Marriage & Weddings
Congratulations on your decision to be married! The staff at Cuyahoga Valley Church anticipates celebrating with you and working together to make your wedding day one that glorifies God!
Planning a wedding is an exciting but sometimes stressful task. Our goal is to answer any questions you may have right “up front,” in order to make your wedding ceremony planning as stress-free as possible. We hope you’ll find the following policies and guidelines informative as you move toward your wedding day. Again, congratulations!
Basics
- We believe that the term “marriage” has only one, legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union, as taught by the Bible. Marriage ceremonies performed by any pastor of this church or in any facility owned, leased, or rented by this church will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman as their gender was determined at birth. Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s Statement of Faith, doctrines, and biblical positions will govern. (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9).
- We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined in (1) above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are or might become more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity. (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
Reserving the Church
Those who are members or regular attenders may reserve the church up to one year in advance, after the initial requirements noted on page 5 have been met. Our Worship Center seats approximately 600 on the main level and 140 in the balcony.
Pastor
It is the couple’s responsibility to contact and schedule an officiating pastor. Elders of CVC have asked the Lead Pastor to perform ceremonies for members only. Other members of the pastoral staff may perform ceremonies for members and regular attenders. The officiating pastor will not attend the reception unless invited to do so. As a general rule, our pastoral staff will not perform ceremonies for those outside the ministry of CVC. Upon request, a pastor from another church may be used with prior approval from our ministry staff.
Premarital Counseling
We require all couples marrying at CVC to meet with a pastor or marriage mentor for premarital counseling.
Facility Coordinators
Our facility coordinators will answer questions about our facility, help you with selection of church equipment you may want to use, and make suggestions for decorations. Shortly after you reserve the church, you will want to make arrangements for a “walk through” of the facility and seek answers to any questions you may have.
Musical and Technical Needs
You may choose special live vocal and/or instrumental music for your wedding. Choosing and contacting the musicians and sound technicians is the couple’s responsibility. These arrangements should be made at least six months prior to your wedding.
Departure Tradition
Bubbles and bells may be used on the couple’s departure. Rice, bird seed, rose petals, balloons, and sparklers are not permitted on church property.
Reception
The Lower Level of our facility is available with a seating capacity of approximately 200 people. Our custodial staff will set up/tear down the tables and chairs. Decorations are the couple’s responsibility. Saturday receptions must be concluded by 7pm to allow time to prepare for Sunday services.
Alcohol Policy | Designated Smoking Area
Cuyahoga Valley Church does not permit the storage or consumption of alcoholic beverages on church property. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas outside the church building.
Rehearsal
The rehearsal is typically held the night before the wedding and lasts about an hour. Participation in the rehearsal will help to ensure that your wedding ceremony goes smoothly. Please be sure to contact all participants of the wedding and all family members who will be taking part. Remember to notify the sound technician and musicians of the time of the rehearsal.
Decorations / Seasonal Decorations
Lighted candles (other than for a unity candle arrangement) are not permitted in the Worship Center or Lower Level reception area.
During the month of December, the Worship Center and foyer will be decorated for Christmas. Weddings held during this time must use, but may add to, the existing decorations.
Photography / Videography
The focus of the wedding should be on the ceremony, not the photographer. Photographers are encouraged not to use flash during the ceremony and to be unobtrusive. Videotaping equipment should be set up in a stationary location to one side or in the balcony.
Marriage License
The couple must secure a marriage license prior to the rehearsal. Contact any Ohio county courthouse for more information. Ceremonies cannot be performed without this license.
Before You Say “I Do”
The purpose of Before “I Do” is to help reveal and reflect the heart of Christ within marriage. We seek to inform you of the practicalities of your commitment, equip you to fulfill that commitment, and establish a healthy relationship that will last a lifetime.
You will also participate in the Prepare/Enrich assessment (an online relationship assessment and feedback process) which will help put you on a path toward lifelong relationship growth by discovering ways to open up doors for communication and intimacy.
Couples who are being married at CVC or by a CVC pastor are required to complete this 7-week class. This class is offered twice a year, in the Spring and again in the Fall, on Saturday mornings.
