Getting Married at Langley United Church

Some of what we think about marriage

We at Langley United have done some thinking about what marriage means to us. This isn’t exhaustive, by any means, but we all agree that marriage is a sacred institution where two people make a public commitment to a relationship with the intention of permanence. This relationship ought to be loving and supportive and characterized by mutuality, faithfulness, understanding, flexibility and compromise. We recognize that in our culture, marriage is a constituent building block of family, and therefore the primary place where children are raised.

If you agree that that is a pretty good place to start and would still like to celebrate your marriage at Langley United, read on!

What We Provide

A sanctuary with seating available for up to 200 people.

An experienced staff willing to help you make this special day reflect what you mean to each other.

A pianist/organist who will suggest music suitable for the processional, at the signing of the register and for the recessional. If you would like other musicians to be a part of your wedding, our music director will work with them to ensure that the music supports and enhances the ceremony. If you have a special piece of music you would like which is new to the musician, you will be asked to make it available to him well in advance of the wedding. The minister and the musician reserve the right to judge the suitability of the music, both vocal and instrumental. Because a wedding is a service of worship, we want to be sure that the music is in keeping with the sense of worship and praise throughout the ceremony. Please contact the musician for a consultation well in advance of your wedding date about his participation in your wedding and the wedding music you desire. If he is required to be at the rehearsal or to accompany a soloist, there is an additional fee.

A service planned to capture the meaning of this important day for you and your partner.

What You Do

First call the church office with the date and time you would like the service to take place. You will want to plan on giving us at least two months notice prior to your wedding date for marriage preparation and planning. Our office administrator will then put you in touch with the Minister to set up an appointment to meet. You will then be put in touch with our Wedding Hostess who will help guide you through the process. A non-refundable deposit of $50 will be required to secure the date and time of the wedding. Please note that marriages are not celebrated at Langley United over the Easter weekend, as Easter is the central festival of the Christian year and extra worship services are held during this time. The minister is usually away one month during the summer; if the minister is away when you want to have your wedding we will ensure there is a replacement.

You will be asked to attend several pre-marriage sessions through The Marriage Project, an inter-denominational marriage preparation program that offers both Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Workshops. You can contact them at (604) 433-6416 or on the web at www.themarriageproject.com. Their brochure is also available from the church office. While membership in our church is not a requirement, couples are also strongly encouraged to attend several Sunday services prior to their wedding.

Rehearsals are usually held the Thursday or Friday before your wedding and last about an hour. We encourage the entire wedding party, including the couple’s parents, to be present. The purpose of the rehearsal is to let each person know how they enter the sanctuary, sit, stand, etc., so that at the time of the wedding itself everyone feels comfortable and sure of themselves. That way everybody can concentrate on the service and promises. Please make sure you are on time!!

The day of the wedding show up ready to enjoy your special day.

What You Need

Someone to marry.

A proposed date and time when you would like the ceremony to take place. Be sure to contact Langley United as soon as possible to book your wedding and avoid being disappointed. Alternative locations can be negotiated with the minister, but the religious nature of the service must remain.

A marriage license, to be at the church office at least a week before the wedding. (This is different from a marriage certificate. The licence issuer will give you a form to use in making application for an official marriage certificate issued from Victoria. The wedding hostess will send this form to Victoria following your marriage, and you will receive your official marriage certificate within a few weeks.)

Some time to attend the pre-marriage counseling sessions through The Marriage Project.

Some time to attend several worship services at Langley United … and hopefully more!

What People Ask

Do we have to be members of Langley United to be married in the church?

No, you do not have to members of Langley United to be married here, but we assume that you are seeking to be wed in a church because you desire to involve God in your wedding service and in your marriage. We believe that participation in a faith community is an important part of living out that desire, so we strongly encourage you to attend worship together at Langley United before and after the wedding. The wedding celebration is itself a service of worship and you should not be strangers either to the sanctuary or to the experience of worship.

Can same sex couples be married at Langley United Church?

We’ve done some thinking about this question, too. We believe that human sexual relationships are most positive when they are characterized by: love, respect, faithfulness, trust, honesty, sensitivity, and mutuality. Legal barriers to granting a marriage license to same sex couples are now removed. LUC names as one of our core values "an openness to diversity and difference (and) the welcoming of all." All couples, including gay and lesbian couples, who agree to fulfill LUC’s requirements around marriage are welcome to have their weddings in this church and hopefully become part of this faith community.

Can our own minister officiate?

Langley United Church does not, under most circumstances, allow non-United Church clergy to conduct wedding services in our sanctuary. If our regular minister is not available, another United Church minister will be provided.

Can we decide what we want in the service?

Mostly, yes. The Minister will share resources with you and together you will plan a service that expresses how you feel. While there are some parts of the ceremony that are necessary for legal reasons, we want your wedding to be a reflection of your special love and commitment to one another.

What about confetti?

No. It just makes too much mess and is too difficult to clean up. Rice is also not allowed as birds may eat it and then die as it expands in their stomachs. However bubbles are permitted outside the church building.

What about photographs during the service?

The wedding service is first and foremost a service of worship. We want you to have pictures of this memorable event, but pictures taken during the service disrupt the flow and purpose of worship. Photographs may be taken during the processional, the signing of documents, and the recessional. You are welcome to take photos in the sanctuary after the wedding service, including "reenactments" of the exchange of rings and vows with the Minister present.

Video?

Videotaping the ceremony is permitted from a stationary position in the Sanctuary to be arranged prior to the ceremony.

Do we need ushers?

Ushers are not a requirement, but if you plan on having them, they should be on duty at the church entrance at least a half hour before the wedding service begins, to receive your guests. Ushers should be fully aware of their responsibilities before, during and after the wedding service. The wedding hostess will be at the church at the same time as the ushers. She will assist wherever help is needed.

Do you have access for disabled people?

Yes. Both an elevator and a wheelchair are available to persons needing them, although the elevator is not large, so if you have someone with a long wheelchair, you’ll want to have a look at the elevator for yourself to make sure it will work. Disabled persons should allow additional time for entering the building.

What about alcoholic beverages?

It is actually illegal for the minister to proceed with the service if there is any evidence that members of the wedding party are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. It would be a shame to send everyone home without there actually being a wedding, so please hold off on any drinking until after the service.

Fees

The cost of a wedding ceremony at Langley United Church is $550.00. This amount includes a $50.00 non-refundable deposit to be paid upon booking the church. The balance is to be paid in cash and should be brought to the church office no later than the Monday of the week of your wedding. Office hours are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Monday to Friday. Our Sanctuary is open for viewing during office hours. Our Sunday worship is 10:00 am.