Weddings

​To all who are anticipating marriage, bless you! If you are considering a wedding here at Church of the Ascension, please join us for worship on a Sunday and introduce yourselves to one of our clergy. During a subsequent meeting with a priest, we can discuss dates and plans. COVID-19 Update: You can find the latest Covid protocols here. 

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Weddings at Ascension

During an initial meeting with clergy, we normally plan dates for pre-marital counseling and hold a date for a wedding. The main aim of this meeting is to reach an agreement between the couple and priest about overall expectations and commitments.

Premarital counseling is required --  a minimum of three 75-minute sessions, arranged with and facilitated by the priest who will preside at the wedding. On occasion the presiding priest will identify an alternative, suitable clergy or therapist, in which case separate payment to the priest or therapist for counseling time will normally pertain. In either scenario, the counseling sessions are to be completed not less than 90 days before the date of the proposed ceremony.

We traditionally use marriage rites from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. As described on the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago website, the Bishop of Chicago has authorized rites for use by gay and lesbian couples (also increasingly used by straight couples).

In anticipation of marriage, couples are expected to take part in Sunday mass at least twice a month and to participate as able in the life and ministries of the parish. 

We view marriage as a sacramental rite, a holy union. We help you prepare for a beautiful wedding day and a lasting and meaningful marriage that is an important expression of your Christian faith.

If you have been previously married, the priest will work with you to prepare a related Application to the Bishop for Judgment as to Marital Status. The Bishop requires that additional counseling be provided and that the application be completed and submitted at least 90 days prior to the intended date of subsequent marriage. There is no fee for the Application.

The parish Organist has the right of first refusal to play all weddings and if unavailable will find and arrange for a suitable substitute. Additionally, any additional musicians and music (vocalist, brass, strings, etc.) are normally arranged for and must be approved by the parish Organist. The organist should be contacted directly by the bride and groom at least 90 days prior to the ceremony to plan music.

Communion is a normal feature of weddings at Church of the Ascension, and related questions should be addressed to the officiating priest well in advance of the ceremony.

Printed bulletins are normally provided by the church at no cost. It is critical for the couple to be timely in communicating information so that the bulletin may be timely reviewed by the bride and groom and printed. Information should be provided at least two weeks prior to the ceremony and a final review completed five or more days prior.

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Fees

The basic wedding fee for pledging members of the parish is waived, although a voluntary thank offering is welcomed.

A $1000 wedding fee for non-members or those not otherwise regularly contributing to the parish is to be paid in full before a calendar date can be confirmed. (The fee may be reduced by the priest in instances of economic hardship.)

Additional fees for both members and non-members include:

• $350 for the parish Organist (and an additional $100 if the organist is requested for the rehearsal). Arrangements and fees for additional musicians can be separately discussed with the Organist.
• $200 for technology services -- audio-visual live-streaming and/or recording. We do not allow video recording other than by way of the church's excellent system operated by trained church staff except under extraordinary circumstances.
• $100 for the sexton (custodian) to clean the premises following the wedding;
• $75 for up to 15 parking spots in the parish parking lot (at LaSalle and Maple) for a wedding rehearsal;
• $250 for up to 35 parking spots for the wedding (or as negotiated for more cars).

The services of the clergy are free to all, though many couples make a personal gift to the priest or to the priest’s discretionary fund. The normal range of such gifts is $200-$500 and often depends upon how much time the priest has devoted to counseling and other preparations before the wedding day.

Additional fees may pertain depending on circumstances.

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Wedding Day Considerations

• The parking lot at Church of the Ascension can be an asset to wedding parties but is not normally available without prior arrangement. It is critical that exact parking needs be communicated, and related fees paid, well in advance of the rehearsal and/or wedding dates.
• Wheeler Hall, St. Michael’s Hall and the church library are available for the wedding party prior to the ceremony. Specific needs should be communicated to the presiding priest and parish office staff.
• Alcohol is appreciated at many wedding receptions but can be a negative and inappropriate feature prior to or during the wedding proper. We encourage moderate alcohol consumption only at rehearsal dinners and none on the day of the wedding prior to the ceremony. Other than the sacramental wine used for Communion, alcohol is not permitted on the church premises on wedding days.
• We prohibit the use of aisle ‘runners’ due to the risk of ‘slip and fall’ accidents.
• We are an urban location and matters of security are a consideration for all. Some couples arrange for a private security officer on the premises for the wedding day. The parish can sometimes help identify a security officer, who must be separately paid at the time of service.
• Photography and other electronic devices. We view the wedding ceremony primarily as a rite of worship. Therefore, our policies regarding photography are restrictive. Photography is welcomed during the processions in and out of the church. A few additional pictures may be taken from the balcony during the vows only. We do not allow video inside the church for any worship service. Couples are responsible for communicating our photography policies to their photographer and to share in discouraging guests from using smartphones for any purpose during the ceremony.

​The foregoing restrictions and cautions notwithstanding, we wish to make your wedding day a meaningful and joyful occasion. The parish clergy, staff and worship ministers will do their best to understand your hopes and needs and to be of service to you and your family, friends and guests. ​

To discuss your wedding, join us for worship on a Sunday and talk to one of our clergy.