Weddings
Contact: Adriana
Sween, Pastoral Events Coordinator at 212 316 7483.
The Cathedral Church of St.
John the Divine is the Mother Church of the Episcopal Diocese of New
York and welcomes all to share in its presence, ministry and outreach.
Marriages in the Cathedral are those of the Episcopal Church, a Christian
ceremony to celebrate and give blessing of the church, in the joining
together of a man and a woman in Holy Matrimony.
The First Step
You will need to call the Pastoral Events Coordinator, Adriana
Sween, to determine the availability of the church on the date
you are considering.
Premarital Sessions
The priest will arrange to meet with you several times for premarital
preparations your wedding plans are not considered final until all
of these sessions have been completed. The priest will put you in
touch with the Organist, the Wedding Coordinator, and if you are planning
to have a reception on the Cathedral grounds, the Coordinator of Space
Rental and Community Events.
The Church Laws Concerning
Marriage
The laws of the Episcopal Church require that at least one of you
shall be a baptized Christian and that both of you shall receive instruction
from the priest about the nature of Holy Matrimony. The church also
requires that the both of you intend your marriage to be life long
union. If either of you have been divorced, the priest must request
and receive permission from the Bishop of New York before officiating
at your wedding.
Wedding License
Your wedding license must be issued in New York State. Obtaining the
marriage license is the responsibility of the couple and must be brought
to the priest one week before the wedding.
Getting
married in NY State
The Wedding Service
The service for the celebration and the blessing of the marriage in
The Book of Common Prayer offers several choices for readings, prayer,
and blessings. Special additions or deletions should be discussed
with your priest. The Cathedral's wedding guidelines support our understanding
that your marriage ceremony is a worship service of the church with
words, music, and decorations appropriate to that context. Because
the Eucharist is central to worship in the Episcopal Church, we encourage
you to consider including it as part of your wedding.
Interfaith Weddings
A visiting minister may assist at a Cathedral wedding, and many beautiful
interfaith ceremony have taken place here. However, an Episcopal priest
must preside at each exchange of vows, pronounce the blessing, and
sign the marriage license. Normally that priest will be a member of
the Cathedral staff; he or she will consult directly with your minister
or rabbi about how the service might be conducted.
Wedding Times
Standard hours for Saturday weddings are at 10:30am, 2pm and at 4pm. It is possible to do a wedding during
the week, subject, of course, to availability. Weddings are not held during Lent and Advent.
The Wedding Rehearsal
Wedding rehearsals are normally held in the early evening the day
prior to the wedding. All members of the wedding party are expected
at the rehearsal. It is customary at the Cathedral for the bride-to-be
to participate in her own rehearsal.
The Wedding Coordinator
The Wedding Coordinator, if necessary, is present at rehearsals and weddings
and is available to consult with you before your service regarding
flowers, photographs, and overall logistics. The Coordinator
will also ask you for your wedding license. Please discuss with your officiating priest for a consultation at least one month before your wedding. If you have employed a consultant to assist you
with other aspects of your wedding, please advise her or him
that the Cathedral's wedding team - and only that team - oversees
all the facets of the rehearsal and the wedding service.
Decorations
Floral planning may be made with the florist of your choice,
or with Cathedral florist, Ms Pati Mayfield. (Please visit her
website).
The Cathedral does not permit the use of cloth floor runners,
or flower petals strewn on the stone floors. No rice or bird
seed is permitted on the Cathedral grounds.
Photographer
This must be discussed with the officiating priest in advance,
so you can instruct your photographer on guidelines and restrictions
to insure reverent decorum during the ceremony.
Music
Other music needs may be arranged though the music office with necessary
fees or services as contracted.
Fees:
Please call
for availability and pricing. 212-316-7483
