Planning a wedding is a joyful undertaking, and we are delighted that you are interested in being married in St Timothy’s. The Church takes marriage very seriously: "Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows." (Book of Common Prayer, p. 861)

Marriage is a sacramental rite of the Episcopal Church, and a wedding is a sacred liturgy. At St. Timothy’s all weddings are done according to the rite prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), with appropriate dignity and order. No weddings are permitted at St Timothy during the penitential season of Lent.

It is not necessary to be an Episcopalian to be married at St. Timothy‘s Church, but at least one of the persons must be a baptized Christian. Episcopal canon law requires a minimum of thirty days between the official declaration to the Church of intent to marry and the wedding. If one or both of the persons is divorced, the clergy must obtain the permission of the Bishop of Ohio in order to perform the marriage.

Premarital counseling is required of all couples married at St Timothy's Episcopal Church. In some cases the counseling will be done by the clergy person who is to preside at the marriage; in other cases the couple will be referred to a Pastoral Counseling Center. If the couple do not both reside in the Perrysburg area, counseling elsewhere can be arranged.

Music for the service is chosen by the couple in consultation with our organist, who will normally play for all weddings and will arrange for soloists and instrumentalists as desired and contracted. Any unusual musical requests must be submitted to the Rector for approval. Non-sacred music should be reserved for the wedding reception.

A Wedding Assistant will be assigned to you upon approval of your wedding plans with the rector. This is a church member who loves weddings and wants to ensure that every wedding at St . Timothy’s is beautiful and goes as smoothly as possible. This person will coordinate the services of the altar guild, flower preparation and decorations; musician and organist, secretarial services and other clerical considerations such as rental agreements. The wedding assistant must approve all decorations, including flowers.

Still photography and video are permitted with certain important restrictions. All photographers must report to the officiating clergy before the service for instructions. Flash photography, whether by the professional photographer or wedding guests, is not permitted during the service. With clergy approval, a stationary video camera (but no special lighting) may be used. Competent professionals are capable of doing an excellent job without disrupting the wedding service. The clergy are happy to cooperate in re-staging any part afterward for additional photographs.

The use of confetti, rice or birdseed is prohibited in the church or on the grounds, as is the release of balloons. Rose petals are allowed providing a runner of the type supplied by florists is used.

St. Timothy’s is a beautiful worship space, and little in the way of extra adornment is necessary. The eight candles at the altar may be supplemented with two seven-branch candelabra at no additional cost.

St Timothy parish hall may be rented for a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. Arrangements should be made at the time the wedding and rehearsal dates are placed on the church calendar.

The rehearsal is usually held on the evening before the wedding, although it can be scheduled at a different time if necessary. The couple are responsible for obtaining their marriage license, which is to be brought to the clergy at least a week prior to the rehearsal.

A program for the wedding service can be produced by the church office. The wedding assistant will provide the couple with a sample of what should be included if they wish to produce a more elaborate "souvenir" program on their own.

St Timothy’s is a busy place, and a wedding effectively precludes the use of the church for any other purpose for at least half a day. It requires many hours of "behind the scenes" preparation by clergy, organist, Altar Guild, Wedding assistant, office staff, and custodians, beyond their usual responsibilities. Every effort is made to accommodate the needs of the wedding party. In return, we expect that time commitments will be honored and that church staff, volunteers and property will be treated with respect.

Fees for Weddings
An active member of St Timothy Episcopal Church is one who worships regularly at St. Timothy’s, has received Communion here at least three times in the past year, and has contributed to general parish support in the past year.

Standard Fees (payable by all)
• Music fees: $175.00 For the services of the organist (music consultation, rehearsal and wedding). If there is special music, an extra rehearsal with soloists, or more than one consultation, this is increased to $200. For the services of soloists: their fees vary and should be paid directly to them. Our music director will arrange and advise.
• Sexton’s fee: $75.00
• Wedding Assistant fee: $50.00
• Secretarial fee $50.00

Variable Fees
• Use of Church: Payable at the time of the wedding date is placed on the church calendar; applied to other fees owed at the time of the wedding; fully refundable up until six months before the wedding date if the wedding is cancelled. Check payable to St. Timothy Episcopal Church.
o This includes and is limited to the use of the sanctuary, nave and narthex.
o IF dressing rooms for the bridal party are needed arrangements could be made for the use of the library and choir room for this purpose. Active members: no fee Non members: $750.00

• Use of the Parish Hall and Kitchen for Reception or Rehearsal Dinner:
Active Members: (Free will donation)

Non-members:
Wedding reception $750.00
Rehearsal dinner $250.00: Includes use of room, tables and chairs.

• Bulletin Preparation:
$50.00 Services include design, printing and folding only. Collating or attachment of decorations such as ribbons not included. White and ivory paper are available. If another color is desired, it must be provided by the bride and groom.

Clergy Fees
• Active members: It is traditional for the groom to give the priest an honorarium. The size and nature of the wedding, other fees, and the amount of time required of the clergy should be taken into account when determining the amount. (The fees charged to non-members can be used as a guideline.)

• Non-member: If the clergy person does the premarital counseling: $600.00 If the counseling is done at a pastoral counseling center or another approved site: $350.00

All fees should be paid by the date of the rehearsal.