Couples that desire to wed through MGA should contact the office to be connected to our Wedding Coordinators. The couple is interviewed, registers for the next available Marriage Preparation course and meets with their pastor of choice. Once a suitable date is selected, the couple is assisted in organizing the rehearsal, and planning their ceremony.
If you desire to use our facilities for a ministry function, please submit a Room Request Form to the church office for consideration.
When planning your wedding at McMurray Gospel Assembly…
1. Eligibility: We view marriage as a gift of God to mankind. Therefore, this privilege and responsibility is available to people of all races and creeds. However, the ministers of this Church will only marry couples who are deemed to be capable of a marriage relationship which conforms to the scriptural standard.
MGA Marriage Preparation sessions prior to the wedding are mandatory. The Wedding Coordinator will notify the bride and groom of the course schedule. These sessions are presented over two Saturdays or a Friday night and a Saturday morning & afternoon. Due to the importance of these sessions, you will be required to adjust your schedule accordingly. It is also very important that you make an appointment with the Church Wedding Coordinator before announcing the wedding date. The laws of the province of Alberta state that in order to marry, you must be eighteen (18) years of age or more and obtain a marriage license within three months of the wedding date.
The Marriage Preparation Registration Form is available here.
2. Scheduling: One of the greatest decisions of life is the decision to marry. It is important to contact our Wedding Coordinator at least six months prior to your wedding date. Our very active church programs keep our facilities busy. It is important for you to secure the church facility. Our staff will make every effort to avoid conflicts in respect to your wedding.
3. Typical Marriage Planning Schedule:
A. The Church Office Ministry & Duties:
- To arrange for the initial interview with the pastor of your choice.
- To book dates in the church calendar for the proposed wedding and rehearsal
- To help the Bride & Groom to complete the Wedding Information
Form, Room Request Form and the Multimedia Request Form (if
necessary).
B. The Church Wedding Coordinator Ministry & Duties:
- To complete a room request form for use of the church facilities.
- To be a support to the Bride & Groom in order to facilitate their desires and requirements for their wedding day.
- To inform appropriate Church personnel of special needs for your wedding.
- To remain in contact with the Bride and Groom and Pastor throughout the duration of the planning time for the wedding.
- To ensure the Bride and Groom have obtained a marriage license.
- To see that the appropriate forms and official records are completed and that the Church Marriage Book is entered.
- To assist and/or conduct the rehearsal and to assist at the wedding ceremony.
- To facilitate semi-annual Marriage Preparation Courses.
C. The Pastoral Interview:
The first interview with the Minister of your choice will be arranged by the church office. If either the Bride or the Groom has a Christian Minister other than one of the Ministers of McMurray Gospel Assembly, that Minister may conduct the wedding ceremony. Except for unusual circumstances, the bride should extend the initial invitation (to conduct her wedding ceremony) to her home church pastor.
D. Marriage Preparation Sessions:
These mandatory sessions will be facilitated by our Wedding Coordinator. They will be done in group sessions at specified times in the fall and spring. The sessions are $80.00/couple and you will be required to adjust your schedule in order to attend the sessions.
You can download the Marriage Preparation Registration here.
E. The Marriage License:
You may obtain your marriage license from any one of the Provincial license outlets in our city. The bride and groom must appear together in order to obtain the marriage license. The marriage license shall be given to the Wedding Coordinator as soon as possible.
F. The Wedding Ceremony:
This will be arranged between the Bride and Groom, the pastor, and the church Wedding Coordinator.
4. The Rehearsal: Unless the wedding is very small, a rehearsal will be required a day or two before the wedding. It is important that the bride, groom, attendants, bride’s parents, and ushers are all present at the wedding rehearsal. Please have everyone arrive on time so that the rehearsal may begin promptly. Please do not use the rehearsal time to set up candelabras, flowers, decorations or tables, or for rehearsing music. *We recommend only those directly involved with the wedding ceremony attend the rehearsal.
5. The Marriage Ceremony: The purpose of the public marriage ceremony is to declare your vows of trust, commitment, and love to one another before God and community. It is also to hear the instruction of God’s Word concerning marriage and to give an opportunity for family and friends to join with you in prayer for your lives together. This is a very special event in your lives!
An important aim of the Christian wedding service is to honor God. All wedding plans, including the music, photography, rehearsal, ushering, and reception must then be in good taste and respect the Biblical definition of marriage.
There is room for flexibility in the style and format of the wedding ceremony. The order of the wedding ceremony will be planned together the pastor, the Wedding Coordinator, and the Bride and Groom
Required Components of the Marriage Service
- Vows
- Prayers
- Pronouncement of Marriage
- Scriptural Meditation
- Signing of Documents
Optional Components of the Marriage Service
- Vocal or Instrumental Music
- Poetry
- Candle lighting (candelabra and/or unity candle)
- Exchange of rings
- Receiving line
- Other
6. In The Case of Off Campus Weddings: When a Pastor has been asked to perform an off site wedding, the following will need to take place:
A. Off site weddings performed by a minister of this church will require the couple to enroll in a marriage prep class. The prep class may or may not be the one offered by the church.
B. The offsite wedding is the sole responsibility of the minister officiating the wedding. He/she is responsible for the completion of the marriage documents, the mailing and delivery of the same. The documents include the Registration of Marriage to be mailed to Edmonton, and the Marriage Certificate which is to be presented to the couple following the ceremony. The couple’s marriage license must be kept in the minister’s file for a period of one year.
7. Music: It is preferred that Christian music be used in the ceremony. However, suitable secular music may be used, providing the lyrics and music are approved by the coordinator or the pastor prior to the ceremony.
8. Decor: Decorating for your wedding will be the responsibility of the Bridal Party. Any decor you wish should be discussed with the Wedding Coordinator. All decorating takes place the morning of the wedding.
9. Photography: The Bride and Groom will be responsible for providing the name and/or company of the photographer to the Wedding Coordinator. Photos may be taken at any time during the ceremony except during the vows and the prayers. Remember to plan your additional photo session carefully, ensuring adequate time with the photographer. This will enable you to be on time for your reception with your guests.
| A good photographer will use proper discretion and professionalism in all areas of their profession including their attire at your wedding. |
10. Confetti: Confetti and/or rice are not permitted on the Church premises.
11. Smoking: McMurray Gospel Assembly is a non-smoking facility thus we ask, out of respect to the church facility and in the interests of the health and comfort of others, that your guests refrain from smoking within the building or within 5 meters from all church entrances.
12. The Reception: The Bride and Groom may discuss and plan the wedding reception with the Wedding Coordinator. Wedding receptions cannot be accommodated in our church facilities.
13. The Wedding Bulletin: This is the responsibility of the Bride and Groom.
14. Ushers: Two to four ushers will be required. It is advisable for ushers to wear suitable clothing, have shoes polished and be properly groomed. It is advisable that the bridal party and ushers refrain from gum chewing when participating in the ceremony.
| Remember the video camera will pick up the slightest movement. |
15. Audio Equipment: This equipment requires trained operators, and is managed by our own Media department. As a service to you, we record your ceremony and present it to you after the wedding service. If your singers are using pre-recorded music for accompaniment, the Wedding Coordinator will notify the sound operator. Singers using sound tracks must rehearse with the sound operator before the ceremony – preferably before or after the wedding rehearsal. Singers will also be expected to come 30 minutes prior to the wedding ceremony to do a sound check.
16. Wedding Fees: All wedding fees must be paid at the time of the church booking. All fees are subject to change. Our fees are as follows: Building, Audio, Custodial, & Administrative amount to $150.00. Compulsory Marriage Preparation Course $80.00/couple
Total fees at time of BOOKING – $230.00
Honorariums for wedding participants (i.e.: Pastor, Wedding Coordinator, etc.) are at the discretion of the Bride and Groom.
