Weddings
Weddings
Weddings
We affirm that marriage is a gift of God, through which Christians make a covenant with one another and with God.
We affirm the value of marriage. We affirm that the Church must work both to redeem and to care for the institution and to support those entering into a covenant relationship with each other.
All couples who can be legally married are welcome, whether from within or beyond our Church community, to be wed at Carlisle and Kilbride United Churches. Marriages are celebrated in the context of Christian community and Christian worship. Interfaith celebrations are a possibility requiring careful consideration and the maintenance of integrity.
Initial Contact to the Church
Depending on availability, the Office Administrator will take your information and convey it to the Minister who will contact you as soon as possible.
Personnel at Carlisle/Kilbride United Churches
- Rev. Allison Playfair, Minister of Carlisle and Kilbride United Churches ~ minister@carlisleuc.ca
- Heather Olaveson, Director of Music, Carlisle and Kilbride United Churches
- Janet Witty-Heeley, Office Administrator ~ secretary@carlisleuc.ca
- Jennifer Love, Caretaker, Carlisle United Church
Interviews and Courses
The policy of the Official Board of Carlisle Kilbride Pastoral charge is that you meet with the officiating minister and attend Marriage Preparation courses with the Minister or an approved alternative.
The Wedding Service
All worship services come under the jurisdiction of the Worship Committee. You will arrange the service with your officiating minister. CUC/KUC’s minister must participate in the wedding. The participation of another minister during the wedding in conjunction with the Carlisle/Kilbride minister may happen with the agreement of the Carlisle/Kilbride minister. Requests from United or other “sister churches” to use our facility for reasons of space or location will be considered by the Worship Committee.
Order of Service
Some couples choose to have an order of service printed for their wedding. Special bulletins are available from the United Church Resource Distribution Centre. If you decide to have such a bulletin, you may arrange to print it yourself or it can be done in the church office at a cost of $50.00.
Music
The Music Director will be notified regarding your wedding. However, you must confirm the arrangement with her as soon as possible. All music in connection with a wedding must be appropriate to a Christian service of worship and approved by the Music Director. No one may use the organ or piano without the Music Director’s permission; the Music Director has the right of first refusal regarding all services at Carlisle/Kilbride United churches (the fee is still applicable even if you choose someone else). All music must be approved at least two weeks prior to the service.
If recorded music is to be played, it must also be approved by the Music Director or the Minister
Marriage License
Can be purchased at the City Clerk’s office at the City Hall in Hamilton up to three months prior to the wedding. It is good for three months. Please leave the license at the Carlisle United Church office, without signatures along with the completed Wedding Confirmation sheet two weeks before the date of your wedding.
Banns
These can be published in the Sunday services at the church in which you worship regularly. For regulations speak to your officiating minister. When banns can be published, a license is not required.
Sanctuary
The sanctuary at Carlisle seats up to 185 people. The sanctuary is not to be rearranged and no rice or confetti is allowed in the building. However bird seed, rose petals and bubbles are acceptable outside the building.
Fees
The following fees are stipulated by the Worship Committee. You will need to prepare one cheque to "Carlisle United Church". Note we can also accept e-transfers and Square for payment of fees.
1. Facility rental - $300.00
2. Ministerial fee - $300-$500
3. Music Director, minimum $225.00
This Bench fee is payable even if you choose to have other musicians play (eg. Violin, flute or harp). Additional fees will apply at the discretion of the Music Director for significant extra effort such as researching/learning new music and additional practice or rehearsals.
4. Custodial Services – Carlisle - $75
The Caretaker (or in their absence a member of the Property committee) will open the church an hour before the service and leave it open until an hour after the service.
5. Office Administration fee = $100.00
6. Sound Technician for recorded music - $75.00
* Payment is to be made three days before the wedding. Cheques for all services to be made payable to "Carlisle United Church".
Rehearsals
The rehearsals are conducted by the officiating minister. The organist does not normally attend. It is preferable that all participants attend (parents, reader, etc.). Thank you for being punctual!
Information for You and Your Florist
1. The church will be opened one hour prior to the service. If florists need to deliver earlier, they should contact the church office.
2. No tape is to be used on any wood or painted finish. Bows can be tied on with sewing elastic or ribbon.
Information for You and Your Photographer
1. Flash pictures are permitted only during processional, signing (except if soloist is performing) and recessional.
2. You may appoint one person to take pictures without a flash from the back or balcony and you may use the sanctuary after the wedding for pictures for up to one hour.
3. Please be sensitive to the spoken parts of the service. If the camera has a noisy mechanism, please snap only during moments of silence. No pictures during prayers.
4. The photographer should move with sensitivity during the service
5. We are concerned that everyone, photographer included, should remember that the wedding is a service of worship and must not be disrupted.
Information for You and Your Videographer / Live Streaming
1. Arrive to set up a minimum 30 minutes prior to the wedding.
2. No artificial light is permitted.
3. Use of tripods is highly recommended.
4. Please stay in the designated position negotiated with the officiating minister and do not walk around the sanctuary during the service.
For any other information or questions, please contact the Church Office (905-689-8630 or secretary@carlisleuc.ca).