Weddings

Wharton United Community Church at St. John’s is a beautiful setting for couples to come before God and their family and friends in Christian marriage. The sanctuary has a center isle, beautiful stained glass windows, seats approximately 200, and our church facility has plenty of parking. And our facilities are now handicap accessible.

Guidelines for Christian Marriage

1. When you have decided on the desired date for your wedding, consult with the pastors to arrange the day and hour of the service and rehearsal. At least three sessions of pre-marital counseling is required.

2. It is anticipated that the Wharton United Community Church's Music Minister will play at weddings in the church. Arrangements for another organist (with the permission of the church Music Minister), flowers, photographer, and videographer are to be completed by the bride and groom.

3. If you are being married by one of the pastors of WUCC, a copy of the service of Christian Marriage will be sent to you. This is a very meaningful and beautiful service as it is. Under certain circumstances alterations may be requested. There is some flexibility with the ceremony, and the couple may wish to discuss this with the pastor.

4. Application for a marriage license must be made in the municipality where the bride resides at least 72 hours before the wedding. Many towns require a witness to affirm that the bride and groom are who they say they are. When you apply for the marriage license at the municipal building, be prepared to tell the clerk the birthplace (city and state) of each of your parents, as well as your mothers’ maiden names. The marriage license application is valid for 30 days. If there has been a previous divorce by either the bride or the groom, the registrar will also want to see the finalized divorce papers. The pastor must have the license (left blank) on or before the night of the rehearsal.

5. Following the ceremony, you will receive a copy of the completed marriage license. This pink copy is NOT a certified copy but merely a copy for your records. When a certified copy is required for proof of marriage, change of name for driver’s license, registration, social security or insurance forms, one may be obtained from the Registrar of Vital Statistics at the municipality in which the marriage was performed.

6. If there is a rehearsal, there is normally no reason why it should require more than a half hour. Usually it is held the night before the wedding, but this needs to be arranged by the pastor. Please make sure all members of your wedding party demonstrates consideration by their promptness.

7. The honoraria for services provided for non-members of the church are as follows: use of the church $200, minister $300, organist $200, sexton $75. These should be received by the church at least one week prior to the wedding. The rehearsal cannot take place until these fees are taken care of. Separate checks should be written out to each individual.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in person or by telephone. Everything will be done to make this special time in your life as meaningful and memorable as possible.

***Please contact the church office if you are interested in getting married at WUCC***