St. George’s Episcopal Church, Arlington, Virginia

A Diocese of Virginia parish serving God in Arlington, Virginia, since 1908; on the net since 1998
Our mission: to make God known.

Marriage

Up • Wedding Checklist • Wedding Form

Getting married at 
St. George’s Church

Welcome to the joy of planning your wedding. We offer you this brochure to make this sometimes daunting task a little easier. The brochure provides information about who can be married at St. George’s Church, an explanation of parish traditions and policies, a schedule of fees, and a wedding checklist. This web page takes you from the beginning of your premarital instruction sessions to your wedding day.

This brochure is part of a packet that contains a Wedding Information Sheet, and—if applicable—a Petition to the Bishop for Consent to solemnize a marriage after divorce or annulment. The priest you choose to officiate at your wedding will give you the whole package when you meet with him or her. You can also view or download a Microsoft Excel 2000 version of the Wedding Information Sheet—left click to view it or right click to download it by clicking here.

St. George’s follows the Canon Laws of both the national Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia concerning Holy Matrimony. According to these Canons—which govern the operations of the church—at least one partner must be a baptized member of the Body of Christ. These Canons also require that if either or both of you have been married before and ended that marriage by legal annulment or divorce, you must ask our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, for permission to be remarried in the Church. (The priest will help you do this.)

An interview with the officiating priest is required to schedule a wedding here

At least six months prior to the wedding, both members of the bridal party should make an appointment for an initial interview with the clergy member that they wish to officiate at their wedding. While you are at the interview, the priest will provide a Wedding Packet and arrange for premarital instruction sessions.

We need your information soonest

Once the clergy member agrees to officiate at your wedding—and at least five months prior to the wedding—the bridal couple must return their wedding information sheet to Jo Belser, the Parish Administrator (jobelser@saintgeorgeschurch.org). She will reserve the rooms you need for the wedding and the rehearsal, review the various fees, and let the Music Director and Sexton know about your wedding. You should also contact the Music Director, Dr. Jane Tavernier, at 703-525-8286 and begin to arrange your music.

Multiple premarital counseling sessions are required

Counseling sessions are required, but vary depending upon the officiating priest. Arrangements for premarital instruction sessions should be made when you initially contact the priest about your wedding. There are counseling fees, which vary depending on the type and number required, and will be paid individually to whoever provides the counseling. Consult the priest for more details.

The reception needs to be somewhere else

Given the heavy building use by three congregations, St. George’s facility is not available for wedding receptions.

The Altar Guild will help

St. George’s Altar Guild prepares the church for the wedding, so throughout your wedding planning you should be in periodic contact with the Altar Guild director or designee to ensure a smooth rehearsal and wedding ceremony.

Please note the following items are available:

• We will provide the candles at a cost of $2.50 each, either two-branch candelabras (14 candles total) or four-branch candelabras (28 candles total).

• Altar candles, if there is to be a service of Holy Eucharist.
• Needlepoint wedding kneeler.

Please note the following items are not permitted:

• Wedding runners are not permitted;
• Rice, confetti, wheat, or birdseed may not be thrown, either inside or outside of the church; and 
• Balloons may not be released—for ecological reasons.

Information you will need about wedding flowers

You need to make arrangements directly with a florist (or through your wedding planner) for any flowers you desire at your wedding. St. George’s has flower vase liners that you or your florist may use if you make arrangements one month prior to the wedding for pickup and delivery of the flower vase liners. You may consult Sarah Kreger, who heads the altar guild, if you have questions. Please plan to leave the altar flowers for the Sunday service. Please plan to leave the altar flowers for the Sunday service.

Information your florist will need about wedding flowers

We ask your consideration when placing decorations for the wedding and reception. Please refrain from using tape, wires, brads or anything that might mar the woodwork or walls.

Information about wedding music

The music for the wedding is under the direction of the Music Director, who acts under the authority of the Rector.

• All songs, soloists, instrumentalists, texts or guest organists must be approved in advance by the Music Director or her designee.

• The organist does not usually attend the rehearsal, but at your request will attend if scheduling permits (see fee schedule).

Soloists sometimes perform during the prelude or during the service itself. The organist will help you decide where solos should occur. The Music Director will be happy to recommend a soloist should the need arise.

Here’s how much it will cost

These fees are for couples who are pledging members of the church:

• Fee to the Sexton ($100 payable directly to Thanh Nguyen).

• Fee for the Organist ($250 payable directly to Dr. Jane Tavernier). NOTE: Even if you choose to use a guest organist, you still must pay the Music Director the $250 fee.

• Fee for the Music Director to attend the rehearsal ($75 payable directly to Dr. Jane Tavernier).

• Fee for soloist if requested ($100 base rate payable directly to the soloist).

• Fees to church (payable to St. George’s Church for all other fees, such as for the candles).

These additional fees are for those who are not pledging members of St. George’s Church:

• Fee for premarital counseling (based on a sliding fee scale; please discuss with your officiating priest).

• $250 for the use of the building (made payable to St. George’s Episcopal Church).

• $200 for the officiating priest (made payable to clergy’s discretionary fund).

You need to bring your own bulletins

The church does not provide wedding service bulletins. Please consult with your officiating priest about what your bulletin should include. It’s a good idea to include a statement on the wedding bulletin reminding guests that no flash photography is allowed during the service.

Please bring your marriage license by early

Two weeks prior to the wedding, bring the marriage license to the parish office for recording. The Arlington County Courthouse will give you the necessary information. Please call them at 703-228-4510 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM to obtain the civil requirements for marriage in Arlington County.

Things you should know about photographing your wedding

• At St. George’s, we ask that no flash photographs be taken during the ceremony.

• You may take flash photos as the bride enters and as she leaves and take available light photos at other times.

• We ask that photographers refrain from placing themselves between the congregation and the bridal party.

• We recommend that you take photographs in the church up until ten minutes prior to the service since there is only a very short time after the service (15-20 minutes) before clean-up begins.

• Video taping is possible from a single fixed position using the available light in the church; however, this position must be approved by the officiating priest prior to the wedding.

• No photographs of any kind may be taken from the main or side aisles during the service.

• Photographers are not allowed to enter the sanctuary (the area between the communion rail and the altar) at any time.

• Chairs and prayer desks within the chancel area are not to be moved.

Things you should know about using our facility

St. George’s is a smoke free building. You may smoke outside on the premises if you clean up after yourself. In accordance with the custom of this congregation and the decision of the vestry and the rector, it is permissible to serve alcoholic beverages at any function taking place on the premises in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you are planning to serve alcoholic beverages in the Parish Hall during your reception, please refer to the Policy on the Use of Alcoholic Beverages at St. George’s Church (click here to read a copy) or contact the Parish Administrator at jobelser@saintgeorgeschurch.org if you need clarification.

About the wedding rehearsal

Bridal parties usually schedule rehearsals on the evening prior to the wedding day hnd last about 45 minutes. Please make sure that all members of the wedding party have directions to St. George’s and arrive on time as scheduled. The bride and groom will sign the Declaration of Intention and the witnesses will sign the Parish Register at this time.

You must arrive early for the wedding
Please ensure that members of the wedding party are aware that they must arrive at least thirty (30) minutes in advance of the scheduled wedding time — or earlier — if you have arranged for photographs to be taken before the ceremony.

Dressing rooms are available if arranged in advance  
The Rhodes Room, located at the back of the parish hall, is available as a dressing room for the bride and her attendants. Contact the Parish Administrator at jobelser@saintgeorgeschurch.org in advance to reserve the room.

There are additional rooms available for the men in the wedding party should they wish to dress at the church. Contact the Parish Administrator at jobelser@saintgeorgeschurch.org in advance to reserve a room.

Have fun

The clergy, altar guild and staff look forward to making your wedding at St. George’s Church a smooth and happy event. We extend our best wishes and congratulations to you as you embark on your life together. We hope that you enjoy your day.

• Home • Site Map • Search Site • Map and Directions • Where to park •