Holy Cross : Weddings

Weddings
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Wedding Information for The Church of the Holy Cross
with additional information for St. John’s
{this page must be returned with booking fee to confirm your reservation}

FEES:

$200.00 non-refundable booking fee is required to confirm a reservation at either Church.
$350.00 fee to use either Church is due at least one month before the ceremony. This fee is waived for active and participating members of Holy Cross Parish. Active and participating members are members who attend HC/SJ on a regular basis and participate with their time, talents and treasures.
$500.00 security deposit due at least one month prior to wedding. This will be refunded after the event if everything is left in the same condition as found.
$150.00 fee for a wedding supervisor assigned by the Church. Fee paid directly to the supervisor (not to HolyCrossChurch). Arrangements for paying this fee will be at the discretion of the coordinator.

Anticipated Wedding Date/Time/Church_______________ ________________ ________________________

Date Time Church

Anticipated Rehearsal Date/Time/Church_______________ ________________ _______________________

Date Time Church

Name of Bride:__________________________________________ Is this a remarriage for the Bride?_________

Bride’s Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

Bride’s Telephone (H)______________ (W)____________ (c)_______________(email)___________________

Name of Groom:________________________________________Is this a remarriage for the Groom?________

Groom’s Address:___________________________________________________________________________

Groom’s Telephone (H)____________ (W) ____________ (c)______________ (email)____________________

Preferred Contact:___________________________________________________________________________

Name /ChurchofOfficiant:___________________________________________________________________

Address of Officiant:_________________________________________________________________________

Are you using a wedding planner? If so: Name ____________________________________ Phone ___________

Information for the Altar Guild:

How many invited? _______________________

Will communion be served? _____ How many servers? ______

Two candles will be placed on the altar if there is communion, otherwise there are no candles used.

We have read and agree to follow the guidelines of the use of Holy Cross/St. John’s Church.

__________________________________________________________________
Bride

__________________________________________________________________
Groom

OFFICE USE ONLY:
Info Sheet Returned:_______                      Premarital Counseling Confirmed:___________
Non- Ref. Booking Fee Received: _______ Damage Deposit Received: _______
Payment Received:   ____________            Check #____________
Petition for Remarriage Received:_______________   Divorce Decree Rec'd:_________________

Please return this page with the booking fee to: Holy Cross Church
PO Box 645, ValleCrucis,NC 28691, Phone: 828-963-4609

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Wedding Guidelines

To use the sanctuary at The Church of the Holy Cross or at St. John's Episcopal Church, parties must abide by the following guidelines:

1)     Use of the building must be for Christian worship, or some other related function approved by the Vestry and Rector of Holy Cross Church, Valle Crucis. Permission must be obtained in advance by calling the church office at 828-963-4609.
2)     For weddings, either the bride or the groom must be a member of an Episcopal Church or be recognized by the Rector of Holy Cross Church as regularly attending services at Holy Cross and/or St. John’s Church. Any exceptions to this requirement will require permission from the Rector of Holy Cross Church.
3)     Weddings are conducted by the Rector of Holy Cross or an officiant approved by the Rector of Holy Cross . Marriage Services must conform to the Guidelines from the Book of Common Prayer, page 435. See attached Order for Marriage.
4)     A Wedding Supervisor from Holy Cross Church must be present for all weddings. This person will be there to assist you once inside the church. They are familiar with the building and all Church requirements.
5)     No furniture or hangings (including the altar) within the church will be moved under any circumstances.
6)     No flash photography during ceremony. There are no exceptions. The bride and groom are asked to relay this policy to friends and photographers. The photographer may use a flash during processions and take one picture of the bride and her escort as they enter and as they leave. Photography and videotaping of the ceremony is permitted from a stationary position in a designated area in the rear of the church using existing lighting. Posed pictures of the wedding party are allowed before and following the service. The time limit for photographs after the service is 30 minutes out of deference to the altar guild.
7)     No nails, tacks or anything that would damage the church in any way will be used.
8)     Rehearsal: The rector is solely in charge and final authority of the rehearsal and wedding. The Wedding Supervisor will assist. The rehearsal should be held to a maximum of one hour. As a matter of courtesy, the family and wedding party should be punctual.
9)     Dressing Prior to the Wedding at Holy Cross: A dressing room is available for the bride and her attendants and should be left clean after the service. There are facilities for the groom and ushers to dress at the church, if needed. All clothing and other items should be removed from the church immediately following the service.
10) Flowers: Holy Cross Flower Guild has numerous experienced members who would be pleased to arrange flowers for your wedding, however, if you choose to use a florist, you must contact the Wedding Supervisor to discuss specific requirements and coordinate delivery times. White hangings are used at weddings. Bows may be used as pew markers for the first rows only. Flowers are allowed behind the altar in both locations. NO garlands are to be used over the doors. Flower petals are discouraged, if used however, a runner the length of the aisle must be used. At Holy Cross, flowers may be placed in the windows of the sanctuary, on the Skiles altar, and wreaths may be hung on the doors. Please remove all decorations, direction signs and flowers (other than those left on the altar at Holy Cross for the following Sunday) when you leave.
11)   Music: If you desire music at your wedding, all arrangements should be made through the rector and the church organist who will assist you in selecting musicians and appropriate sacred music.
12) Holy Communion: Nuptial Eucharists are allowed only when it is understood that the entire congregation will be invited to participate.
13) If the wedding is a remarriage following a divorce of the bride and/or the groom, the Bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina must be petitioned for permission to marry. This is to assure that the causes of the divorce have been addressed and will not be detrimental to this marriage. Second marriages fail at a higher rate than first marriages, and the Episcopal Church wants to be responsible with the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. We are committed to do everything possible to make sure the marriage succeeds. Special forms will need to be filled out for a remarriage along with a copy of the divorce decree(s) sent to Holy Cross. (Church of the Holy Cross,PO Box 645, ValleCrucis,NC 28691) Holy Cross must receive these papers at least 45 days prior to the ceremony to assure time for the Bishop’s approval.

Alcohol:
The consumption of alcoholic beverages on church property is prohibited before and during rehearsals and weddings. Containers of alcoholic beverages may not be displayed in any of the church buildings or church grounds during rehearsals and weddings.

A note on membership:
Because we havehad the unfortunate experience of persons “joining the church”just so they could use the church for their wedding but never actually participating in our worshiping community, it is important for persons to understand what we mean by “membership.” Being a member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church means that you attend worship at Holy Cross or St. John’s and that you have made and honor a financial commitment to the church. It is expected that persons wishing to be married here as members would have participated in the manner described above for at least six months prior to their wedding date.

Additional guidelines for St. John’s Episcopal Church : The Vestry and Rector of Holy Cross Church, Valle Crucis, are responsible and accountable to the Bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina regardingSt. John's as it is a consecrated church in the Episcopal tradition. Marriages at St. John's must meet these additional requirements:

A.    The church is only available from May 1 through the second weekend in October. Please be aware that the end of September weather can be cold and there is no heat in the church.
B.    No candles or heaters are to be used in the church due to possible fire hazards.
C.    Flowers: the table in the narthex and the window above are available as well as the altar.
D.   Please be advised that St. John’s has only one small bathroom. It is suggested that all parties dress before arriving at St. John’s.
E.    The maximum number of people allowed in St. John’s for any function is 100.

Receptions
Skiles Hall is often available for wedding receptions. Please check with the church office for scheduling and pricing.

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DECLARATION OF INTENT TO MARRY

DIOCESE OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

PARISH OF HOLY CROSS

HOLYCROSS CHURCH and ST. JOHN’S CHURCH
{Must be returned with Wedding Information Sheet to confirm reservation}

We hereby declare that we intend to be joined together in the covenant of marriage, loving, honoring, and keeping each other, come what may, and in faithfulness, forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live.

We will undertake to prepare ourselves, with the help of the church, for this joining together in holy matrimony, endeavoring to understand the true purposes of marriage: friendship, support, comfort and fulfillment, so that we may truly believe in and commit ourselves to a life-long pledge to togetherness, mutual help and respect.

We believe that marriage is a sacrament honored by God, and that, in our loving response to Him, He will honor us in our love for each other.

_________________________________ __________________________________
GROOM BRIDE

___________________________________________________
Intended Celebrant/Clergy Incumbent

___________________________________________________
Name/Denomination of Clergy’s Church

___________________________________________________
Address for Clergy

___________________________________________________
Telephone

___________________________________________________
Date

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An Order for Marriage

The laws of the State and the canons of this Church having been complied with, the man and the woman, together with their witnesses, families, and friends assemble in the church or in some other convenient place.

1. The teaching of the Church concerning Holy Matrimony, as it is declared in the formularies and canons of this Church, is briefly stated.
2. The intention of the man and the woman to enter the state of matrimony, and their free consent, is publicly ascertained.
3. One or moreReadings, one of which is always from Holy Scripture, may precede the exchange of vows. If there is to be a Communion, aReadingfrom the Gospel is always included.
4. The vows of the man and woman are exchanged, using the following form

In the Name of God, I, N, take you, N, to be my (wife) (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

or this

I, N, take thee, N, to my wedded (wife) (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I (plight) (give) thee my troth.

5. The Celebrant declares the union of the man and woman as husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
6. Prayers are offered for the husband and wife, for their life together, for the Christian community, and for the world.
7. A priest or bishop pronounces a solemn blessing upon the couple.
8. If there is no Communion, the service concludes with the Peace, the husband and wife first greeting each other. The Peace may be exchanged throughout the assembly.
9. If there is to be a Communion, the service continues with the Peace and the Offertory. The Holy Eucharist may be celebrated either according to Rite One or Rite Two in this Book, or according to the Order in page 401.

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“St. John’sChurch”

(A signed and numbered print by Noyes Capehart Long)

Dear Bride-to-be:
          In celebration of your upcoming marriage at St. John’sChurch, Holy Cross Episcopal Church is pleased to present you with a complimentary print of “St. John’sChurch”, a work by area artist Noyes Capehart Long.
         You may stop by the Church office anytime after wedding fees have been paid to pick up your complimentary print.
          As a way of commemorating your special day in St. John’s Church, we invite you to consider purchasing copies of this print for members of your wedding party. These prints would make wonderful gifts for family and friends of the bride and groom.
          ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF “St. John’s Church” assist with the maintenance and the ability to keep it open during the spring and summer months.
          To place your order for additional prints, simply complete the order slip at the bottom of this page and return it along with $30.00 for each print ordered to:

Church of the Holy Cross
PO Box645
ValleCrucis,NC28691

Name:_______________________________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip:_______________________________________________

No. of prints:_____(@$30.00) $_____________ payment enclosed

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APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO REMARRY

Diocese of Western North Carolina

{Both pages must be returned at least 45 days before the wedding if this is a

second marriage following a divorce for either the bride or the groom}

We, ____________________________________________________ and

_______________________________________________________, one or both of whom have been divorced, respectfully request permission to be remarried in accordance with the rites of the Episcopal Church.

Date: __________________________________________________________

Anticipated Date of Marriage: ___________________________________

Parish: _________________________________________________________

Intended Celebrant: _____________________________________________

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Name: ___________________________________________________________

Religion: _______________________________________________________

Parish, if Episcopalian: ________________________________________

Date of Birth: __________________________________________________

Previously Married? ____________ Date: __________________________

Where? _________________________________________________________

Name of Previous Spouse: ________________________________________

Age of Spouse at Marriage: ______________________________________

Date Divorce Decree Granted: ____________________________________

Where? __________________________________________________________

Are There Children? _____________ Their Ages: ____________________

Who Has Custody? _______________________________________________