Weddings
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Guidelines and Procedures
Christ Memorial is a beautiful historic church with grounds that are serene and reflect our Anglican tradition and the peace we find in prayer as God’s people. Many are drawn to Christ Memorial to join our worshipping community or to be the location of observing some of life’s milestones. We welcome all people to join as members, and we also invite non-members to feel comfortable in approaching us to work with them in planning and conducting the various ceremonies which mark the important changes in their lives.
Weddings are the most common sacrament non-members ask us to perform and we welcome these opportunities. Christ Memorial is an Episcopal Church so our religious tradition requires certain expectations of the couple and the practical working of the church requires others. Since the relationship with members and non-members to the church is different, so are the expectations related to planning and expenses. A member is defined as any person who has attended Christ Memorial Church at least one calendar year prior to the ceremony.
Planning a wedding is a joyful undertaking, and we are delighted that you are interested in being married in Christ Memorial Church. 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 Christ Memorial all weddings are done according to the rite prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), with appropriate dignity and order. It is also most appropriate that your service be within the context of a celebration of The Holy Eucharist (with communion), but it is not necessary and this can be discussed with Clergy.
Remarriage is permitted in the Episcopal Church, but all marriages performed at Christ Memorial Church will be performed by a priest of the Episcopal Church. No weddings are permitted during New Year’s Eve or Day, Ash Wednesday, during Lent or Holy Week (for which the dates will vary), Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day or weekend, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.
Expectations of any couple, member and non-member, are these:
- At least one member of the couple is baptized Christian (not necessarily Episcopalian).
- The couple has undergone an appropriate pre-marital counseling series by the Clergy who performs the ceremony or an agreed upon substitute. Normally three to four sessions are held. If a substitute is used for counseling on the mainland a letter must be received by our Clergy 10 days before the service verifying completion of the pre-marital counseling series.
- The couple must bring their marriage license to the service, obtained from the Hawaii State Department of Health or from a designated marriage license agent. The license should be obtained no more than 30 days prior to the service at a cost of $60, payable in cash. For more information or to locate a marriage license agent in Kaua`i, contact the Hawaii State Department of Health 808 241-3498.
- You will receive a blank marriage certificate from the license agent and after your wedding ceremony, the priest will certify upon the marriage certificate that a marriage has taken place. Your marriage certificate is then sent to the Hawaii State Department of Health which registers the wedding certificate and returns it to you by mail 60-120 days after your marriage has been performed.
- Ceremonial aspects, floral arrangements, and musical selections are all subject to the approval of the Christ Memorial Clergy, Musical Director, and/or Wedding Coordinator.
Financial Expectations, member vs. non-member:
Use of the church - $300 (required) – no fee to member
Services of the Clergy - $200 (required) – no fee to member, but it is traditional for the groom to give the Clergy an honorarium
Counseling by our Clergy - $400 – no fee to member
Please make out one check to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church for the total amount due which will be distributed appropriately by the church Treasurer after the service. Check is due one week before your wedding ceremony.
For further information, please contact the Clergy in Charge, The Rev. Robin Taylor at ChristMemorial.Kauai@gmail.com or at the Church Office cell number: 808-482-4824.
