Congratulations!
Congratulations on your
engagement and forthcoming marriage. May we say how happy we are that you have
chosen a church as your setting for your wedding.
Your wedding day will be a major event in your lives and
undoubtedly you have already begun to dream as to how you wish the day to
proceed. While there are many different facets to your wedding day, St.
Dunstan's is primarily concerned with the marriage ceremony.
You will be expected to meet with the parish priest to establish
a date and
time for the ceremony and the rehearsal. At that time the priest will acquaint
you with the available options you have for the ceremony as well as obtaining
the necessary information about the two of you for the license and parish
registers
Requirements
The Anglican Church of Canada
requires every couple to involve themselves in a marriage preparation program.
The priest will direct you toward appropriate programs which will suit your busy
schedules.
You do not have to attend St.
Dunstan's in order to be married within our parish, however we would be happy to
see you every now and then.
We require sixty days notice of a forthcoming marriage.
We are flexible in times and dates, thus you are free to suggest alternatives to
the usual “Saturday afternoon”.
The Ceremony
Your wedding is your day and
we are here to make it a special day for you. If you are using the services of
our organist - then you will be expected to meet with her to decide on the music
you would like performed.
One reading from scripture is expected but other
readings may also be used. The parish priest will assist you with this, if you
desire, and can help you select readings which will reflect the special nature of
your relationship.
Decorating the church will be of a concern as well. We
have floor candelabra available for your use. Flowers and additional decorating
are your responsibility. We expect that you will leave two small vases of
flowers behind, to adorn our altar at the next worship service where we will
offer special prayers for your marriage.
St. Dunstan's provides you with a hostess, while you are
on-site. This person will attend to the bridal party's last minute needs as
well as seating any latecomers. The hostess will also arrange and cue the
bridal party's entrance into the church.
Fees
You will find there are many
costs to your wedding, the least of which will be the church fees. Our building
is a modern air conditioned facility which is also fully handicapped
accessible. It requires of each parishioner a substantial gift to maintain it
in a beautiful condition so others may use and enjoy it as well. As well, our
staff is highly trained, who make themselves available to answer your questions
as they arise.
The fees are established each
year through a formula based on the average gift of the parishioners from the
previous year.
The current fees are:
Church : $450.00
Clergy: $250.00
Organist: $150.00
We will send you a tax receipt
for income tax purposes for the amount given to the church only.
A Note about
Same-Gendered Marriages and Blessings
The Diocese of Toronto has not yet authorized its clergy to
perform a blessing for a same-gendered relationship and regrettably we cannot
assist you in this manner. The clergy and people of St. Dunstan's welcome
people regardless of orientation and support the right of gays and lesbians to
seek a blessing upon their unions. We regret the current restrictions and
are working to encourage their removal. When the Bishop of Toronto
authorizes the blessing we will most certainly be there for you then.
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