Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. The bond of marriage was established by God at creation. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort they will give each other in good times and bad; and for the procreation of children (if it may be) and their nurture in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. This union is created by their free mutual consent, is entered into within the community of faith, and is life-long in intention. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

 

St. David’s considers it an important ministry to assist couples who are interested in preparing for Holy Matrimony and celebrating their wedding in this spirit. The bride and groom are the celebrants of their marriage. When the Church presides over the ceremony it serves as the witness to the vows and, through the priest, bestows the blessing of God upon the union. The Church prays for the couple that they may have grace to fulfill their vows of fidelity and to create a Christian home and family.

 

In the Episcopal Church, it is required that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; that the priest have at least thirty days’ notice of the intention to marry; that the couple receive instruction about the nature of marriage before the wedding; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the jurisdiction in which the marriage takes place and the canons of the Church.

 

If one or both of the parties has had a previous marriage dissolved by annulment or divorce, application must be made to the Bishop of Washington, through the priest, for permission to be married in the Episcopal Church. This permission must be requested by the priest in writing at least thirty days before the proposed wedding date. The priest cannot give formal consent to officiate at the wedding until the Bishop’s permission is received. Normally the priest will not consider officiating at a marriage when one or both of the parties has had two previous marriages dissolved by annulment and/or divorce. The rector determines who is to be the officiant at the service.

 

If the couple has a preference for a particular date and time for the wedding or rehearsal, the parish office should be consulted as soon as possible regarding the availability of the church and priest. At St. David’s, weddings are not held in Lent, the penitential season that extends from Ash Wednesday until Easter Eve, or on Sundays. The wedding date and time will be confirmed only after the couple has consulted in person with the priest. Public or formal announcement of the marriage date is to be made only after this consultation at the initial session of marriage instruction. Marriage instruction usually consists of at least four sessions, with the couple and priest meeting for at least an hour each time. These sessions are arranged by appointment, and are usually separated by several weeks.

 

We invite you to worship at St. David’s so that you may feel confident that this is the faith community in which you wish to take your vows of Holy Matrimony and which will support you in your married life in Christ. St. David’s is not a wedding chapel for those who simply want “a church to be married in.” It is expected that both parties, if they have not been regularly attending St. David’s, will begin to do so during the period of instruction and will intend to make commitment to a Christian community part of their married life. To schedule a time to talk to a priest about being married at St. David’s, please call the parish office on 202.966.2093 or contact the rector, Fr. Robin Dodge, at robindodge@starpower.net.