Getting MarriedGetting Married at Bethel
At Bethel, we take the sanctity and convenant of marriage before God very seriously. Therefore, we have a "Pre-Marital Process" in place which aims to work alongside you as a couple to help you experience a successful, God-honoring marriage.  This mandatory process takes about six months to complete and you will need to have this time built into your wedding plans in order to get married at Bethel. 

We look beyond your wedding day and focus on your marriage.  

INFORMATION-GATHERING

Step 1: Click here to read our "Quick Fact Sheet" on getting married at Bethel.

Step 2: Part of our process involves self study and a half day class. In planning for your wedding, please see our "Timeline" for these classes which will guide you in your planning.

Step 3: Click here to download and read our "Pre-Marital Guidebook." The guidebook includes a "Fee Schedule" on page 7 which lists all of the costs involved in getting married at Bethel.  You can also pick up a Guidebook at the Information Center when attending a weekend service.

MOVING AHEAD

(please note that in order for a couple to get married at Bethel, they must have been faithfully attending services at Bethel for at least six (6) months. Please do not move ahead in the process unless this is the case.)

Getting married at BethelStep 4: After reading the Pre-Marital Guidebook, in it's entirety, you will need to complete the "Intention To Proceed," which is located on Page 9 of the Guidebook.  Submit the completed form to the Church Office.

Step 5: When the Church Office receives the completed form, we will mail you a Pre-Marital Application Packet.  There are several forms in this packet which need to be completed and returned by you. Your process will be considered on-hold in the Church until we receive these completed forms back.

Step 6: Once the Church Office receives the above mentioned forms, they will contact you to arrange a time for you to pick up your class materials (see Fee Schedule).

PRE-MARITAL PREP-WORK 

The pre-marital process at Bethel involves four main components:

  • Pre-marital Self Study this consists of a hardbook book and a workbook for each person, DVD sessions and Video Reponse Sheets.  Each person is expected to complete the entire course. See Fee Schedule for material costs

  • Pre-Marital Seminar: In this half day Seminar, the Self-Study material and Video Response Sheets will be reviewed. There will be a time for Q&A.

  • Pre-Marital Counseling: Each couple will be required to participate in 3-6 Counseling Sessions with one of our Counselors, where you will take a Pre-marital Inventory & review the results. See Fee Schedule for Counseling Fees.

  • GOOD SENSE: to help ensure that you are ready for a healthy financial life in your new marriage, we require that both of you successfully complete a Good Sense Workshop. See Fee Schedule for material costs.
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  • Meeting With the Officiating Pastor: Before the wedding ceremony, the Officiating Pastor will schedule 1-2 Counseling Sessions with you to discuss any outstanding issues and the details of your ceremony prior to your wedding.

SCHEDULING / USE OF BUILDING

Although we hold the date of your wedding, we hold it as "tentative." Remember, we are primarily concerned about your marriage, not your wedding.  Therefore, all of the required elements of the premarital process must be completed, and you must receive counselor and pastoral approval prior to the confirmation of your wedding date.  This is for the protection and benefit of all involved.  Do not allow your wedding date to drive your relationship. Be sure you are ready and even be willing to postpone or cancel your wedding if significant issues arise.  It is for this reason that we ask you to schedule your counseling sessions at least 5 months prior to your wedding date.

When the church sends you the "Pre-Marital Application Packet" (Step 5 above), in it you will find a "Use of Building" Form.  Returning this form, as well as all others in that packet, will put your tentative date on our church calendar.

Please note that the church building must be vacated by 3 p.m. on Saturdays in preparation for Saturday evening church services.

We invite you to read through all of these materials carefully. If you have any questions about our Pre-Marital process, please do not hesistate to call the Church Office.