WEDDING CHECKLIST
(Prices subject to change. Please call office for availability and most up to date prices.)
- Arrange date and time of wedding and rehearsal with the Wedding Coordinator. Contact the church office.
- Notify wedding party of dates and times of wedding and rehearsal.
- Look over contents of this Wedding Page.
- Contact the church organist about music.
- Contact the Ascension wedding coordinator about plans and arrangements for your wedding before contacting a florist.
- Contact florist and give him or her the “Policies For Wedding Florists”.
- Contact photographer and give him or her the “Photographer’s Instructions”.
- Review your wills, insurance policies, etc.
- Make an appointment for medical exams.
- Obtain license (valid for 30 days with a 72 hour waiting period).
- If desired, make a dedication of your wedding flowers to appear in the church bulletin on the Sunday following your wedding. This may be done through the wedding coordinator. Altar flowers must be left for the services on Sunday.
- Type a list of participants, their roles, and deliver to the wedding coordinator.
PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
The wedding ceremony is primarily a worship service; therefore, all plans for music, decorations, photography, and the order of service must be in accordance with the doctrines and traditions of the Episcopal Church, and they must be approved by the wedding coordinator and the Rector. An outside wedding coordinator may be employed, but all plans are subject to the rector’s final approval.
MUSIC
Our organist will be happy to help you select the music for your wedding. He will also be able to help you select appropriate soloists and other musicians. If outside musicians are to be used, music selections must be approved by the Rector. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
DECORATIONS
Before consulting with a florist or making any plans for decorating the church, it is important that you read everything on this page. It is recommended that you meet at the church with the Ascension wedding coordinator to discuss your plans. The florist also needs to assess the sanctuary, if this is not practical, be sure to give the florist a copy of the decorating guidelines below.
ORDER OF SERVICE
The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage from the Book of Common Prayer is the liturgy used for weddings in the Episcopal Church. A copy of this liturgy can be provided to you or found on page 423 of the BCP.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Give a copy of these instructions to your photographer.
Photographers are not permitted to take flash pictures in the church during the service. Photographs may be taken as follows:
Photographers are not permitted to take flash pictures in the church during the service. Photographs may be taken as follows:
- In the narthex (vestibule of the church) immediately preceding the service.
- Coming down the center aisle before and after the service
- After the wedding, at the front of the church
- The photographer is not allowed behind the altar rail at any time
- Video taping and non flash photography may be done from the balcony.
Be sure to give your photographer a copy of these rules. It is important that the photographer understands and agrees to the restrictions on flash photography during the service. This is a worship service first and foremost and flash photography is distracting to the experience. There is plenty of time after the service to take pictures.
ROLE OF THE ALTAR GUILD
The Altar Guild will help with many of the details of your wedding. It is important to first meeting with the rector. He can be contacted through the church office.
The wedding coordinator will also meet at the church with you and your florist or wedding coordinator, if desired, to discuss your decorating plans. On the day of the wedding, an Altar Guild member will open the church and the parish hall for the florist, the photographer and the wedding party two hours before the wedding. Ordinarily, the wedding coordinator and assistant coordinator attend the rehearsal and wedding, where they are available to light the candles if there is no acolyte, help the wedding party line up to process down the aisle, and other such tasks. Outside wedding coordinators are welcome but will need to work in conjunction with the rector and the wedding coordinator provided by Ascension Church. All procedure of the rehearsal and wedding is under the sole direction of the rector. No professional wedding consultants or friends of the participating families may supersede the church’s requirements.
The wedding coordinator will also meet at the church with you and your florist or wedding coordinator, if desired, to discuss your decorating plans. On the day of the wedding, an Altar Guild member will open the church and the parish hall for the florist, the photographer and the wedding party two hours before the wedding. Ordinarily, the wedding coordinator and assistant coordinator attend the rehearsal and wedding, where they are available to light the candles if there is no acolyte, help the wedding party line up to process down the aisle, and other such tasks. Outside wedding coordinators are welcome but will need to work in conjunction with the rector and the wedding coordinator provided by Ascension Church. All procedure of the rehearsal and wedding is under the sole direction of the rector. No professional wedding consultants or friends of the participating families may supersede the church’s requirements.
GUEST CLERGY
According to Diocesan Canon and the Diocesan Clergy Manual, at his discretion, the Rector may include other qualified clergy to participate in the ceremony. See the Rector for qualifications. With the specific permission of the Bishop, clergy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may officiate the full service in accordance with The Book of Common Prayer. We are looking forward to working out all the details, so please schedule a meeting with our wedding coordinator and the Rector.
Qualified non-Episcopal clergy may participate in the wedding and may wear the vestments that are customary in their tradition with the approval of the Rector.
Participation of non-Episcopal clergy in the wedding ceremony
Participation is limited to the following roles:
Qualified non-Episcopal clergy may participate in the wedding and may wear the vestments that are customary in their tradition with the approval of the Rector.
Participation of non-Episcopal clergy in the wedding ceremony
Participation is limited to the following roles:
- Declaration of Consent
- Sermon
- Readings from Holy Scripture
- Prayers of the People
- Dismissal
- When Holy Eucharist is celebrated, an Episcopal clergy person is to read the Gospel and serve as the celebrant. The clergy guest may stand beside the celebrant during the Prayer of Consecration an assist in the distribution of the elements, using the language specified in The Book of Common Prayer.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HELPFUL HINTS FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY
There is no designated bride's room. We are able to convert a room in the Parish Hall, or the bride and her attendants may dress in the choir room of the church. The bride and her attendants usually choose to dress here, but the groom, groomsmen and ushers usually arrive already dressed for the ceremony. They may sit in the parish hall, along with any other family members and friends who arrive early. If you choose to serve refreshments,to those that are waiting, they must be non-alcoholic and served in the parish hall, but not in the church or any other room in the parish life building, and NEVER in the church. The bridal gown may be delivered to the church the day before the wedding between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., as long as Ascension’s wedding coordinator is aware of this. The dress may also be brought to the rehearsal. If the dress must be delivered the day of the wedding, or if the florist or anyone else must arrive early that day, arrangements will have to be made with the Ascension wedding coordinator ahead of time, as the office is not open on Saturday, and the church will be locked until 2 hours before the ceremony.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
Before the ceremony, guests tend to gather in the narthex of the church to visit with family and friends. No later than 15 minutes before the ceremony, all guests are asked to clear the narthex; grandparents, family, and honored guests should be seated by the ushers in the designated pews. Ushers should then proceed to seat all guests. We have a chart available to plan where family members and honored guests are to sit is, and which ushers are to seat the grandparents and the mothers. About 5 minutes before the ceremony, the mothers are seated (groom’s mother first), and the wedding party lines up to process down the aisle, with the bride on her father’s left arm. As soon as the priest, the groom, the best man and the groomsmen have taken their places, the bridesmaids will process, cued by the wedding coordinator. Please decide before the rehearsal how they will line up – usually according to height. The maid or matron of honor walks behind the last bridesmaid, and the ring bearer and flower girl walk directly in front of the bride.
AFTER THE CEREMONY
Immediately after the ceremony, guests tend to gather in the narthex again to visit. Since additional pictures still need to be taken at the front of the church, it is important that the wedding party not start talking with guests in the narthex. This holds up the photographer and other staff (who have to remain and prepare the church for Sunday services), and delays the reception indefinitely. To prevent this from happening, the bride and groom and attendants should not pause in the narthex after coming down the aisle, but should immediately return to the front of the church, going back through the side door to their left and walking behind the choir stalls. Picture-taking can then begin right away, and there will be plenty of time to visit with family and friends at the reception. While the pictures are being taken, it is important to designate someone to see that all areas used by the wedding party are cleaned up, and all belongings removed.
POLICIES FOR WEDDING FLORISTS
Give a copy of these instructions to your florist.
The ceremony of Christian marriage is a sacred occasion in which a man and a woman enter into a solemn covenant before God. Their declaration is witnessed and supported by families, friends, and members of the community of faith. As with any religious service, nothing must detract from the central purpose of worship, which is to offer praise and prayer to God; therefore, all plans for flowers and decorations must be in accordance with the traditions of the Episcopal Church and are subject to the approval of the rector. Based on experience, we have established the following policies. They are intended to help make each Ascension wedding a safe, joyous and God-centered occasion, in keeping with the spirit of Christian marriage and Christian worship.
The ceremony of Christian marriage is a sacred occasion in which a man and a woman enter into a solemn covenant before God. Their declaration is witnessed and supported by families, friends, and members of the community of faith. As with any religious service, nothing must detract from the central purpose of worship, which is to offer praise and prayer to God; therefore, all plans for flowers and decorations must be in accordance with the traditions of the Episcopal Church and are subject to the approval of the rector. Based on experience, we have established the following policies. They are intended to help make each Ascension wedding a safe, joyous and God-centered occasion, in keeping with the spirit of Christian marriage and Christian worship.
DÉCOR AND DECORUM
The sanctuary of Ascension Church is itself an offering of praise to God. The cross above the altar, the vaulted ceiling, beautiful stained-glass windows and pipe organ are all designed to draw worshipers’ thoughts upward to things divine. The richness of this classic style requires little enhancement. Thus, in order that nothing may detract from the sanctuary’s inherent stately beauty, wedding decorations should be kept as simple as possible.
FLOWERS AND GREENERY
The customary floral decoration for all worship services is a single large flower arrangement, which is placed on a shelf behind the altar. This shelf measures 30" wide by 10" deep. For a wedding, the colors may coordinate with the bouquets of the bride and her attendants, or all white flowers may be used. No dyed, silk or artificial flowers or bows are allowed in the altar arrangement. Any suitable container may be used for this arrangement; or the florist may put the arrangement in the church’s brass urn, which holds an EPI 003 liner (preferred) or J6 papier-mâché liner. It is recommended that
flowers or greenery not trail very far below the level of the shelf, as the view from the pews is blocked by the altar. Florists will be asked to reduce oversize arrangements or to change the arrangement if it is inappropriate for a worship service. This flower arrangement must be left in the church for Sunday services. If there is to be a Eucharist (Holy Communion) at the wedding service, the altar is set up in the usual manner. If there is no Eucharist nothing may be placed on the altar itself, but the church’s two standing 7-branch candelabra may be placed on either side of the altar, and these may be decorated with flowers or greenery.
There is a central aisle and 13 rows of pews. Bows, flowers or greenery or aisle candelabra may be used to decorate the pews, but no tacks, tape, glue or uncovered wire is allowed. (Plastic pew clips are preferred.) To allow the wedding party to pass down the center aisle, such arrangements must not extend more than 6 inches into the aisle and no other objects may be placed in the aisle. If any additional decorations are desired in the nave or the narthex, these must be approved by the church’s wedding coordinator, and they must be removed by the florist immediately following the wedding ceremony.
flowers or greenery not trail very far below the level of the shelf, as the view from the pews is blocked by the altar. Florists will be asked to reduce oversize arrangements or to change the arrangement if it is inappropriate for a worship service. This flower arrangement must be left in the church for Sunday services. If there is to be a Eucharist (Holy Communion) at the wedding service, the altar is set up in the usual manner. If there is no Eucharist nothing may be placed on the altar itself, but the church’s two standing 7-branch candelabra may be placed on either side of the altar, and these may be decorated with flowers or greenery.
There is a central aisle and 13 rows of pews. Bows, flowers or greenery or aisle candelabra may be used to decorate the pews, but no tacks, tape, glue or uncovered wire is allowed. (Plastic pew clips are preferred.) To allow the wedding party to pass down the center aisle, such arrangements must not extend more than 6 inches into the aisle and no other objects may be placed in the aisle. If any additional decorations are desired in the nave or the narthex, these must be approved by the church’s wedding coordinator, and they must be removed by the florist immediately following the wedding ceremony.
CANDLES/RUNNERS/ FLOWER PETALS
Candles
Please note that only the candles and candelabra belonging to the church and furnished by the church may be used in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is the area past the Narthex (Lobby). Any other accessories must be discussed the wedding coordinator. The Paschal candle, symbolic of the light of Christ, is always lit for weddings and may not be decorated. When it is a non-Eucharist wedding, the church’s two standing candelabra may also be lit. For a Eucharist, the two Eucharistic candles on the Altar will be lit, as well as the two candelabra on the shelves on either side of the flower arrangement. No candle may be outside a holder or placed on the floor.
Runners
No runners are permitted.
Flower petals
Only artificial flower petals may be scattered down the aisle (they are easier to clean and non-staining). Nothing may be placed on the altar except by the rector or members of Ascension’s Altar Guild.
Please note that only the candles and candelabra belonging to the church and furnished by the church may be used in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is the area past the Narthex (Lobby). Any other accessories must be discussed the wedding coordinator. The Paschal candle, symbolic of the light of Christ, is always lit for weddings and may not be decorated. When it is a non-Eucharist wedding, the church’s two standing candelabra may also be lit. For a Eucharist, the two Eucharistic candles on the Altar will be lit, as well as the two candelabra on the shelves on either side of the flower arrangement. No candle may be outside a holder or placed on the floor.
Runners
No runners are permitted.
Flower petals
Only artificial flower petals may be scattered down the aisle (they are easier to clean and non-staining). Nothing may be placed on the altar except by the rector or members of Ascension’s Altar Guild.
OTHER ITEMS
- No tape, pins, nails, tacks, or glue may be used to fasten decorations to any part of the church building or furnishings.
- No arches, gazebos, screens, columns or other such free standing decorations are permitted.
- Church furniture, linens/cloths, and other furnishings are part of the worship setting and may not be removed or altered.
- Nothing may be placed on the Communion railings.
- Use of an aisle cloth is not permitted.
- No rice, bird seed or anything of this nature may be thrown anywhere on church property, including the parking lot.
- The above policies apply whether the family chooses to use the services of a professional florist or those of a nonprofessional friend or relative. It is the responsibility of the family to see that anyone ordering or handling floral or other decorations is supplied with a copy of the “Policies For Wedding Florists.”
- It is the responsibility of the florist to keep a current copy of this policy on file and to comply with all policies in it. Any florist failing to do so will not be permitted to return to work at Ascension Church. The florist will also be responsible for any damages incurred from the use of their decorations.
- Decorating of the facilities may begin no more than two (2) hours before the time of the ceremony.
- Arrangements must be made for removal of all decorations immediately after the ceremony. Items not removed by the florist or family may be discarded by church staff or volunteers to allow preparations for other worship services.
- Ascension does not store any wedding decorations.
USHER’S INSTRUCTIONS
Give a copy of these instructions to each usher.
You are extremely important to the wedding. You are responsible for greeting people, guiding them to their seat, taking care of any emergencies that arise, and generally serving as hosts for those who come to the wedding. Thank you for accepting this responsibility.
Remember that the bride and groom are depending on you!
You are extremely important to the wedding. You are responsible for greeting people, guiding them to their seat, taking care of any emergencies that arise, and generally serving as hosts for those who come to the wedding. Thank you for accepting this responsibility.
Remember that the bride and groom are depending on you!
- Arrive early, at least an hour before the time of the wedding.
- Take your place at the entrance of the church.
- Make your first word a word of welcome. Be prepared to give directions to the rest rooms as needed.
- Hand each person a wedding program. If you happen to see a guest with a camera, please remind the owner that photographs are not allowed during the ceremony.
- Seat people from the outside aisle. The center aisle should not be used by anyone prior to the entrance of the wedding party.
- Seat the mothers just before the entrance of the wedding party. The groom’s mother is seated first and should be on your right arm and the bride’s mother on your left arm when she is seated.
- Stand at the back of the church during the wedding. Watch for anyone who may be having difficulty that requires your assistance. Take care of emergencies with grace.
- After the priest blesses the couple, you should prepare to move to the front of the church.
- As the wedding party processes into the narthex, come down the side aisle and wait by the front pew until the wedding party reaches the narthex, then escort the mothers out - the bride’s mother first and then the groom’s mother.
FEES
- Please contact the church via email, [email protected], for a complete understanding of any and all fees associated with a wedding and/or reception.
Fees for Late Start:
Our ministry and ministers are committed to helping you have a great wedding. Barring extreme circumstances beyond your control like car wrecks or medical emergencies, if your wedding party is not in place with the bride walking down the isle on time, there will be a surcharge for each 30 minutes past the first 15.
For example:
- If start time is 5 pm, and the bride walks down the aisle anytime between 5:15pm -5:45pm there will be a surcharge of $250.
- If the bride walks down the aisle sometime between 5:45pm - 6:15pm an additional $250 will be assessed.
- This assessment will continue every additional 30 minutes late the wedding is delayed.
Things like jitters, bad traffic, wedding gown problems, misplaced rings, etc.don't qualify for exclusion.
As part of your contract, you will fill out our credit card authorization, so that in the event of a late start we will assess this fee based upon the actual start time of the wedding. This assessment will compensate our staff and the ministries of Ascension for the additional time spent making your wedding the best it can be. When reviewing your statements the charge will be listed as coming from Ascension Episcopal School.
