Marriage Services

Eligibility                           Wedding Party             Church Capacity

Parking and Directions       Fees                        Wedding Rehearsal      

Punctuality                       Flowers                      Wedding Order of Service Leaflets

Wedding Booklet & Reference Materials

Wedding Music                 Readings                     Photography

Marriage in the Anglican Church

Couples seeking marriage at St. Francis are invited to become part of this community of faith, hope and love and in a sense, always afterwards to consider themselves a part of this community - a part of our extended family. We hope that those married here will always consider this place to be a special place, a spiritual home where they will know that they are always welcome.

A wedding is a wonderful, joyful occasion but it is also a very holy moment and a solemn occasion too - when two human beings commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives, be that long or short. We seek to reflect that joy, holiness, and solemnity in the dignity and reverence with which we conduct our wedding services.

 As well as making solemn promises to one another in the sight of God and the community, each couple is prayed for and blessed in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that they may be strengthened in their commitment to love one another, and that they may know God's love in their life together.

 The pages that follow will assist you as you plan and prepare for your wedding at St. Francis-in-the-Wood.  We look forward to working with you as you plan and prepare for your marriage.

Additional information:
Diocese of New Westminster
Book of Alternative Services marriage service

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Eligibility

Baptism: To be married in an Anglican Church at least one of the persons being married must have been baptized in a Christian Church. Baptism is the means of entry into the church, the sign that one has become a Christian. Being a Christian, of course, involves much more than simply being baptized. Baptism of at least one of the people wishing to be married in the church serves as a minimum requirement.  The clergy at St. Francis would be very happy to discuss baptism with you.

Marriage Preparation: The canons (laws) of the Anglican Church require everyone entering into marriage to receive some form of preparation for this new condition of life regardless of age or history. The program offered at St. Francis is highly recommended. Couples attending the St. Francis marriage preparation course report that they are supported, enriched, and challenged by the sessions. The fee for the course is $200.00 per couple. Courses are offered in the fall, and spring of each year. They are done as a group with other couples being married at St. Francis and are led by a couple trained in marriage preparation as well as the Rector. To register for one of our programs, please contact the church office.  

If you who live outside the Vancouver area, or your work and lifestyle make it difficult or impossible to attend the St. Francis program, please contact the church office as soon as possible to make arrange alternative preparation. Programs exist in almost all parts of Canada, USA, and most other countries. In the Lower Mainland, alternate Marriage Preparation courses can be arranged through The Marriage Project (604 - 433 - 6416)

Additional information:
The Marriage Project

Marriage License: A civil marriage license, issued by the Province of British Columbia, must be obtained. Once purchased, this license if valid for 90 days. We recommend purchasing it approximately one month prior to the wedding. The law requires both persons to be at least eighteen years old in order to marry. Marriage licenses are available from Vital Statistics (#250 - 605 Robson Street, Vancouver, phone: 604-660-2937) or from one of its agents. For a complete listing of agents or answers to questions regarding civil marriage licenses, please consult the Vital Statistics website

 A full three weeks prior to the wedding, the church office must receive the civil marriage license.  Please neatly complete the section pertaining to the parents' names (note: mother's maiden name at birth is required) and birth places. Do not sign the license. This will be done during the ceremony.

Additional information:
Vital Statistics

Meetings: Each couple should meet with the minister who is to marry them at least three times. The first meeting should be at the earliest opportunity so that they become known to the minister, procedures are clearly understood, and their wedding date is confirmed.  No booking is taken without this interview. The second meeting will discuss the details of the wedding service, music, readings, wedding party, and rehearsal. The third meeting is an opportunity to read through the wedding service in detail and discuss it together.  Additional meetings may be arranged as necessary.

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 Fees

The comprehensive fee for a wedding at St. Francis-in-the-Wood is $1,100.00.  This fee covers:

• Use of the Church and Marriage Ceremony
• The Music Director's fee
• The two altar bouquets (flowers) which remain with the church

It covers all the guidance, support, and services required to ensure you have a memorable wedding at St. Francis.  It does not cover:

• Additional or alternate musicians (vocal or instrumental)
• Additional or alternate flowers
• Marriage Preparation Program

Couples may be interested to know that net proceeds from weddings are split between Social Concerns projects, which help those less fortunate than ourselves, and our Heritage Fund for long term capital projects.

This fee is non-negotiable and does not change regardless of who performs the ceremony, plays the music, or coordinates the flowers. Payment of the fee is requested in cash or cheque. If you wish to pay by Visa or Mastercard, an additional fee of 5% or $55.00 (total of $1,155.00) will be required to cover that transaction.

To book your wedding date and time, a $100.00 non-refundable deposit is required. This is deducted from the total fee. The balance ($1000.00) is due one month prior to the wedding.

Please note that we do not perform Sunday weddings.

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Church Capacity

St. Francis-in-the-Wood is a small church with a maximum capacity of 150 persons.  This amount cannot be exceeded due to fire regulations. Keep this in mind when sending out invitations.

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Wedding Party

Because St. Francis-in-the-Wood is a small church there is limited room for guests and wedding party.  We recommend that at least two persons should be designated as ushers.  Ushers may or may not be members of the wedding party.

We recommend the wedding parties do not exceed eight persons (including bride, groom, attendants, flower girls, and ring bearers). Those familiar with our sanctuary will quickly realize that the reason for this is simply the lack of space for large wedding parties.

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Wedding Rehearsal

Only the following people are required at rehearsals:

·         The Bride

·         The Groom

·         The Bride's escort for walking down the aisle

·         All attendants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers)

·         The ushers

·         The parents (if they wish)

·         Additional persons taking part in the liturgy (e.g. those reading, lighting candles, saying prayers) if available

Having other persons present often leads to confusion as well as adding to the length of the rehearsal. Wedding parties are to be in the Church ready to begin the rehearsal at the time set.  There are often other rehearsals on the same evening.  Punctuality is expected.

Rehearsal for Saturday weddings are usually held on Thursday evenings at 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm. Rehearsals are not held on Fridays. Any variance from this should be discussed with the minister well in advance.

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Punctuality

On the wedding day:

·         The ushers are to be at the church 30 minutes before the wedding.

·         The Groom and his attendants are to be at the church 30 minutes before the wedding.

·         The Bride and her attendants must be at the church 10 minutes before the wedding.

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Flowers

Church members arrange the flowers at St. Francis-in-the-Wood.  The arrangements are designed to blend with the mood of spirituality in the church. Normally there are standard arrangements on either side of the altar steps and sometimes smaller arrangements at the back of the church near the entrance.  In keeping with the local setting, sometimes garden flowers are used seasonally and are supplemented with choices from the florist.  These flowers must remain in the church for the Sunday services.

Every effort is made to accommodate brides' colour choices.  When more than one wedding occurs on the same day, a colour compromise (often white) is worked out. If you wish to supply your own flowers you may do so.

A member of St. Francis, co-ordinates the flowers for all weddings.  For the contact person for your wedding date, please contact the church office.

Pew markers, candles and additional arrangements: Many people place additional arrangements on the pews or window ledges which are acceptable. Keep in mind the rich nature of the sanctuary with its many stained glass windows, dark woods, and ornate hangings when deciding how much to add. Most couples decide to decorate every other pew or only the first four or five rows rather than every pew so as not to overwhelm the space. There are 12 rows of pews on each side in the lower part of the sanctuary. The best way to place arrangements on the pews is by creating a loop of ribbon (raffia, rope etc.) from which to hang each arrangement.  This loop should be about 19-22 inches (40-55cm) in length. Pew markers and all other decorations may be placed in position shortly before the wedding and removed immediately afterwards.  Tea lights or votives in appropriate holders may be placed on the window ledges. Candles may not be carried by the bride, groom, or any attendants or hang from pews.

In addition to the two altar bouquets, some couples decide to decorate the iron arch at the foot of the aisle, add one or more bouquets to the front of the church. The arrangements and placement as well as the expense of any additional arrangements or markers are your responsibility.  Such additional arrangements should be removed immediately after the service, so please designate people to be responsible for this.

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Parking and Directions

Often brides wish to arrive and leave in a hired car. Because of limited parking and maneuvering space, please limit the size of any limousines to a six seater. When you invite people to your wedding, remember to advise them of the following:

      i.      St. Francis-in-the-Wood is difficult location for people to find if they are not familiar with the church or area. The West Vancouver Municipality has designated many one way streets around the church area.  Please enclose a map or directions with your invitation (see appendix) or a link to our website where a map and directions are also available so that people can easily find their way. Remember that the church office is closed on weekends so that guests who phone for directions will not be able to reach anyone. No signage, arrows, or balloons may be placed on public property (e.g. street signs) or highways.

    ii.       Parking is limited near the church. We recommend that people park on The Dale or Water Lane, to the west of the church. People must be prepared to walk a short distance to the church from their cars.  Cars must not block roads, driveways, or impair the passage for local residents and emergency vehicles. Police and Bylaw will ticket and immediately tow cars when they fail to leave roadways clear and unobstructed.

   iii.      Guests with mobility concerns may park behind the church. Access is via the driveway immediately to the East of the church building. Please do not obstruct this driveway as it is shared. Please advise the minister if any of your guests require access to the elevator.

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Wedding Order of Service Leaflets

We recommend that you prepare an Order of Service leaflet containing the outline of the wedding service and other relevant information.  It is also useful to include the words of hymns to be sung or even the text of readings to be read.

There are many examples of such leaflets available from the church office for viewing which may assist you in designing your own.  The basic order which should be used when printing your Order of Service is linked below. As you decide to add aspects to the service, this order may change slightly. There are also examples included from past weddings to show you some of the variations. An Order of Service leaflet is a good way to include poems or verses you wish your guests to have which may or may not be read out during the service. Some couples include their "story" on the back page, a photograph, or a tribute to someone important on the back page. The responsibility for printing the order of service is yours, unfortunately we are not able to do this for you. You may wish to have this professionally printed or print it from your home computer. When you have a final draft, please check it with the minister to ensure everything is in the correct order.

Decorative paper may be purchased through local stationary stores or online church supply stores such as Augsburg Fortress (under "special occasions", weddings), and Hermitage Art through the Anglican Book Centre (under "bulletins"). Prints of two watercolour paintings, which have been used as invitations and Order of Service leaflets, are available. Please inquire at the church office about availability and cost.  

Additional information:
Order of service
Decorative Covers: Augsburg Fortress
Hermitage Art through the Anglican Book Centre

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Wedding Music

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Readings

The wedding service includes readings from scripture.  You should have at least one reading from the Bible, you may have two or even three if you wish.  You may also have non-biblical readings.

You may ask guests attending your wedding to read and they should attend the rehearsal if at all possible.

Here is a selection of possible readings from the Bible (note: you are not limited to these):

Old Testament and New Testament Readings:

Gospel Readings:

Additional information:
Full versions of all readings listed above

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Photography

The celebration and blessing of marriage is a solemn act of worship.  For this reason, we will ensure that your wedding is celebrated with reverence and dignity and also with joy and happiness as befits such an important occasion. A wedding ceremony is primarily a religious act rather than a private family event. The taking of photographs during the Service tends to obscure this fact and is thus not compatible with its religious and sacramental nature.  Therefore, the following regulations apply to professional photographers as well as guests at St. Francis-in-the-Wood:

1. Photographs are permitted during the Bridal Procession at the beginning of the Service. The photographer may crouch next to the front pew but MUST NOT STAND IN THE AISLE. As soon as the bridal party has passed by, the photographer must retire to the back of the church. 
2. No other photographs may be taken during the ceremony except from the back of the church and WITHOUT flash.  This applies to the exchange of vows, and the giving of the ring(s), but not the signing of the register when photographs may be taken.
3. When the bridal party leaves the church photographs may be taken from the rear of the church only.
4. Photographs may be taken after the ceremony inside the church.  Particular moments (e.g. signing the register) may be re-enacted as the bride and groom wish.
5. Video taping of the service may be done from the gallery provided no lighting is used.
6. Since other weddings may follow, no more than 20 minutes should be taken up for photographs after the Service.  Parking space is limited and incoming guests are inconvenienced if parking spaces are still full.

Linked below is a loose copy for your official photographer - amateur or professional. Please be sure he or she gets the copy as soon as possible and encourage him/her to contact the church office with any questions.

These regulations are designed to help make the wedding a rewarding experience for everyone present so that you may fully enter into the experience and not simply have a set of photos of you missing it! The minister who conducts the wedding will be happy to clarify any of these matters, or to deal with specific requests regarding the ceremony. Photographers who fail to comply with these regulations will not be given future permission to act for weddings at St. Francis-in-the-Wood.

Additional information:
Photographer instructions

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Further Information

For further information, or to enquire about booking a wedding at St. Francis-in-the-Wood Church, call 922-3531, or e-mail the church office.

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Wedding Booklets & Reference Materials

• For the marriage service, please download the service from the Book of Alternative Services.
• For instructions for photographers, please download the file: Photographer Instructions
• For the correct format of the order of service, download the file: Order of Service
• For possible readings, please download the file: Readings
• For a checklist which may help to make sure your wedding goes as planned: Checklist
• For maps and directions, link to directions page.

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