WEDDINGS
Planning Guidelines
Weddings at Hope
Couples who choose to be married at Hope are choosing a Christian Wedding Service. This Christian emphasis is evident by the fact that Bible passages are read and a Bible-based, Christ-centred and life-directed message is shared; prayers are spoken, and musical selections chosen will complement the Christian teaching about marriage. Pop or radio songs, old favourites, etc., will find a more appropriate venue at the recessional and/or at reception rather than during the Service. Families who do not particularly seek a Christian Wedding Service conducted by our Pastor, or another LCC pastor, are advised to seek a different venue for the event, securing the services of a justice of the peace or a marriage commissioner.
Planning
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 to discuss the wedding will be arranged to get the arrangements started.
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 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
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 in 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 up to 30 minutes.
Costs
- A donation to the congregation is appreciated in lieu of the use of facilities.
- Musician: $80
- Sound and video person: $50
- Pastor: discretionary
Rehearsal
A wedding rehearsal takes place on the day before the wedding. 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 Pastor Lucas or by a rostered pastor of LCC(Lutheran Church – Canada) only. We don’t 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 behavior. 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. Flash pictures are permitted as the wedding party enters and leaves the church. They are also permitted during the signing of the register. 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.
