Weddings at Grace Cathedral

The commitment to a life-long union is a very special one, and we are happy that you are thinking of making Grace Cathedral the setting for your wedding. We hope that the following information will help to answer some of the more commonly asked questions. For more information, contact Mary Wood at (415) 749-6327 or weddings@gracecathedral.org.

WHO MAY BE MARRIED AT GRACE CATHEDRAL? It is not necessary to be a member of the cathedral congregation, or to be an Episcopalian, to be married here. Nevertheless, a marriage in the cathedral is different from a ceremony which takes place at City Hall or another location. We hope that couples who come to the cathedral seeking God's blessing on their relationship will be open to a discussion of the spiritual nature of that relationship and the place of God in their lives. The canon law of the Episcopal Church does require that at least one of the couple must be a baptized Christian.

WHO MAY OFFICIATE? Clergy on the staff of the cathedral normally officiate at all weddings. Clergy are assigned according to their availability on the date in question. Other Episcopal clergy are welcome at the cathedral, and should request to officiate here by letter to the Dean. Clergy of other denominations, including those of other faith traditions, may assist the Episcopal priest.

SCHEDULING: Weddings are most often scheduled on Saturdays. They may also be scheduled on weekdays (Monday-Friday) subject to the requirements of the cathedral calendar. Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays, during Holy Week or during most of the month of December. The times available for Saturday weddings are: 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm. Please e-mail or call the wedding administrator if you need more information or to check specific dates and times.

THE ORDER OF SERVICE AND TEXTS: Weddings in the cathedral use the order for "The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage" found beginning on page 422 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is the text used for scriptural readings. When you visit the cathedral, you may want to take the time to read the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer, which is the red book found in the pews.

PREMARITAL COUNSELING: Several sessions of premarital counseling are required of all couples. These sessions normally take place during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Couples who reside far from San Francisco may make arrangements for counseling in their home areas; the counseling clergy will confirm with the officiating cathedral clergy when the counseling has been completed.

MUSIC: Music is subject to the same standards and policies as music for any cathedral service. Only sacred music may be performed; popular music in the form of secular love songs or romantic ballads is not suitable. Hymns may be sung during the service by the congregation. We will provide you with a CD of music suitable for the entering and retiring processions. Exceptions to this are subject to approval by the Music Department.

FLOWERS: Only previously approved florists prepare flower arrangements for any area of the cathedral. We will provide you with a list of approved florists. For safety reasons, pew-end arrangements which contain candles are not permitted.

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOTAPING: These are permitted within specified guidelines. No flash photographs may be taken during the service by anyone. The verger will determine where video cameras and photographers may be located. An information/permission form will be provided for your photographer and/or videographer containing complete rules and regulations.

The cathedral's media professionals can provide you with a digital audio recording of your wedding in the nave or quire. They can also webcast the audio of the service. Both of these services are available at an additional fee.

COSTS: Please call or email us for a complete list of current fees. The package price includes the counseling, clergy honorarium, organist's fee, verger's fee, sound engineer's fee (nave and quire), space use fees for the church, including rehearsal time and space, dressing areas and time for photography.

A deposit of approximately 25% of the full fee is required to confirm a date on the cathedral calendar. Ceremonies will be rescheduled, if necessary, but the deposit is non-refundable if you cancel. Additional fees apply for the carillon, cathedral choir, additional musicians, or any other special services