Weddings at St. James

Wedding Customary

St. James’ Church, Texarkana

 James’ Church adheres to the Theology and Form of Christian Marriage in the Book of Common Prayer (1979).

 Anyone who desires to have their matrimony celebrated at St. James’ Church should first call on the Rector before any plans are made. In general, only those who are active baptized members of St. James, their dependents/children, or have been regularly attending St. James for at least six months, may have their marriages solemnized at St. James.

 All marriages must meet the canonical requirements of The Episcopal Church: couples must notify the Rector within 30 days prior to the solemnization, have the right to marry according to State law, do so willingly and without fraud, provide proof that at least one individual is baptized, complete the requisite pre-marital counseling and sign the following declaration of intent. (I.18.1-4).

 Declaration of Intention:

 We understand the teaching of the church that God's purpose for our marriage is for our mutual joy, for the help and comfort we will give to each other in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God's will, for the gift and heritage of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of God. We also understand that our marriage is to be unconditional, mutual, exclusive, faithful, and lifelong; and we engage to make the utmost effort to accept these gifts and fulfill these duties, with the help of God and the support of our community.

 In the case of a remarriage after divorce, for either member of the couple, a judgment and permission must be obtained from the Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. This is a more time-consuming process that the Rector will explain. 

The Rector has full discretion to decline to solemnize or bless any marriage (I.18.7). That decision will also be binding on any cleric assigned to this parish, residing within the bounds of the parish, or invited to participate. This decision will also preclude the use of any parish property for such services. It is the prerogative of the Rector to solemnize marriages, and any request for additional/other clergy to participate must be approved by the Rector, and no invitations for additional clergy shall be issued until permission is granted.

All planning for the wedding ceremony is done in conjunction with the Rector or his designee. Wedding coordinators/consultants are not a part of this process, nor will they be allowed to participate in any rehearsal of the liturgical rites.

 Flowers are the responsibility of the couple, but the Altar Guild is available for consultation.

Music is arranged in consultation with the Organist/Choirmaster. The Hymnal 1982 is the standard hymnal at St. James. Popular Secular Music is not to be used as a part of the ceremony, however, with Rector and Organist approval it may be used for preludes and postludes. There is no provision for recorded music. Any soloists must be approved by the Organist/Choirmaster. Fee schedule is below.

If the parish is to provide programs all names must be to the office three weeks prior to the event. If programs are published externally, Rector will review for accuracy four weeks before the event.

While there is no fee for the wedding service, a contribution to the Church is expected. A suggested guideline is a tithe (10%) of the wedding expenses. It is also appropriate to give an honorarium to the priest performing the wedding. Said honorarium will be shared with all participating clergy.

No flash photography is permitted during the service. Video cameras may be used after consultation with the Rector. Photographs may also be done after the service, and may be staged if needed.

The Great Hall may be reserved for receptions. All food and beverage must be catered. If alcohol is to be served, proof of liability insurance must be provided.  Wedding Party will be responsible for any damages to building or furnishings.

Rehearsals may be conducted by assisting clergy at Rector's discretion.

For additional seating/chair covers and items for the Rehearsal Dinner/Reception we recommend using Dot’s Rentals (903-792-7011).

 Fees (except for organist, acolytes, and livestreaming) are waived for contributing members/dependents:Organist—Marriage Office--$150

  • Organist—Nuptial Mass--$200
  • Organist—above with Soloist/Chamber Group--$300
  • Organist—each additional Soloist--$50
  • Great Hall--Rehearsal--$500
  • Great Hall Reception--$1500
  • Use of dressing rooms, per room--$100
  • Wedding Hostess--$150
  • Acolyte, per--$50Livestreaming staff--$150
  • Cleaning Fee, basic (2hrs)--$150
  • Cleaning Fee, each additional hour--$50
  • Premarital Counseling Assessment--$35
 Liturgical items
 
Readings 
For an office any combination of two readings and a Psalm are used.
For a Nuptial Mass one reading from each category and a Psalm are used.
 
Old Testament
Genesis 1:26-28 (Male and female he created them)
Genesis 2:4-9, 15-24 (A man cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh)
Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 8:6-7 (Many waters cannot quench love)
Tobit 8:5b-8  (That she and I may grow old together)
 
Psalms
67, 127, 128
 
New Testament
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love is patient and kind)
Ephesians 3:14-19 (The Father from whom every family is named)
Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 (Walk in love, as Christ loved us)
Colossians 3:12-17 (Love which binds everything together in harmony)
1 John 4:7-16 (Let us love one another for love is of God)
 
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-10 (The Beatitudes)
Matthew 5:13-16 (You are the light...Let your light so shine)
Matthew 7:21,24-29 (Like a wise man who built his house upon the rock)
Mark 10:6-9,13-16 (They are no longer two but one)
John 15:9-12 (Love one another as I have loved you)
 
Suggested Eucharistic Prayers:
          Rite I—Prayer II
          Rite II—Prayers B & D.
 
Suggested Hymns/Music:
          Entrance
                    364              O God, we praise thee, and confess
                    366              Holy God, we praise thy Name
                    373              Praise the Lord! Ye heaves adore him
                    375              Give praise and glory unto God
                    376              Joyful, joyful, we adore thee
                    377, 378      All people that on earth do dwell
                    390              Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
                    396, 397      Now thank we all our God
                    398              I sing the almighty power of God
                    399              To God with gladness sing
                    400              All creatures of our God and King
                    401              The God of Abraham praise
                    408              Sing praise to God who reigns above
                    409              The spacious firmament on high
                    410              Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
                    413              New songs of celebration render
                    414              God, my King, thy might confessing
                    416              For the beauty of the earth
                    421              All glory be to God on high
                    423              Immortal, invisible, God only wise
                    428              O all ye works of God, now come
                    430              Come, O come, our voices raise
                    431              The stars declare his glory
                    432              O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
                    492              Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness
                    518              Christ is made the sure foundation
 
After the Declaration of Intent or Sequence
          138              All praise to you, O Lord
          350              O God of love, to thee we bow
          351              May the grace of Christ our Savior
          352              O God, to those who here profess
          353              Your love, O God, has called us here
          612              Gracious Spirit, Holy ghost
          709              O God of Bethel, by whose hand
 Offertory
          138              All praise to you, O Lord
          351              May the grace of Christ our Savior
          581              Where charity and love prevail
          593              Lord, make us servants of your peace
          612              Gracious Spirit, Holy ghost
          709              O God of Bethel, by whose hand
 
Communion
          312              Strengthen for service, Lord
          351              May the grace of Christ our Savior
          635              If thou but trust in God to guide thee
          645, 646      The King of love my shepherd is
          663              The Lord my God my shepherd is
          664              My Shepherd will supply my need
     
Exit
          373              Praise the Lord! Ye heaves adore him
          375              Give praise and glory unto God
          376              Joyful, joyful, we adore thee
          390              Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
          396, 397      Now thank we all our God
          408              Sing praise to God who reigns above
          410              Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
          414              God, my King, thy might confessing
          416              For the beauty of the eart
          421              All glory be to God on high
          432              O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height
          635              If thou but trust in God to guide thee
                   
  Other Musical Suggestions
          Entrance
          Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Johann Sebastian Bach         
          Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel
          The Prince of Denmark’s March, Jeremiah Clarke
          Trumpet Voluntary, Henry Purcell
           Prelude to the “Te Deum,” Marc-Antoine Charpentier
          Rondeau, Jean-Joseph Mouret
          Overture to the Music for the Royal Fireworks, George Frideric Handel
                   
          Exit
          Trumpet Voluntary, John Stanley
          Allegro maestoso from the Water Music Suite, Handel
          Rigaudon, André Campra
          Wedding March, Felix Mendelssohn
          Hymn to Joy (from Symphony 9), Ludwig van Beethoven