WEDDING SERVICE CHECKLIST
- We encourage you to make your Wedding Ceremony your own in terms of: processions, music, lessons, vows, etc. The pastor will meet with you initially to discuss options and again several weeks prior to the rehearsal date to finalize plans.
- You will need to get a marriage licence. The licence is only good for 3 months so some time in the 3 months prior to your wedding day you need to procure a licence. You can apply for your marriage licence at any Ontario city hall, town hall, or municipal office. There is also a fee that varies depending on the municipality. Both people getting married will need to show original identification with your current legal name, date of birth, and signature.
- We recognize that to draw up the guest list for a wedding can be difficult. Do not feel you have to invite the Pastor; however, if you wish to invite the Pastor to the wedding reception, please send an invitation.
- Choose options for: Scripture readings, vows & music.
- Determine if you would like a Wedding Bulletin (program) and who would take care of set up and printing. (see “Sample Bulletin Template” for a starting place)
- Church Decorations: If you would like decorations, it is up to you to take care of ordering, set up and removal of such items as: flowers, pew bows, unity candles, candelabra, etc. The candles by the altar are also lit for wedding services.
Note: If you plan to leave the flowers for Sunday’s Worship Service, please let us know so that mention can be made in the Sunday Bulletin.
- Fill out and return the information form you received to Pastor Laura.
- Some other things to consider:
a) If children are brought into the family of the newly married couple, you may want to add some words acknowledging this new family and you may wish to include the giving of a gift to recognize the new family.
b) If you wish to acknowledge a deceased relative, you may want to have a lighted candle on the altar or a flower. If this is the case, it would be appropriate to acknowledge this in the Wedding Bulletin.
- Organist/ Soloists:
Early consultation about suitable music is vital. The musicians are to be consulted about the music the couple would like played at least 6 weeks prior to the wedding. You are responsible to book the musicians for the date. If there are special requests, please do this in consultation with the musician.
If you plan to bring your own musician, we do have a Piano and an organ. If they will be using the Organ, he/she should be very familiar with how it works.
ORGANISTS/PIANIST:
Ed Havenga
- The internet is a good resource as you search for music for the Ceremony.
- If you plan to use a CD and play it through the sound system, please designate someone who is not in the wedding party to be responsible for starting and stopping the CD. They must be available for the rehearsal as well.
- Packing up the decorations:
Designate someone who is not in the wedding party to be responsible to pack up the Church Decorations, Bulletins, Marriage Certificate, and Unity Candle, etc., when the ceremony is over.
- Fees for Ministry by St Peter’s Lutheran Church:
(All Fees should be paid prior to the rehearsal date.)
PASTOR’S HONORARIUMAt the discretion of the couple
(Payable to the Pastor)(Normally $200.00)
CARETAKER:$75.00
(Payable to the Caretaker)
ORGANIST / PIANIST$125.00
(Payable to the Organist/Pianist)
- Have fun with all this and Happy Wedding Planning!
Information Form – Marriage
Bride’s Full Name:______
Date of Birth: ______Age at time of Wedding: ______
Place of Birth: ______Occupation: ______
Address: ______
Phone Number: ______Email: ______
Groom’s Full Name:______
Date of Birth: ______Age at time of Wedding: ______
Place of Birth: ______Occupation: ______
Address: ______
Phone Number: ______Email: ______
Date of Wedding: ______
Time of Wedding: ______
Place of Ceremony: ______
Officiating Minister: ______
Rehearsal Date: ______
Rehearsal Time: ______
Address after marriage: ______
Bride’s Name after marriage: ______
Parents of Bride: ______
Maid/Matron of Honour: ______
Attendants: ______
______
Parents of Groom: ______
Best Man: ______
Attendants: ______
______
Flower Girl: ______
Ring Bearer: ______
How you would like to be announced as a couple:______
SCRIPTURE READINGS (3 to be chosen)
You may choose to substitute a poem or other appropriate reading for one of the scripture readings
*Choose 2 from this section – can be read by one or two of your guests.
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 1:26-28Woman and man created in the image of God
Genesis 2:18-24Companionship rather than loneliness
Proverbs 3:3-6Loyalty and faithfulness written on the heart
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Practical words of advice
Song of Solomon 2:10-13The voice of the beloved
Song of Solomon 8:6-7Many waters cannot quench love
Isaiah 63:7-9God’s steadfast love lifts up the people
Jeremiah 31:31-34The new covenant of the people of God
PSALM
Psalm 67May God be merciful to us and bless us
Psalm 100We are God’s people and the sheep of God’s pasture
Psalm 117The steadfast love of the Lord
Psalm 121The Lord keeps watch over you
Psalm 127Unless the Lord builds the house
Psalm 128Blessed are those who walk in the Lord’s ways
Psalm 150Let everything that breathes praise the Lord
NEW TESTAMENT
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39If God is for us, who is against us
Romans 12:1-2, 9-18A living sacrifice and genuine love
1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13The greatest gift is love
Ephesians 3:14-19The breadth, length, height and depth of Christ’s love
Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33Walk in love, as Christ loved us
Philippians 4:4-9Rejoice in the Lord always
Colossians 3:12-17Clothed in compassion, kindness, meekness and patience
1 John 3:18-24Let us love in truth and action
1 John 4:7-16Let us love one another for love is of God
*Choose 1 from this section – usually read by the Pastor.
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:1-10The beatitudes
Matthew 5:14-16You are the light, let your light shine
Matthew 7:21, 24-29A wise person builds upon the rock
Matthew 19:3-6What God has united must not be divided
Matthew 22:35-40Love, the greatest commandment
Mark 10:6-9They are no longer two but one
John 2:1-11The wedding at Cana
John 15:9-17Love one another as I have loved you
VOWS
The following are some suggestions. You may choose to mix and match sections, or if you prefer, you can write your own. If you write your own, please consult with the Pastor.
1.I take you, ______, to be my wife/husband. I promise before God and these witnesses to be your faithful wife/husband, to share with you in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, to forgive and strengthen you, and to join with you so that together we may serve God and others as long as we both shall live.
2.I take you, ______, to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.
3.______, I take you to be my wife/husband from this time onward, to join with you and to share all that is to come, to give and to receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, and in all circumstances of our life together to be loyal to you with my whole life and with all my being until death parts us.
4.I take you, ______, to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto pledge you my faithfulness.
5.In the presence of God and this community, I, ______, take you, ______, to be my wife/husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.
6.I, ______, give myself to you, ______. By the grace of God, I promise to support and care for you. In love of Christ, I promise to love and cherish you. With the Spirit’s help, I promise to be faithful to you, as long as we both shall live.
7.I take you, ______, to be my wife/husband, and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect, trust, help, and care for you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will share my life with you, through the best and worst of all that is to come, until death parts us.
THE ORDER OF THE SERVICE
GATHERING
The Processional
(Musical selection to be entered here)
______
Greeting
Introduction
Declaration of Intent
Prayer of the Day
(Special Music may be entered here)
______
WORD
The Lessons ______
______
______
SERMON
(Special Music may be entered here)
______
MARRIAGE
Exchange if Vows
Giving of Rings
Acclamation
Lighting of the Unity Candle (optional) / Unity Sand (optional)
Marriage Blessing
Prayers
Blessing
*Signing of the Register
(Special Music may be entered here)
______
SENDING
Presentation of the couple
The Recessional
(Musical Selection to be entered here)