Episcopal marriage service

[Matrona]

Hi guys :wave:

My sister is getting married this coming summer. Since my family is thoroughly, utterly unchurched, my sister and her fiance are going to use an Episcopal service (but not an Episcopal priest or in a church or anything, unfortunately) and have a friend serve as the officiant. I have never been to an Episcopal wedding, so could anyone please point me to where I can read what an Episcopal wedding is like and the text of the service(s)? Thank you.

(Also, I hope what my sister is doing doesn't offend anyone. I apologize and ask for forgiveness in advance.)

Matrona

[gtsecc]

DEERELY beloved frendes, we are gathered together here in the syght of God, and in the face of his congregacion, to joyne together this man and this woman in holy matrimonie, which is an honorable estate instituted of God in paradise, in the time of mannes innocencie, signifying unto us the misticall union that is betwixte Christe and his Churche: whiche holy estate, Christe adorned and beutified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galile, and is commended of Sainct Paule to be honourable emong all men; and therefore is not to bee enterprised, nor taken in hande unadvisedlye, lightelye, or wantonly, to satisfie mens carnal lustes and appetites, like brute beastes that have no understanding: but reverentely, discretely, advisedly, soberly, and in the feare of God. Duely consideryng the causes for the whiche matrimonie was ordeined. One cause was the procreacion of children, to be brought up in the feare and nurture of the Lord, and prayse of God. Secondly it was ordeined for a remedie agaynst sinne, and to avoide fornicacion, that suche persones as bee maried, might live chastlie in matrimonie, and kepe themselves undefiled membres of Christes bodye. Thirdelye for the mutuall societie, helpe, and coumfort, that the one oughte to have of thother, both in prosperitie and adversitie. Into the whiche holy estate these two persones present: come nowe to be joyned. Therefore if any man can shewe any juste cause why they maie not lawfully be joyned so together: Leat him now speake, or els hereafter for ever hold his peace.



http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/marriage.doc

[gtsecc]

Followed by the Eucharist:
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/euchr1.doc

[Father Rick]

The liturgy I use for weddings is an Anglican service. You can find the liturgy at www.saintthomasmorechurch.com/weddingliturgy (http://www.saintthomasmorechurch.com/weddingliturgy) .

Now, I don't know how they plan to do a Eucharist without a priest... but maybe they are planning to opt for a 'Wedding outside of Mass' (as Opposed to a Nuptial Mass) which is basically the same but leaves off the Eucharist. Normally a 'Wedding outside of Mass' is only done during Lent-- and weddings are only done during Lent in emergencies such as military getting deployed or some such where it is impossible to wait 6 weeks.

[Matrona]

The liturgy I use for weddings is an Anglican service. You can find the liturgy at www.saintthomasmorechurch.com/weddingliturgy (http://www.saintthomasmorechurch.com/weddingliturgy) .

Now, I don't know how they plan to do a Eucharist without a priest... but maybe they are planning to opt for a 'Wedding outside of Mass' (as Opposed to a Nuptial Mass) which is basically the same but leaves off the Eucharist. Normally a 'Wedding outside of Mass' is only done during Lent-- and weddings are only done during Lent in emergencies such as military getting deployed or some such where it is impossible to wait 6 weeks.

Thank you Fr. Rick and gtsecc, those were both very helpful! :clap:

Since my sister is not having a priest perform the service, and it is going to be outdoors ( :sick: ) and not in a church, I don't think she's planning on having Eucharist. Her fiance is confirmed Episcopalian but neither one of them goes to church.

I was genuinely shocked that my sister was actually going to use a Christian service, but my parents tell me that it is the "default" for people like them who don't have a particular tradition. My parents used an Episcopal service in their wedding which was actually in a Baptist church and presided over by a Baptist minister(!).

[gtsecc]

I think all we did was take the Latin Service used in the RCC and translate it. Of course this was back in 1540's and we have modified it slightly since then.

[TomUK]

The Common Worship (ie. the prayer book used in the Church of England) service can be found here.

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/marriage/marriagefront.html

Included there are services both celebrating the Eucharist and not celebrating it.