Guidelines for Weddings

  1. Wedding Fees (payable no later than day of wedding)

a.  Church Use Fee

$100. payable to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

b.  Organist

$150. payable to Donald Chandler, Music Director

[Pastor-The rector cannot accept personal fees for performance of the services of the Church.

If you wish, you can make a free will offering to St. Stephen’s Discretionary Fund, which is administered by the rector and used for charitable purposes.]

  1. Wedding Coordinator or Altar Guild Chair will contact you to discuss details of wedding at least one month before date.
  1. Wedding rehearsal is usually held the day before the wedding. Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
  1. Flowers

a.  Florist needs to deliver flowers 2 hours before the wedding.

b.  Usually 2 arrangements of flowers are placed in the chancel, which are left for Sunday services with a notice put in the bulletin.

c.  Are there to be flowers in the narthex and/or on the window sills?

d.  Are the flowers for bridesmaids, flower girl, bride, groom, and groomsmen to be delivered to the church?

  1. Other decorations

a.  Are you lighting a Unity Candle? Bring to rehearsal.

b.  Are there bows to be placed on the pews? If so, bring to rehearsal.

c.  Church has hurricane lamps for windowsills if desired for evening weddings.

  1. Runners

a.  No plastic runners.

b.  Bring runner to wedding rehearsal so groomsmen know how to unroll it.

  1. Throwing of rice

a.  No rice is to be thrown.

b.  Rose petals, birdseed, or bubbles are allowed outside of church.

  1. Wedding Programs

a.  Are you providing your own wedding program? If not, the church secretary can provide them. Bring to rehearsal.

b.  Is there someone designated to hand them out?

c.  Are you having a guestbook? Bring to rehearsal.

  1. If using the Parish Hall for the reception, couple must meet with the Junior Warden before signing contract.
  1. Photographer can take pictures from side aisles and back of church only during ceremony. Photos can be taken for one half hour only after the service.