Weddings

THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

Congratulations - You are getting married!


We share your joy and want to help you to both celebrate and confirm your decision! We will provide you and your fiancé with the best marriage and wedding preparation we can! Click on each of the following topics to find out more about our approach to marriage, and some specifics about preparing for your wedding ceremony.

■ Weddings & Marriage: Our Approach

Weddings are wonderful events. For many of you, your wedding day represents the most important day of your life. Yet as exciting and magnificent as a wedding is, it represents a mere twinkle in a journey along life's pathway together. We hope that our time together will be helpful as you make your wedding plans. Of greater importance, however, is the need for both of you to find this time valuable as you prepare for married life.

In our times together, we will suggest resources each of you can take advantage of to deepen your relationship, build on the choices you have made, and help you to discover new ideas and thoughts about each other. It is important to take this time to reflect on yourself, and your chosen one and that you discover where God is in your relationship. It is vital for the wellness of marriage to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the gifts, the strengths, the weaknesses, and the needs that two people bring to a relationship. The greatest gift a couple can give each other during this time leading up to your wedding is good marriage preparation! While you are planning for one day, it is a lifetime that you intend to share!

We sincerely hope that you experience a long and happy marriage. The church represents a holy place where people are called to celebrate the joys of their relationship before God, family and friends. As a holy place it is dedicated to God's agenda for covenant relationships. In this regard, it is necessary that we take seriously our responsibility to help couples understand the expectations of the church in respect of Christian marriage.

A Christian marriage is a holy ritual - a sign of God's active involvement in the life of a couple and a sign of the life of the whole Church. When a couple enters marriage, they are not doing a "one time thing." They enter a process of growth, discovery and learning together, believing that the love which energized Jesus Christ lives in them also.

Married Christians can claim to make Jesus' love visible to the world around them, precisely because Jesus extends the Covenant through them to the world. Christian marriage is a "gift" to the world in which God has called us to grow and love and be creative.
■Use of the Church
It is important to arrange for your wedding well before the proposed date. Making sure of this in advance is necessary before finalizing your plans for a reception hall, the printing of invitations, etc. Please take time to complete the application form and submit it to the Church Office as soon as possible. The church office may be contacted Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
■Interviews with the Minister
Several interviews will be scheduled with the minister to assist him in knowing who you are, what your dreams and aspirations for your marriage are, and what plans you may have for the wedding ceremony. This is your opportunity to make your wedding as unique and personal as you are. Enjoy this time together and remember that the church is always there for you, not just in this celebration of marriage, but also in the future.
■Music for Your Wedding
Music for the wedding is your responsibility. Arrangements should be made directly with the organist. In addition, there are excellent hymns or songs that can be sung by family and friends as part of your wedding service. Please ensure that the organist is consulted well before the wedding date (at least 30-45 days before) and that the music for the pieces you have chosen is available. You may supply your own musician providing they can competently play our instruments.
■The Marriage License

A Marriage License is obtained at the Hamilton City Hall or at any Municipal Service Centre in the City of Hamilton. It is your responsibility to meet whatever requirements you need for issuing this license. Call ahead if you have any questions in this regard. Currently, licenses are good for 90 days and there is no waiting period. We ask that you bring the license into the Church Office two weeks before your wedding date so we can complete the required paperwork to register your marriage.

■The Wedding Rehearsal
The rehearsal will be held at the convenience of the Wedding Party and Staff of the Church. Please discuss the rehearsal time arrangements with the Minister and/or Wedding Hostess at the time you confirm the date of your wedding. It is expected that all members of the wedding party and those taking part in the service will be in attendance, and that the rehearsal will begin on time.
■Decorating the Church
Arrangements should be made to decorate the church with the Wedding Hostess. If flowers are to be delivered, arrangements must be made with the Wedding Hostess at least one week prior to the Wedding. Flower stands and candelabras are available. If candles are to be used, we ask you to provide the necessary number of candles (fourteen for the candelabra, and/or two for candle-lighting - "Two Become One" ceremony). Slow-burning and drip-less type (beeswax) candles are preferred.  Please be advised that the use of confetti is strictly prohibited and its use will incur extra clean-up charges.
■Photography & Videography
Because a Christian Wedding is a service of worship, we ask that no flash photography be taken from the time the minister begins the service until the benediction is pronounced. Your professional photographer may take pictures during the ceremony from the back, without flash. Videotaping will be permitted, but only from a fixed position arranged in consolation with the minister.  Both should attend the rehearsal, where possible.
■Inviting the Minister to Your Reception
The Minister and Your Reception
The minister may or may not be available to attend the wedding reception. It is not necessary for the minister to be included.  If it is your intention to include the minister and his spouse in the reception, please add the minister to the invitation list and send an invitation. Please discuss with the minister any involvement he may have at the reception.
■Fees

The fees for weddings at Faith United are reviewed annually by the committees responsible and approved by the Unified Board. Please discuss the fees with the Minister or the Church Secretary. Fees include Minister, Organist, Custodian/Wedding Hostess, and use of the Church. A Deposit is required when booking your wedding. The balances of the fees, together with your Marriage License are to be in the church office two weeks prior to your wedding date. Please make all cheques payable to Faith United Church. Cash is also acceptable.

■After Your Wedding
When you settle down in the community, we would be glad to have you worship with us and be part of our church family, if you are not already. A growing faith can best be nurtured in the worship and fellowship of a church community. The minister is interested in you. If you have any questions or problems call for an appointment. Ministers are trained and prepared to offer help or to make referrals if necessary.
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