Weddings with
St. Anne’s
Preparing for Your Wedding & Marriage
We’re delighted that you’re considering being married at St. Anne’s Church! Explore the information here. If you’re interested in having your wedding at St. Anne’s, we invite you to fill out the Wedding Information Form. After you submit the form, someone from the parish office will contact you.
Blessings and joy to you as you plan for your wedding and marriage!
St. Anne’s Wedding Timeline Checklist
1. Read St. Anne’s ‘Preparing for Your Wedding & Marriage’ webpage (this page) thoroughly
2. Fill out both the Wedding Information Form & the Declaration of Intention Form (both above)
3. Schedule and Confirm wedding date and time in writing with the Parish Office (Email here)
4. Contact and/or meet with the clergy person officiating your wedding
5. Schedule and attend St. Anne’s Marriage Preparation Workshop
6. Contact and/or meet with Paul Pope, St. Anne’s Wedding Team Coordinator (Email here)
7. Contact and/or meet with St. Anne’s Organist, Larry Molinaro (Email here)
8. Obtain a marriage license (Website here) within 6 months of wedding and pay remaining fees at least 30 days prior to your wedding date
9. Draft and send copy of wedding bulletin to officiating clergy person and organist for proof reading
10. Take time to be present; Enjoy your beautiful wedding at St. Anne’s & the gift of marriage
Suggested Readings & Musical Offerings:
Readings used during the service come from Holy Scripture. Suggested readings can be found within The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage. All music for weddings is scheduled by our organist, Larry Molinaro. He should be contacted at least six weeks in advance of the wedding at to plan the music and to discuss the inclusion of other musicians if desired. Please see our Musical Offerings and please note that we do not allow non-sacred music.
Frequently Asked Questions:
FAQ
What is Marriage?
In the Episcopal Church, we believe that marriage is a life-long union. In the marriage service, two people make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.
One of the requirements for being married in the Episcopal Church is to state your intention to enter into marriage. The Declaration of Intention is signed to fulfill this requirement.
Who may be married at St. Anne’s Church?
The Episcopal Church requires that at least one member be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.
Divorced persons, with the permission of the Bishop of Maryland, may be remarried in the Episcopal Church. If one or both of you have been divorced, please make this known in your first conversation with the clergy because an application must be made to our bishop.
Who may officiate?
Usually, one of the priests associated with St. Anne’s is the officiant at St. Anne’s weddings. Other Christian clergy, may participate in the service when deemed appropriate by the rector of St. Anne’s.
What wedding service will be used?
Weddings will be conducted according to The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage.
When can our wedding take place?
Weddings are usually on Saturdays and rehearsals are usually on Fridays. We do not celebrate weddings during Advent, Lent or Holy Week (the six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday). We do not schedule weddings later than 4:00 PM. Please do not decide on or publicize any dates before you have received confirmation from the parish office.
All weddings and rehearsals begin promptly at the appointed hour. If the persons to be married are more than fifteen minutes late, the wedding will not proceed, but the couple is expected to pay all fees. Parking and traffic can be difficult in Annapolis. Please plan ahead.
The church building will be available to you one hour prior to your wedding and thirty minutes after the service for photographs.
How much time should we plan for the rehearsal and wedding?
The rehearsal takes approximately one hour and is an important part of preparing for your wedding service. Everyone involved in the wedding party, ushers, and readers should all plan to participate. Rehearsals are usually scheduled for the day before your wedding at 4:00 PM. Please confirm your rehearsal time with clergy at your first meeting.
The wedding will take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending upon whether or not the Holy Eucharist is part of your service and how many guests will receive Communion.
Additional Information
Photography
A wedding is a worship service and we want all participants to be able to be fully present to the events of the service. Photographs can be an important part of the memories and documentation of your wedding, but must not detract from the experience of the wedding party, guests, officiant and staff at your wedding.
Video photography is allowed from the organ balcony and must not interfere with the musician(s).
Flash photography by your photographer or guests is not allowed during the service, but may be used during the processional and recessional. Professional photographers must keep behind the row of guests seated closest to the entrance to the church so as not to block guests’ views.
Photographs may be taken in the church after the ceremony, but please remember that you are limited to thirty minutes after the service has ended. It is your responsibility to make your official photographer aware of our policies. We welcome photographers to call with questions or to arrange to see the worship space ahead of time to help them in their planning.
Flowers
Arrangements for flowers must be made through St. Anne’s Flower Guild.
Marriage License
A marriage license must be obtained from the Anne Arundel County Courthouse and presented to the clergy in order for you to be married at St. Anne’s Church. Please call the Anne Arundel County Courthouse at 410-222-1397 or visit their website for more information. The license must be brought with you to your wedding rehearsal.
Conduct at your Rehearsal and Wedding
The marriage service is first and foremost a worship service, offering praise to God and blessings and prayers for the couple. It is intended to be a joyous and meaningful occasion.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed on the premises of St. Anne’s. You are responsible for explaining that any consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of intoxicants prior to coming to church will result in our not being able to go forward with the wedding service.
Service Bulletins/Programs
We are happy to provide prototype bulletins and covers for your service. You are responsible for making copies. While it can be nice to have a bulletin, it is not necessary. If you choose to make one, you need to show it to the officiant for approval and proof-reading before you make copies. Please contact the parish office for more information.
Prohibited:
Rice, Birdseed, Flower Petals, Confetti, Balloons,and Aisle Runners are all prohibited before, during, and after the wedding, inside and outside the church building.
Renewal of Vows and Blessings of Civil Ceremonies
We welcome both kinds of services at St. Anne’s. Please contact the parish office for more information about these services.
St. Anne’s Marriage Preparation Workshop
All couples are required to participate in premarital preparation in order to be married at St. Anne’s.
Couples working in informal groups stimulate thinking, enlarge perspectives, and provide support and affirmation for one another in the sessions. There will be time reserved for couples to have private discussions with clergy as well.
The workshop gives you the opportunity to:
• Clarify the assumptions and expectations one partner has of the other in marriage
• Participate in a Prepare/Enrich Assessment
• Examine the spiritual foundation of marriage that supports life-long unions
• Learn how stress management and conflict management can facilitate mutual growth and support