Ceremony

Wedding Articles

Is An Anglican Service for You?

For Protestants, a High Anglican wedding ceremony in a cathedral is about as formal as it comes. A liturgy steeped in years of tradition in the context of a beautiful church is very attractive to those that like the idea of a traditional wedding. In fact, many people who do not have personal denominational affiliations choose an Anglican wedding service, something that is supported by the Anglican Church of Canada. Although the Church will do its best to accommodate your preferences, there are some things on which it is unable to compromise.

• It is best to contact the parish priest at the earliest possible moment to ensure that the church is free on the day you would like it. As an absolute minimum, the priest must be informed sixty days in advance of the wedding.

• Either you or your fiancé must be a baptised Christian. If neither of you were baptised as an infant, it is possible have it done as an adult, although this will take some time, as the priest will first want to ascertain the legitimacy of your decision and understanding of what it means to be baptised. Baptism in another denomination is acceptable.

• The priest who is marrying you will insist that you take a Marriage Preparation Course before the ceremony. The course usually lasts a couple of months and is designed to ensure the couple fully ready to commit to each other. If it is not possible to take the course at the church in which you would like to be married, a suitable alternative can be found. The priest will need to see proof that you have completed a course elsewhere.

• The Church encourages you to choose music that is meaningful for you although the final decision rests with the Organist. The wedding ceremony is an act of worship and music should be chosen to reflect that. Songs of a secular or popular nature are usually not permitted.

• If you and your partner are Anglicans, you will not be permitted to write your own vows. The Anglican Church of Canada sets the marriage rites and alterations are not possible. The Book of Common Prayer contains the order of service for the Solemnization of Matrimony. The 1662 version contains the more traditional text, while the 1962 revision features a more modern text without the contentious “obey” in the vows. The Church is more flexible regarding the vows if neither of you are Anglicans or if the service is to be performed by a minister from another denomination.

• The Anglican Church in Canada allows persons who are divorced to remarry even if their former spouse is still living. No clergy member is obligated to perform the ceremony if they do not wish to, but alternate arrangements can be made should you require them. Depending on the rules of the diocese in which you live, you must seek permission from the Bishop or the Incumbent at the church in which you will be married. Divorcées, widows and those in failed common-law relationships are usually required to undergo further pastoral counselling in order to deal with issues such as children, property and why your previous relationship was unsuccessful.

If your ideal wedding fits with these guidelines, then perhaps an Anglican service would be just the ticket. It is best to telephone your parish church should you have any specific questions, as rules differ slightly between churches and dioceses. Although this is not always the case, you many find that smaller churches are more flexible than large cathedrals.