Weddings at Trinity

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Christian marriage is a sacrament — an outward, visible symbol of an inward, spiritual grace — and a sacred commitment made and celebrated in the presence of God and before the priest and congregation. Our role as the Church is to ask God’s blessing on the couple for their lifelong relationship. 

Who Can Get Married at Trinity 

All couples can be married at Trinity Church provided that at least one of the parties is a baptized Christian. 

What if I’m divorced? 

As part of the preparation for marriage, the priest will inquire about previous marriages. If the priest believes the circumstances of the previous marriage and divorce are not an impediment to another marriage, they will request the diocesan bishop’s consent for remarriage, per the policy of The Episcopal Church. 

And LGBTQIA+ couples? 

Yes, LGBTQIA+ couples can be married at Trinity. 

Can we have a ceremony in the church if we’ve already been married in a civil service? 

Yes. The Book of Common Prayer provides a service for a blessing in the church. This includes the exchange of vows and rings. 

Planning the Wedding 

What are the requirements?

Trinity requires at least six months’ notice prior to a wedding. If either party was previously married and divorced, and the former spouse is not deceased, eight months’ notice is required to allow time for the consent for remarriage process.

The couple must engage in premarital preparation with a priest. Typically, three hours of preparation is required.

You can be married at Trinity Church or in the Chapel of All Saints inside Trinity Church.

You’ll choose a preferred wedding date from a list of predesignated days. (Please complete the Wedding Inquiry form to receive this list.) Your preferred date will be confirmed upon receipt of a security deposit.

After the date is scheduled, you’ll work directly with a priest to prepare for your ceremony. Trinity does not engage with wedding planners or other representatives.

There must be two witnesses at the ceremony. 

What is the ceremony like? 

Wedding ceremonies at Trinity Church must conform to the regular pattern of the church’s worship, as laid out in The Book of Common Prayer and its supplements. The structure of the marriage rite allows for some variation, which can be discussed with the priest officiating the ceremony.

The priest is required to use the vows as they are set out in the prayer book, and the couple may not write their own vows. The priest will work with the couple to select readings. 

Can we have the Celebration of Holy Eucharist at our wedding? 

Yes, the format of the marriage rite that includes the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist is known as the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage. The rite without communion is called an Order for Marriage, which is a shorter, simpler service.

Both services include a procession, readings, prayers, a homily, the exchange of vows and rings, and a blessing of the marriage. Either is appropriate and can be discussed with the priest. All baptized people, regardless of Christian denomination, are welcome to partake in Holy Communion at Trinity. 

Can other clergy assist in the ceremony? 

Clergy from other Episcopal churches, denominations, or faiths may assist with approval from the vicar. Only Trinity clergy are permitted to preside over the service and officiate the exchange of vows and the marriage blessing. 

Do we need to provide our own marriage license? 

Yes, and the marriage license must be brought to the rehearsal of the ceremony. Both parties must appear together at any office of a city clerk in New York state. In Manhattan, the Marriage License Bureau is in the Office of the City Clerk, 141 Worth Street, near City Hall. The website for applications and appointments is: cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-license. 

Additional Details 

Venue

Trinity Church holds up to 550 guests, while the more intimate Chapel of All Saints (inside Trinity Church) holds up to 70 guests. Outside food and drink are not permitted. 

Music

You can choose music from a list of recommendations; other selections require approval. Wedding music reflects and enriches the sacred nature of the ceremony; therefore, popular songs and showtunes are not appropriate for the liturgy. A parish organist will be assigned to your wedding and is included in the Wedding Services Fee; additional musicians and vocalists are available for an additional fee ($350 each). Guest musicians, including friends or family, are subject to approval by Trinity Church, and professional materials from musicians such as biography and/or a demo recording may be requested for approval. 

Flowers and Decorations

Trinity Church has a floral arrangement made for every Sunday that must remain in place and cannot be altered. Color consideration may be requested for the Sunday arrangement (but is not guaranteed); any additional floral arrangements must be made through Trinity’s florist. For safety and sanitation reasons: aisle runners, rice, confetti, or rose petals are not permitted.

Photo and Video

You can hire photographers, pending their signature of our photography agreement. Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony, and posed photos are allowed before or after the ceremony.

Outside videographers are not permitted. For an additional fee ($1,800), Trinity provides videography, with a private livestream and recording.

Fees

Wedding Services Fee: $5,000 
Security deposit: $1,000 
Total: $6,000

To reserve the date, the security deposit must be paid. Half of the Wedding Services Fee must be paid after signing the Wedding Services Agreement. The security deposit is refundable but may be forfeited under certain conditions, as defined in the Wedding Services Agreement. Your final payment is due one month prior to your wedding.