[Magdalen] Weddings during Advent?

[Marion Thompson]

Don't marry in Lent.
Repent!  Repent!

I can't say it worked well for me in the long run, but at the time there 
weren't many practical options.  As a nod to the season, I got the choir 
(the start of the Marion Singers) to sing a couple of penitential 
ditties before the bride entered. :-D  'Hide not thou thy face O Lord' 
and 'Lord for thy tender mercies sake'.

Marion, a pilgrim

On 11/6/2015 6:34 AM, Christopher Hart wrote:
> Hence the old ditty:
> Don't marry in Advent, don't marry in Lent,
> Without first obtaining the bishop's consent.
>
> On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 10:39 PM, Scott Knitter <scottknitter at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 8:48 PM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> Is there any restriction about performing weddings during Advent? I've
>> never had it come up, but someone asked that question today. I don't know
>> where to look, because I don't even know where the proscription about
>> weddings during Lent is found; I just know that's what I was told.
>>
>> I agree with Jim H that there's no exclusion of marriage in Advent. I
>> don't see anything in the BCP or Constitution and Canons.
>>
>> Here's something I found from RC circles...of course, they don't apply
>> to us, but I could imagine some folks taking this approach even if not
>> required:
>> "A wedding may be celebrated at any season of the year, although
>> during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent couples are asked by
>> the Church to consider the special nature of these times and keep it
>> simple. On Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, the liturgy of the
>> Sunday with the wedding rites inserted is used."
>>
>> And in the venerable traditional Ritual Notes (which presumes a Church
>> of England of the Catholic variety) puts it this way:
>> "Marriage should not be solemnized during the 'closed seasons,' i.e.
>> from Advent Sunday to Christmas day, and from Ash Wednesday to Easter
>> day, all inclusive. This does not mean that weddings are altogether
>> forbidden in those seasons, for marriage (when in the opinion of the
>> bishop there is sufficient justification) may at all times be lawfully
>> and canonically contracted; and recent rulings now permit the nuptial
>> blessing to be given at all times, even in Advent and Lent, except on
>> the last three days of Holy week and on All Souls' day. If marriage is
>> contracted in such circumstances the customary social festivities
>> should be omitted and all display avoided."
>>
>> So I think one can conclude there are really no actual restrictions.
>> Or one can conclude that there should be some scaling back of
>> festivities in keeping with a preparatory or penitential season. Or
>> not...just interesting to consider.
>>
>> --
>> Scott R. Knitter
>> Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA
>>
>
>