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WEDDING GUIDELINES
Thank you for inquiring about celebrating your marriage at Fairview United Church. The following information is provided to assist you in planning your wedding. We want to help you prepare for both your wedding and your marriage. We hope that your wedding day and your continuing relationship will be blessed by God and filled with love, joy and meaning.
Approved 16 February 2003
Revised 18 February 2009
This is what we believe about the Covenant of Marriage:
“For Christians, our relationship with God and with each other is rooted in our understanding of covenant. We know God as faithful, loving, compassionate and just. We are called to embody this in our own relationships with each other.
“Relationships cannot thrive and grow in isolation. They need the encouragement, nurture, support and accountability of community. Thus, Covenants of Marriage are public. In the church we celebrate such covenants in the public worship of God”
(From “Celebrate God’s Presence: A Book of Services”)
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In light of this understanding of the Covenant of Marriage, the Church Council and Congregation of Fairview United Church adopts the following guidelines for conducting marriages in the sanctuary:
Requesting a Wedding
- Requests for weddings will be considered by the Church Council after the Minister has met with you and agreed to preside at your wedding. All wedding requests will then be presented to the Church Council.
- At your initial meeting with the Minister, your requested time and date of the wedding will be discussed. We ask that you provide a $200 deposit to confirm the date. In case of a change in your plans, your deposit will be returned to you. A date for a wedding rehearsal will also be set, usually for the Thursday or Friday night before the wedding.
Presiding
- Only the appointed Minister of Fairview United Church will preside at weddings. Couples wishing to have other clergy assist in their wedding ceremony must discuss this possibility with the presiding minister.
Music
- Once your wedding date has been confirmed, the church Music Director must be contacted. If the Music Director is unavailable to play, a reduction will be made in the required fees. All music chosen must be approved by the Minister and appropriate to the Christian service of worship, expressing our faith in God and God’s active presence in our relationships.
Pre-Marriage Counselling
- Couples wishing to marry in Fairview United Church are required to participate in a Pre-Marriage Course. Dates and locations for these courses can be obtained from the Church Office. The cost of this course is the responsibility of the couple.
Marriage License
- A Marriage License must be obtained well in advance of the wedding date. The license can be obtained at City Hall or various other locations, and once issued is valid for three months. The license must be delivered to the Church Office at least three weeks before the wedding date.
Photography
- A wedding is a service of worship, so we do not allow any pictures to be taken during the service. However, there are other appropriate times in which pictures may be taken such as during the processional, recessional and signing of the register. A single stationary video camera may be used at the discretion of the Minister.
Decorations
- Arrangements for delivery of flowers or decorations must be made with the Church Office. When decorating church pews please use only fishing line, clear thread, or elastics to attach your decorations. Please, no tacks, nails, glue, or tape. All decorating must be done ½ hour prior to your rehearsal.
- Please, no confetti on church property and no bubbles in the sanctuary!
Required Fees
- Fees include the use of the church for the rehearsal and ceremony, the professional services of the Minister and Music Director, and cleaning the sanctuary for the service. If the Music Director does not play at your wedding, a reduction in fees may apply.
- Persons who are not current members or adherents of Fairview United Church: $650
Persons who are current members or adherents, or have a parent who is a current member or adherent of Fairview United Church: $450
- A $200 deposit is due at the time of booking and the balance of the fees is due three weeks before the wedding date. Cheques are to be made payable to Fairview United Church.
Additional Notes
All decisions regarding conduct of marriage using the above guidelines will be at the discretion of the Minister and in consultation with the Church Council if necessary.
For additional information or to arrange an appointment with the minister, please contact the church.
for a printable version of these Guidelines click here Wedding_Guidelines_revised_2009
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