WEDDINGS

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WEDDING RESOURCES

If inquiring about having your wedding at Calvary please fill out the form below and send it in to communications@calvarychurchstonington.org or mail it in to Calvary Episcopal Church 27 Church Street | Stonington, CT 06378.

 

Calvary Episcopal Church is located in the heart of historic Stonington Borough. Our church by the sea is an idyllic setting for your special day. It's cozy and intimate. Whether you choose music performed by the classically trained organist/choirmaster on the magnificent pipe organ, or you coordinate your music independently, the acoustics make the sound come come alive. When the sun pours through the stained glass windows, waves of colored light dance on the pews. There's truly no other place like it.

In the Episcopal Church marriage is a sacrament joining two persons in an unconditional, mutual, exclusive, faithful, and lifelong covenant relationship, and is available to same-gender as well as opposite-gender couples.

As a part of the premarital preparation, couples desiring to be married here should attend Sunday services at Calvary Church (or at a local church if they do not live here).

If you are interested in being married at Calvary, call the rector at (860) 535-1181 to discuss in detail your plans. From there an in-person meeting will be set up for you to come in and our rector can get to know you better as a couple.

Preparation

  • Weddings are only performed after consultation with the Rector. Further, at least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian (of any denomination).

  • The decision for a marriage to take place at Calvary Church is a collaborative one made by both the clergy and the couple. Dates should never be set or other plans made before consulting with the officiating clergy. Times are flexible, but we like to have weddings no later than 4:30 p.m.

  • Any couple desiring to be married at Calvary must undertake a program of premarital instruction by the clergy, consisting of a minimum of four sessions. At least 60 days must be allotted for this process. When one or both members of the couple has been married before, the consent of the Bishop of Connecticut is required, a process that takes at least 12 weeks. When necessary, arrangements may be made, with the approval of the Rector, for some or all of the premarital counseling to be done by another priest of the Episcopal Church or Anglican Communion.

  • As a part of the premarital preparation, couples desiring to be married here should attend Sunday services at Calvary Church (or at a local church if they do not live here).

Arrangements

  • A wedding license must be obtained from the Town of Stonington.

  • Each couple must make arrangements for their own flowers. Altar flowers remain in the church for the Sunday service. Please contact the Flower Guild through the parish secretary at 535.1181, x10.

  • The planning of the liturgy is undertaken jointly by the couple and the officiating clergy, using the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

  • Seating capacity of Calvary Church ranges from 120-150.

  • Visiting clergy of any denomination are welcome to participate in the service at the invitation of the Rector and the officiating clergy.

  • The Parish Hall and courtyard may be used for wedding receptions by special arrangement with applicable fees. In keeping with the policy of the Diocese, no hard liquor may be served; wine and beer are acceptable.

Music

  • The celebration and blessing of a marriage is a sacramental rite of the Church; the music should reflect this. As at other rites of the Church, the canon and rubrics govern the choices. Therefore, in practice, secular music is not permitted in an Episcopal wedding (but is allowed for the reception).

  • The Director of Music oversees music and is able to recommend appropriate music, which can enhance and personalize the service.

  • The organist’s fee includes a short recital preceding the ceremony. When a soloist or special music is desired, arrangements must be made at least one month in advance. Appropriate fees are then charged for the necessary rehearsal and wedding service.


Photographs

  • Photographers are an important part of wedding memories. However, in order to preserve the sanctity of the service, no photographs are to be taken during the service. Photographs may be taken just prior to or after the service.

  • Videotaping is not permitted. Christian marriage is a holy rite and is sealed in our hearts.


Wedding Flower Guidelines

  • Two arrangements are needed on the shelf behind the altar - limited to appropriate space. Arrangements may not exceed the height of the Altar cross.

  • Pew-end decorations of moderate size may be attached, only with ribbon, on every other pew or on the first 3 pews. Tape, wire, or clips are not permitted.

  • Windowsill arrangements of moderate size are permissible on the first windows or small arrangements if every window decoration is desired. Please only use waterproof containers.

  • A floor arrangement is allowed at each side—by the prayer desk and in front of the pulpit—if desired. If anything more is desired, please check with the Flower Guild before planning.

  • No pew or windowsill candles are to be added without the permission of the Altar Guild.


Rehearsal

  • The marriage license and all fees must be given to the priest at the rehearsal.

  • The wedding couple and the witnesses must be present to sign all necessary forms.

  • All participants in the ceremony should be present to receive instructions.