For Those Contemplating Holy Matrimony
At The Church Of The Ascension

Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. This means that the couple intends to live their life together in the context of the worshiping community. While we are happy to perform weddings for members, we do not view our Church as a wedding Chapel for those who have no intention to participate in the spiritual life of the parish.

The solemnization of Holy Matrimony between a man and a woman is a service of worship in the Episcopal Church (Book of Common Prayer, page 423); consequently, persons participating in weddings should see to it that their conduct and apparel at both the wedding rehearsal and the actual service is in good taste.

In the Episcopal Church, the direction of the services is vested in the Rector subject to certain conditions. Canon 44, Section 1 (a). The control of the worship and spiritual jurisdiction of the parish are vested in the Rector, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Canons of the Church, and the Godly counsel of the Bishop. All other ministers of the parish, by whatever name they be designed, are to be regarded as under the authority of the Rector.

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. The ceremony must be attested by at least two witnesses. The marriage must conform to the laws of the State and the canons of the Episcopal Church.

The clergy do not delegate the conduct of rehearsals or marriage ceremonies to non-staff clergy or other persons.

It will be necessary to set dates and time for conferences with the officiating clergyman. Cannon 17 Section 2b reads: "no minister of this church shall solemnize any marriage unless he shall have instructed the parties as to the nature of Holy Matrimony." If either party has been in marriage that ended in a divorce, there are additional requirements that must be met. Also, a copy of the final divorce decree for that marriage is to be presented to the Priest for examination.

A date and time should be reserved for a conference with Altar Guild representatives regarding details concerning decorations and preparations for the wedding rehearsal and the actual service.

• Wedding consultants are not utilized in weddings at The Church of the Ascension.
• All procedures of the rehearsal and wedding are under the sole direction of the officiating clergyman.
• No professional wedding consultants or friends of the participating families shall supersede the church*s requirements.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Marriage License

A Marriage License is required and is issued by the State of Texas. This is obtained not more than 21 days or less than 3 days prior to the date of your wedding from:

Harris County Administration Bldg.
County Clerk*s Office
1001 Preston (4th floor)

The Branch Offices of the County Clerk also issue Marriage Licenses. You can find out more from the County Clerk's web site.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The license is to be given to the Priest before or at the rehearsal. He will sign it and return the original directly to the County Clerk. You will receive the formal document in the mail once it has been duly recorded by the State of Texas.

Testimony of Conformity

This is a statement that both parties intend to comply with the Marriage Laws of the State of Texas and the Canonical requirements and policies of the Church. The document to be completed is available here.

E Mail us at the Parish Office or call us at (713) 781-1330 for more details.