Weddings

Congratulations on your decision to be married!

Christian marriage is a lifelong commitment that is made to God in front of family and friends. As you prepare for this important celebration we hope the following guidelines will be helpful.

Preparation

The couples are expected to meet with the Minister three times before the wedding. These meetings will represent the pre-marriage counselling that this church congregation requires. The Minister will provide the material in preparation to the wedding. He will also discuss with you various styles of service, so that you can decide which form best reflects the type of service you would like to have.

Preparation services are also available from the University of Victoria Chaplaincy Services (250-721-8338) and Island Pastoral Services (250-472-2851).

Marriage License

This is an essential document and should be obtained well in advance (but within three months of the date of your wedding). It must be in the hands of the Minister before your wedding can take place. The Vital Statistics Agency is located at 818 Fort Street in Victoria. Information about what you will need when you apply for your certificate can be obtained by calling the Vital Statistics office at 952-2681 or consulting their website at www.vs.gov.bc.ca

Rehearsal

You will need to meet with the Minister for a rehearsal, generally a day or two prior to your wedding.

Flowers

We suggest that one person be made responsible for bringing flowers and other decorations to the church at least half an hour prior to the wedding, and that the same person be responsible for removing decorations following the service. For more elaborate decorations, contact the church office well in advance to establish appropriate set-up and take-down times. You are welcome to leave flowers in the church for the Sunday worship service. If you wish to do this, please inform the Minister of your intention.

Organist /Pianist

Our organist/pianist can be contacted through the church office. Please discuss with her what music you would like well before the wedding. If there are special requests for which she doesn’t have sheet music, it would be helpful if you can supply the music. If you wish to use the services of an outside musician, please consult with our Minister. Recorded music is not permitted.

Photographs

We ask that you appoint one person to act as your official photographer. This person should attend the rehearsal so that the Minister can discuss expectations.  Other photographers are welcome to take photographs during the signing of the register and at the conclusion of the worship service. Please make sure that photographs are not taken during the service, as this can be very distracting.

Confetti

Please do not throw confetti, rice, or birdseed in or around the church. Bubbles are a friendly alternative.

Wedding Costs

To cover our staffing and facility costs, a fee of $475.00 is charged. This fee includes the use of our Sanctuary for your rehearsal and wedding, and the services of the Minister, Organist, and Caretaker.

A fee of $250 is charged for a ceremony on location outside the church; it covers the Minister's honorarium and an administrative fee.

We request $100.00 non-refundable deposit at the time your date is booked, and the balance the week prior to the wedding. Cheques should be made payable to James Bay United Church.

The capacity of the sanctuary is 160-180. The church is wheelchair accessible.