Our Vision for Weddings

We believe that working with you as you plan your wedding and subsequent marriage is one of our most significant and important ministries. Your wedding is the beginning of your new life together. A new family is being created — a family whose foundation is in the Christian faith. Preparation that allows a deep commitment to each other is critical to the permanence and power of the lifetime investment you are making in each other. We are eager to help form marriages founded in faith.

It is not required that you and your fiance are members of the Gaylord United Church of Christ. However, we do seek time to know each couple, to assess their readiness for marriage—especially in terms of faith—and to develop what we hope will be a permanent relationship of Christian friendship between you and our church “family.” Therefore, we do not automatically perform all weddings requested. Performing a wedding is, ultimately, the prerogative of our minister, who will preside at all weddings. Other clergy may assist at the invitation of our officiating minister. The facility is not rented to outside parties who desire to have their own minister perform the wedding.

Important First Steps

Please contact us to determine the availability of your desired date and request a wedding interview with our minister.  After the interview, we will help guide you through the wedding process and give you all the information you will need as you prepare for your big day!

A minimum of six months in advance of the wedding ceremoney should be allowed for the necessary pre-marriage preparation.  Members have priority for wedding dates.  Non-members who ared involved in the life of the Gaylord United Church of Christ may book 12 months in advance.

Pastor

Our Pastor will normally officiate at ALL weddings held in our church. When it is the wish of the bride and groom to have another pastor (example: relative of family, or family pastor) assist in the service, this should be made known to our pastor, who will issue an invitation to the guest pastor. The pastors require three pre-marital counseling sessions to prepare for the wedding. Do not expect the pastor to attend the Rehearsal Dinner and Reception. Feel free to invite them, but realize the demand on their schedule may not allow their attending.

Organist or Pianist

The organist of the church will usually play for all weddings and must be contacted immediately following the first meeting with the minister.
The organist will assist in the selections of pre-service, processional and recessional music. Songs to be sung during the pre-service and the ceremony will be cleared through the presiding minister.
If another organist is desired, you must have church approval and instruction on use of the organ.

Photographs

No flash photographs may be taken during the service except by the professional photographer during the processional and recessional. Available light photos are permitted during the service. Photographers and videographers are requested to stay clear of the chancel area during the ceremony. Video cameras are allowed to be used from a tripod at a prearranged location. There is a time limit for photography following the ceremony.

Rice, etc.

Rice, including “wedding rice”, confetti and steamers are NOT permitted either inside the church building or on the church grounds. Birdseed and bubbles may be used only in the area of the front walk and driveway, not inside the building. Fresh rose petals are not permitted inside the church building.

Receptions

Receptions may be held in Fellowship Hall, providing a church member sponsors the reception. The church member must be present during the entire event and assume responsibility for the Fellowship Hall. No alcoholic beverages permitted in the church buildings or on the church grounds. Smoking is not permitted in the buildings, only outside where a receptacle is provided.

Wedding Coordinator

A Wedding Coordinator will be available to answer any questions you may have about church facilities or details of wedding procedures. You will receive a questionnaire 6-8 weeks before your ceremony to provide us with information necessary for the arrangements. All wedding fees must be paid 30-days in advance of the wedding.

Marriage License Information

A State of Minnesota wedding license is needed before the wedding service.
 

Rates

Members: $____
Non-Members:  $____

If you are not members of another congregation and wish to become members of the Gaylord United Church of Christ by attending our New Member classes and joining before your wedding, then the member rate applies.

A $___ non-refundable deposit is required to hold a wedding date.  The balance on the account is due at least four weeks prior to the ceremony.

Please call us at 507-237-2595 or stop by the church to visit us if you are interested in receiving more information about any of these topics.