| wedding_policy.docx |
YOUR WEDDING AT TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
The congregation of Trinity United Church is happy that you wish to be married at Trinity. This pamphlet is written with the intention of helping to make your wedding day more meaningful and as free from frustration as possible. Please feel free to discuss anything you read in it, or to raise any further questions you may have.
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE?
Marriage is not specifically a Christian institution. Although we believe it originates in God's gracious will for all people, the institution of marriage predates the birth of Christianity and is enjoyed among people who are atheist, or who belong to other religious traditions, or cultures other than our own.
Because of our origins, however, the Christian community sees in a marriage of Christian people a very real and rich symbol of the love which God, through Christ, shares with the world and all who live in it. It is with this understanding in mind that, during a Christian wedding service, the couple exchange deep and meaningful vows in the presence not only of their relatives and friends but also of God who is asked to witness and to bless the marriage.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEDDING DATE?
Before you set a definite date and time, or go to the expense of printing and sending out invitations, please contact the minister. A personal interview is required before reservations of the church facilities can be made. In addition, the minister may wish to arrange with you for a number of pre-marital interviews and the date of the wedding should be set to allow time for them.
WHAT ABOUT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS?
A valid Province of Alberta Marriage Licence must be in the hands of the officiating minister before the wedding service. It is valid for three months from the day of issue and may be obtained from an Alberta Registries agency.
Written parental consent, or that of the legal guardians, is required for a person under the age of 18 to obtain a marriage licence.
Two witnesses, both 18 years of age or more, not including the officiating minister or marriage commissioner, are required to sign the marriage registration documents.
IS A REHEARSAL NECESSARY?
So that everyone involved knows what they and the others are doing, and so that frustration and anxiety can be kept to a minimum, for all formal weddings (with processional, recessional, etc.) and for all weddings where the number of guests exceeds 20, a rehearsal is necessary.
The rehearsal, usually on the evening prior to the wedding, is usually about 30 minutes in length. All members of the wedding party, and anyone else involved in the ceremony including ushers, should be present. If an audio/visual presentation is part of the ceremony, it should be available at the rehearsal.
WILL THE MINISTER ATTEND THE RECEPTION?
If you would like the minister to attend your reception or to take any responsibility (for example, to say grace) you should discuss this with the minister when making your arrangements.
WHAT ABOUT FLOWERS?
Arrangements for flowers is the responsibility of the bridal party. Please arrange for the ushers or another family member to bring them half an hour before the wedding. Markers which cause no disfiguration may be used on the pew ends.
WHAT ABOUT MUSIC?
Arrangements for the music are ordinarily in the hands of the organist who will be pleased to discuss with you the music for your wedding service. The resident organist at Trinity must be given the first opportunity to play at your wedding. If you have another organist in mind, check with Trinity=s organist to see if other arrangements may be made. It should be clearly understood that the music (including any sung pieces) must, in the opinion of the organist and the minister, be suitable for a service of worship in the church.
WHAT ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS?
In addition to being a church service, your wedding ceremony will be carried out in such a way as to enhance the joy and meaning of this event in your lives. People moving about to take pictures is disturbing and distracting. Thus, no photographs may be taken during the main part of the wedding service except by a designated photographer and at the discretion of the Minister. However, photographs may be taken during the bridal procession, during the signing of the register, during the recession, and after the service.
Time exposures or photographs that do not require flash equipment may be taken from a permanent position as long as they do not in any way interfere with the service.
If the wedding party wishes to have photographs taken in the hall, separate arrangements must be made through the Rental Committee.
WHAT ABOUT CONFETTI?
Confetti is unbearably frustrating to clean up. We request therefore, that you ask your guests to refrain from throwing confetti in the church or on the church walks outside.
WHAT ABOUT AN OFFICIAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
As a memento of your wedding, and as a temporary certificate only, the minister will present you with a Certificate of Marriage along with a copy of the wedding ceremony. Please note however that this is not an official document. To obtain your official marriage certificate, you must apply through an Alberta Registries agent. A fee will be charged for this certificate.
THE CHURCH AND THE NEW FAMILY
Certainly the interest and concern of the church in the bride and groom does not end with the marriage service and the wedding reception. This is only the beginning of their new life together, the initial stage in the founding of a new home, and those who have shared in helping to launch the bride and groom on their way together are all vitally concerned and interested to aid them in the tremendously important task to which they have set their hands. The church is the fellowship in which Christians find, through communion with fellow Christians, the inspiration and strength for daily living, and for the achievement for their higher aspirations in common life.
AND FINALLY, WHAT ABOUT COSTS?
In recognition of the costs involved, the Board of Trinity United Church has decided that a fee of six hundred and twenty five dollars ($625) will be charged for weddings performed in the church. This fee covers utility costs, considerations for the minister, organist, audio/visual technician, and caretaker. These fees may be placed in an envelope and given to the minister along with the license the evening of the rehearsal. Hall rental costs for photographs, receptions etc. are separate and should be discussed with the rental committee.
The minister shall use her/his discretion in waiving or lowering the fees in extraordinary circumstances.
INTRODUCTION
The congregation of Trinity United Church is happy that you wish to be married at Trinity. This pamphlet is written with the intention of helping to make your wedding day more meaningful and as free from frustration as possible. Please feel free to discuss anything you read in it, or to raise any further questions you may have.
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE?
Marriage is not specifically a Christian institution. Although we believe it originates in God's gracious will for all people, the institution of marriage predates the birth of Christianity and is enjoyed among people who are atheist, or who belong to other religious traditions, or cultures other than our own.
Because of our origins, however, the Christian community sees in a marriage of Christian people a very real and rich symbol of the love which God, through Christ, shares with the world and all who live in it. It is with this understanding in mind that, during a Christian wedding service, the couple exchange deep and meaningful vows in the presence not only of their relatives and friends but also of God who is asked to witness and to bless the marriage.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEDDING DATE?
Before you set a definite date and time, or go to the expense of printing and sending out invitations, please contact the minister. A personal interview is required before reservations of the church facilities can be made. In addition, the minister may wish to arrange with you for a number of pre-marital interviews and the date of the wedding should be set to allow time for them.
WHAT ABOUT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS?
A valid Province of Alberta Marriage Licence must be in the hands of the officiating minister before the wedding service. It is valid for three months from the day of issue and may be obtained from an Alberta Registries agency.
Written parental consent, or that of the legal guardians, is required for a person under the age of 18 to obtain a marriage licence.
Two witnesses, both 18 years of age or more, not including the officiating minister or marriage commissioner, are required to sign the marriage registration documents.
IS A REHEARSAL NECESSARY?
So that everyone involved knows what they and the others are doing, and so that frustration and anxiety can be kept to a minimum, for all formal weddings (with processional, recessional, etc.) and for all weddings where the number of guests exceeds 20, a rehearsal is necessary.
The rehearsal, usually on the evening prior to the wedding, is usually about 30 minutes in length. All members of the wedding party, and anyone else involved in the ceremony including ushers, should be present. If an audio/visual presentation is part of the ceremony, it should be available at the rehearsal.
WILL THE MINISTER ATTEND THE RECEPTION?
If you would like the minister to attend your reception or to take any responsibility (for example, to say grace) you should discuss this with the minister when making your arrangements.
WHAT ABOUT FLOWERS?
Arrangements for flowers is the responsibility of the bridal party. Please arrange for the ushers or another family member to bring them half an hour before the wedding. Markers which cause no disfiguration may be used on the pew ends.
WHAT ABOUT MUSIC?
Arrangements for the music are ordinarily in the hands of the organist who will be pleased to discuss with you the music for your wedding service. The resident organist at Trinity must be given the first opportunity to play at your wedding. If you have another organist in mind, check with Trinity=s organist to see if other arrangements may be made. It should be clearly understood that the music (including any sung pieces) must, in the opinion of the organist and the minister, be suitable for a service of worship in the church.
WHAT ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS?
In addition to being a church service, your wedding ceremony will be carried out in such a way as to enhance the joy and meaning of this event in your lives. People moving about to take pictures is disturbing and distracting. Thus, no photographs may be taken during the main part of the wedding service except by a designated photographer and at the discretion of the Minister. However, photographs may be taken during the bridal procession, during the signing of the register, during the recession, and after the service.
Time exposures or photographs that do not require flash equipment may be taken from a permanent position as long as they do not in any way interfere with the service.
If the wedding party wishes to have photographs taken in the hall, separate arrangements must be made through the Rental Committee.
WHAT ABOUT CONFETTI?
Confetti is unbearably frustrating to clean up. We request therefore, that you ask your guests to refrain from throwing confetti in the church or on the church walks outside.
WHAT ABOUT AN OFFICIAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE?
As a memento of your wedding, and as a temporary certificate only, the minister will present you with a Certificate of Marriage along with a copy of the wedding ceremony. Please note however that this is not an official document. To obtain your official marriage certificate, you must apply through an Alberta Registries agent. A fee will be charged for this certificate.
THE CHURCH AND THE NEW FAMILY
Certainly the interest and concern of the church in the bride and groom does not end with the marriage service and the wedding reception. This is only the beginning of their new life together, the initial stage in the founding of a new home, and those who have shared in helping to launch the bride and groom on their way together are all vitally concerned and interested to aid them in the tremendously important task to which they have set their hands. The church is the fellowship in which Christians find, through communion with fellow Christians, the inspiration and strength for daily living, and for the achievement for their higher aspirations in common life.
AND FINALLY, WHAT ABOUT COSTS?
In recognition of the costs involved, the Board of Trinity United Church has decided that a fee of six hundred and twenty five dollars ($625) will be charged for weddings performed in the church. This fee covers utility costs, considerations for the minister, organist, audio/visual technician, and caretaker. These fees may be placed in an envelope and given to the minister along with the license the evening of the rehearsal. Hall rental costs for photographs, receptions etc. are separate and should be discussed with the rental committee.
The minister shall use her/his discretion in waiving or lowering the fees in extraordinary circumstances.
