Weddings

Because we want to honor God in all of our relationships, we follow the commands that He gives us for our own good (Deuteronomy 10:13). Here are some principles that are taught in the Bible.

Remarriage after divorce is permitted in specific situations.  For detailed information please read our Marriage, Separation, Divorce and Remarriage statement.  If you have been divorced, there is a section for you to fill out in the survey; this will be reviewed by the officiating pastor.

The spiritual perspective of each individual is extremely important in marriage. 

The Bible warns against the marriage of a Christian and a non-Christian. Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; see also Ezra 9, and 1 Kings 11:1-10. Because of this teaching, we do not perform weddings for couples where one is a Christian and the other is not.

The following venues at Grace are used for weddings:

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS CAMPUS

• Worship Center: Seats up to 700 on main level, 1400 total
• Atrium Chapel: Seats up to 120
• Fireside Room: Seats up to 20

OLMSTED FALLS CAMPUS

• Worship Center: Seats up to 950
• Atrium: Seats up to 175

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Weddings in the Worship Center are usually on Saturdays and typically scheduled at either 1:00 PM or 4:00 PM. This allows us to accommodate up to 2 weddings on the same date. Occasionally weddings are also scheduled on Fridays depending on availability.

Rehearsals are usually scheduled on Fridays at 4:30, 6:00, or 7:30 PM.

Most wedding ceremonies take 30-45 minutes. Receiving line (if desired) takes about another 45 minutes depending on the guest total.

Dressing rooms are provided for the bridesmaids and groomsmen on the day of the wedding.

Receptions are occasionally held at Grace Middleburg Heights Campus ONLY. Check with the Facility Scheduling Director [email protected] for details.

The Church Facility is to be used for God’s glory. Toward that end, songs that are incorporated with any event at Grace cannot include lyrics that violate Scripture principles. Grace reserves the right to approve playlists and music used during the reception. This includes DJ’s and live bands. Dancing is allowed and should not detract from a Christ-honoring celebration. Alcohol is not allowed on the church premises.

Non-staff officiating pastors are permitted at Grace, however, must be approved before the wedding is confirmed and must agree to our church policy on weddings.

WEDDING FEES

Worship Center or Atrium Chapel, Room 209 @ Middleburg Heights/Olmsted Falls

Non-Regular Attendee of Grace Church: $1000

Active Grace Church Attendees: $650

Grace seeks to honor those who have given their time, talents, and tithe to the church. Our wedding package has been discounted for those attendees who are active members.

Wedding fee includes:

• Cost of facility rental for Wedding Rehearsal and Wedding Day
• 2 Changing rooms for bridal party
• Grace Wedding Consultant
• Light & Sound Technician
• Pastoral Honorarium of $125.00

Fireside Room @ Middleburg Heights (max occupancy: 20 people)

Non-Regular Attendee of Grace Church $400.00

Active Grace Church Attendees: $200.00

Wedding fee includes:

• Cost of facility rental on Wedding Day
• Officiant Honorarium of $125.00

MUSICIANS & VOCALISTS

At your request, your Wedding Consultant will check availability and make reservations through the Grace Church Worship Ministry. Musician fees should be paid directly to Grace Church. Grace will ensure payment to musicians and vocalists.

• Musician fee: $125
• Vocalist fee: $125

GRACE OFFICIANT OFF CAMPUS

Grace officiants are happy to officiate offsite. The honorarium is $125 plus drive time and expenses to the venue including the rehearsal and wedding.

PAYMENT

During the meeting with your wedding officiant, they will provide you with a link to the Wedding Request Form. After you complete this form, Facility Scheduling Director Cindy King will contact you to review your wedding details and wedding fee. Your wedding date, location, and/or officiant are confirmed after payment is received.

We accept cash, personal checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders for wedding payments. Make checks payable to Grace Church. Mark ATTENTION CINDY KING, YOUR NAMES & WEDDING DATE on the envelope.

The purpose of a Wedding Consultant is to facilitate your access to and use of the church facilities. After your paperwork and deposit are received by our Facility Scheduling Director, a Wedding Consultant will be assigned to you. She will contact you about six months prior to your wedding to schedule a time to meet you at Grace and plan your ceremony details.

Meeting Agenda (scheduled about six months out):

• A walk-through of the facility, including rooms for Bridal Party to prepare for ceremony
• Establish times of events (Ceremony and Rehearsal)
• Delivery needs (Florist, etc.)
• Equipment needs – candelabras, podium for guest book, table for gifts, unity candle stand, etc. 
• Decor options and guidelines (the church provides minimal decor, additional items are provided by the couple)
• Discuss music options, including digital/recorded music or live. If a vocalist, pianist, or other musician is requested, the Consultant will put you in contact with a Grace musician and/or vocalist. The couple will contact the musicians regarding music selections and details. 

Final Details Confirmed (two or three weeks before wedding):

• Consultant will contact Bride to review arrangements and make adjustments as needed.
• Review ceremony plan – order of service, special accommodations.
• A final Wedding Day Plan will be provided to Grace Church staff listing each participant and their phone number.

Rehearsal (evening before wedding):

• Consultant arrives 30 minutes prior to see that everything is set up properly – tables, podium, etc.
• She ensures the rehearsal goes off well and makes any necessary adjustments or arrangements.

Wedding Day:

• Consultant arrives one hour prior to the Ceremony and stays until the bride proceeds down the aisle.

Our desire is for each couple to establish a solid foundation for their marriage and equip them to weather the challenges ahead. Participating in one of these options below will help equip you for this lifetime commitment. Know that happiness is not the highest purpose for living. God’s heart is that we be holy like His Son Jesus. As a result, we want to follow the principles of His Word knowing that true joy is found in obeying the One who created us and gave His life for us.  

Plan to complete at least one of the options below. 

1. Attend a “Ready to Wed” class offered twice a year for 11 weeks, beginning in March and September.  Contact Susan Blossom at [email protected].
2. Meet with a licensed Christian counselor. As an alternative (or addition) you can work with any licensed Christian counselor. We have two affiliated counselors who offer “Ready to Wed” counseling but they book up quickly. If interested in one of our counselors, please reach out to schedule 4 sessions ASAP. Contact info: [email protected] or call 440.243.4885 x202.
3. Another option for pre-marital preparation: Attend the Weekend to Remember Conference (Fri-Sun) which happens in dozens of cities around the nation throughout the year. (Be sure to ask for the ENGAGED COUPLES TRACK.)

Decorations are the responsibility of the couple. Since there are so many weddings performed at Grace (often two the same day), we discourage a lot of decorations and ask that you exercise sensitivity toward others who may be sharing the facility. The lighting in our Worship Center can be modified to produce a “smaller” feel if desired and we can often incorporate your wedding color scheme in the lighting.

The time slot in which you are permitted to decorate will be discussed at the first meeting with your Wedding Consultant.

Delivery of decorations, including floral, must be pre arranged with the Wedding Consultant.

If bows or ribbons are used on the aisle seats, they must be attached with string as no tape or any type of adhesive may be used.

Already existing decorations and furniture in the church may not be moved or removed.

Your decorations must be removed immediately after pictures and the church returned to its original set-up design (unless there is an agreement between you and another couple getting married that day.)

Worship Center stage décor often corresponds with the current sermon series. Most décor is permanent throughout the sermon series. As your ceremony date draws closer, check with your Wedding Consultant regarding stage décor on your wedding date.

“Farewell” options can be discussed at your meeting. No birdseed, rice or sugar confections may be used on church property. Please clean up any “farewell” debris left behind.

You will plan the service with your officiant. You are free to choose Scripture passages and even suggest some ideas you would like included in the message. The service is approximately 30-45 minutes.

Here is a sample order:

• Music Prelude (starts 30 minutes before ceremony)*
• Seating of the Grandparents*
• Seating of Parents*
• Set Aisle Runner (optional)
• Bridesmaids’ Entrance*
• Bride’s Processional*
• Giving of the Bride
• Opening Prayer
• Scripture Reading
• Message
• Declaration of Intent
• Exchange of Vows
• Pronouncement
• Unity Candle*
• Prayer music
• Presentation*

*Denotes a time when instrumental or vocal music could occur.

All of your music can be pre-recorded or you may want to add live music. If you need assistance with finding a musician or vocalist, your Grace Wedding Consultant can put you in contact with a Grace Worship Ministry musician and/or vocalist.

The cost for each musician or vocalist is $125. Payment for musicians is paid to Grace Church who in turn will pay the musicians. All musicians/vocalists need to be at rehearsal.

Other Details to note

• If you want to invite the congregation to your wedding via the weekly bulletin, please send an invitation to the church one month in advance to the attention of Cindy King.
• Music selection, pictures, or videos viewed during the ceremony should be respectful and cannot include lyrics that violate Scripture principles.
• Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on church premises.
• All decorations must be removed immediately following the ceremony. The church cannot store decorations.

Personal items should be removed from all rooms (including dressing rooms) promptly after the ceremony.

A license can be obtained from any county courthouse in Ohio.

Cuyahoga County Courthouse

1 Lakeside Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44113

216.443.8920

• • Social security numbers are needed for the license.
  • License valid for 60 days anywhere in Ohio.
  • License is processed while you wait – both must be present.
    
    

• License is required by law and must be given to pastor at wedding rehearsal or before.