WEDDING PLANNING GUIDELINES
Intro – A Christian Wedding
Any couples who choose to be married at Hope Lutheran Church are agreeing to a wedding ceremony that is decidedly Christian. This Christian emphasis is evident by the fact that Bible passages are read, a Bible-based, Christ-centred message is shared, prayers are spoken, and musical selections chosen will complement the Christian atmosphere of the service. Pop songs and radio songs, then, will find a more appropriate venue at the reception rather than at the ceremony. Couples who do not particularly seek God’s blessings in a Christian wedding ceremony are advised to secure the services of a justice of the peace or a marriage commissioner.
Planning your Christian Wedding
Couples who are planning to be married at Hope Lutheran Church will generally be required to be involved in marriage preparation sessions with the Pastor.
Couples who are members of the congregation seeking to determine the availability of the church and pastor for their wedding at Hope are asked to contact the Pastor to start the arrangements. Couples who are not members of Hope are asked to attend a regular worship Service of the church (Sundays, 10am) and introduce themselves to the pastor after the service.
In both cases, following the initial introduction, a date and time for a future appointment to discuss the wedding will be arranged. At that appointment the pastor will provide an explanation of the Christian wedding service conducted at Hope.
While couples often come looking to simply talk about a wedding service, Hope is interested in more than this. A wedding is only the beginning of a married life and as such we desire to help preparing them not just for a wedding day but for a married life together as a Christian couple. To that end Hope will ask of you and your fiancé/fiancée to attend a 3-class pre-marital preparatory counselling. These classes are for both those who are members of the Lutheran Church for those who are not, focusing on the Christian Lutheran view of Marriage life.
Wedding Ceremony
The Wedding Ceremony will lead you and your guests in worship, giving glory to God and asking for His blessings on your life together. In preparation for the day your pastor will guide you through the service and advise you about what music will best accompany it. Since the music in a wedding service is intended to glorify God, it should contribute to the respectful spirit of worship. All music used in the service, including instrumental selections, requires pastoral approval. Please note that any music/lyrics in conflict with Lutheran Doctrine cannot be approved.
Worship folders for the wedding service can be prepared and printed by our Office.
Marriage License
Couples who want to be married in British Columbia must have a legal Marriage License. These are available at a local vital statistics agent and are in effect for 90 days. Additional information on these matters may be obtained at the Province’s website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/marriage
Wedding Ceremony / Vows / Bible Readings
Couples will be given an opportunity to make their wedding ceremony special and unique by choosing (or writing) their wedding vows, by choosing their Bible readings, and by suggesting other options that they would like as part of their ceremony. A wedding ceremony normally takes 25-30 minutes.
Financial Considerations
A wedding at Hope Lutheran Church is one of the Christian ministries of the congregation and its pastor. In consideration of utility costs, the bride and groom are invited to make a donation to the church for the use and the cleaning of the building during the marriage preparation sessions, the rehearsal, and the wedding ceremony. If a church organist or pianist is engaged to play at the wedding ceremony, the wedding couple will be asked to give an honourarium to that musician for the time invested. Family members or friends are welcome to use the church instruments. If a sound person is involved, the couple will be asked to gift him/her an honourarium as well.
Rehearsal
Generally, a wedding rehearsal takes place one or two days before the wedding. The date and time for the rehearsal should be arranged with the Pastor. The rehearsal usually takes 30 minutes. The entire wedding party should be present at the rehearsal, including parents of the bride and groom, and musicians/singers, and photographer/videographer.
Facility use
Weddings that are held on the church premises are performed by our Pastor or by a rostered pastor of LCC(Lutheran Church – Canada) only. We don’t rent the space for other religions/denominations, nor we officiate joint celebrations with ministers other than LCC Pastors.
Hope Lutheran Church – as well as its furnishings – have been dedicated as a House of Worship and we ask that you and your guests always maintain proper decorum and behaviour. They can only be moved to accommodate decorations if authorized by the Pastor of the Office. Please check with the Church office about any proposed decorations.
While Hope does have the gymnasium to host receptions, we don’t have a liquor licence.
Photos and videos
Photography and filming should be done in a way to prevent distractions, as we wish to keep the Ceremony orderly and dignified. Photo opportunities may be arranged before or after the service. Please ask your photographer and video person to meet with the pastor at the wedding rehearsal or immediately before the service for any questions or orientations.
This Wedding Planner is intended to answer frequently asked questions about weddings at Hope Lutheran Church. It is important to remember that a Christian Wedding Service is a special celebration in which baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ receive God’s blessing upon their union and make vows of faithfulness before God and before the congregation, according to principles laid out in the Word of God.