Responsibilities of the committee to oversee the marriage:
1. To meet with the couple to discuss plans for the wedding, including the choice of a person to read the certificate and one to close the meeting, and to arrange for the rehearsal.
a. Who will explain Quaker marriage in worship? Who will close worship?
b. Who will care for and read the certificate?
c. Will there be readings or music?
d. Are there elements from their family faith or cultural traditions that they wish to include?
e. Will there be attendants? greeters?
f. Do special parking arrangements need to be made? Parking attendants?
g. Any special seating arrangements?
h. Will there be any refreshments at the meetinghouse? Caterers, dishware, tablecloths, flowers?
i. How will they handle photography/video/recording?
j. Is childcare needed?
k. Has the meeting house been reserved for rehearsal and wedding?
l. Have guest accommodations been arranged?
m. Rings, flowers, permanent ink pens for certificate, program/ handout about Quaker marriage?
2. To see in advance that all applicable legal requirements have been met and that the proper license has been obtained; also to see that both sections of the license are dated and signed by the couple following the wedding and by two members of the committee as witnesses and that the proper section of the license thus signed is returned to the office from which it was obtained within the time required by law.
3. To see that the marriage and reception, if any, are accomplished with dignity, reverence,
4. To arrange for the care of the certificate following the meeting for worship and to see that it is signed by those who were present as witnesses.
5. To deliver the certificate to the recorder for copying or duplication for the records of the monthly meeting and to give the recorder an address to which the certificate may be returned.
6. To report to the monthly meeting whether the marriage has been suitably accomplished; whether the applicable legal requirements have been satisfied; whether the certificate has been properly recorded; and to report any name changes that result from the marriage for the recording in the minutes of the monthly meeting, for the quarterly meeting and for the yearly meeting.
Additional Responsibilities of the Committee to Oversee the Marriage
- Familiarize yourself with all the information included in this document.
- Consult with the Committee on Clearness as seems necessary.
- Contact the Housekeeper (via Buildings and Grounds) to make sure the Meetinghouse is cleaned shortly before the wedding.
- Clear the date with the Meeting Calendar (via Buildings & Grounds) and put the date on the calendar.
- Make sure the couple is familiar with the rules for using the Meetinghouse specifically in reference the fact that there can be no alcoholic beverages served and there is no smoking in any part of the Meetinghouse or outside on the grounds.
- Be sure the cost for using the Meetinghouse is clear with non-members and that a donation (ideally close to the rental cost) is appreciated of members and long-term attenders. Receptions in the Meetinghouse can be offered only to members and long-term attenders.
- Check that Meetinghouse clean-up is accomplished properly after the event.
- Be familiar with the necessary information about the Certificate of Marriage found in its own section of this document.
- Maintain an ongoing relationship with the newly married couple, especially within the first six months, to assure them of interest in their marriage and the newly created home. Overseers should convey their convictions about the importance of the permanence of marriage, as a contract made in the presence of God.
- Present a Meetinghouse plate to the couple.
- Acknowledge difficulties and challenges in a marriage.