This site 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.
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 $350.00 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.
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.
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.
Fees
The comprehensive fee for a wedding at St. Francis-in-the-Wood is $1,375.00. 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 $75.00 (total of $1,450.00) will be required to cover that transaction.
To book your wedding date and time, a $200.00 non-refundable deposit is required. This is deducted from the total fee. The balance ($1,175.00) is due one month prior to the wedding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 bythe 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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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. 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.
Wedding Music
Music has an important place at all times of Christian worship including weddings. We wish to assist you in having appropriate music at your wedding.
Following is a list of music suggestions usually played on the organ or piano or by an instrumental group. These are selections for the prelude(s), processional, hymns, solos, signing of the register, and recessional. The music for the signing of the register could be any on this list, except some of the more boisterous recessionals! Although this list contains the most popular selections, requests are welcome. Many of these pieces are appropriately used at different times during the ceremony than listed. Feel free to place your selections in which ever order suits you best.
Please contact our Music Director for a meeting to discuss your choices.
If you are having a soloist sing or play, extra rehearsal may be required. This should be discussed with the Music Director. If you would like a soloist but aren't familiar with anyone, the Music Director has a list of soloists, both vocal and instrumental. . If additional rehearsal time is required by the Music Director, additional fees will apply to cover the cost of time and travel.
Prelude
Air on a G String - Bach
Anne's Theme - Hardy
Art thou troubled - Handel
Mignon - Schumann
Panis Angelicus - Franck
Where E'er you walk - Handel
Processional
Bridal Chorus - Wagner
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
Recessional
Wedding March - Mendelssohn
With Trumpets and Horns - Handel
Ode to Joy - Beethoven (9th Symphony)
Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
Trumpet Air - Purcell
Miscellaneous
Any of the following could be used as prelude or processional pieces, but usually not as a recessional piece.
Sonata in A, K.331 - Mozart
Ave Maria - Schubert
Sleepers Awake! - Bach
The Homecoming - Hardy
Prelude in C - Bach
Morning has Broken - traditional
Sheep May Safely Graze - Bach
Ashokan Farewell - Ungar
Most of the above selections can be used at various points in the ceremony. These are only suggestions.
Things to keep in mind when selecting your music:
- Prelude - Around 15-25 minutes of music is suggested. Let the pianist know if you have specific requests, otherwise, let the pianist know if you want a classical or more contemporary style.
- Processional - Depending on the size of your wedding party, you don't need a lot of music to get you down the aisle. Unless you specifically want two separate pieces (bridal party and bride), one piece will suffice.
- Signing of the Register - Around 5 minutes of music is suggested, therefore a longer piece is required.
- Recessional - A happy, boisterous piece is recommended here.
- Hymns - If you are considering having a hymn or two during your ceremony, please keep in mind whether the hymns will be familiar to your guests as there is not a choir to lead the hymn.
Sacred and Secular Solos
There is a large repertoire of sacred and popular music that is acceptable to be sung at weddings. It is requested that you ask the Music Director for guidance.
Suggested Hymns
Common Praise - Blue Hymn Book
58 O Christ Was a Good Guest
287 Come to a Wedding
288 Lord and Lover of Creation
289 Great God, We Praise Your Mighty Love
399 Now thank we all our God
425 Joyful, Joyful
429 For the beauty of the earth
481 May the Grace of Christ our Saviour
485 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
486 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (alternate tune)
529 God, my hope on you is founded
564 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
569 Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
645 Come down, O love divine
Songs for a Gospel People - Green Hymn Book
2 Make me a channel of your peace
28 Would you bless our homes and families
57 Love, joy and peace (of all the Spirit's gifts to me')
102 In loving partnership we come
111 In Christ there is no east or west
128 Let there be peace on earth
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
Biblical references and excerpts from the passages (the complete readings can be found in the PDF stfrancis-readings downloadable from the bottom of this page)
Genesis 1:27-28, 31a
God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them
Genesis 2:18-24 [25]
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Romans 12:1-2, 9-13
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good
1 Corinthians 13
So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these if love
Ephesians 3:14-19
To comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other
Colossians 3:12-17
Put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony
1 John 4:7-12
If we love one another, God abides in us
Song of Solomon 2:10-13
Arise, my love, my fair one!
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Love is strong as death
Gospel Readings
Matthew 5:1-10
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied
Matthew 22:35-40
The two shall become one flesh
Mark 10:6-9
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied
John 2:1-11
On the third day there was a marriage at Cana
John 15:9-12
This is my commandment, that you love one another
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- When the bridal party leaves the church photographs may be taken from the rear of the church only.
- 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.
- Video taping of the service may be done from the gallery provided no lighting is used.
- 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.
A PDF of these guidelines is linked here. Please be sure your official photographer receives a copy of these guidelines 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.
Further Information
For further information, or to inquire about booking a wedding at St. Francis-in-the-Wood Church, call 922-3531, or e-mail the church office.