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YOUR WEDDING AT GRACE CHURCH Congratulations to you both on your decision to marry. We are happy that you are considering Grace Church for your wedding, and believe that you will find the magnificent architecture and lush green spaces to be among the most picturesque settings in all of New York City. What follows are the questions most asked by engaged couples. Our guidelines have evolved over time and are not meant to be restrictive, but to answer your questions about what is appropriate for a Christian wedding ceremony. Planning a wedding can be a stressful activity. We hope these guidelines help to answer your questions early on, so you can both fully enjoy your day when it comes. 
Who May be Married at Grace? Christian marriage is a sacramental act between a man and a woman, who in the presence of God and God’s people, commit themselves to each other in body and spirit. While we are very accommodating of non-members, ideally the couple is expected to be an active part of the Grace Church community that is bearing witness to their mutual pledge. In addition, the national canons of the Episcopal Church require that one person be a baptized Christian, and, when one or both parties have been previously divorced, that permission to remarry be sought from the Episcopal Bishop of New York. This permission must be sought at least four months in advance, in consultation with the priest performing the wedding. 
Will there be Pre-Marital Counseling? The Episcopal Church requires pre-marital counseling with the priest. This is usually accomplished in about three to four sessions, though in some cases the clergy may require the couple to seek additional outside premarital counseling prior to the wedding ceremony. The focus of the meetings with the clergy is mainly to help the couple explore their coming marriage relationship more fully, and the nature of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. How is the Marriage Scheduled? Couples should first contact Bill Nave in the Parish Office at 212-254-2000, ext 100 or bnave@gracechurchnyc.org Bill will check the calendar for the availability of your preferred wedding date, will assist you in setting up this date, will collect your pertinent information, and then arrange an appointment for you with one of the clergy. The date for the wedding should be made before you make any date for a reception hall. Weddings are often held on Saturday, but other days are acceptable. What is included in the Marriage Ceremony? We only use The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage as found on page 423 of the Book of Common Prayer. In order to retain the integrity of this beautiful liturgy, alternative prayers and liturgies will not be accommodated. Additionally, since our liturgy identifies the ring(s) as the physical symbol for the sacrament, competing symbols -- unity candles, etc. -- cannot be accommodated. The priest will arrange the details of the service with the couple (note: please do not provide your own wedding coordinator). Family and/or friends are encouraged to participate by doing one of the scripture readings or leading a psalm. The priest will conduct the rehearsal assisted by a member of the Altar Guild and the parish organist. 
May Visiting Clergy Participate in the Wedding? Yes. A priest on the current clergy staff of Grace Church will be the primary Officiant of your wedding, and lead the service from the Book of Common Prayer. However, visiting members of the clergy may participate in various portions of the service at the discretion of the Rector. 
Who selects the Music? The musical offerings in the Wedding Service are selected and arranged in consultation with the Rector and Organist of Grace Church. In addition to the Wedding service, the organist also attends the rehearsal. Should there be interest in having guest musicians participate in the service, these individuals and their musical selections are also arranged in consultation with the Rector and Organist. The fees for guest musicians are negotiated by the couple and paid directly to those individuals. How may the Church be Decorated? Grace Church’s beautiful gothic interior tends to require very little additional ornamentation other than flowers. Most neighborhood florists are already familiar with the space. In addition, your florist is welcome to visit the church prior to the wedding during open hours. On the day of the wedding, the florist will be granted access to the church no more than two hours in advance of the ceremony. In general, flowers will be placed on and/or beside the altar in church vases or containers. It is the custom that flowers remain for distribution to the shut-ins and sick. Finally, for safety reasons, aisle runners may not be used. 
How much time will we need at the Church? The Wedding Ceremony itself can last anywhere from a half-hour to an hour, depending on the amount of music the couple chooses, and whether or not Holy Communion is included. Generally, we reserve a three hour time block for each wedding: one hour before the ceremony to arrive and prepare, one hour for the ceremony itself, and one hour after the ceremony for photos in the church and garden. During peak wedding season it is possible that more than one wedding will be scheduled on the same day. On such occasions in the past, couples have communicated with each other beforehand and shared the cost of flowers if they have similar preferences. What are the Costs? Chantry $3,000 ($5000 on Sunday afternoons) Church $4,000 ($6000 on Sunday afternoons) What this cost includes is the time the officiating clergy person will spend with you in counseling, an honorarium for our talented organist, security for your wedding day in this intensely urban setting, and, quite frankly, a much needed boost for the ongoing upkeep of Grace Church. The superlative architecture that will add incomparable beauty to your wedding has been a labor of love for this parish for over 160 years: first for those who dared to build it, and then for all the succeeding generations who have sacrificed to keep the spire pointing heavenward and flowers blooming in the outdoor gardens. To ensure that Grace Church is here to uplift the spirits of brides and grooms for the next 160 years and beyond, it is appropriate that you join hands with the legacy of givers who have made this place available, even as you join hands with each other in holy matrimony. Wedding fees can be reduced in consultation with the Rector only for parishioners in regular Sunday attendance who have been contributing members of record for one full year. For others who may find our fees prohibitive, we invite you to consider an advance payment plan through the church business office. We also accept most major credit cards. In all cases, fees must be paid in full no later than one week before your wedding day. When is the Rehearsal? The Wedding Rehearsal is usually the afternoon or evening before the wedding, at a time agreed to with the priest. It usually takes about an hour. This should also be scheduled in advance. All members of the wedding party should attend. 
May we take Pictures during the Wedding? Photos and video of the ceremony must be done by a professional photographer, or designated person, who will work with the Verger and Officiating Priest. You may also take pictures during agreed upon hours before and after the wedding in the beautiful gardens surrounding the church. Once you have chosen your photographer(s), it would be ideal to convey contact information to the Parish Office, and we will communicate directly regarding the policies and procedures for photographing the wedding. At the very least, the Verger will meet with the photographer before the wedding to review the guidelines. Where should we have the Wedding Book? Receiving lines and Wedding Books, in which guests sign their names, should be located at the reception. Placing them in the narthex of the church creates problems for the usher and often leads to a "logjam" just before or after the wedding service. 
What Documents are Necessary? A marriage license must be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk within sixty days of your wedding date. Log onto http://www.nycmarriagebureau.com for complete information. You are to give the license to the priest prior to your wedding rehearsal. You and your witnesses will sign the license on your wedding day. The church will take care of mailing the license to the City Clerk’s office. You should receive your official marriage license directly from the City Clerk’s office about two months after your wedding. As a reminder, if you were previously married, additional paperwork must be completed and sent to the Bishop for approval. This can take up to two months. 
Are There Reception Facilities at Grace Church? Yes, you can also hold your wedding reception in Tuttle Hall for a separate fee. The hall can accomodate up to 200 guests, and we can refer you to a caterer. You can view photos here.
BAPTISMS AT GRACE CHURCH Dear Friend, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are pleased that you are interested in Holy Baptism at Grace Church. You will find here a large, loving, and supportive family of Christians who will do all in their power to encourage you in your life in Christ. From time to time people ask about the requirements for Baptism. Must I be a member of Grace Church? Must I be an Episcopalian? Must I subscribe to certain formulations of various doctrines? The list goes on. Suffice it to say, the only requirements to begin planning for a Baptism at Grace Church are: A sincere desire to become a Christian. A readiness to begin (or continue) active participation in the life of Grace Church. If you are sure about both of those requirements, wonderful! It will be a delight to have you with us. Please contact Bill Nave at bnave@gracechurchnyc.org, or call him at 212-254-2000 ext. 100. If, on the other hand, you are sure about the first requirement but not clear about the second, then we invite you to worship with us at Grace Church on a Sunday. Feel free to introduce yourself to the clergy, attend any of our Bible studies or adult classes, and investigate our programs for children and teens. Do take the time to make sure Grace Church is right for you. May God bless you as you contemplate Holy Baptism for yourself or your child. Sincerely, The Rev. J. Donald Waring Rector In accordance with the tradition of the church, Holy Baptism is performed at Grace at the main service on several major days in the church year. Upcoming dates are: Sunday, November 2 (All Saints Sunday, The First Sunday in November 2008) at the 11 a.m. service Those interested in baptism for themselves or family members can call a member of our clergy staff. If you would like to be baptized, or have a child to be baptized, please contact Bill Nave at 212-254-2000 ext. 100 or bnave@gracechurchnyc.org.
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