Frequent Questions - Marriage
Preparation for Marriage
Marriage is one of God's greatest gifts and the wedding ceremony
is one of the most important events in peoples' lives. As a church
it is our understanding that couples wishing to be married at Gaetz
are seeking a religious celebration blessed by God and supported
by the community. This is a joyful and sacred occasion which should
be entered into with faith.
In the Christian understanding of marriage, the church has a responsibility
to assist couples in finding fulfilment in their marriage. An important
and invaluable element in achieving this is Preparation for Marriage
sessions, which provides the opportunity for couples to know themselves
better and explore important aspects of marriage.
It is a requirement that those who wish to be married in Gaetz
Church will participate in a Marriage Preparation event, such as
“Beginnings”. (see separate brochure or call Central
Alberta Family Services, 343-6400).
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Arrangements for a Wedding
For the Bride and Groom their wedding day should be one of the
happiest days of their lives, for their growing together in love
culminates at this time in their taking vows of loyalty before God
and their friends and families. This booklet has been prepared to
guide couples who are married at Gaetz Memorial United Church to
ensure that their wedding arrangements proceed as smoothly as possible.
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Religious Ceremony
In the Province of Alberta, marriages are performed by:-
- Ministers of Religion who are registered under the Marriage
Act.
- Marriage commissioners authorized to conduct 'Civil Marriages'
and
- Individual citizens granted a temporary, specific "licence
to marry".
We are pleased to welcome those who request the services and facilities
of Gaetz Church for their wedding ceremony. They are choosing to
have a religious ceremony in which the blessing of God is given
and in which God is invited to be a partner in the covenant of their
marriage. In the presence of God and before loved ones and friends
the Bride and Groom make vows and promises of love and loyalty to
one another for the rest of their lives. This is a sacred occasion,
and must be entered into with faith and reverence.
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The Officiating Clergy
All weddings in Gaetz Church will be performed by one of the Ministers
on staff. The involvement of other officiants is to be negotiated
through our Ministry staff.
Each couple will meet with the officiating clergy to get acquainted
and plan the service of worship.
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Time of the Wedding
Dates and times for weddings are to be arranged with the Secretary
as early as possible. Your wedding date and time are considered
confirmed when you make your deposit.
Weddings in the church will be scheduled one and a half hours apart,
to accommodate the wedding service and greeting of guests. If elements
such as the celebration of communion, a homily/meditation or other
rituals are desired, special arrangement must be made for more time
– before you send out your invitations.
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Church or Chapel
There is a large and beautiful Church Sanctuary available at Gaetz
seating several hundred persons. Alternatively, a beautiful small
Chapel may be used for smaller weddings and this will accommodate
about 75 persons. Weddings in the church will be scheduled one and
a half hours apart. As a general rule no more than four weddings
in one day will be arranged.
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Music
The employment of our Director of Music includes all weddings.
The inclusion of other musicians or pre-recorded music is to be
negotiated with the Director.
Please make any special musical arrangements as soon as possible.
To contact our Director of Music, Miriam Pratt, phone the office
at 347-2244.
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Flowers and Pew Markers
At Gaetz we often have seasonal decorations in place; your floral
arrangements and other decorations may complement such decorations.
Should you wish to use decorations on the pews, they are to be mounted
using the clips provided by the Church. (There are 18 pews on each
side of the aisle)
The couple should arrange for someone to set up and remove any
decorations immediately following the service.
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Brass Candelabra
Two beautiful brass candelabra stands are available for use in
the church only at a fee of $30.00. This must be paid in
advance by contacting the Church Office.
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Wedding Bulletin
Bulletins are available through the Church Office. Cost of the
Bulletins and printing is $35.00 per hundred. If bulletins are desired,
they should be arranged at least two weeks before the wedding.
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Photographs
A Church wedding is a service of worship and anything that distracts
the worshippers is undesirable. Photographs should not be taken
during the actual ceremony, except by an official photographer and/or
videographer designated by the couple. The photographer and/or videographer
should consult with the officiating minister before the ceremony.
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Tape Recordings
The Wedding Ceremony may be taped on your own audio recorder. This
should be set up prior to the wedding and turned on about ten minutes
prior to the ceremony. You also have the option to arrange for us
to do your audio recording.
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Video-tape Recordings
The videographer should consult with the officiating minister before
the ceremony.
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Rehearsal
Rehearsals are usually scheduled on the day or evening prior to
the wedding. All participants and attendants should be present if
possible. Allow one hour for the rehearsal.
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Confetti, Rice and Bubbles
It is expected that couples and their guests will not use confetti,
rice, birdseed, real flower petals, or bubbles at the church, inside
or outside.
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Expenses
Church or Chapel Service, Minister, Organist, Sound Technician/Custodian.....................................................................
$725.00
If an active member of Gaetz, the above fee is...........................
$525.00
For very small weddings (less than 20 guests) and no organist,
the above fee is....................................................................................................$245.00
For very small weddings (less than 20 guests) and with the organist,
the above fee is........................................................................................
$370.00
EXTRAS:
Candelabra...........................................................................................$30.00
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Some Requirements
- Licence: The couple is responsible for obtaining
a Marriage Licence for the registering of a marriage in
the Province of Alberta. The licence is valid for three
months and there is no waiting period following the issuing of
the Licence. The Marriage Licence may be obtained at any provincial
registry agency (it will include the Marriage Registration Form).
The Marriage Licence and Registration Form should be delivered
to the Church Office or the Minister at least one week prior to
the day of the wedding.
- Witnesses: The law of the Province of Alberta requires
two witnesses other than the minister, that are eighteen (18)
years of age or older. These may be two from among those
the couple has asked to be in their wedding party.
- The Marriage Act makes it an offence for Weddings to be performed
when one of the persons is under the influence of alcohol, so
please be aware that the Ministers of Gaetz Church will refuse
to perform a wedding ceremony if they are convinced that the judgement
and understanding of either the Bride or Groom or either of the
legal witnesses is impaired by alcohol or mind-altering substances.
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The Wedding Day
It is expected that all wedding services will commence at the time
arranged since other events are also frequently scheduled for the
sanctuary.
The Ushers should be at the Church thirty minutes before the wedding
time.
The couple, their attendants and parents should plan to be at the
Church 15 – 20 minutes prior to the wedding time.
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Parking
The City of Red Deer requires that money be put in parking meters
from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is available
on the street and in the parking lot behind the church.
The Church will reserve eight parking spaces in front of the church
for the couple and their party’s wedding cars.
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Something to Think About
A loving relationship is one in which one can be open and honest
with one another without the fear of being judged. It's being secure
in the knowledge that you are each other's best friend and no matter
what happens you will stand by one another.
A loving relationship is one in which the individuals involved
grow in their understanding and loving acceptance of each other's
differences and encourages each person to reach out and share as
much beauty and love as is possible to find.
A loving relationship is one in which the distinctions of personal
rights, possessions, thoughts, emotions and even actions become
blurred, and it doesn't matter, because we share as much as is humanly
possible with the same ultimate goals.
A loving relationship is one in which both parties feel so loved,
so accepted and so safe that they can share their innermost feelings,
dreams, failures, and successes, without reservation. It is a give-and
-take, two-way reciprocal interaction rooted in mutual respect and
cloaked with dignity, where tears and smiles are of equal importance
and one that continually nurtures and supports growth.
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Church Home
Couples married in Gaetz Memorial United Church are cordially invited
to make it their Church Home. A place where you may nourish and
express your spirituality, is an important part of family life.
We hope that early in your marriage you will find a Church Home
in Gaetz or some other Church of your choice.
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A Quick Checklist
1. Confirm the wedding booking by paying the $200.00 deposit
before the Confirmation Date.
2. If desired, arrange for church candelabras with the church
office.
3. Register for and attend a pre-marriage education course (i.e.
Beginnings).
4. Arrange to meet with the officiating minister.
5. Obtain a Marriage Licence/Registration Form and bring it to
the church office, at least one week prior to the wedding.
6. Pay the balance of the wedding fee at least one week prior
to the wedding.
7. Arrange your rehearsal time with the officiating minister.
8. Get married, and have a happy life together!
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