Weddings
Congratulations on your engagement! We share this information so that you might have a brief but realistic idea about the possibility of having your wedding at The Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square. This information is merely a guideline. Always speak with the rector before making any plans with regard to your wedding ceremony or reception.
What’s a Wedding like at CHT?
Click here to see a video of a wedding recently celebrated at Holy Trinity.
Are there wedding forms to fill out?
You can download our wedding brochure for basic information about how we celebrate weddings at CHT.
Click here to view links for the Church’s floorplan & all relevant request forms.
First Marriage For Both Persons
The primary requirement for a wedding ceremony in any Episcopal Church, and most other mainline churches, is that the couple has attended at least three formal sessions of premarital counseling by a clergy person or qualified counselor over the course of at least a month prior to the wedding.
We further expect that at least one of you is a baptized Christian and we hope that you are actively involved in a Church community. It is not required that you are attending an Episcopal Church. We understand that there may be some exceptions to the rule, but we hope that if you have invited the Church to be part of your wedding day, you intend to make Christ and the Church part of your life.
If there is no problem meeting the two expectations above, we ask that you follow and complete a copy of our REQUEST FORM and APPLICATIONS. You may now arrange the date and time of your wedding ceremony by phone, fax or e-mail with one of our priests. Please know that the minister performing the service will eventually need formal evidence from a clergy person or the pastoral counselor that adequate preparation for Holy Matrimony has been accomplished and that at least one person is active in a church community. Usually a simple letter or e-mail will suffice.
Special Situations
If you feel that you do not (or cannot) fit into the CHT “norms” for marriage or remarriage, you may wish to talk personally to one of our clergy. We may have some creative suggestions that could make a wedding celebration possible. We will try to respond pastorally on a case by case basis.
Wedding Planning
CHT’s clergy plan the religious service. We do not have the means to schedule the “non liturgical” events associated with your wedding. Arranging a reception, photographers, hotels, hairdressers, transport, etc. are well beyond our sphere. Likewise, when the service is outside the church proper, we can take no responsibility for arranging for musicians. We are, however, often able to refer you to independent professionals who may be helpful.
The Celebration and Blessing of Marriage
We use the Book of Common Prayer (1979) and the 1982 Hymnal as the primary texts for the liturgies we celebrate. Within the traditional framework of the Episcopal wedding service there is almost always some creative flexibility possible as long as it is theologically appropriate and in good taste. There are, in fact, many opportunities for family and guests in the wedding party to be involved especially as readers of Holy Scripture and in the prayers.
Financial Costs and Other Policies
The parish gladly makes its clergy available to serve the broader community, but we ask that you share in the significant expenses of supporting our parish ministry and church facilities. A fee which includes the use of the church, the services of the clergy and the sacristan’s fee. Payment is due no less than thirty days before the wedding ceremony. If music of the organ or piano is desired, the regular church organist’s fee is an additional fee payable directly to Dr. French at the time of the service. Choir members are also available for an additional fee.
Wedding Music
Music for weddings at The Church of the Holy Trinity is planned in consultation with the organist / choirmaster. Couples should plan to meet far in advance of the wedding date to discuss music for the ceremony. This is especially important if you require hiring additional musicians – soloists, trumpeters, etc. It is not necessary to select music before this meeting – the organist/choirmaster can lead you through the choices you need to make that are appropriate for the service. Popular songs, broadway show tunes and similar repertoire are not appropriate for weddings at CHT. In the event the organist/choirmaster is not available to play for your wedding he will find a qualified substitute and make arrangements for you to meet with that individual to plan music for your wedding.
The organist/choirmaster can assist in hiring any additional musicians you require. CHT has several professional singers in the choir and the church regularly employs other musicians throughout the year for various services. It is preferred that these musicians, familiar with CHT, be used for weddings at CHT. Other musicians suggested by the couple may be used only with permission of the organist/choirmaster – these individuals should be highly qualified and trained professionals.
The fees for musicians playing weddings at CHT are:
Organist/Choirmaster $250 - additional compensation will be required for contracting/rehearsing with other musicians for the service.
Note: In the event the organist/choirmaster is not required for the wedding it is customary for him to receive the minimum $250 fee.
Additional musicians - $100-150 per person
Decorations
We ask that that at least two substantial arrangements remain for the following Sunday’s service in honor of your marriage. Carpets or aisle “runners”, scattering of flower petals as well as extra candles, etc. are not permitted at CHT due to safety concerns with our tile flooring. It is strongly advised that floral designers visit CHT before the wedding service; it is the responsibility of the floral designers to arrange a mutually convenient time for the delivery flowers, bouquets etc.
The Unity Candle ceremony is rarely used in the Episcopal Church - though its symbolism may be considered significant (although a little ambiguous) experience suggests strongly that it is difficult to perform this ceremony with elegance and in safety. The practice is strongly discouraged.
Renewal of Marriage Vows
With the obvious exception of premarital counseling, the same planning, preparation and donations to the church will be expected for a Renewal of Marriage Vows celebration. We hope this answers some of your initial questions. We trust that you will let us know if you would like more information. And if you are now making serious plans to have your wedding at CHT, please fill in the WEDDING INFORMATION FORM AND RETURN IT TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
