Getting Married at St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's is an Episcopal faith community united by bonds formed in mutual weekly worship and other activities.  When you come to us for The Service of Holy Matrimony, which is one of the seven sacraments, we expect that you will become part of our community if you live in South Florida, and that you will attend church services with us, at least until the time of your wedding. All weddings in this church are of course conducted in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer and the Canons of the Episcopal Church. The Rector of the Parish has control over all aspects of the service. Wedding consultants, photographers, florists, etc., are subject to the Rector.

Steps in preparing for your wedding at St. Stephen's:

1.  Two months before your wedding, fill out an Application for Marriage and the Declaration of Intent and return it to the parish office with a deposit of $500.  If this is a remarriage for either party, submit a copy of your divorce decree with your application.  You will be furnished the Application for Remarriage form after your first meeting with the Clergy.  After these are returned, a rehearsal and wedding date will be reserved on the church’s calendar.

2.  Well in advance of the wedding date, schedule pre-marital counseling with a member of the clergy. If you live in Southeast Florida your pre-marital counseling will be conducted by a member of the St. Stephen’s clergy and will require several sessions. If you live outside of Southeast Florida, you may receive pre-marital counseling from an Episcopal priest where you live. He/she will need to furnish the officiating clergy at St. Stephen’s a letter stating that pre-marital counseling has been completed.

3.  Clear all arrangements for the Service of Holy Matrimony with the Rector, including the use of videographers, photographers, etc. Flash photography is allowed during the entrance and departure of the wedding party and videographers are permitted in the church’s balcony.

4.  You may contact the Organist, Dr. Dan Hardin (305) 348-6582 regarding musical arrangements and selection for your service.  Dr. Hardin will guide you in a selection of music appropriate to the sacramental nature of the service.

5.  Obtain a Florida state marriage license and submit it to the Parish Office at least five days before your scheduled wedding date.

6.  Be sure to pay all fees no later than five days before your scheduled wedding date.

Your wedding at St. Stephen’s includes:
- use of chapel or sanctuary  for wedding
- use of chapel or sanctuary for rehearsal 
- clergy participation
- organist
- member of the church’s wedding guild to assist before and during the service
- Sexton to set up beforehand and clean up afterwards                                                                                                                         - Rental of the church's parking lot for wedding guests

Please do not throw rice anywhere on the premises.  It is difficult to clean up and dangerous to birds.

Expenses and Customary Donations

* Must be a pledging member of the parish for a minimum of 18 months

The church is also available for weddings conducted by clergy of other churches.  Arrangements for these weddings can be made through the Parish Administrator, Veronica Solorzano (parish@sseds.org or 305.448.2601) and require the approval of the rector.  For those not using St. Stephen's clergy, the wedding package is $500, and all other above fees apply.

²Couples who do not wish to use the St. Stephen's organist may use alternate musicians, but not the St. Stephen's organ.

Payments
Payment for the wedding package is to be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The organist is to be paid separately. All payments must be received at least 5 days in advance of the event.

Please call the Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the Rev'd Wilifred Allen-Faiella, to set up an appointment to discuss your wedding plans.