OUR CHURCH: Building Use

 

Guidelines for Weddings at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Rock Creek Parish

Members in good standing* and prospective members may apply to use St. Paul's Church for their weddings.   The Rector gives final approval so it is important that all appropriate information be given to the church office at least 6 months in advance and that the Event coordinator confirms the availability of the church on the church calendar.  Prospective bride and groom should be prepared to participate in pre-marital counseling with the Rector or assigned clergy and to attend St. Paul's on a regular basis.  An initial meeting is arranged and the "wedding application" will be completed at that time.  Divorced persons should bring a copy of their divorce decree to the first meeting. 

Weddings are held in the church.  Use of the church will be no more than 4 hours, including the rehearsal, decoration and wedding ceremony.  If you are inviting more than 150 people they will not all be able to sit inside the church.

Weddings will normally take place on Saturdays only.  The latest start time is 5:00 p.m.  No weddings will take place during Lent or the week proceeding Christmas.

Once the Rector has given approval it is important to contact the Director of Music to determine his/her availability to provide music for the service.  A bench fee is charged for this service.  If an outside organist is desired, the Director of Music must give approval and will still be paid the bench fee.  If you would like other musicians or vocalists to take part in the wedding please discuss this with the Director of Music.

Wedding License: the actual license must be furnished to the officiating clergy at least one week before the wedding.  Licenses are obtained from the Marriage Bureau of DC Superior Court located at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room 4485.  A set of directions can be obtained from the Superior Court Website: http://www.dccourts.gov/.  Marriage licenses are not issued by mail.

The use of the church will be $400.00 for parishioners in good standing,* and other fees as appropriate listed in the fee schedule. 

A member of the Altar Guild will be assigned to help coordinate the use of the church.  While you may have engaged a wedding planner for overall coordination, the member of the St. Paul's Altar Guild assigned to your wedding will handle any decisions regarding the church and help to make your wedding a wonderful experience. 

Photographs: No still photographs or videos may be taken during the service.  The church (and the clergy) will be available a half-hour after the service for portraits if desired.

Birdseed, rice, and confetti may not be used in the church, outside of the church or on the church grounds.

Bulletin: The church office will produce a one-page order of service.  If a simple Wedding Bulletin is required an early appointment should be made with the office to order the appropriate cover.  In addition to the order of service, wedding participants may be listed as well as any sentiments of the couple.

An outside florist may be used with the following guidelines:

1. • No flower arrangements are to be placed on the altar table.
   • Flowers may be placed in the chancel on pedestals or on the steps but aisles must remain free, artificial flowers or silk flowers may not be used.
   • Flowers may be attached to the pews but only in a way to not mar the wood.
   • Nothing may be used on the walls.  There are permanently installed hooks at window level which can be used for hanging a floral garland if appropriate but string only should be used to attach to the hooks.
   • All flowers must be removed at the end of the service.

 

Fee Schedule:
Contribution for Church	Members in good standing* $400.00
	Prospective members $700.00
Sexton	$75.00
Organist	Prevailing bench fee
Clergy Contribution	Suggested $300 (includes counseling)
Security	$150.00 (primarily for traffic management)
Wedding Bulletin	the actual cost to produce if more than the order of service is required

Prospective couples that are not members of St. Paul's may also be married and use the church if they are interested in attending and becoming members of St. Paul's. They will follow the steps as above. However they must pay a church contribution fee of $700.00.

A deposit of $200 is required from both parishioners and prospective couples and should be given at the first meeting with the officiating clergy. The balance of all fees must be paid two weeks prior to the wedding with a check made out to St. Paul's Church.

*Member in good standing is defined as someone who has been in the parish register for at least 6 months and who contributes financially to support the parish.