Weddings

Holy Matrimony is Christian Marriage, in which two people enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. 

"Should we be married in a church?" At this point, this may sound like an odd question. But we ask it now because a wedding in a church is not merely a festive and lovely occasion to which an imposing building lends dignity and grandeur. It is a service of worship in which a couple participates in a sacrament. They make their covenant before God and receive the power and blessing of God in the grace to keep their vows with fidelity and steadfast love all the days of their lives.

If you understand and seek to undertake marriage as a lifelong union supported by God's grace, blessed by the church, conformed to the Church's teaching, and lived out in the community of God's faithful people, then a marriage ceremony in a church is appropriate for you.

Grace Church is available for marriage ceremonies when at least one of the persons to be married is a member of the parish, or is an immediate family member of a parishioner, or interesting exploring membership at Grace Church.

In addition, the following conditions apply:

• One of the two persons to be married must be a baptized Christian.
• The form of service is according to The Book of Common Prayer.
• The bride and groom must enter into a pastoral relationship with the officiating priest at least six months prior to the wedding date. They will meet 3-5 times to prepare for the lifelong covenant of marriage and to plan the service.
  
• When either one of the persons or both of them are divorced, the officiating priest must apply for the Bishop's permission to perform the marriage. This requires special premarital counseling by the officiating priest and the completion of application materials by both the bride and the groom. If either or both of the persons have been divorced twice, then special professional counseling is required before the Bishop's permission can be given.

For more information on being married at Grace Church, please contact the Reverend Noah H. Evans at noah@gracemedford.org or 781-396-7215.