"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Gen 2:24  

Selecting the Wedding Date

Couples wanting to be married at WOCIC must notify the church office at least three months prior to the date of the wedding service. This will permit sufficient time to schedule the ceremony on the church calendar and to complete the premarital counseling sessions. In advance of contacting the church, couples are advised to check the church's online calendar to avoid selecting a date that is already occupied by a ministry event (e.g., an Encounter Retreat).  Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays, nor will they be scheduled on or immediately before a recognized holiday. To avoid disappointment and undue complications, couples are also advised not to sign any contracts related to the wedding or reception until the date has been cleared on the church calendar. 

Marriage License
Plans should be made to acquire in good time the Marriage License (see the town clerk). The license must be in the hands of the pastor at the time of the rehearsal.
 

Wedding Vows
The entire ceremony will be presented to and reviewed with the groom and bride during their last pre-marital counseling class. They are invited to make additions and/or changes with the approval of the pastor.  The groom and bride can also insert their own personal vows, which must remain consistent with the sanctity of the ceremony.
 

The Rehearsal

The rehearsal shall usually be early in the evening of the day preceding the ceremony.  It shall be under the direction of the pastor or pastor's assistant. It usually takes no more than one hour.  The entire wedding party should be present. Prior to the rehearsal, the bride shall furnish the pastor with the wedding music, a list of the wedding party, and other ceremony elements (e.g.,  flower arrangements, communion cup, unity candles)

The Wedding: 

Our church views the wedding ceremony as a sacred rite to be conducted with all the dignity and refinement of a service of worship in the House of God.  All weddings must be under the direction of a WOCIC pastor.  If there is a desire for an outside pastor to officiate, he is to consult the WOCIC pastor as to the procedures and his authority to participate in the service.  The person who signs the marriage license is governed by civil laws.  It is recommended that children participating as ring bearers or flower girls should be at least five years old, willing to follow instructions, and capable of proper demeanor.

The Music

Music that accompanies the ceremony should direct attention to God, who sanctifies marriage, and special care should be taken to assure that it is suitable and reverent. The bride and groom are responsible to provide any music CDs that they request for the wedding day.  In all cases, the music and musicians shall be approved by the pastor. 

Video and Photography

Ushers shall inform attendees with cameras that no flash pictures are to be taken in the sanctuary during the service.  Only the designated photographer and videographer are permitted to use flash lighting if necessary.  It is the bride and grooms responsibility to coordinate with the photographer and/or videographer with regard to their positions during the service, ensuring they do not interfere with the ceremony.  It is recommended that the photographer and/or videographer attend the rehearsal too.  The wedding party may pose for pictures in the sanctuary before and after the ceremony.

Care of the Facilities

All church facilities should be treated as the House of God.  Participants and guests are expected to conduct themselves accordingly.  The use of rice and confetti, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, the use of cell phones and pagers, and smoking on the premises are strictly not permitted.  These considerations apply for the rehearsal, the wedding and the reception (if held in our buildings).  The groom’s family shall be responsible for any damage to the church property in excess of normal usage and wear, and for any excessive custodial services.

Fees & Honoraria

At this time, the church facilities are available without charge.  However, it is customary for the groom and bride to provide a free will gift for the officiating minister, the head custodian, and any participating guests (e.g., musicians, singers).