“As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” Ephesians 5:31-32

Congratulations to you! Marriage is a special and sacred gift of God for the companionship and joy of mankind. The fact that marriage on earth is a reflection of Christ’s relationship with His church is profound. It means that the truth and love we learn and experience in our marriage helps us to understand Christ and His love for us. By knowing Christ more, we become better husbands and wives. What a privilege it is!

Pre-Marriage Mentoring Focus

The Pre-marriage mentoring emphasizes:

1. God’s design for marriage.
2. Care and encouragement from mentoring
   couples to engaged couples.
3. Specific areas of marriage such as: Communication, Conflict resolution, Family-of-Origin, Finances, and Intimacy

Prepare and Enrich

In preparation for marriage, you will complete an online couple questionnaire to assess your couple strengths and challenges. A report will be provided to your marrying pastor and mentors. Together, you will review the results and develop a strategy to build on your strengths to overcome your challenges.  Your mentoring sessions will be shaped around key areas identified in the questionnaire. 

Pre-Marriage Mentoring

The Pre-Marriage Mentoring program is an experiential journey in a home environment where engaged couples learn through stories and experiences of married couples.  Couples learn from God, a mentor couple and one another about life as husband or wife. In the process, each engaged couple gains better understanding of their relationship, increases their capacity to care, and grows fonder of each other.

Mentor Follow Up

Your mentor couple can be a source of support after your wedding as well.  The first year of marriage is a significant season of adjustment, and mentors can continue to offer prayer and encouragement.

Policies

Reservation of WMB Church
Because of the schedules/programs of regular WMB ministries, we can only accommodate weddings for WMB members and adherents. WMB Church may not be booked for receptions or rehearsal dinners.

Time
Wedding ceremonies held on Saturdays need to be completed by 4:30 p.m.

Music
The couple should make their own arrangements for music. The church office will arrange for a technician to handle any audio/visual and sound requirements.

Decorations
WMB has available candelabras, artificial trees and Courtyard tables for use in your ceremony.  Please arrange with the office to use these items.  All other decorations need to be provided by the couple. Please check with the church office regarding any decorating guidelines.  It is important that decorations be cleared immediately after the ceremony, due to our weekend services.

Legalities
You must purchase a marriage license through the city and give it to the church office at least one week before the wedding.  WMB does not read wedding banns.

Photography
Photography during the ceremony is at the discretion of the couple, provided it doesn’t take away from the spirit of the ceremony.

Miscellaneous
The use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages is prohibited throughout the church building and the premises. The throwing of rice and confetti is prohibited within the church building and on the church property.

Pre-Marriage Mentoring
This is mandatory for all couples being married by a WMB pastor.  Please see more information on the reverse side of this brochure.

Fees

Pre Marriage mentoring: $100

Includes Prepare & Enrich Assessment and mentoring sessions

Pastoral Fee: $200

Includes consultations, rehearsal and ceremony   

Facility rental: $175

Members: Complimentary

Services/Administration: $175

 Includes Janitorial, A/V & sound, etc.

Next Steps Checklist

In order to be married at WMB and/or by a WMB pastor, you are required to do the following:

1. Contact the church office to check the availability for your desired wedding date and request a pastor.  The church sanctuary will be temporarily held for you until you meet with a  pastor to confirm your wedding.
2. Meet with a pastor to discuss the possibility of them officiating your wedding and to review the pre-marriage process at WMB.   A meeting with a pastor will be arranged by the office. 
3. Fill out the Registration Information form and the Rental form (if applicable) and return them to the church office.  These are available at the church office or online
4. Complete Pre-Marriage Mentoring
   WMB holds marriage in high regard, so we want to provide resources to help you prepare for, and succeed in your marriage.
5. Meet with your marrying Pastor and plan your ceremony.  The pastor will meet with you 2-3 times prior to your wedding day to review your pre-marriage work and help plan your ceremony.  Your pastor will also help you plan a rehearsal to practice all of the details of your ceremony.

For Your Wedding registration, please print a registration form and return it to the Church Office.

For more information, please contact the Church Office: weddings [at] waterloomb [dot] org or 519-885-5330.