Northlake Church’s Wedding Policies and Application
We believe that for a marriage to be successful, you must have:
CHRIST
COMMITMENT
COMMUNICATION
We must have the presence of Christ in our lives as Savior and Lord; we must be tenaciously committed to the sanctity of biblical marriage; and we must be committed to and equipped for effective communication in a marriage relationship.
We are committed to helping you start your married life well! If you have Christ, commitment, and communication, we believe you will be able to have a successful marriage!
Below are the policies and procedures for weddings performed at Northlake. If you want to have your ceremony and/or reception at Northlake, we would love to serve you. We will do everything we can to help you prepare for a healthy marriage! For this to happen, we ask you to make commitments to honor Jesus and prepare for marriage. Please review these policies carefully and then submit the application form!
A Sacred Celebration
A wedding at Northlake Church is more than a ceremony—it is a service of worship, conducted in the presence of Jesus Christ. While we embrace the joy and individuality each couple brings to their union, we hold to the reverence and solemnity appropriate for this sacred occasion. Your wedding will include Scripture readings, prayer, and a message rooted in God’s Word. Music selections, though not limited to traditional Christian genres, must reflect the respectful tone of worship and are subject to approval by the officiating pastor and, if necessary, the wedding coordinator.
If you plan to invite a pastor from another church to officiate, they must contact our pastoral staff at (360)423-3805 for prior approval.
Our commitment to Marriage
We believe marriage is a covenant designed by God to create strong, loving families. Our goal is to foster healthy, lasting marriages built of faith and biblical principles. To that end, we require premarital counseling to prepare couples for the lifelong journey ahead. This process includes a relationship assessment, such as “Prepare & Enrich,” and a series of counseling sessions to provide essential tools for marriage success.
We emphasize:
Marriage Preparation Matters: A wedding is a day; a marriage is a lifetime. We require couples to prioritize marriage preparation as much as event planning.
Premarital Counseling: Counseling is mandatory, conducted by Northlake pastors or approved clergy, ensuring a solid foundation for your union.
Biblical Foundations of Marriage: We affirm that God created marriage as a holy institution between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-25), as such we do not perform or host weddings between same gender couples. Marriage mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-23), characterized by love, mutual respect, and enduring commitment.
The Bible teaches spouses to:
Love and honor one another (Ephesians 5:33; Colossians 3:18).
Share in each other’s struggles and triumphs (Colossians 3:12-15).
Comfort in times of sickness and sorrow (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Provide for one another and their household (1 Timothy 5:8).
Pray for and encourage each other (Philippians 4:6-7).
Live as heirs of God’s grace (1 Peter 3:7).
Raise children in God’s love, if so blessed (Deuteronomy 6:5-9; Ephesians 6:4).
Uphold marriage as a lifelong covenant (Matthew 19:6).
Discourage divorce (Malachi 2:13-16.)
These values guide our wedding policies.
Minimum Requirements
Premarital Counseling: A minimum of two sessions, including a premarital inventory and biblical guidance on marriage, is required. Most pastors offer, and we recommend, 4-6 sessions.
Waiting Period: A three-month engagement period allows time for thoughtful preparation. Statistics show that couples that enter into marriage without time to prepare and evaluate the likelihood of success fail twice as often as those who do.
Commitment to Purity: We encourage couples to abstain from sexual intimacy until marriage. Research supports the benefits of this practice for long-term marital happiness. If you are living together, we ask that you move apart during the preparation period. Honor God…it’s worth it!
Church Attendance: Worshipping together strengthens relationships. We encourage couples to attend church regularly.
Policies and guidelines
Wedding Coordinator: The Wedding Coordinator, in partnership with the officiating pastor, oversees ceremony logistics, setup, and cleanup. They guide the florist, photographer, sound technician, and custodians.
Music Approval: All music must reflect the sacred nature of the service and be approved by the officiating pastor.
Prohibited Items:
No alcohol or smoking on church premises.
No confetti, rice, or birdseed.
No flash photography during the ceremony. The photographer must adhere to all guidelines and not distract from the ceremony itself.
No open-flame candles in aisle decorations.
Damage Responsibility: The bridal family is liable for any damages.
Marriage License: Provide the license to the pastor by, or before, the rehearsal, along with a clearly printed list of names to be typed on it.
Dressing Rooms: Available for the wedding party.
Wedding Party: The Bride and Groom are responsible for communicating all Northlake policies to the wedding party.
FEes for non-members (Members contact the church office)
Church Facility: $350
Reception Hall: $300
Hostess: $200
Sound Technician: $150
Custodian: $200
Northlake Pastor: $300
Premarital Counseling: $200
A non-refundable retainer fee of $200 is due to reserve the space, this will be applied to your total fees. All remaining fees should be paid in full one week prior to the wedding. Checks can be made payable to Northlake Church.
Scheduling Your wedding
Review Expectations: Consider the preparation requirements, fees, and policies outlined here.
Check Availability: Contact the church office at (360)423-3805 to reserve your date and remember to plan for a rehearsal time the night before.
Initial Meeting: Schedule an interview with a staff pastor to confirm your commitment to our policies. A $200 non-refundable retainer secures your date and applies toward your total fees.
We look forward to partnering with you as you prepare for your wedding day and your lifelong marriage journey!
Wedding Application