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.
We invite couples who ask for the Church's service and blessing to worship with us at Grace Church, and to consider seriously (if not already faithful members) renewing their life in the church at this time.
There is a choice of two services of Holy Matrimony. Both are found in the Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada. The first choice is found on page 528 (with a Eucharist) and the second is found on page 541 (without Eucharist).
Date and Time
The Canon Law of the Anglican Church of Canada requires that 'those who intend to marry give notice to the minister at least sixty (60) days before the day proposed for the wedding. It is helpful if more notice than this can be given so that the church building might be reserved and that there be time for unhurried interviews before the wedding.
Note: If a Saturday evening service is desired, please check possible times with the priest, as the Chancel Guild requires time to prepare the church for Sunday worship.
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.
For couples who are in regular worshippers here at Grace Church, provincial regulations allow that the Banns (announcement of the marriage) be read in church on three Sundays prior to the wedding date, and that the license be issued from the church office. Couples must be in attendance in church when their Banns are read.
Marriages of Divorced Persons
Divorced persons must obtain a marriage license; they cannot be married by the reading of Banns. 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. As Anglican clergy, we are unable to marry couples unless we have satisfied ourselves that they are suitably prepared to enter into marriage. 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.
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. This ensures that those taking part will be familiar with their roles, and enables them to take their parts with confidence on the day of the wedding. .
If there are children in the wedding party, a responsible adult (not in the wedding party) should be assigned to care for them during the rehearsal and wedding. This allows the adults in the wedding party to concentrate on their role and not be distracted. If the children are quite small, one person per child should be assigned.
Decoration of the Church
The decoration of the church is the responsibility of the Chancel Guild. This is an organization within Grace Church of people whose job it is to have the church ready for all worship at Grace. If your wedding is on Saturday, you may have the use of the flowers that are normally placed on the Altar on Sunday. You are asked to make a donation to the Chancel Guild for this. Any arrangements for other flowers, pew decorations and wedding candles must be made in consultation with the priest and a member of the Chancel Guild. 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. Please call Mrs. Pegg Frederick at 759-5822 concerning your arrangements. White bows for the pews are available at no extra charge if desired.
Music for the Wedding Ceremony
Grace Church has perhaps the highest quality music program, most awesome organ, and organist/choir director in the Brantford area. We also have a beautiful grand piano that sounds spectacular. Since a wedding ceremony is an act of Christian worship offered to God, the music is always sacred in character and conforms to the religious and musical standards of the church and diocese. 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 at 752-6814.
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 to our organist.
2008 Wedding Fee Schedule
- Church: $300.00
- Priest: $200.00 for non-members (for members this is at your discretion)
- Organist: $150.00 ($175 if required to be at rehearsal or to practice with a soloist)
- Caretaker: $50.00
- Chancel Guild: $50.00
- Total Cost: $750.00
- Bell Ringer: $25.00 (optional when available)
- New Cost: $775.00 (with bell ringer added)
The $300.00 fee for the church is actually a suggested donation. You will be given a tax receipt for that amount.
If the wedding couple or either of their parents are regular financial contributors/members of Grace Church you are entitled to the free use of the church for your wedding. (a savings of $300.00)
The fees are given, in cash, to the priest at the rehearsal in separately marked envelopes. These are based on the year of the ceremony rather than the year in which the booking was made.
Wedding Invitations and Programs
Because we lack staffing capacity, we are unable to prepare programs for your wedding. However we will provide an electronic template and you can purchase blank, pre-decorated program covers at most Christian bookstores. The priest must approve the final order of service prior to printing.
Please note that the address of the church which should be used on wedding invitations and programs is: 15 Albion St (at West Ave.), Brantford
Photographs & Video-Taping
During the service itself the attention of all in the Church should be on the solemn ceremony which is taking place. Therefore, it is not permissible for flash pictures to be taken during the actual service.
An Official Photographer may take pictures:
- in the church as the bridal party enters
- from a fixed position at the back of the church during the service (a quiet time-exposure). The position will be decided in consultation with the priest.
- during the signing of the register
- in the church as the bride and groom leave by the centre aisle following the ceremony.
You may have your wedding ceremony taped from a stationary position only. The videographer should attend the rehearsal to consult with the priest. If that is not possible they should be at the church no later than 45 minutes before the start of the service in order to meet with the priest. Lights may not be used with the video camera.
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.
