CONGRATULATIONS - Your marriage ceremony is one of the most important events in your life. We at St. Luke's support you in your desire to make this a memorable event.
ABOUT WEDDINGS AT ST. LUKE'S - It needs to be said that St. Luke's Episcopal Church is primarily concerned with bringing people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and strengthening people in the Faith. We are not a wedding chapel; we offer the Church's blessing upon those who look to Christ to give ultimate meaning and strength to marriage and all of life.
HOLY MATRIMONY - Holy Matrimony is a sacrament of the Church, as well as an important event for you, your family and friends. The rest of this booklet provides a listing of wedding guidelines for St. Luke's. Please read them as soon as possible. The priest and wedding consultant are willing to discuss them with you. These guidelines are presented here to help you to see that this demanding, exciting time in your life is as smooth and satisfying as possible.
GENERAL PARISH STANDARDS
1. The first step in planning your wedding is usually a call to the parish office, (530) 885-2316. You will be put in touch with the parish priest (or rector), and an appointment made. Only after this may a date be cleared on the parish calendar. When the date is set on the calendar a deposit of $100 is made to hold it. If you are a member and want a church reception the deposit is $150.
2. The policy of this parish is that notice of intention of marriage must be made at least 60 days in advance. It is helpful to begin preparing for your marriage as soon as possible.
3. The Episcopal Church requires you to receive counseling before the wedding. The normal requirement is four sessions. The focus of these sessions will be on:
a. A general orientation to Christian marriage.
b. Deepening communication.
c. Being fully prepared to live up to the vows you make.
4. The parish provides a wedding consultant, Karen Holdsworth, (530) 878-8745. Her task is to smooth out all of the many arrangements regarding flowers, music, and all other details surrounding the rehearsal and wedding particulars. It is your responsibility to contact her as soon as possible after establishing the wedding date with the church.
5. The officiating clergy is normally the parish priest. If the services of another clergy is desired, they must be Episcopalian and perform the ceremony and rehearsal along with the parish priest. The parish priest must be consulted and give consent, after which a formal invitation to the non-parish clergy will be issued. The form of service will be the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, as provided in the Episcopal Prayer Book. In all instances the Canons and customs of the Episcopal church must be followed.
6. Use of the organ or alternatives, music selections, and use of soloists must be discussed with the rector. Your wedding is a worship service and the music should therefore be appropriate for worship.
7. Limit the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen to four each, due to the limited size of the church. It is recommended that children participating in the wedding procession be at least five years of age.
8. The maximum seating capacity of the church is 150, however 120 is a reasonable comfort limit - this number is based on six persons per pew.
9. It is not customary for weddings to be held during the penitential season of Lent.
10. No wedding ceremony can begin later than 7:00 PM.
11. Any use of alcohol or other chemical substances on the property of St. Luke's Church, either at the wedding rehearsal, before or during the wedding ceremony, is strictly forbidden. The Rector reserves the right to not allow the marriage ceremony to proceed if there is evidence of such use. Wine only at the reception at the parish hall is permitted with previous approval.
PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Because the action of Holy Matrimony is one of worship and a photographer moving about snapping pictures distracts from the dignity and reverence of the service, no pictures may be taken during the ceremony. Please pass on this admonition to friends and relatives and remind ushers accordingly. It would be helpful if your invitations would state "NO PHOTOGRAPHY DURING THE WEDDING CEREMONY, PLEASE."
2. Your designated professional photographer may take flash pictures in the church during the procession and recession only. Photography will not be allowed to disrupt the wedding service of worship. Your photographer may take non-flash pictures through the glass door of the narthex during the service.
3. Wedding pictures may be taken up to one hour before the ceremony or immediately following the ceremony for 30 minutes.
4. A video camera may be used provided it is set up in a single location and is not moved during the service. No supplementary lighting is permitted in the church during the ceremony.
CHURCH DECORATIONS
1. All decorations must be cleared with the wedding consultant.
2. White pew bows can be rented from the church for $40.00. No charge for members of St. Lukes.
3. It is customary to leave the altar flowers in the church so they can be used for Sunday services where a blessing is made for the wedding couple. Other flowers may be taken to the reception after the service.
4. You are responsible for the removal of the decorations immediately following the service.
5. The throwing of rice, bird seed, or confetti in the church or on the grounds is not permitted. Bubbles are allowed outside of the church and parish hall.
WEDDING EXPENSES
Checks and insurance confirmation should be mailed to:
St. Lukes Episcopal Church
c/o Karen Holdsworth
124 Orange St.
Auburn CA 95603
For non-members: (A member is a regular communicant at St. Luke's who pledges to the church and who has been received into church membership.)
Church fee
$400.00 total, as follows:
$100.00 deposit must accompany date confirmation.
$300.00 balance due in church office 1 month before wedding.
Parish Hall
$100.00 security deposit (refundable if clean and undamaged) and proof of liability insurance coverage due in church office 2 months before wedding.
Hall fee
$250.00 due in church office 1 month before wedding.
Organist
$150.00 paid on the day of the wedding, or $200.00 if organist must attend the rehearsal.
Rector
$250.00 honorarium delivered by the best man on the day of the wedding.
For members:
Date confirmation fee
$100.00 if no reception, $150.00 if reception in parish hall. To be paid when date is put on the church caledar.
Organist
$150.00 paid on the day of the wedding, or $200.00 if organist must attend the rehearsal.
Parish hall
$100.00 security deposit (refundable if clean and undamaged) and proof of liability insurance coverage due in church office 2 months before wedding.
A voluntary donation payable to St. Luke's Altar Guild ($150-$250.00).
A voluntary honorarium to the Priest is delivered by the best man on the day of the wedding ($100).
REHEARSAL PROCEDURE
1. Your rehearsal is an opportunity to have a final walk-through of the wedding. We recommend that only those who are actually taking part in the service come to the rehearsal. The rector is in complete charge of the rehearsal.
2. The time to make any special requests for a change in the ceremony is before the rehearsal.
3. You MUST BRING THE MARRIAGE LICENSE to the rehearsal in order to complete registration.
4. Promptness at the rehearsal by the entire wedding party is of utmost importance. Out of consideration for others, please instruct the members of the wedding party to be at the church early.
5. You should plan to have two to four of your family or friends to serve as ushers if they are not groomsmen. Seating instructions for the ushers should be brought to the rehearsal.
6. It is helpful to have your organist, musicians, or tape recording at the rehearsal. The St. Luke's organist is able to play without attending the rehearsal.
RECEPTIONS
1. An increasing number of families are finding it convenient to hold wedding receptions in the parish hall. In order to do this, you must arrange for insurance coverage (general liability) and provide a copy of such coverage to the office two months before the wedding along with $100.00 security deposit. This deposit is refundable if the hall is clean and undamaged after the reception. There is a hall fee of $250.00 for non-parishoners due in the church office one month before the wedding date. This figure covers the expenses for usage of all facilities and accompanying kitchen. You will be responsible for providing your own food, caterer, linens, silver, glassware, and china.
2. Wedding receptions are limited to three hours.
3. Any decorations must be approved by the wedding consultant. Decorations attached to the walls must be done without holes or damage.
4. The parish hall has tables to seat 132-170 persons.
5. You are responsible for removal of decorations and cleanup immediately following the reception.
These directions are meant as guidelines for your consideration. Experience has shown us that if the standards are understood ahead of time, everyone is more comfortable.
We will share in your joy in being a part of this important milestone in your life. It is our fervent wish that you will look back on your wedding as one of the most joyful moments of your life.
