an extra fee, to be determined by size of party and extent of use. Event may be held outside on the lawn. Tents and canopies may be used if the lawn is not too wet – please consult with the church contact person.
Members
$100 custodial fee
$150 refundable damage deposit
Non Members
$100 custodial fee
$350 rental fee
$150 refundable damage deposit
Organist
$175 for ceremony, includes one consultation
$25/hour for additional consultation
Clergy Honorarium at your discretion
Blessing of a Marriage
From the Book of Common Prayer
Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace.
Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders,
and a crown upon their foreheads.
Bless them in their work and in their companionship;
in their sleeping and in their waking;
in their joys and in their sorrows;
in their life and in their death.
May they so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness,
that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
This information revised January 2008 LHB