Marriage at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Boca Grande, FL

Marriage, like every other Christian sacrament, is one focused moment in a larger, ongoing Christian spiritual life. The sacrament has integrity when it is an expression of a couple’s faith in Christ and their devotion to his teaching. Christian marriage is informed and enriched by the couple’s participation in the Body of Christ, the church. Regular public worship, personal prayer, fellowship, charitable giving, and the service of our neighbors form the nourishing garden setting out of which this blossom of marriage—and every sacrament--grows.

Couples seeking marriage at Saint Andrew’s, Boca Grande should explore that possibility for a minimum of six months prior to their intended wedding date. During that time, it is expected that the couple will be actively involved in this--or in another parish (any Christian denomination will suffice) nearer their home--deepening and strengthening their spiritual roots.

St. Andrew’s reserves the use of the church for weddings of couples wherein:

• One or both persons are baptized and currently active in the worship and material support of this parish within the previous twelve months, or 
• One or both persons are baptized and grew up as participants in this parish (*see note below) or 
• The bride and/or groom is the family member of a current member who is a supporter of record in the parish within the previous twelve months (*see note below) 
• Although new to this parish, one or both persons are willing to experience and explore membership in the Body of Christ through regular participation in parish life and worship, and through material support of the parish, for a minimum period of six months prior to the intended wedding date.

*The church’s expectation is that persons living away from the parish will have established or will be actively seeking local church membership near their place of residence. A letter from the clergy or administrator of the local church will attest to this fact.

Concerning Pastoral Preparation (Premarital Counseling)

At least six months before the service, the couple must establish a pastoral relationship with the priest who will officiate at their wedding. This usually entails four to six meetings to help prepare them for making a life-long commitment in a Christian marriage, and also to plan the details of the ceremony. The priest in consultation with the couple sets the number of meetings. The clergy consider these meetings to be of the utmost importance. If the bride and groom live out of state, the couple will engage in marriage preparation steps with a minister in their local community, or with a licensed family counselor who offers wedding preparation sessions. This preparation may entail costs for counseling, for which the couple is responsible.

When either of the couple is divorced, the officiating priest must apply for the Bishop’s permission to perform the marriage. This requires special premarital counseling by the officiating priest and an Application for Remarriage – which is completed by the officiating priest and the couple. If either of the couple has been divorced twice then special professional counseling paid for by the couple is required before the Application for Remarriage can be made.

Episcopal Church Canon Law reserves the right of each priest to decline to solemnize any marriage. It is, therefore, unwise for a couple to make external arrangements for the wedding ceremony and reception until the officiating priest is satisfied that the proposed marriage is appropriate and conforms to the teaching of the Church.

Episcopal Church Wedding Guidelines

The Episcopal Church requires that at least one person of the couple be baptized. Those getting married must obtain premarital counseling over a period of time. Anyone who has been divorced must obtain permission of the Bishop to remarry in the Episcopal Church. Check with the Clergy.