Weddings

Policy Guidelines on Wedding Services at St Andrew’s Cathedral

I. Solemnization or Blessings Service

1. Marriage is a gift of God and a means of His grace, a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh. It is God’s purpose that the couple shall be united in the same love as Christ is united with His Church.¹

2. Couples are strongly encouraged to have their marriage solemnized at the church wedding. Couples planning marriage are discouraged from opting for a two-stage process of marriage; i.e. marriage solemnization and registration either at ROM or elsewhere, followed by a church blessings ceremony at a later date.

3. Solemnization and registration of marriage in Cathedral is for those who have not gone through a civil wedding. For those who have gone through a civil wedding, a Blessings Service in Cathedral may be arranged for the couple, under exceptional circumstances. In which case, the couple must see the Pastor in charge of Marriage & Family Life for pastoral counsel and advice at the earliest opportunity before deciding on a 2-stage process of marriage, i.e. solemnization followed by a blessings service.

4. Couples planning marriage are strongly advised to be married in the church in which they intend to worship in after their marriage.

II. Eligibility for Solemnization or Blessings in Cathedral

1. For the couple seeking to be married in the Cathedral:

• Both must be single and baptized believers.
• At least one must be a confirmed member of good standing² in the Cathedral.

2. It is compulsory for the couple to be prepared for marriage by attending SAC’s Marriage Preparation Course, conducted twice a year in the Cathedral. Couples must complete at least 80% of the sessions. Marriage Preparation is also done at the various Cathedral Extension Centers.

3. No solemnization or blessings ceremony will be conducted in the Cathedral if either party is a divorcee.

4. Cathedral will also not do a Blessings Service where the couple has already consummated their marriage and living together as husband and wife.

III. Guidelines for Filing Notice of Marriage in Cathedral

1. Notice of Marriage
Couples planning to get married in Cathedral have to inform the church office at least one year before the date of wedding.

a. Application forms are available at the Welcome Centre (open on weekdays) or the Info Desk (on Sundays). Forms are to be completed and submitted to Mrs. Monica Lee (63376104 Ext 115 or monicalee@livingstreams.org.sg.)

b. All applications will be processed and approval given by Pastor in charge of Marriage and Family Life. Couples may be invited to meet with the Pastor for Marriage & Family Life for a time of pastoral counsel and interview during this period.

c. All preparations for the wedding should start only after the application is processed and approved.

d. Upon approval, an officiating minister will be assigned to each couple to provide pastoral advice and to officiate at the Solemnization or Blessings of Marriage. The couple should arrange to meet up with the officiating minister at least six months before the date of wedding.

2. Use of Cathedral Premises for Wedding
The use of Cathedral premises for wedding is reserved for members of Cathedral only. The Cathedral is not open for purpose of wedding ceremonies of those from non-Anglican churches.

a. In special cases, members of other Anglican churches within the Diocese may use the Cathedral for weddings, e.g. if the church building is being renovated.

• In such situations, the Vicar of the Parish or the Priest in charge of the congregation where the couple belong shall write to the Dean/Vicar of the Cathedral for the use of the Cathedral.
• The couple to be married must also abide by the conditions of eligibility for solemnization or blessings set out in Sect II above (except for item 2).

b. Weddings may be held any day of the week, except Sunday. Wedding ceremony is commonly held on Saturdays at 10 am, 12 noon, 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm. There will be no weddings during the period of Lent and after the 2nd Saturday of December till after Christmas.

c. Couples should consult, discuss and seek the permission of Mrs. Monica Lee on the physical arrangements of the wedding, e.g. flower arrangement, choir, reception, etc

d. There will be a fee to be charged for the use of Cathedral premises.

IMPORTANT: For couples intending to have their marriage solemnized in Cathedral, they are to file a notice of marriage at the Registry of Marriage (ROM) 3 months before the day of marriage in church. The License will be ready after 21 days from the day of filing of notice of marriage.


Canon Kuan Kim Seng
Vicar, St Andrew’s Cathedral
December 2006
 

1 Marriage is a reflection of the holiness of God. The Bible consistently warns us about the sin of sex outside marriage, i.e. fornication and adultery. It is essential for those to be married to seek pastoral counsel and prayer if acts of fornication and adultery have been committed prior to the day of marriage.

2 Confirmed member of good standing in the Cathedral refers to people who are members of any of the various congregations in the Cathedral. They are active and tithing members who are on the electoral roll of the Cathedral for at least one full year before the date of application for marriage in Cathedral.