Weddings
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Along with the excitement and joy that goes with celebrating the sacrament of marriage, many questions arise as to what is required for marriage preparation. Listed below are all the steps, with pertinent information, which must be carefully reviewed and completed in preparation for your Orthodox wedding.
The Clergy and Cathedral staff are here to welcome you and provide everything you will need to celebrate your marriage in the Church.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Cathedral Office at any time.
Please read everything carefully as all items must be completed no later than two months before the wedding.
Member in Spiritual and Financial Good Standing
In order to reserve the date for your wedding and have it officially entered into the parish calendar, you must be a member in good standing.
How do you know if you are in good standing with the Cathedral? If you are already attending church on a regular basis, participating in the sacramental life and have demonstrated ongoing financial support by being a current pledged steward of the church, then you are a member in spiritual and financial good standing and there is no fee for the use of the Cathedral.
If you meet the criteria above but have not yet pledged and given for the current year click button below.
If you do not meet the criteria above, which means you are not already a current supporting member of the Cathedral, offering financial donations on a regular basis, then there is a usage fee. In order to reserve your wedding date, the usage fee is $1000 for the Cathedral.
If the groom or bride is a member of a parish other than the Annunciation Cathedral, his (her) parish Priest must be asked to furnish a letter confirming their spiritual and financial good standing. The usage fee for an Orthodox Christian in spiritual and financial good standing of another Orthodox Parish in canonical good standing will be $750.
50% of the usage fee will be paid at the time the wedding is reserved and officially entered into the parish calendar, with the balance to be paid no later than 30 days before the wedding.
Orthodox from another Jurisdiction
If you are an Orthodox Christian from another jurisdiction and would like to rent the Cathedral for your wedding there will be a rental fee of $2000.
Before the wedding may be reserved and officially entered into the parish calendar, the Cathedral Clergy must seek permission from the Metropolis of Atlanta for the wedding to take place.
Please fill out the Request for Sacrament Form below.
Visiting Clergy
We welcome Orthodox Clergy to participate in the Sacrament of Marriage, and we ask that they follow protocol by notifying the Cathedral Clergy in advance. It is the responsibility of the wedding couple to also inform the Cathedral Clergy if they wish to invite any guest clergy. If they are Orthodox Christian clergy in communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, there are no obstacles for them to serve alongside the Cathedral Clergy. The Cathedral Clergy will assign the different parts of the service to each clergyman.
Non-Orthodox clergy— Non- Orthodox clergy are not permitted to concelebrant in the Sacrament of Marriage nor wear any type of vestments from their tradition. At the conclusion of the sacrament, if they choose, they will be acknowledged and may read a suitable prayer or address brief words of good wishes to the couple and guests. They will be offered a special seat of honor in front of the first pew.
The Orthodox Sponsor (Koumbaro/Koumbara)
The sponsor(s) must be at least 12 years of age and of the Orthodox faith.
The sponsor(s) is (are) covered under family stewardship until the age of 21 at which time he or she is expected to assume his or her individual financial obligation.
Members of the Cathedral must have a current-year stewardship pledge and donations towards the amount pledged.
If the sponsor(s) is (are) married, he or she is covered under the spouse's stewardship.
If the sponsor(s) is (are) married, his or her marriage must have been blessed in the Orthodox Church.
If the sponsor(s) is (are) divorced, he or she must have an Ecclesiastical divorce. Click HERE for more details.
If the sponsor(s) is (are) a member of another parish, he or she must furnish a letter from their parish Priest confirming their spiritual and financial good standing and their eligibility to be a sponsor.
Non-Orthodox may not be the official Sponsor but may serve as bestman/maid or matron of honor.
Steps to complete before wedding may take place
Step 1: Filling out the Request for Sacrament Form
This form is essential in preparing for your wedding along with requesting a date.
Step 2: Mandatory Pre-marital Preparation
The Pre-marital preparation is divided into 4 parts.
Part I - Register for the Journey to Oneness Pre-marital Seminar provided by the Cathedral. This must be completed before continuing to Part II.
Part II - This is a requirement of the Metropolis of Atlanta and must be completed before continuing to Part III. (Please note that all information and fees about this seminar can be found on the Metropolis of Atlanta Website.)
Part III and Part IV - Meeting with the Clergy
The Clergy would like to meet and get to know you as a couple. They want to begin a pastoral relationship with you to minister to your needs.
Part III - Meeting with Fr. Paul - During the meeting with Fr. Paul you will need to bring the workbooks from Part II. Meetings can be set up in-person or via zoom. A follow-up meeting may be scheduled as needed.
Part IV - Meeting with Fr. Christos - During the meeting with Fr. Christos you will fill out the Affidavit for License to Marry paperwork. Meetings can be set up in-person or via zoom. (Please note the Affidavit for License to Marry paperwork must be completed at least two months before the wedding to allow for proper processing time.)
The following items will need to be obtained and Submitted to Fr. Christos at least Two months in advance of the Wedding.
Metropolis of Atlanta Affidavit for License to Marry (Provided by Fr. Christos to be completed)
The following documents are a requirement for marriage in the Orthodox Church:
Baptismal Certificate or Transcript for Groom
Baptismal Certificate or Transcript for Bride
Certificate of completion of Metropolis “Journey to Marriage” Seminar
The following documents are required if you have been previously married in or out of the Orthodox Church:
Please note that if you have been previously married in the Orthodox Church you must have obtained your Ecclesiastical Divorce Decree before setting the date for your wedding.
If previously married, Legal Divorce papers are required for Groom.
If previously married, Legal Divorce papers are required for Bride.
If married in the Orthodox Church and Divorced, Ecclesiastical Divorce Decree is required for Groom.
If married in the Orthodox Church and Divorced, Ecclesiastical Divorce Decree is required for Bride.
If married civilly, (to current groom or bride) civil paperwork is required from that wedding.
The following document is required if your former spouse is deceased:
If a former spouse is deceased, a death certificate must be presented.
No later than the day before the wedding the prospective bride and bridegroom must furnish the cathedral wedding coordinator or the Clergy with a civil marriage license obtained from any county of the State of Georgia.
Please check your county’s website for the information you will need to obtain the civil license. At the completion of Part II, a copy of the certificate from the Metropolis of Atlanta may be given to your local county for a discount on your marriage license. Please note that not all counties have a discount for marriage licenses.
Step 3: Cathedral Wedding Information
The information from this form is used to create the wedding certificate that comes from the Metropolis of Atlanta along with the official records of the wedding that remain part of the Cathedral archives.
Step 4: Media Consent and Release Form
This form is a consent to live-stream the wedding taking place and to archive it on YouTube. It is completely optional and free of charge.
Step 5: Scheduling the Wedding Rehearsal Date
Rehearsals are scheduled the day before the wedding at 5pm. The Cathedral's Wedding Rehearsal Coordinator’s fee of $75 must be paid directly to the Coordinator on the day of the rehearsal. This person will not be present on the day of the wedding. The couple's wedding planner/coordinator must attend the rehearsal to become familiar with the wedding protocol.
Step 6: Reviewing the Following Important Information:
ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE WEDDING
Crowns (Stephana)
Two rings
Two candles
Silver tray (Koufeta optional)
Common Cup (provided by Cathedral)
General Wedding Information
There is a damage deposit of $200 for use of the Bride’s Room, which is returned after the wedding if the room is left in proper order. (Please assign someone to be responsible for leaving the room in order.)
The Cathedral and Bride's Room will be open TWO (2) HOURS prior to the wedding for set up and ONE (1) HOUR after the wedding ceremony.
Decorations on pews may be placed or tied with ribbons. A damage fee of $500 will be collected if any decor is glued/stapled, etc.
Only artificial flower petals may be thrown by the flower girl.
No large flower arrangements should be put on the Solea, in front of the Icon Screen, or on the arch above the Royal Doors of the Altar.
Liturgical items that are on Solea are not to be moved for the ceremony or for pictures before, during, or after the ceremony.
A list of approved organists is available. Any other organist must contact the Cathedral office.
Hymns to be played must be approved by the Clergy. (See Metropolis of Atlanta Protocol about music.)
If you have someone designated to take pictures, please have them see one of the Clergy for directions and guidelines before beginning the sacrament. If they have never photographed in the Cathedral, please have them read the letter for photographers.
On site reception venue may be reserved through Proof of the Pudding.
If you are planning to hand out any kind of pamphlet or brochure, please let the Clergy review it to check its accuracy prior to printing.
If you are looking for an explanation of the service, here is a brief example.
Here are some suggested vendors that can assist with your wedding plans.
Invitations and Honorariums
If you wish for the clergy to attend the wedding reception, you may do so by inviting them as you would any other guest. Due to time constraints the clergy may not be able to attend the wedding reception.
An honorarium to the Clergy, Chanter and Sexton is traditional for the wedding and may be offered at your discretion.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Cathedral Office at any time.
May God's blessing be upon you as you plan for your wedding and your new life together! Congratulations!