Marriage is the sacramental rite of the church in which two persons "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." (BCP, p. 861). During the service, both persons promise to love, comfort, honor and keep their spouse, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to their spouse as long as they both live. (BCP, p. 424). At the marriage, the couple may pledge their lives to each other by the giving and receiving of rings as symbols of their vows. When desired, other appropriate symbols of their vows may be used instead of rings.

 

In the Episcopal Church it is required that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian, that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses and that the marriage conform to the laws of the state and the canons of the church. 

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The member of the clergy who will solemnize the marriage meets with the couple four times to prepare them for marriage. When one of the parties has been previously married and divorced, the consent of the diocesan bishop must be obtained prior to solemnization of the marriage. See Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage.

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Please note: St. Thomas affirms marriage equality.