g Your Wedding at Grace Episcopal Church
Congratulations!
We join with others in expressing our joy at your decision to marry and to celebrate this Sacrament in the Church. A relationship based on honesty, respect, and mutual admiration is a means of spiritual growth and happiness. We are honored to become part of the journey you have already begun and to join with those in your families and communities who look forward to celebrating your union.
This web site contains items for you to consider as you make your preparations. In order for the planning to be as joyous as possible and free of misunderstandings, we urge you to read the next few pages before you call the church office. Be sure also to make the necessary appointments as soon as possible.
A Community of Faith
It is the understanding of the Episcopal Church and this parish that marriage is a lifelong commitment in which a man and a woman grow in love, spirituality, justice, and compassion through the support and nurturing of each other and their family. A couple is part of a community of faith, and in electing to consider Grace Church you are indicating your willingness to be supported by this congregation, now and in the future.
Traditionally, we assume that you are planning your wedding here as part of your participation or interest in the life of this congregation. It is our expectation that you will attend services with regularity and will express your intentions to participate in the wider life of the parish when you feel comfortable doing so.
Obtaining the License
One of the first tasks is to see to the legal requirements of marriage in the State of New York. A license is obtained through the town or city clerk in any municipality in the state.
Setting the Date
After reading this document and discussing it with your partner, you should call the parish secretary and make an appointment to see one of the clergy. We do not negotiate a wedding date until after that meeting. Within two weeks after the first appointment, we ask you to return the deposit (see following) and the parish will be committed to the date and time agreed upon. Also, please have the following forms ready (PDF or Text)
Grace Church does not celebrate weddings during Lent as this is the penitential season of the Church year.
Premarital Counseling
The next step is a series of at least three appointments with the rector or a member of the clergy staff These premarital counseling sessions are designed to help explain the liturgy, review with you your relationship and tile expectations you bring to it, and to plan the ceremony. It is wise to make these appointments before you secure reception halls or make other plans since the clergy cannot perform wedding ceremonies without certifying that these sessions have taken place. If you have been married previously, you will be asked to bring a copy of your divorce decree and you will need thirty days for the Bishop to review your plans following the counseling sessions.
In the Episcopal Church, one of the two planning to be married must be a baptized Christian (although not necessarily an Episcopalian). No one is required to become either a Christian or an Episcopalian, but the ceremony is Christian by nature and canons are clear about the latitude of changes permitted in the liturgy.
Music
Music is a special part of the liturgical life of Grace Church. Once the date for your wedding has been arranged, you should speak immediately with the Music Director (bbarrows@gracechurchnyack.org) and arrange for a time to discuss the music. Because of the liturgy and the setting, most popular music is not appropriate and is better left to the reception. Grace Church takes great pride in its musical heritage and the distinctive quality of music, and we encourage you to take time to plan this aspect of the liturgy. The Music Director has an extensive background and a keen sensitivity to the marriage liturgy and can advise you on appropriate and beautiful selections.
Seating
Grace Church seats about 325 people with about 50 more seats possible with folding chairs. The aisle is about 75 feet long.
Flowers
The flowers selected are customarily left at the church to be taken to the sick and shut-in. If you choose to make other arrangements, please speak to the rector. We do not permit artificial flowers.
Leaving the Church
Rice or paper flower petals may not be thrown after the ceremony. Birdseed is permitted.
Photography/Video
Photography in the context of the liturgy demands a sensitivity that most professional photographers understand. We do not permit flash or "light bars" during the Liturgy. Photographers may shoot from the transepts or from behind the congregation using available light.
Video recording is permitted by signed agreement between the photographer and church. Roving camera persons disrupt the liturgy, and we encourage those who plan to videotape the ceremony to set up in the center aisle or in the organ loft.
Because we have had a difficult time with some photographers, we maintain a list of those who are not welcome here. We also ask that you have your photographer sign and return the formal agreement following.
Receptions
The parish hall is available for receptions and must be reserved as early as possible. If there will be a professional caterer, the church will need a security deposit of $500 to insure that the space is left in the same condition in which it was found. The caterer should contact the church office (parishoffice@gracechurchnyack) so that this arrangement can be made. Smaller rooms such as Patterson Hall are also available. Ask the church secretary for a fee schedule.
Fees
For all weddings:
Altar Guild $150
Sexton $100
In addition to the fees above, persons who are not communicants of Grace Church are asked to pay a Church Fee of $1,000 or a tithe equal to 10% of the cost of the reception.
Optional:
Organist $300
Soloist $150
Choir $500
Instrumentalist $150
Additional Candles $100
All fees are due no later than one week before the wedding date. The clergy will not be present for any ceremonial activity and the parish office will not process legal documents until fees have been paid. A deposit of $300 two weeks after the first appointment is necessary to hold the date.
Please note: Gifts to the memorial fund of Grace Church are welcome and gratefully received for the mission and ministry of the parish. Clergy should not be presented with honoraria. All transactions should be made by check, payable to Grace Church.
Grace Church
130 First Avenue
Nyack, NY 10960
T: (845) 358-1297
F: (845) 358-1443
parishoffice@gracechurchnyack.org