Getting Married?

Christian marriage is a very personal thing but it is not simply a personal choice by two individuals. It is not merely a legal contract or a social institution. Nor is it just a Christian ceremony prescribed by the church. It is all of these and more.

Essentially, our church understands Christian marriage “to be a covenant relationship of a man and a woman under God in which the partners live together in love and fidelity to this covenant with God.” We believe that God’s creative and redemptive love is the basis on which all human relationships should be established. Christian marriage, therefore, is a covenant relationship, which combines three essential elements of life: Personal, Social, Sacred.

At least four months notice is required to properly plan all aspects of your wedding. This enables dates to be cleared on the Church calendar, as well as participation in the premarital and individual counseling. Less time creates a scheduling hardship for the couple, church, pastor, and wedding hostess.

Counseling

To help couples prepare for marriage, pre-marital counseling services for all couples planning to be married at Christ Church is provided. Such counseling is required of all couples, and will take place in two contexts.

First, each couple is expected to participate in the "Prepare/Enrich" premarital program. This program is facilitated here at Christ Church by Dr. Terry Snyder, who is a trained marriage and family therapist. During the first session, you will complete a couple inventory, which will be scored and then become the basis for the remaining 5 - 6 sessions with Dr. Snyder. In this way, the premarital counseling can be tailored to your individual and relationship needs. The cost of this process is $235 per couple. We as a church believe this to be of such importance for your future that we will contribute $100 per couple to your premarital counseling. You are responsible for the remaining $135. The sessions will be held at Christ Church and arranged according to the couple's and Dr. Snyder's schedule.

Second, each couple is expected to meet privately with the pastor one additional time. This meeting will focus on preparing for your unique marriage celebration, and discussing topics pertinent to each couple.

Pictures

Videos

• A stationary, unattended video camera may be placed in the chancel area.  Check with the Pastor or Wedding Hostess for an appropriate location for camera placement.
• A camera may be placed in the back of the sanctuary. This will give the operator the best vantage point to capture the entire service.
• A camera may be also placed along the side aisle in a location specified by the Pastor or Wedding Hostess.
• Home movies with floodlights are not permitted during the processional, service, or recessional.

Multimedia

• If you wish, we have the capabilities to run a power point or slide show before, after, or during a specific part of the ceremony. This must be specified at least 1 month prior to wedding.

Visiting Clergy

• All weddings held at Christ Church must include the pastor from Christ Church.  Visiting clergy may be asked to assist only with a prior consent and invitation of our pastor.

Additional Information

• You need not be a member of Christ United Methodist Church to get married at Christ Church.
• The length of the center aisle to the bottom of the steps is 65 feet.
• The length of the center aisle up into the chancel area is 80 feet.
• If using an aisle runner, we recommend cloth or paper.
• Our church seats 250 people comfortably.
• Flowers may be placed as long as it does not interfere with the ceremony.
• The wedding hostess can meet with the couple or florist to discuss areas for placement.
• We have a kneeler available for the service also.
• We are handicapped accessible.
• A picture of our church sanctuary can be seen by clicking here.
• For a complete listing of services and fees, please call the church office, download our wedding packet, or send us an an email at gettingmarried@eriechrist.org