Thank you for considering our church for your upcoming marriage. In the Anglican tradition, marriage is more than a beautiful ceremony or a gathering of loved ones in a historic sacred space; it is a sacrament, a holy mystery, and a lifelong covenant made before God.
Because we view marriage through this deeply theological lens, our church is not available simply as a rental venue. We are a community of faith, and a wedding here is an act of Christian worship. We joyfully welcome couples who desire to anchor their marriage in the love of Christ and who intend to live out their vows within the life and fellowship of the Christian church.
In the Anglican Church of Canada, we believe that marriage is an estate instituted by God, signifying to us the mystical union between Christ and his Church. It is a gift of creation, intended for the mutual joy of the couple, for the help and comfort they give one another in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation and nurture of children.
When you marry in the church, you are asking for God’s blessing on your relationship. The vows you make are not just promises to each other, but a solemn covenant made in the presence of God and the faith community, who in turn promise to support and uphold you in your life together.
To ensure that couples are fully prepared for this lifelong commitment, both the Canons of the Anglican Church of Canada and the guidelines of the Diocese of Huron establish specific requirements that must be met before a wedding can take place:
Christian Baptism: At least one of the parties to the marriage must be a baptized Christian.
Notice and Consultation: Couples must give at least 60 days' notice to the Incumbent (the parish priest) before the proposed wedding date. This begins a process of pastoral consultation and planning.
Marriage Preparation: The Canons require that couples undergo a program of marriage preparation. In the Diocese of Huron, this typically involves completing an approved marriage preparation course or undergoing structured pre-marital counseling with the parish priest.
Previous Marriages: The Anglican Church of Canada gracefully permits the remarriage of divorced persons. However, this requires a specific process of pastoral care and permission from the Bishop of Huron. If either of you has been divorced, please bring this to the priest's attention early in the process so the necessary canonical requirements can be fulfilled.
Liturgical Authority: The order of service must follow the authorized liturgies of the Anglican Church of Canada (such as the Book of Common Prayer or the Book of Alternative Services). The Incumbent of the parish retains final authority over all aspects of the service, including music, readings, and photography.
If you are seeking a deeply meaningful, Christ-centered foundation for your marriage and wish to explore celebrating your wedding within our parish community, we would be delighted to speak with you.
Please contact the church office to arrange an initial meeting with our priest. We look forward to walking with you on this holy journey.