St. Matthew's is pleased to conduct weddings using the beautiful liturgy for The Celebration and Blessing of Marriage found in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
Weddings are usually for members of St. Matthew's or for those who intend to become members. The Rector may make exceptions to this rule.
Dates. Weddings are usually held on Saturdays, between 10:00 am and 4:00 p.m. Dates are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and should be set at least 90 days in advance. You will also need to obtain a Ramsey County marriage license (currently $110) well before the service.
The marriage ceremony is a worship service. Marriage is a sacramental rite of the Church and takes place in the context of worship. It follows that music, dress, decorations, readings and photography should all be appropriate for a traditional worship service. Holy communion is usually part of the service, but is optional.
Pre-marital counseling. The Episcopal Church requires pre-marital counseling. The Rector will generally schedule at least four meetings with the couple for this purpose. Also, the county reduces the cost of a marriage license to $40 if a couple has at least 12 hours of counseling before marriage. The meetings with the Rector can count toward the county requirement.
All-in-one fee. St. Matthew's has a single comprehensive wedding fee that incorporates a clergy honorarium, music by the music director, altar guild, custodial, and other services. The fee is currently $900 for St. Matthew's members and $1,200 for non-members. The single option is for torches for a candlelight service, available for an additional $150.
Receptions. You can also book the church hall for your reception and arrange for outside catering services if you wish.
For more information, please contact Rector Blair Pogue.
