GRACE UNITED CHURCH

156 Main Street North

Brampton, Ontario L6V 1N9

(905) 451-1215

CONGRATULATIONS!  We are happy to learn about your forthcoming marriage and wish you well. We are also pleased at your wish to have a Church wedding. These suggestions and guidelines are intended to help ensure a meaningful and memorable service.

A CHRISTIAN WEDDING is the public expression of mutual commitment to one another in the context of worship and celebration.  It is a service of worship in which we seek God’s help. In planning your wedding day, please note that the wedding service, inclusive of signing the register, takes about 30 minutes, depending on arrangements.

PREPARATION Experience has taught us the following steps are essential if planning is to be free of unnecessary complications:

Booking  ‑ Literature provided, provisional booking of day, date, and time of wedding.  Deposit paid, and if possible appointment made to meet the minister.

Requirement – attendance in a “Marriage Preparation Event“. This should be arranged with the office.

Interview Couple arranges time with minister through the church office at least six weeks before the wedding. The interview of the Church’s expectations, policy and procedures, gathering of personal data, getting to know you, confirmation of arrangements.

Second Interview – where either the couple or minister feels more discussion is needed a second interview may be arranged. Final consent to conduct the wedding is the decision of the presiding Minister.  The Minister must also be consulted if clergy friends, relatives or others are to participate in the service

Rehearsal ‑ Normally the evening before the wedding date. The License must be given to the office at least one week prior to the wedding.

LICENCE or BANNS  Authority to conduct wedding services is vested in the officiating minister by the Church and the province of Ontario.  Permission to marry is granted to adults by a licence which must be secured from an Issuer of Marriage Licences, available in any city or town hall.  Such marriage licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue (so don’t get it earlier than 90 days prior to the wedding date) and costs $100.00 or more, (depending on the municipality in which it is purchased) in cash or certified cheque, when the licence is sought.

WEDDING MUSIC   Whether, or not, you will have music at your wedding is for you to decide.  It follows that any music used in connection with a Church Wedding should be suitable for a church service.  The music, like the ceremony, should be an act of worship of God.  In any event, it is entirely your responsibility to consult with the organist regarding the choice of musical selections and the participation of any other musicians. The organist may require a special rehearsal if soloists are to be utilized, and cost for such should be discussed with the organist.

FLOWERS & DECORATIONS Your florist or others placing flowers in the Church should arrange for delivery through the Church Office.  Flower stands are provided by the Church, and can be used for flowers at either end of the Communion Table.  Floor-standing candelabra are available on request, as well as a three-candle candelabra that can be used on the Communion Table.  Candles shall be provided by the family and must be dripless.

PHOTOGRAPHY There are several excellent locations for wedding photographs in and around the Church. Your photographers (professional, amateur and videotaping) must comply with guidelines provided. Beautiful weddings have been disrupted by inappropriate activity on the part of photographers. 

REHEARSAL  The rehearsal plays an important role in helping all who are involved to understand the full significance of the service.  The many people assisting you count on this time to prepare for your wedding.  Please ask members of your wedding party to be prompt, co‑operative and attentive to suggestions and instructions. Participants at both the rehearsal and wedding should be aware that it is inappropriate to consume alcoholic beverages before these events.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS Transportation, parking, video and audio recording must be discussed with the presiding Minister or the Church Officer.  Please do not assume that last minute arrangements will be acceptable.

PARKING on Church Property is limited.  Alternate locations are available nearby at the GO Station (one block west), on Alexander Street (one street north on the right), and at Central School on Alexander Street when there is no programming there prohibiting such.

HONOURARIA & FEES  A schedule is included for your information.

  The gifts and qualifications of a number of persons combine to help you prepare and experience a meaningful service. For y our convenience, the minimum honouraria are outlined below:

SANCTUARY GIFT  (use of church)          $300.00 

MINISTER                                                      $200.00

ORGANIST (rehearsals extra)                 $150.00        

CHURCH OFFICER (includes rehearsal)$100.00                    

  TOTAL                                                            $750.00       

With reference to the above fees and honoraria, we ask that the $100 non-refundable sanctuary gift be paid at the time of booking. 

The other respective amounts should be placed in envelopes addressed to the individuals concerned and presented to the Church Officer at the rehearsal.  It is expected that all honoraria exclusive of the Sanctuary Gift will be cash.  For the Sanctuary Gift, a cheque made out to Grace United Church, Brampton would be acceptable.