St. Andrew's Wedding Policy
If you desire to be married at St. Andrew’s please contact the rector at least 60 days prior to the desired wedding date. Ideally the couple would begin the marriage preparation process over six months before the marriage.
The cannons of the Episcopal Church also give the rector discretion whether or not to solemnize a wedding.
While all inquiries regarding marriage are invited, priority is given to members of the parish. We do rent the sanctuary and church space for weddings officiated by ministers of other denominations, but all marriages solemnized by the rector or an Episcopal clergy person are subject to the cannons of the Episcopal Church.
Cannon law requires that any couple wishing to be married in the Episcopal Church meet with the clergy person or an approved counselor for pre-marriage counseling. At St. Andrew’s, the rector meets with the couple at least four times prior to the rehearsal. Sessions generally last between an hour and ninety minutes. The purpose of these meetings is so the clergy gets to know the couple, to ensure the couple communicates effectively, to talk through important relationship issues, and finally to plan the wedding. If the couple lives a considerable distance from Louisville they may seek counseling through a local Episcopal clergyperson or a pastoral counselor.
If you have been married previously, permission from the Bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky is required. If you have been married twice the cannons of the church require professional pre-marriage counseling as well as the Bishop’s permission. Please have legal decree of divorce available. Also, recognize that more time may be needed to fulfill the canonical requirements if you have been previously married and allow at least 90 days.
Please bring the marriage license to the church prior to the rehearsal. The wedding cannot take place without the license.
The bridal party may dress in the church. The rector will orient the bride and bridesmaids and the groom and groomsmen to where they can dress and prepare for the service. The party is welcome to bring food, non-alcoholic beverages, irons, ironing boards etc... to their respective dressing rooms. It is expected the rooms will be cleared following the service.
The priest will lead the rehearsal and the marriage service. If you chose to have a bridal consultant they will be subject to the church’s liturgical tradition and will not be expected to lead the rehearsal.
Wedding fees are as follows. To rent the church for a marriage officiated by an outside minister the cost is $1000. Music fees are applied separately. This fee includes use of the sanctuary during the rehearsal and wedding, necessary preparations as discussed prior to the service, the use of facilities and rooms to dress, and clean-up.
For couples seeking a community of faith, willing to participate in the life of the parish during the six months prior to marriage, to commit to pre-marriage counseling with the rector, and desiring the rector to solemnize the marriage the fee is $700. Again music fees are applied separately. The fee includes the cost of our wedding coordinator, setup, and cleanup.
For parish members or close relatives thereof, who have been members for at least a year prior to the discussion of marriage, the marriage fee is $250 with music fees paid separately. This fee includes clean-up and the wedding coordinator.
We are also blessed to have Collins Hall, a wonderful venue for wedding reception
Other than a gratuity, the clergy are not compensated for counseling or performing the marriage.
The wedding is a service of worship in which a man and a woman come to unite their lives in the eyes of God and in the company of those dearest to them. The music for their wedding should reflect this and be of the sacred variety. Popular music, love songs, etc. should be reserved for the reception.
The fee for the organist is $150. This includes one consultation for planning and the wedding. All other rehearsals are an additional $50. The fee is paid directly to the organist prior to the wedding.
St. Andrew's organist, Marci Dickinson, is to be used for all weddings desiring organ or piano. Exceptions must be agreed upon by both the rector and the organist. If the resident organist is not employed, she should be offered the regular fee for that service. No recorded music will be used for weddings at St. Andrew's.
If couples desire a vocal solo or duet, St. Andrew's staff includes professional vocalists and the organist would be happy to make arrangements for their services. Professional instrumentalists may also be engaged in consultation with the organist. Any outside soloists should be professionals and approved by the music staff.
Unity candles are discouraged as well. The church space does not easily accommodate the use of a unity candle without obstructing the couple and it is not part of our tradition.
It is recommended that white runners not be used. They often tear or bunch, are difficult to unroll, and increase the chance of someone falling.
Please make arrangements with the altar guild and flower committee as to whether you plan to have Eucharist as part of the liturgy and whether you would like the flowers to remain for the following Sunday service in celebration of the marriage.
The flower guild is not responsible for providing flowers but can give guidance to the size of our vases, etc... large sprays in front of the altar are prohibited.
Our candlesticks can be used as well as our candles but we do not provide new unused candles. If you would prefer new candles, please borrow one of our candles and take it to Tonini’s to match the size. We also have glass hurricane candle shades that can be used but candles must be provided.
Any decoration or pew marker (for families) attached to the pews must be easily removed without damaging the pew. No strong adhesives, nails, staples, screws, etc...
We look forward to being apart of this special day for the couple and their families. These regulations are meant to insure the solemnity and religious nature of the occasion.
