Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between two adults in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. (Book of Common Prayer 1979)
The First Steps
All prospective couples need to speak with the Dean of the Cathedral (contact information below) in order to initiate the wedding preparation process.
If you are planning on making St. James Cathedral your church home, it’s important that we all get to know each other. Come experience Cathedral worship, fellowship and community events. Introduce yourselves to the clergy and people of the Cathedral. As a couple, finding a church home is one way to build up relationships that will be life-giving to both of you.
If you are having your wedding at St. James and you are not seeking a new church home here, it is still important that we get to know each other. The people of St. James are offering their spiritual home to you for your wedding. There is much about our Sunday morning worship services that will reflect the kind of worship that happens in every wedding. You will be more comfortable in this space on your wedding day if you have worshipped here before it. And you will be more comfortable with the clergy person who officiates at your wedding if you have developed a relationship in the process of preparing.
The clergy will give you the contact information for the Wedding Coordinator. At this stage in the process, the Wedding Coordinator will be able to help you with availability of potential dates and specific wedding fees.
Pre-marital and Pastoral Counseling
The canons (rules and regulations) of the Church require that each couple preparing for marriage in the Episcopal Church must undergo pre-marital counseling. Clergy cannot marry couples who have not completed pre-marital counseling.
If a member of the couple has been previously married, the canons of the Church require the permission of the Bishop to proceed with wedding plans. This process is primarily to ensure that the previous marriage has achieved appropriate closure, and that all concerns and duties regarding former spouses, the care of children, and personal property have been justly and charitably engaged. You will need to schedule a meeting with your officiating priest in order to initiate this process.
Once a couple has made a reservation of a wedding date at St. James (in consultation with the clergy and the Wedding Coordinator) there is no reason not to begin the counseling process. We recommend the Cathedral Counseling Center for all Chicago couples. They present a three-session format for counseling. The first session is with groups of couples; the second and third sessions are with an individual therapist. All fees are paid by the couple directly to the Cathedral Counseling Center. The Cathedral Counseling Center is located at 50 E. Washington, Suite 301, in the Loop (312.252.9500).
In addition to the therapeutic component of pre-marital counseling, each couple will meet at least twice with the officiating priest. If you should choose to work with a different pre-marital counselor (whether a priest or a therapist), you must provide their contact information to the clergy.
Wedding Policies and Guidelines
Scheduling
Weddings may be scheduled between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday weddings may be scheduled only with permission from the Dean of the Cathedral. Weddings are not scheduled during the season of Advent (the four weeks preceding Christmas), Lent (the forty days preceding Easter) or on major holidays. Wedding may be scheduled either in the Cathedral (seats 600) or Saint Andrew Chapel (seats 40).
The Officiating Priest and the Liturgy
All weddings at St. James Cathedral will conform to the rules of “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage” in the Book of Common Prayer (starting on page 423). The vows exchanged will come from that text as well. It is normative that a priest of the St. James Cathedral staff officiates at the ceremony. Other diocesan clergy are welcome to officiate, with the permission of the Dean of the Cathedral. The possibility of guest clergy (from a different denomination/faith, serving as preachers, etc.) is discussed with and determined by the officiating priest.
If you are working with an outside wedding consultant, please inform that person that s/he will not play an active role in the ceremony or the rehearsal.
Cathedral Staff and Fees
A complete wedding fee schedule is available from the Wedding Coordinator.
The services of the Cathedral’s Wedding Coordinator, sexton, and an acolyte are required. If music is part of your wedding liturgy, the services of the Director of Cathedral Music will also be needed. Fees for each are listed in the fee schedule.
Music
Music is arranged in consultation with the Director of Cathedral Music, Mr. Bruce Barber (312.751.6724), who will guide you in appropriate choices. Additional vocalists and/or instrumentalists are engaged exclusively through Mr. Barber. The Cathedral choir may also be engaged. As soon as your wedding has been scheduled and you have met with a priest, you should make an appointment with him to discuss music arrangements.
Marriage License
A marriage license must be obtained from the Cook County Clerk’s Office (118 North Clark Street; 312.443.5663) and be submitted to the Cathedral office. The bride and groom will receive the license on the day they apply. The license will be valid the following day, and will expire sixty days later.
Your wedding (or rehearsal) cannot take place if the license has not been received.
The Rehearsal
Rehearsals are directed by the officiating priest and the Wedding Coordinator and will last approximately 45 minutes. The rehearsal time must be scheduled with input from the officiating priest, and then through the Wedding Coordinator. If desired, the bride and bridesmaids can leave their dresses at the Cathedral overnight.
Photographs and videos of the rehearsal are discouraged. However, photographers and videographers are welcome to attend the rehearsal to receive instructions from the Wedding Coordinator.
The Bride’s Room
A dressing room for the bride and her attendants is available in the undercroft and is accessible to the Cathedral and Chapel.
Decorations
Installations of artworks within the cathedral will not be removed for weddings.
Floral arrangements may be made with the florist of your choice. Flowers should be limited to two large arrangements on either side of the altar in the sanctuary and two arrangements behind the altar. Your florist will have access to the Cathedral 90 minutes prior to the wedding liturgy and must be completed 60 minutes prior to the wedding liturgy. Immediately after the wedding, all decorations must be removed from the Cathedral.
Altar flowers from behind the altar should remain in the Cathedral for the following Sunday’s liturgies, and we will give thanks for your marriage in our service.
Only altar and lectern candles may be used. The popular custom of lighting a Unity Candle is not part of the Episcopal service. For safety and aesthetic reasons, aisle runners are not permitted. Please notify guests that throwing rice, birdseed or rose petals or blowing bubbles or releasing balloons is not permitted, either inside or outside the Cathedral.
Photography and Videotaping
You may engage a professional photographer to take posed portraits inside the Cathedral or Chapel. Photographs taken before the service must conclude 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the liturgy. Photos taken afterward are to last no longer than 30 minutes after the conclusion of the liturgy. Because Christian marriage is a solemn and sacred rite, photography during the ceremony is strongly discouraged, and use of flash is strictly forbidden.
The wedding liturgy may be videotaped from the press box gallery or from the rear of the Cathedral only. The videographer is not permitted to move from place to place during the ceremony.
Photographers and videographers are to meet with the Wedding Coordinator at least 30 minutes before the wedding to ensure their understanding of this policy. Please note that all scheduling of photography before and after the wedding must be cleared with the Wedding Coordinator.
Contact Information
Cathedral Counseling Center
312.252.9500
Cook County Clerk’s Office
312.443.5663
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