Fairfield United welcome banner

Weddings at Fairfield United

"For Christians, our relationship with God and with each other is rooted in our understanding of covenant. We know God as faithful, loving, compassionate, and just. We are called to embody this in our own relationships with each other.

"Relationships cannot thrive and grow in isolation. They need the encouragement, nurture, support, and accountability of community. Thus, covenants of Marriage and Life Partnership are public. In the Church we celebrate such covenants in the context of the public worship of God.

"Relationships grounded in inclusivity, openness, respect, and equality will be caring and loving. When one person turns to another and promises to love, there is an opportunity to feel the Divine mystery and presence. By promising to live in faithful human covenant with another, there is potential to know, in part, God's faithful covenant with all God's people."
- from Celebrate God's Presence, publ. United Church of Canada

Fairfield United Church is the perfect place for you to begin a committed life together, even if you've never attended our church. We see people as unique, beloved creations of God. We also see relationships as living things, requiring preparation and nurture. We'll offer you a marriage preparation class, and we'll grow with you through all that life can bring.

We celebrate weddings for couples of all orientations who are in committed relationships. Our community is broad and accepting. Fairfield United Church marries previously divorced people and couples of different religions. We are open to inter-church and inter-faith weddings in which someone from another faith community shares in officiating.

We do not require that couples be members of Fairfield United Church, simply that you desire a ceremony in which you seek God's blessing upon your commitment. If you do not regularly attend worship, we suggest that you visit us for a Sunday service (10:00 am) prior to your wedding so that you are comfortable with a church service. We also ask you to apply for a provincial marriage license and bring this to the church office at least a week before the wedding.

While some portions of the ceremony are required due to legal reasons, there is considerable flexibility to choose music, prayers and readings that reflect your special love and commitment for one another. You may also request the assistance of the music director, who can suggest suitable music for the processional, at the signing of the register and for the recessional.

Weddings are not performed at our church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday.

Our Minister will guide the preparation and officiate at your special ceremony, with attention to details and personal requests. If for some reason the Minister or organist is unavailable we will assume responsibility for securing the services of another.

This fee includes payment for the minister, organist, custodian, and the use of the sanctuary Use of the Lower Hall cost is extra; see below. (An additional $25/hour each is charged if a rehearsal with the music director and a soloist is requested.)

The first step is to view the facilities. You are welcome to attend any Sunday service (10:00 a.m.) when you will be able to see the church in daylight and hear the organ and piano.

Weddings can be booked by making an appointment with the Minister, at 250-384-3425. Please confirm your date before printing invitations. After that first appointment, submission of a non-refundable deposit will reserve dates and times for both rehearsal and wedding.

Please contact the minister for information about specific costs for your wedding.


Further Information about Weddings at Fairfield United

Deposits

Figures vary depending on day and other circumstances. Please contact the minister for detailed information about cost.

Church Address

On your invitations be sure to print the Church address as: Fairfield United Church, 1303 Fairfield Road, Victoria, B.C.

Marriage License

You can apply for your marriage license and registration by completing a Marriage License Application through the Vital Statistics website at www.vs.gov.bc.ca/marriage. Application can be made within 90 days of your wedding date. Fill in the first half of your wedding license when you receive it however do not sign the form now. You and your witnesses will sign during the marriage ceremony. As we need the form to complete the church register for preparation of your ceremony, please bring the license and the balance of your fees to the church office one week prior to your wedding. Immediately after your wedding, your marriage license will be mailed to the Department of Vital Statistics where your marriage will be registered in government records.

Rehearsal

Rehearsals are scheduled by the Minister for the evening before your wedding and last for about one hour.

Candles

It is up to the wedding party to provide the candles. Please buy no-drip candles and provide protection for our flooring and furniture.. NB: White candles photograph better than dark-coloured candles. If you wish to perform the unity candle ceremony you will need two additional candles plus a centre pillar candle. You may also use candles to represent family members who cannot be at your wedding.

Order of Service

Some couples wish to have a printed Order of Service for guests to read. The following is an outline of a typical Order of Service:

Flowers

Flowers can be delivered to the church front doors one hour before the ceremony. Any flowers or decorations which you bring must be removed immediately after the ceremony. Please avoid placing flowers on the communion table.

Pew Bows

Pew bows may be attached with a non-marking, non-sticky method. The sanctuary can be decorated an hour before the wedding. Please remove decorations immediately after the ceremony.Church Decorations There are some days when your wedding will have to accommodate decorations already in place in the church. The church sanctuary is decorated with banners, antependia, appropriate floral and greenery arrangements on the Saturday before Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day and other special days.. For Advent and Christmas, artificial and real evergreen boughs and poinsettias enhance the chancel.

Photography

We co-operate fully with your official photographer, giving ample opportunity for good pictures. Please ask your photographer to speak to the Minister before the ceremony. Guests may take photographs as the wedding party comes in, during the register-signing, and as the wedding party leaves. The church is not available for use as a studio for pre- or post-wedding photography, however our front corner patio or Moss Street pergola have both been used by wedding parties for beautiful photos. We will try to accommodate a short photo session in the case of inclement weather.

Ushers

Please appoint two ushers who are available for the rehearsal as well as the wedding. They will be asked to arrive at the church one hour before the wedding time. Ushers have responsibilities which restrict their being in the wedding party.

Children in the wedding party and as guests are welcome in our services at Fairfield United. If a child is unhappy in the Sanctuary, parents are free to visit our Nursery downstairs where there are toys for preschoolers.

Confetti etc.

We ask that you inform your guests not to throw confetti, rice or birdseed in or near the church.