Wedding Guidelines for Christ Church Ridley Park
Times of Wedding Ceremony and Rehearsal
Due to our Saturday evening service, weddings may not be scheduled later than 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. We ask that your bridal party and guests leave the church by 4:30 p.m. so it can be cleaned and readied for the evening liturgy.
Rehearsals are normally conducted on Friday evening, though Thursday evening may also be arranged, with permission from the clergy. The latest you can schedule a rehearsal on Friday evening is 6:00 p.m.
Premarital Counseling and Pre-wedding Planning Meeting
After you have met with the Rector to discuss getting married, they will let you know the time for a premarital workshop. This consists of of a six hour session to be held (with other couples) on a Saturday well in advance of your wedding. The session is normally in February or March. The book used is “The Marriage Journey” by Grenz and Glover. A copy of it will be given you in advance the the premarital workshop. You will be expected to have read the book before the workshop.
After you have completed the workshop you will meet with the priest who is performing your ceremony to plan the service. Phone to set up this meeting. The meeting should occur one to two months before the ceremony. Be sure to fill out the necessary wedding information form and bring it to this meeting.
If this is a second marriage for either or both of you, the priest performing your ceremony will meet with you for at least two additional sessions following the six hour workshop (or possibly before). After the completion of these sessions you will be given a form to fill out requesting remarriage from the Bishop. Only with the Bishop’s approval may you be remarried in the Episcopal Church. The priest performing the ceremony will send in the form, as well as a cover letter certifying that you are ready for remarriage.
Pew Candles
You may request our wrought iron pew candles (20), for your wedding. Be sure to indicate this on your wedding information form that you fill out. Also let the priest know when you meet to plan your ceremony. There is a $35 fee for the use of the pew candles.
Flowers
You are responsible for your own flowers. It is suggested that you use the two stands in front of the altar, rather than the shelves behind the altar. Be sure your florist understands where and how the flowers will be placed. Attached to the wedding information form is an instruction sheet you are encouraged to give to your florist.
The liturgical color for a wedding is white, so this is the most appropriate color. However, you are welcome to choose some other suitable color.
You may place bows and/or flowers on the ends of the pews. Putting flowers in the pew candle holders is not recommended. It is difficult to see what is going on at the altar. After the service, be sure to have someone remove the bows and or flowers from the ends of the pews.
Music
Phone or email our organist, Janet Kaido, to set up a time to discuss your music. Permission to use an organist other than Ms. Kaido must be approved by both her and the rector. If you are given permission to use another organist, you will still be responsible for paying Ms. Kaido the “bench” fee listed below, as well as any fees to the outside organist.
If you would like to use a soloist, you must let Ms. Kaido know. The music he or she sings must be approved by the rector and organist. Please provide the organist a copy.
Other Clergy
Only Christ Church clergy may officiate at the service, though you may request the participation of another clergyperson. Please speak to the rector.
Fees
The fee for the organist is $200. Make check out to “Janet Kaido”.
The “bench” fee for use of outside organist is $125. Make check out to “Janet Kaido”
The fee for the sexton is $50. Make check out to “Lynn White”.
The fee for the pew candles (if used) is $35. Make check out to “Christ Church” (earmarked “pew candles”)
There is no fee for the clergy, though you may give him or her an honorarium.
Please bring your checks to the church office or mail them BEFORE the rehearsal.
License
The bride and groom must obtain a license from a court house in Pennsylvania and MUST bring the license to the rehearsal. After the wedding the priest will send the appropriate section back to the State and give the couple a the wedding license for their own records. This license may be used to change your name on a drivers license, social security card, or other legal documents.
The priest will have you sign the parish register at the beginning of the rehearsal.
Dressing before the Ceremony
The bride and bridal party may use the Deppich room to dress before the ceremony.
Photographs and Video
Photos by the official photographer are permitted only during the entrance and exit of the wedding party. Posed pictures may be taken after the service. Please see the wedding information form for a sheet you are requested to give to your photographer. Photographers who do not abide by the guidelines are not allowed to take photos in Christ Church. At present this list includes Mr. Frank Hayes and Mr. Eric Bennett who are not allowed to take photos in Christ Church.
Videographers are permitted, but must set the camera on a tripod in the chapel. The videographer is not permitted to move to other locations in the sanctuary during the ceremony. The whole ceremony can be photographed from this vantage point. Please see the wedding information form for a sheet you are requested to give to your videographer.
Bulletins
The church does not provide a bulletin for the service. Please see the provided sample bulletin, which you can use as a template. You must have the priest performing the ceremony approve your bulletin before you have it printed. You may email it to the church.
Rice and Confetti
Due to safety concerns no rice or birdseed is allowed either inside or outside the church. No confetti is allowed either inside or outside the church. Rose petals are permitted OUTSIDE the church.
Runner
Also due to safety reasons, runners are not permitted.
Parking
Please do not park in the alley off Sellers Ave. This is a public alley, not a church driveway.
Parish House
The parish hall, Musselman Hall, is is normally NOT available for receptions on Saturday, due to the extensive setup required for Sunday mornings.
Alcohol and Drugs
Use of alcohol and/or drugs on the church premises before or after the service is strictly forbidden.
