Thank you for including St. Luke’s in your wedding plans. I look forward to meeting you and discussing your marriage preparation.

Please fill out the marriage questionnaire found at the forms button and bring it and the license with you to our church office administrator as soon as possible. We require this license at least  one week before your wedding date. If you have not already done so, please set up a time for us to meet.

Every congregation has their own policies with regard to weddings. St. Luke’s would like to make you aware of our expectations. They include; the date of the wedding must be at least 3 months after our initial meeting; no wedding can be held after 5 pm. on Saturdays as the church is being used for worship. There is a maximum of two weddings on any given date with at least two hours between services. There is an understanding that some form of Marriage Preparation take place before the wedding. It is our preference that weddings take place indoors in the sanctuary (although exceptions can be negotiated) and a wedding rehearsal is required. Music is an integral part of the wedding service so it is necessary for you to meet with our organist to discuss the details of your service and select the music at least one month prior to the wedding. Pictures may be taken in the church only as you enter and leave the sanctuary; other photos can be taken prior to or after the service itself. A video camera taping the service should be in one fixed position. If you desire another Minister to assist with or conduct your wedding permission must be granted before the invitation to the other Minister is extended.  No confetti or rice is permitted on church property, and finally, please clarify if you expect the Minister to attend your reception.

The Service of Christian Marriage is found at the "sample service" button. If you would like we can also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Several readings from Scripture are provided. Please choose at least one from the Old Testament and one from the New. You are encouraged to find friends or family members to read these.

There are a variety of ways to organize the entrance. Parent(s) of the bride can escort her to the front of the Church, both sets of parents can escort both bride and groom to the front, or bride and groom can enter together. Please feel free to choose the method that reflects your wishes.

The enclosed service is not written in stone. We can work together to make this personal and exclude or include things that make this more meaningful. As a matter of integrity there are only two non-negotiable items:

1) I do not include the question "who gives this bride away". The practice goes back to a time when women were property handed down from father to husband. We, in the United Church, affirm the fact that God created man and woman equally, neither as property. Therefore, in its place I ask the family and friends of the couple, "Do you promise to affirm and care for them in their marriage?" It is a more inclusive and practical insertion.

 2) There must be a specific reference to the presence of God in our midst. Asking an Ordained Minister to preside at a function where God’s name is not mentioned seems bizarre to me. I hope you agree.

The financial expectation is as follows:

For supporting church households (or children/grandchildren of same) $300.00

This includes; $50 for church, $150 for Minister, $100 for Organist.

For non-supporting persons $400.00

This includes; $150 for church, $150 for Minister, $100 for Organist.

There is a 50% deposit required at the time of booking and the fee is refundable up to two months before the wedding date.

If you would like to hold your reception in our Church Hall please contact Harley Grimmer at 826-2229 to negotiate the fee. Please keep in mind there is a strict policy of no alcohol being consumed on church property.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call.

I hope and pray all goes well for you in your wedding plans. May Christ bless your sacred union.

Sincerely,

Kevin C. Little, Minister