Weddings
We are so pleased that you are interested in getting married at Grace Church, Brantford. This will hopefully answer many of your questions. Look it over and then contact us if you would like to move forward and begin planning to hold your wedding at Grace. At any time, you are most welcome to contact our rector, The Reverend Dave Ponting at 519-752-6814 or by e-mail at .
About Anglican Weddings
The service for the solemnization of Matrimony is a Christian act of worship in which two people promise in the sight of God and in the presence of family and friends that they will love, comfort, honour and cherish one other and live together faithfully for the rest of their lives.
This service takes place in the Church and the conduct of the service is the responsibility of the priest of the parish. As a general rule, in order to be married in the Anglican church, at least one of the couple must be baptized. Speak to the priest if this is a problem and some leeway can occasionally be allowed.
License or Banns
A license to be married, issued by the Province of Ontario, is obtained from the City Clerk, and may be purchased (by either one or both parties to be married) within three (3) months of the day of the wedding. Currently, that cost is $125.00 and the City Hall takes VISA or cash.
Important: The couple to be married must complete Questions 1-27 on the license before bringing it in its envelope to the priest during the week prior to the wedding. However, the license must not be signed until the day of the wedding.
Note: Any mistakes/changes to Questions 1-27 must be corrected by crossing out and initialing it. Do not erase or use white-out. The Office of the Registrar General refuses to accept licenses with changes that have not been initialed or using white-out.
Marriages of Divorced Persons
It is important that you tell the City Clerk you are divorced when you apply for the marriage license. They will require the court order # for the license form. In a gentle and sensitive way, the priest marrying you will want to reflect with the divorced person(s) on the lessons learned from the previous marriage(s).
Marriage Preparation and Rehearsal
Marriage is one of the most special and sacred moments in a couple’s lives. As priest at Grace Church, I am honoured to walk with the couple at this sacred time. At Grace Church, couples seeking marriage meet the priest performing their wedding ceremony 2-3 occasions to discuss their journey together and expectations for the future. The first two evenings discuss topics such as building your own family, in-laws, conflict resolution skills, intimacy in marriage, shared values, and the place of faith in busy modern relationships.
At the third session, plans for the wedding ceremony are discussed, including the marriage service as found in the Book of Alternative Services. All details regarding the wedding day are discussed at this time.
SPECIAL NOTE:
For couples being married in 2011 there is an expectation that both people attend a one day Marriage preparation workshop, held at Grace Church on Saturday February 19th, 2011. Attendance at this workshop carries a fee of $150.00. There will be a follow up meeting with the priest after the workshop. The workshop is being offered instead of the 2-3 marriage preparation evening appointments with the priest.
The Rehearsal
This usually takes place on an evening preceding the wedding. The rehearsal is to be attended by the wedding party (bride, groom, person or persons walking the bride down the aisle (if any), best man, best woman, bridesmaids and ushers) and by those taking part as scripture readers or in other ways.
Decoration of the Church
If your wedding is on Saturday, you may have the use of the flowers that are normally placed on the Altar on Sunday. Your florist may look after the decorations at the chancel steps (the lower steps by the pulpit) and in the seating area of the church. White bows for the pews are available at no extra charge if desired.
Music for the Wedding Ceremony
Our organist, Mr. Daniel Durksen, wants to work with you to make the music at your wedding the best it can be. Daniel will gladly discuss possible choices with the couple to be married. All music and soloists are approved by the organist. He may be reached through the church office.
The church organist has the right to provide the musical accompaniment for all weddings at Grace. If you wish to bring in other musicians you may do so but the organist's fee must be paid regardless of whether or not you use his services. This is a contractual obligation we have with our organist.
2010/11 Wedding Fee Schedule
- Church: $300.00
- Priest: Free to members. (non-member, the clergy fee is $200)
- Organist: $150.00 ($175 if required to be at rehearsal or to practice with a soloist)
- Caretaker: $75.00
- Chancel Guild: $50.00
- Total Cost: $575.00 plus clergy fee if a non-member
- Bell Ringer: $35.00 (optional when available)
- New Cost: $610.00 (with bell ringer added)
If the wedding couple or either of their parents are regular financial contributors to Grace Church you are entitled to the free use of the church for your wedding. (a savings of $300.00)
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FEES: The fees are given, in cash, to the priest at the rehearsal in separately marked envelopes. These fees are based on the year the ceremony takes place, not the year in which the booking was made.
Additional Thoughts about making your Big Day run smoothly:
A wedding ceremony requires the participation of many people. Please have your wedding party arrive at the church for both the wedding rehearsal and the wedding at the proper time.
Remember, a wedding ceremony is not a Hollywood production. It doesn’t have to go off without a hitch. Almost every wedding has some minor glitch and that’s okay. So relax. Enjoy your day. Our rector, the Reverend Dave Ponting, will walk you through everything and keep it all meaningful and memorable.
We hope that your wedding day will be a time of delightful memories and rich blessings. We are honoured to be part of such a significant day in your lives and pray that God will richly bless your lives together.
