WEDDING INSTRUCTION FORM

 

Congratulations on your engagement!  We, at St. George, want to wish you all of God's blessings as you begin to prepare for your wedding day.  As you know, there are many things that you'll need to decide and prepare for the wedding ceremony as well as for the reception that will follow.  Below is a list of things to consider for your marriage ceremony at St. George.

 

  • The official sponsor (koumbaro or koumbara) that you choose for your wedding is a person who represents the Church community and who exemplifies Christian character.  It is preferable that this person not be related to you at all because becoming a sponsor, in the view of the Church, creates a spiritual relationship.  Your relatives are already related to you.  The Church prefers that you reach outside of your family and expand your spiritual family.  This is a blessing that will last a lifetime for you and the sponsor.
  • Technically speaking, there is only one sponsor to a marriage.  However, a husband and wife may also act as the sponsor since they are one by virtue of their marriage.
  • Since many non-Orthodox Christians are married in the Orthodox Church, we understand that they may want to have someone special to them who is not Orthodox participate in the ceremony in some way.  This may be done by honoring them as an usher/bridesmaid or as a best man/maid of honor.  This is perfectly acceptable, however, the position of primacy should go to the person who is actually sponsoring the wedding.
  • Whomever you choose must be a baptized or chrismated Orthodox Christian who is canonically in good standing with the Church.  If married, the sponsor must have been married in the Orthodox Church.
  • If the sponsor is from another parish, a letter must be obtained from the parish priest stating their canonical and financial good standing in that parish.
  • It should be emphasized that weddings cannot be performed until both the sponsor and the new couple have joined their local community and fulfilled all their responsibilities before the wedding date.
  • Please remember also that a wedding cannot be performed without a civil marriage license.  See your marriage preparation handbook  (p. 78-88) for more information on this and other matters.

 

Joining the Church

  • All couples who have not been members of the Church prior to their wedding should make an appointment with Fr. Chris to discuss their stewardship, which is their contribution of time, talents and treasure to their local church.  Being a supporting member of our local community is a sacred responsibility given us by our Lord Jesus Christ and should not be seen as a fee or a necessary evil in order to be married.  It is the couple's responsibility to make an appointment to discuss these things.
  • While some may feel their financial contribution to the Church is sufficient, our faith stresses the importance of worship, of participating in the liturgical assembly where grace is bestowed, where hearts are purified and where souls are saved.  Couples who plan to get married in the Orthodox Church should begin a regular schedule of attendance on Sunday mornings.

Fee Schedule

Along with your stewardship, there are some other fees that couples should consider:

  1. There is a $100 fee for the Marriage Preparation Seminars held prior to your wedding.  This covers the cost of the materials and the processing of your ecclesiastical license.  Please note that a copy of your civil license is now required for the processing of your ecclesiastical license.  If there are any questions pertaining to this, please contact Fr. Chris as soon as possible.
  2. There is a $150 fee for the use of the Cathedral.  This covers the cost of the cantor and sexton who are present as well as the cost of heating or air conditioning, not for the sacrament per se.  This fee should be made payable to: St. George Cathedral and should be submitted at least one month before your wedding date.
  3. If you desire to have our organist play, he also charges a fee for his attendance at the rehearsal and at the wedding itself.  Couples should contact Mr. Jim Evanggeliou directly at 593-6122 to discuss fees, songs and any special requests you may have.
  4. We are blessed at St. George to have one of the finest choirs in the area.  If you desire their participation in your ceremony, the fee is just $150.  You may contact the choir director, Mrs. Joan Marcil, at 786-8481 for further information.

Lastly, we look forward to your wedding and hope that you will contact us with any concerns or questions you may have.  May God strengthen your relationship as you seek His blessing for your marriage and your life together.