We are delighted that you are considering Johns Memorial Episcopal Church for the important sacrament of marriage. Historically, people have come to the Church to be married because they want the Christian faith to be the context in which they become husband and wife and to form a meaningful basis for their life together. The Rector is available to assist you with your wedding, and to prepare you for a joyful and long lasting marriage.

The deep and sustaining meaning of Christian marriage can easily be lost when we think of the Church as only a beautiful building for the ceremony. It is essential for persons planning to be married within the Church to understand that Christian marriage implies a belief that God, through Jesus Christ, will play a central role in the new relationship and that they accept this spiritual commitment.

Our main interest is in your life-long marriage. Therefore, most of the marriage preparation time will be spent discussing marriage and not your wedding. The information in this brochure along with the help of the clergy, the organist, and a representative of the altar guild will enable you to plan an appropriate ceremony. This guide is applicable to all weddings conducted at Johns Memorial Episcopal Church.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN WEDDING?

A Christian wedding is an opportunity for people of faith to come together in the presence of their faith community to declare their marriage vows, to have the community witness those vows, and to ask God’s blessing on the marriage. Therefore, it is most appropriate that your wedding be held in the church where you are an active member. We recognize that in this modern, mobile age this is often impossible. If this is the case, we will try to work with you.

If you have no involvement in any church, please talk to the Rector. Being active in a church is one of the best ways to foster and develop a life long Christian marriage.

A Christian wedding is conducted within the context of a worship service. Since this is an Episcopal Church, the liturgy will conform to its rites and traditions. This means there are certain restrictions on the readings, choice of music, the extent of floral arrangements, and so forth. A member of the altar guild and the parish organist will be available to help guide you in these areas.

Clergy of other parishes or traditions are welcome to participate. When outside clergy are desired, a formal invitation to participate in the wedding is extended by the rector.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHURCH

1. At least one of you must be a baptized Christian.
2. You must talk with the Rector at least thirty days in advance. In certain cases this can be waived.
3. Pre-marital counseling is required. This is generally conducted during three to five separate sessions. In some instances, as when you live out of the area, arrangements can be made for another priest to conduct the counseling.
4. Attendance at a premarital seminar sponsored by the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care or by a similar professional counselor-based program is required.
5. Should either of you have been divorced, permission of the Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia is required. We will need at least 90 days notice of your intent to marry. At least one calendar year must have passed since the legal termination of the previous marriage. In addition, a copy of your divorce decree must be provided to the Rector for review.
6. You must have a valid Virginia marriage license, brought to the rehearsal and given to the Rector.

MUSIC FOR THE SERVICE

If you desire music for your service, please plan to use the services of the organist of Johns Memorial Church. Even if you choose to bring your own organist, the fee for the Johns Memorial Church organist is required. If there are to be soloists who will require special practices, you are expected to pay appropriately for the organist’s additional service.

The choice of music should be appropriate for the Episcopal liturgy. Please arrange to meet with the Organist and plan the music together. Please remember to coordinate the rehearsal time with the Organist as she must be present at the rehearsal.

HOLY EUCHARIST

We strongly recommend that the Holy Eucharist be a part of your service. If you decide to have communion, all of your baptized guests and family (regardless of denomination) will be invited to receive communion.

USE OF THE SANCTUARY AND FACILITIES

We ask that you treat the church building and parish house with the same care you would your own home. No furniture is to be moved or rearranged without permission from the rector or chair of the altar guild.

PHOTOGRAPHY

All pre-service photography must be completed at least 40 minutes prior to the service. Please ensure the rector and photographer meet prior to the service.

No flash photography is allowed during the service.

Discretely taken non-flash and video photography during the service is allowed but strongly discouraged. The best and most accurate record of your wedding will be that in your memory.

FLOWERS

Flowers are allowed on the two small tables behind the altar. They will be left there after the service in thanksgiving for your marriage for the next Sunday service. You may provide white bows to indicate pews reserved for your families and special guests.

No artificial flowers are allowed.

FEES

For active, financially supporting members of Johns Memorial Church there are no fees other than the Organist fee. For all others there is a $300 fee which includes use of the church building. Please contact the office regarding fees for other rooms or facilities.

The organist fee is $200, plus a $50 rehearsal fee. The music director is also available to sing, for a fee of $125, plus a $75 rehearsal fee, if desired.

A check for all fees made out to "Johns Memorial Episcopal Church" should be brought to the rehearsal.

CLERGY HONORARIUM

An honorarium for the clergy is customary but optional. If you desire to give an honorarium (often in the range of $100-$300), please make it a contribution to "Johns Memorial’s Episcopal Church” – and designate it for the “Rector's Discretionary Fund". These funds are used by the Rector to assist with unexpected needs in the community.

PARISH HOUSE

The parish house (parish hall and parlor) is available for an additional $300 fee for non-members and $50 for members. This defrays the cost of our cleaning staff.

SERVICE BULLETINS

Service bulletins are usually unnecessary. If they are desired they must be approved two weeks in advance by the rector; and are your responsibility to produce.

SMOKING AND ALCOHOL

Smoking is prohibited on church property at all times.

Alcoholic beverages are permitted, but, of course, they may not be served to those under twenty-one years of age; appropriate and adequate nonalcoholic beverages must be provided.

If there is any indication that the either the bride or groom is not absolutely sober at the time of the wedding, the service will be rescheduled.

SAFETY

For safety reasons, the use of rice, birdseed, or any substitute is prohibited. For a similar reason we do not allow aisle runners, as they tend to be a trip hazard.

Please make certain that your ushers are available to assist anyone requiring assistance.

A FINAL NOTE

We will do all that we can to make your wedding the beautiful start of a lasting and fulfilling marriage.