The Chaplain is always glad to receive enquiries from couples about Weddings or Baptisms. These are wonderful Sacraments, and always joyful family occasions and it is a privilege to be able to welcome you to St. George’s to celebrate them.

You will find that his first question is, “What is your connection with Venice? Why would you like to come to St. George’s for your special celebration?”

On these moving occasions a couple dedicate themselves, or their child, to God. This is a serious commitment and it needs the full support of Family and Friends to help you carry it out.

The normal context of these celebrations is in your Home Parish (or in the case of a Wedding, one of the couple’s home parishes) where Family, Friends and neighbours can all support you. For couples intending to travel to Venice for their special celebration, the Chaplain wants to be sure that you will have the presence of your Families and the support of your parish priest at home.

Weddings

Please contact the Chaplain first - details through Contact Us. It is helpful if you can avoid Mondays. The chaplain will want to arrange at least 3 meetings with you both, so it’s a good idea to contact him 6 months or more ahead, specially if these meetings will mean your making specal trips to Venice. Please note, the Chaplain does not accept enquiries from professional wedding planners, only from couples in person.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ANGLICAN CHAPLAINS IN ITALY ARE NOT AUTHORISED TO CONDUCT
MARRIAGES IN LAW.

The service will in fact be a Blessing of your Marriage, and you will have to obtain a legal marriage certificate beforehand, which the Chaplain has to see. (This can either be done in Venice the same morning, for which you will be well advised to get the help of the Consulate office or in advance at the Registry office near to your home, even if that is in another country).

However, that does not prevent us from having a wonderful service like a marriage, in which you will dedicate your marriage vows to God in front of all your witnesses, and we will pray for God’s Blessing on your marriage.

You may find it helpful to know the fees in advance:

• Chaplaincy Council fee (for use of the Church) € 600
• Chaplain’s fee € 150
• Church cleaner € 50
• Organist (optional, depending if you want music) € 150
• Singer (optional) € (by arrangement through the organist)

Baptisms

Again, please contact the Chaplain first - details through Contact Us. It is helpful if you can avoid Mondays.

In Baptism we welcome a new Christian into the Church, so the best context for this in the Sunday Morning service (at 10.30am.), when the Church Members are present to give that welcome.

The Chaplain will want to arrange at least two meetings with you. He will ask if you have been Baptised yourselves, and preferably Confirmed – in infant baptism, you are going to promise to bring up your child in the Christian Faith, and bring them to Confrmation. At least one of your intended Godparents must have been confirmed therefore, and all must have been baptised. It is normal for a boy to have two godfathers and one godmother, and a girl to have two godmothers and one godfather, but if this presents a problem, talk it over with the Chaplain. He will want to see you together with the Godparents before the Baptism, so please plan travel arrangements to allow for this.