St. Paul’s considers weddings a very sacred experience. Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may. It is essential that at least one person in the couple has been baptized.

St. Paul's Weddings

Here is some essential information about how we conduct weddings at St. Paul’s Anglican. And information about the things we require of you and what you can expect of us.

Marriage Preparation
We encourage couples to attend a Marriage Preparation course (this is mandatory). It provides you with some essential skills to continue to build a strong and healthy relationship.

Preparing for your Wedding Day
As your wedding day approaches, you will meet with the Director of Music to plan the music for your wedding. St. Paul’s offers amazing acoustics in a heritage building, a very fine Allen Organ as well as a piano to accompany your wedding.

A Celebration and Blessing
St. Paul’s Anglican welcomes you. As part of our commitment to creating a welcoming and nurturing community of faith, we open our church for weddings for members of our gathered community as well as non-members who are seeking a Christian marriage. Your wedding day is a very special event in your life and our staff – clergy, music director, and administrative staff, will provide you with the support you need to ensure that this aspect of your wedding day is deeply meaningful for you and your friends and family, who gather to celebrate with you as you begin a new chapter in your life.

Weddings St. Paul's

The Wedding Ceremony
We use the Book of Alternative Services or the Book of Common Prayer for your wedding. The wedding is traditional in nature. You will have the option of including communion as part of your wedding service. Our clergy has experience in helping you shape the service such that your particular needs are met.

Music
Music plays an important role in worship at St. Paul’s. We have a state of the art Allen Organ and amazing acoustics. Our Director of Music can also offer different options which could include soloists or instrumentals at an additional cost. Our Director of Music will also be happy to both suggest and receive suggestions on appropriate music.

Photography
The clicking of cameras and other electronics are a disconcerting distraction for the couple to be married-so photographs are not permitted during the service. We welcome the wedding party to come back into the church at the end of the service to pose for photographs. There are certain photographs that are allowed during the ceremony. The priest will review this with your photographer. Please consult with the priest if you are considering other means of recording your service.

Flowers
The Altar flowers are to be delivered at 10:00 am the morning of the service, or at a mutually agreeable time. They are placed to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the marriage. If you would like additional features such as bows, access to the church will need to be arranged. Confetti is not allowed inside or outside the church.

Traditional Wedding

Your Wedding Day
A staff person will be on hand to assist you. The priest will tell you what time the wedding party needs to be present prior to the ceremony.

The Rehearsal
You will need to attend a rehearsal for your ceremony. This can be the day before or 2 days before. This is to ensure that everyone is comfortable in the space and knows what to do and where to stand. It is essential that all members of the wedding party attend the rehearsal. If family members or friends will be doing the readings or leading the prayers, it would be helpful for them to attend as well to become familiar with their role.

Legal and Church Requirements
You can obtain a marriage license from any municipal office in the province. The license is valid for three months from the date of issue and you must deliver or send your license to the church office at least one week before your wedding.

In addition to the laws of the province, the solemnization of marriage in an Anglican Church is governed by the regulations of the Anglican Church of Canada. Either the bride or the groom is required to be baptized whether it be Catholic, Anglican, United or other Christian church.

The Anglican Church requires a minimum of 30 days notice between the date of the application for marriage and the marriage ceremony. Divorced people seeking remarriage are welcome in the Anglican Church.

Fees & Donations
Fees associated with the wedding, should be in labelled envelopes and given to the church office a week before the service. The priest will be able to provide you with further guidance.

Church Rental Fee – $800.00
Officiating Priest – $350.00 (onsite) / $500.00 (offsite)
Organist – $200.00

If you need further assistance, feel free to give us a call(905-853-7285) or drop us a line at admin@stpaulsnewmarket.org.