Welcome!
Warm greetings from The Parish Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle (lovingly known as St. Bart’s) located in the beautiful mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado. At the heart of its identity, St. Bart’s champions the belief that God’s love is boundless, embracing everyone regardless of where they find themselves on their journey of faith.
We have a long history as a wedding venue and love seeing couples re-visit St. Bart’s when they are in town. We hope you consider having your special day at St. Bart’s. Please contact us with questions.
Love in Christ,
The Parish Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle
Building and Grounds
St. Bart’s is a log and stone structure nestled in a picturesque rocky setting, with a stream running in front and rock out-croppings rise above. The church seats approximately 130 people and the Parish Hall can hold 110+ for a seated dinner. The lower level offers a dual purpose room that can be used as a Bride’s dressing room; a larger, multi-purpose meeting room; nursery; small kitchen; restrooms; and storage.
General Wedding Information
No public announcement of your marriage should be made until arrangements with St. Bart’s have been finalized. Because a wedding is a worship service, the Rector has final approval of the ceremony, decorations, music, liturgy, and conduct of the service.
Weddings are not typically scheduled during the Lenten Season, during Holy Week, or on Sundays. (Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Rector.)
From December 16 through Christmas Day (a busy time in the life of the parish) a wedding may be scheduled only with special permission of the Rector. Weddings scheduled between December 26 and January 6 will be held in the Church with the full Christmas decorations remaining intact. During other seasons of the year, when particular decorations are present, these will remain in the Church.
Guest Clergy
In the case of a request for a guest clergy to be a part of the service, the rector should be given their contact information at their first meeting with the rector. Clergy guest will receive an invitation to assist the rector at the Rector’s discretion.
Flowers and Decorations
All decorations are to be planned under consultation with the Rector and wedding coordinator.
Flowers may be placed on the columns in front of the altar.
Flowers and bows can be placed at the end of the pews.
All flowers on the altar will remain there for the Sunday service.
The wedding party should make arrangements with the Altar Guild if they wish to claim them after the Sunday service.The use of rice, birdseed, rose petals, confetti, artificial flowers and greenery, balloons, etc., inside the church is not permitted.
The release of balloons outside the church is not permitted.
Music
St. Bart’s Organist plans the music for all weddings in consultation with the couple and at the direction of the Rector.
St. Bart’s Organist (or a suitable replacement identified by the Organist) will play for your wedding. Any exception must be made with the consent of the Organist and may be subject to the normal fees.
Additional instrumentalists, a choir, or soloists, if desired, and their fees, can also be arranged in consultation with the Organist.
Extraordinary rehearsal time or special preparations will require a higher fee. If you wish to have music played and/or sung at your wedding, you should schedule an appointment (in person or Zoom) with the Organist two or three months prior to your wedding date.
Photographers
During the ceremony, photographers may take pictures from a stationary location without the use of flashes. Photographers should speak to the Rector prior to the service. It is permissible to videotape the service if no lights are used and if the camera is stationary on a stand. Photographs may be taken after the marriage ceremony with use of lights.
Streaming Services
The wedding ceremony can be live-streamed using St. Bart’s YouTube account. Please ask the rector for more information.
Wedding Bulletin
A worship bulletin can be prepared for the wedding service or you may print your own (Rector approval necessary). This can be produced by a printer or it can be printed by the church office with the couple paying for the cost of the printing and paper. In either case, the bulletin must be approved by the rector before it is submitted for printing.
Fee Structure
Wedding fee for a member $500
Wedding fee for a non-member $1000
St. Bart’s Organist $150