Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

  • Welcome
    • News & Upcoming Events
    • Online Calendar
    • Visit SsAM on Facebook
    • eMail Sign Up
    • Welcome to SsAM Booklet
    • Worship at SsAM
    • Sunday Documents: Leaflet, Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • The use of Expansive (inclusive) Language at SsAM
    • News of Our City, Wilmington, Delaware
  • Who We Are
    • Clergy
      • Rev. David Andrews
      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
      • Rev. Emily Gibson
      • Rev. Peter Huiner
      • Rabbi in Residence Douglas E. Krantz
      • Sermons
    • Father David’s Blog
    • Vestry
      • Vestry Statements, Photos
      • Bernard Fisher, Treasurer, CPA
    • Vestry View
    • Staff
      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
    • Children’s Ministries
    • Youth & Young Families at SsAM
      • YYF Blog
    • Episcopal Church Women
    • Finance Committee
    • History of the Parish
      • History, Diocese of Delaware
      • History of Slavery in Delaware
      • History of Wilmington Garden Day
    • Member Photos
      • Photo & Video Archive
    • People Who Pray
  • What We Do
    • Services of Worship
      • Sunday Documents: Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
      • Baptisms
      • Weddings
        • Wedding Guidelines
        • Wedding Fees
      • Funerals
    • Children’s Chapel
    • Adult Education
    • Season of Creation
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Volunteer in the Community!
    • Art Slam at SsAM
    • Annual Reports
    • Website Maintenance
  • Get Involved
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Volunteer in the Community!
    • Volunteer at Worship!
    • Volunteer Behind The Scenes!
    • Caring For Creation
      • Local Food, Local Institutions
    • Invite Welcome Connect
    • Financial Contributions
    • Stewardship Posts
    • Pledge Form
    • Member Resources
  • Music
    • Choirs at SsAM
      • Choir Member Resources
    • Chorister Training Program
      • Chorister Advancement Levels
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Drumming Circle
    • Music Staff
      • David Christopher, Director of Music
      • The SsAM Staff Singers
      • Jonathan Whitney, Director of Drumming Circle and Artist in Residence
      • Tina Betz, Director of Children’s Chapel Music
      • Berna Holcomb, Music Librarian
    • Artists in Residence
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
    • Our Approach to Music and Liturgical Design at SsAM
  • Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Organ Events 2019-2020
    • Friends of the KEO
    • DONATE and become a FRIEND of the Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Tonal Specifications
    • About the Organ Renovation Project
  • Contribute
  • Contact Us
    • Directions
You are here: Home / What We Do / Services of Worship / Weddings / Wedding Guidelines

Wedding Guidelines

wedding0705cCHURCH STAFF

  1. The Rector or his designate will officiate/celebrate at all weddings at SsAM. Other clergy may be invited to participate at the invitation of the Rector.
  2. The presence of a Sexton is required for all weddings.
  3. Depending upon the size and complexity of your ceremony, a representative of the Altar Guild, known as an Arrangements Coordinator, will be appointed by the Altar Guild to assist you and your party with the ceremonial and other details related to your wedding.
  4. A representative of the Altar Guild will prepare items for the liturgy.

COUNSELING

  1. All couples are required to meet with the Rector or designated Priest for premarital pastoral counseling prior to the ceremony. Generally up to six or more hours may be scheduled throughout the period of planning and preparation. The Priest may deem it appropriate to refer a couple for professional counseling.
  2. In the case of persons who have been divorced, a formal request must be made to the Bishop of Delaware for permission to remarry.

LITURGY

  1. The development and preparation of the liturgy is the responsibility of the Rector, and the liturgy will conform to the Book of Common Prayer and/or Guidelines established by the Bishop of Delaware. Consultation with the couple is very appropriate during this process.
  2. The couple will review the liturgy with the celebrating priest and the director of music and make choices where appropriate.
  3. Additional liturgical ministers may be used as desired or necessary (readers, deacon, acolytes, etc.).
  4. Weddings at SsAM traditionally include the Eucharist. In cases where it is appropriate, the Eucharist may be omitted with the permission of the Rector.
  5. Service leaflets are typically produced through the church office. The couple may have leaflets printed at a printer, but content must be approved by the Rector and music must be approved by the director of music.

Music-For-Your-Wedding-Organ-Music-Is-Still-KingMUSIC

  1. The church’s director of music or his designate will serve as organist and music consultant for all weddings at SsAM. It is the responsibility of the couple to contact the director of music as soon as the service has been scheduled, to begin arrangements for music.
  2. All musical selections must be approved by the director of music and determined to be appropriate for a service of worship at SsAM.
  3. Additional musicians including vocalists, instrumentalists or one of the church’s choirs may be arranged through the director of music. All guest musicians must be approved in advance.

DECORATIONS

  1. Runners for weddings are allowed, but arrangements must be made with the church office 30 days in advance of the wedding date.
  2. Flower petals may not be thrown in the procession.
  3. Flowers and decorations are ultimately the responsibility of the Altar Guild. The couple should arrange for flowers with a local florist, however plans must be approved by the Altar Guild through the church’s Arrangements Coordinator.
  4. Aisle candles are not currently available through the church, but may be arranged through the florist.
  5. Decorating of pews, etc., must be done in consultation with the church’s Arrangements Coordinator. No tape or staples may be used to secure decorations to pews. No wall or window decorations are permitted.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

  1. The photographer must contact the Arrangements Coordinator at least one week prior to the date of the ceremony to discuss procedures.
  2. No flash pictures may be taken during the ceremony.
  3. Photographers are asked to respect the view of all members in the congregation and to be inconspicuous.
  4. The clergy and the party may pose for pictures either before or after the service.

BUILDING USE

  1. The church shall be opened 1 ½ hours before the wedding to accommodate the wedding party.
  2. Rooms will be provided for the women in the bridal party to gather as well as for the men.
  3. The church will be closed 30 minutes after the service has concluded.
  4. We ask that rice, birdseed and the like not be used when the couple leaves the church.
  5. If you wish to use the auditorium or the Crypt Hall for the reception, arrangements must be made through the church office.

WEDDINGS AT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SAINTS ANDREW AND MATTHEW – A HANDBOOK

Weddings at SsAM.handbook.v4 2020

Worship Services Via Video

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services!

25th anniversary logo for the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, Delaware

NEWS

SsAM 25th Anniversary Launch Party!

You are invited to our 25th Anniversary Launch Party on Sunday, January 31, 2021, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. via video.  Fun for the entire … [Read More...]

A New Day in America

I was very moved by the events of this past Wednesday, January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took the oath to be the next … [Read More...]

Worship With Us Via Video

Use Facebook to join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.! Coffee Hour follows using Zoom. On Sunday, January 3, we go back to … [Read More...]

Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS Sunday immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom code for Dec. 27 is 825 1254 7666. The passcode was emailed … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew

Our building is closed but we are busier than ever!   25th Anniversary Launch Party on Sunday, January 31, 2021, 3:00 to 4:00 … [Read More...]

Racism In America – The History We Did Not Learn In School

Sundays at 1:00 p.m., through January 24, 2021.  You are invited to develop a better understanding of how America’s race relations … [Read More...]

The Good Book Club

We are reading the Gospel of Mark! Fr. David is inviting all members of SsAM to join him reading the Gospel of Mark during the session of … [Read More...]

A Day that Will Live in Infamy

On Wednesday morning, January 6, 2021, I celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany with Morning Prayer on Facebook Live. That afternoon, the U.S. … [Read More...]

Pledge Campaign at 79% and 70%

123 pledges from families and individuals have been made to SsAM’s 2021 pledge campaign. That’s 79% of the 155 pledges we hope to receive — … [Read More...]

Pledge Form

If you want to make your pledge to SsAM for 2021, you can use this on-line form, which does NOT ask for bank account or credit card … [Read More...]

Feed The Hungry

Please make a donation to a local food pantry! Children and families in our community are going hungry. You can help! So says our church’s … [Read More...]

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Date of next march has yet to be confirmed. Since June 19, 2020, SsAM and other churches have been sponsoring … [Read More...]

Happy New Year 2021!

What a year 2020 was! Now we have so much to look forward to in 2021. The COVID vaccine is now available. In two and a half weeks, Joe Biden … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Sunday Services

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. Click here to learn more!

Sunday worship services are at 10:00 a.m. Morning and Evening Prayer are also offered, on other days.

Visit Us

Our church is closed at the moment, but when we can open, even partially, our address is

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You don’t need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Vestry View
  • Invite Welcome Connect
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
  • Episcopal Church USA
  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Digital Network
  • Forward Day By Day
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
  • Order of the Ascension
  • Congregational Development
  • Father David’s Spiritual Journey
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up
  • Vestry View

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity

Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn more about making a pledge, texting a donation, special gifts and memorials, remembering SsAM in your will, setting up debit payments from your bank, and using United Way.

Make An On-Line Donation
SsAM Logo

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2021 The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew · Log in