Weddings

Weddings at St. Martin In the Fields

General Information

Each year St. Martin In the Fields receives a number of requests from couples wishing to be married at our church. We try to be as accommodating as possible within the constraints of our Canon Law and the needs of our own members.

One of the most difficult areas to address concerning weddings is that of fees. While there can be no charge for reception of a Sacrament, the church does incur certain expenses when a wedding takes place and the clergy's time is taken from other duties. Therefore, the following reimbursements are required: A payment to the Church which covers the cost of candles, wine and wafers, bulletins, utilities, cleaning and maintenance, in the amount of $250. Also is a fee for administrative, clergy, secretarial and lay ministry staff,in the amount of $250, for a total due of $500. Fees are due in cash at the time of the rehearsal, and may be altered under special circumstances at the discretion of Mother Powell.

Our Organist can also be available for weddings. Her fee is $75, also due at the time of rehearsal.

When one or both of the individuals wishing to be married at St. Martin's are members of the congregation, no fees are required. It is, however, customary for the couple to make a donation both to the church and to the clergy in thanksgiving for their marriage. These donations are voluntary and their amounts are determined by the couple themselves.

Canonical Requirements

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. Our Church Canon Law requires that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian, that the ceremony be attested to by at least two witnesses over the age of 18, and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State as well as the Canons of this Church. Unfortunately the Bishop of New Jersey has not authorized the blessing of same sex unions (though we are a very welcoming community).

If one or both of the persons requesting marriage has had a previous marriage end in divorce, the priest must obtain permission from the Bishop to perform the marriage.

Such a request, in writing, must be in the bishop's hands thirty days before the date of the planned wedding.

The priest is required to meet with the couple to discuss the marriage service in order to increase understanding and appreciation for the theology, structure, and customs associated with Holy Matrimony. The number of these meetings varies with the needs of each individual couple.

Rector's Requirements:

It is the policy of the current Rector not to perform a wedding without a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is central to Christian worship and is, therefore, an integral part of the celebration and blessing of a marriage.

In the Christian tradition, the authority of the priest is delegated to him or her by the Diocesan Bishop. Therefore, the Blessing of Same Sex Unions cannot be performed by the Rector at this time.

If wedding rings are to be given, both bride and groom must give and receive a ring. It is the policy of this Rector not to perform single ring ceremonies.

It is the opinion of the Rector that the wedding ceremony should reflect as much as possible the style and emotions of the couple involved. Therefore, the choice of music, flowers, number of attendants, color and type of clothing, etc. belongs to the bride and groom although the priest is willing to give suggestions and must give final approval to all arrangements.

The custom of throwing rice at the bride and groom following the wedding ceremony is reflective of the gathered communities' desire that the couple should be blessed with children. Dried rice was, however, never intended by nature to be available in large quantities for birds to consume, and is, in fact, harmful to them. Therefore, the Rector requires that bird seed be substituted for rice in such activities.

Both video filming and still photography and permissible, flash equipment may be used, but no other special lighting is allowed. Individuals responsible for the photography must make arrangements with the Rector prior to the day of the service. These arrangements cannot be made on the wedding day.

Weddings are not normally performed at locations other than the Church.