Booking, Preparation and Service Format

Initial inquiries about the availability of church and other resources on the proposed wedding date should be directed to the church office.

The pastor may require couples to participate in some form of marriage preparation counselling or classes. Marriage preparation is designed to provide couples seeking to begin their life journey together with a strong foundation.

The pastor will advise the wedding couple on the format of the service and suitability of the music. While service format is reviewed jointly with the couple, the pastor has complete discretion as to the format of the service and any alternatives to the service proposed by the couple.

Guidelines for the Wedding Service

Flash photography is allowed before and after the actual wedding service, at times agreed to by the pastor. Flash photography during the wedding service is only permitted by the couple’s designated photographer. Videotaping by specifically designated persons is allowed, but should not interfere with the solemnity of the service; the pastor will give direction as to the nature of all service activities.

St. Mark’s insists that confetti, rice, birdseed, etc. not be used in the church or on the church property.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, as a congregation of the MNO Synod of the ELCIC, affirms that rostered ministers of this congregation may, according to the dictates of their conscience, preside at or bless legal (same or different sex) marriages according to the laws of the province of Manitoba. Ministers from St. Mark’s Lutheran church will perform same sex marriages using the same criteria or discretion that apply to different sex marriages.

Service Bulletins

The wedding couple shall provide their own special bulletins. Arrangements to create and/or print the bulletins by the church office must be made well in advance of the wedding date.

Music Arrangements

The Director of Music provides or supervises the instrumental part of the music for weddings. All musical arrangements must be made in advance with the St. Mark’s Director of Music.

Associated Costs

The Pastor invests many hours of time in counseling, as well as preparing, and conducting the wedding service and rehearsals. Similarly, additional hours are given by our Director of Music and our administrative and custodial staff. In recognition of these contributions, honoraria and fees are requested. A nominal fee is also applied for the use of the church building. Please refer to our Schedule of requested honoraria and fees for more information about requested amounts and the payment process.