to so do!
http://ststephenscohasset.org/weworship/weddings/
May we get married at St. Stephen’s even if we’re not members?
Yes, you can. One member of the couple needs to be a baptized Christian, but neither needs to be an Episcopalian.
How early do we have to reserve the church?
We don’t have a set policy on this, but as Cohasset is an idyllic spot to get married, you may want to lock in a date on the early side. A year before your proposed date is a good rule of thumb.
How do we reserve our date?
Call the church office during business hours (M-F, 9-3:30). We’ll check the schedule, then pencil you in. Our number is (781) 383-1083. After reserving your date, please send your paperwork to our office during the next 10 business days. The paperwork can be found at the back of the wedding booklet, which you can download below.
Is pre-marital counseling mandatory?
Yes, it is. Our clergy will schedule three to five counseling sessions with you in the months leading up to your wedding date. If you live far away, you can arrange (with our approval) to have a priest closer to where you live lead your sessions.
How many people does your church hold?
St. Stephen’s comfortably holds 200 people.
How much does it cost to get married at St. Stephen’s?
The current fee structure is part of the wedding booklet, which you can download below.
From the downloaded booklet:
Use of the church $2,000 (for non members -- No fee for members)
Flowers $150 $150
Organist $300 $250
(check made out to Dr. John Whiteside)
Clergy with pre-marital counseling* $350 Donation
Clergy without pre-marital counseling* $150 Donation
Sexton $100 $100
(check made out to William Kannaly)
Carillon (optional) $250 $250)
* checks made out to the Rev. Margot Critchfield
Here's another Episcopal Church where you do not have to be a member, but the price is doubled if you aren't:
http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/694037/10119750/1435266584457/Wedding+Guidelines.pdf?token=3ujmL5RsShHw1yWMZe9dLgFXsyA%3D
In fact, most Episcopal church sites I have looked at have these rules:
http://www.stmatthewschurch.org/getting_married
As part of the Episcopal Church, St. Matthew's is part of a national Church and therefore bound by National Church Laws (canons). Regarding Weddings, these are:
At least one of the couple must be a baptized Christian and there must be at least two witnesses at the ceremony. (In theory, you can have a small wedding, with only 5 people present. This rarely happens.)
There must be at least 30 days notice given to the Church prior to the wedding.
There must be pre-marital counseling and instruction.
You don't have to be a church MEMBER, but you pay more if you are not. Some churches will provide the facility for free if you are a member, and for others, the price is half off or more.
But it looks like they DO "rent out" the church, so long as one of the members is a Christian of some flavor.
I've looked at eight or nine websites so far, and I've yet to find an Episcopal church that turns a couple with one Christian in it away. Sounds like a pretty inclusive bunch, if you ask me.....and smart, too. They have nice facilities too; may as well make some money off of 'em.
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