Marriage

St Michael's celebrates both same-gender and mixed-gender marriages, and the same requirements exist for all people seeking marriage. The service itself was recently adapted by the wider church to be more inclusive of the diversity of human gender. At St. Michael's, we use the adapted service (linked at the bottom of this page) for all marriages.

 

Blessing of a Civil Marriage

 

The blessing of a civil marriage can also be performed. Preparation for this is made in consultation with one of the clergy, to whom a couple should speak directly. Sometimes these services take place during the Sunday morning worship service, or they can be a stand alone service, like a traditional wedding.

 

Getting Married at St. Michael's 

 

Step 1: Complete and submit a wedding application

 

The wedding application requests all the information we will need to consider your request to hold your ceremony St. Michael's. Requests for wedding dates should be made at least 90 days prior to the desired date of the ceremony. Once we have reviewed your application and confirmed that the wedding date you request is available we will confirm the date with you and assign a member of the clergy to serve as officiant for the wedding.

 

Step 2: Meet with clergy

 

After the wedding date has been confirmed the parish clergy who will serve as your officiant will contact you to set up an initial meeting to get acquainted, go over basic wedding details and plan for pre-marital counseling. A priest from another parish with whom the couple has a close personal relationship may assist in the ceremony and preparation only by prior arrangement with the rector. The couple will have several meetings with the priest to discuss the spiritual significance of the wedding ceremony as well as scripture selections, music options, flowers and other logistics.

 

Step 3: Pre-marital counseling

 

The Episcopal Church requires couples that wish to marry to take part in pre-marital counseling. Please speak with the priest who will bless your marriage to make arrangements.

 

Use of the Building for Receptions

 

Questions about the use of the Parish Hall for wedding receptions should be directed to the Office Administrator. Please note, however, that we do not usually allow Saturday evening receptions that last beyond 6 pm, as we must prepare for services Sunday morning.

 

Photography and Video

 

All weddings are worship services. It is important that efforts to capture the ceremony in photography or film be unobtrusive, so that everyone—bride, groom, wedding party, family members and guests—can give their complete attention to the ceremony. We have specific requirements for wedding photographers and videographers. The photographer should speak to the priest at least a few days before the ceremony.

 

Other Important Details

 

• If either of the parties is divorced, a copy of the divorce decree must be given to the clergy at the beginning of pre-marital counseling. The priest will apply to the Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri for permission to officiate. The application is not onerous and is designed to offer a way to reflect on the relationship that has ended and the wellbeing of children (if any) from the previous marriage.

• The couple is responsible for securing a marriage license in the State of New Mexico. The License should be turned into the church office on the Tuesday before the ceremony. (A link to information about marriage licenses can be found below)

• St. Michael's is not a "wedding venue," but a socially diverse and theologically progressive community of faith. We will happily talk with anyone about marriage, and we prioritize services for people who seeking faith, or who are already members of the Episcopal Church. The clergy have full discretion whether to marry a couple. 

• Celebratory Accessories—no rice, bubble making soap, birdseed or other potentially hazardous materials are to be used. No decorations may be affixed to pews or other furniture of the church. Flower petals may be strewn in the aisle as the wedding party enters the church. 

• The canons of the Episcopal Church require that at least one of the parties to the marriage be a baptized Christian and the wedding ceremony is attested to by at least two witnesses.

• Clergy from other traditions may be invited to assist in the ceremony by invitation of the rector. Please speak with the clergy person about how to make these arrangements.We do not ordinarily celebrate marriage in places other than the Church. In accordance with ancient church custom, marriage is not celebrated in the season of Lent.

• The Episcopal Church requires that the vows be stated precisely as they appear in the Book of Common Prayer or the Adapted Prayer Book service (link below). Couples do not write their own vows. If you would like to write something to say to your partner at another point in the celebration, please speak with the clergy person officiating your service.

 

Click to download the following files:

• Wedding Application

• Wedding Guidelines

• Gender Inclusive Marriage Service Used at St. Michael's

• Recommended Scripture Readings

 

Click the following links for more information:

• Staff Directory

• Bernalillo County Marriage License Bureau