Fairfield United Church

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:

• Lighting of Family Candles
• Procession
• Welcome and Statement of Purpose
• Opening Prayer
• Scripture and Poetry Readings
• Minister's Address to the Guests
• Minister's address to the Couple
• Statement of Intent
• Affirmation of Support
• Prayer before the Vows
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Blessing
• Kiss
• Lighting of the Unity Candle
• Presentation of Married Couple
• Signing of the Register & Documents
• Recessional

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.