Marriage is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is therefore crucial that a couple wishing to be married in the Church understand the significance of the Sacrament and the level of commitment to God and the Church necessary to proceed with the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage in the Episcopal Church.

We teach and affirm that the sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a divine institution. It is intended to be a lifelong and exclusive union and partnership between one man and one woman.

This teaching and affirmation is grounded upon the teaching of Genesis chapter two, which is reflected and emphasized in the teaching of Jesus, Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and is joined (clings) to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24 & Mark 10:6-8). The bodily union of husband and wife is an expression of the totality of their union, each with the other.

The Marriage rite is a celebration of this union, as the bride and the groom make their lifelong and exclusive vows to each other. The couples are, in fact, the ministers of this sacrament. The giving of rings is a profound symbol of their commitment to each other and their unending love within the love of God. As Christians they live their lives in the context of the Church Marriage is an event of celebration for the entire Christian Community. Marriage is rooted in the paschal mystery as husband and wife partake of the death and resurrection of Christ in giving themselves unreservedly to each other in sacrificial love.

It is for this reason that marriage is normally celebrated within the context of the Holy Eucharist, which sets forth the paschal mystery, in the setting apart of the bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ given for us. It is appropriate that the first action of the newly married couple is to receive Holy Communion. It is also in regular participation in the Community of Faith and the celebration of the Eucharist that the couple find grace and strength to respond to their new vocation as husband and wife.

There are seven important steps in the process of having your marriage Solemnized and Blessed in the Episcopal Church.

1. It is required that one member of the engaged couple be a baptized Christian since Episcopal marriage is a
   Christian sacrament that represents the union of Christ and the Church. Marriage Canons.
   
   
2. Begin attending St. Andrew's if you are not already a member. Most congregations require membership
   and church participation of one member of the couple as a precondition for marriage. If you are not interested
   in joining the church, call the Priest to discuss membership requirements.
   
   
3. Call St. Andrew's and make an appointment with the parish priest for an interview. Be prepared to discuss
   your church history, your relationship with your prospective spouse, your intended date of marriage and
   any prior marriages.
   
   
4. Provide proof of baptism and dissolution of any previous marriages to the parish priest. You must be separated
   or divorced for one year before getting married in the Episcopal Church.
   
   
5. Confirm your preferred wedding date with your priest. If you have a previous marriage, you may have to wait
   additional time, as your marriage requires special permission from a bishop.You may not get married in the
   Episcopal Church during the season of Lent.
   
   
6. Make appointments for premarital counseling sessions with your parish priest. You will have to attend several
   sessions as the Church requires that such preparation be done. Your priest may refer you to other professional
   counselors as part of your preparedness for marriage. There are many resources, such as Marriage Encounter,
   which can be of great value in helping you begin your marriage.
   
   
7. Plan the wedding ceremony with the parish priest. You will have a limited number of scripture readings, prayers,
   and vow formats to choose from which are found in the Marriage Service in the Book of Common Prayer.
   You will also need to decide whether you want your Marriage done in the context of the Holy Eucharist.