Weddings
Marriage Policy
Fairlawn Avenue United Church recognizes all marriages allowed by the Government of Ontario, including couples of all gender combinations. Ministry staff perform marriage ceremonies within the church building and offsite. Consultation with the staff to celebrate each couple’s culture and spiritual background is encouraged.
Booking Your Wedding at Fairlawn
Please note any questions you may have, then contact Joanne Christie, Church Administrator/Service Coordinator at or at 416-481-6848 x. 21, with your preferred, and back up wedding date. Please note that due to our sanctuary having no air conditioning, we do not secure bookings for July and August.
Couples seeking to be married at Fairlawn are expected to participate in some form of marriage preparation and meet with the minister. If you have another minister, not affiliated with Fairlawn, who you would like to conduct your service, please advise during your initial inquiry. The invitation will be formally extended by our office on behalf of the couple.
Your marriage license may be obtained from the Issuer of Marriage Licenses at any city hall. It can be dated no more than three months before the wedding. You must submit your license to the church office no later than two weeks prior to your wedding date.
Form of Service
The marriage ceremony is a Christian church service. There are, however, many possibilities for variations and involvement, including interfaith services, which should be discussed with the officiating minister, who shall have final authority.
Music
Rehearsal
A rehearsal is required and is to be held within the week before the ceremony in order that directions remain fresh in the minds of the participants. Please ask all parties to be present and on time.
Church Decorations and Flowers
The use of pew markers is permitted as long as no nails or tacks are used, only green painter’s tape can be used to attached any decorations. Flowers may be placed on the flower stands at the back of the chancel or on either side of the chancel steps, or at floor level in front of the communion table. Chancel furniture may not be moved. Flower petals are not to be placed anywhere on the wooden or carpeted floors. Chancel candles can be used. No outside or wax candle use is permitted.
Please schedule with the Church Administrator/Service Coordinator office two weeks before your wedding to confirm when you will decorate. This must be at time when the church is open.
All floral arrangements must be constructed off site and be capable of installation within one hour and removal with all decorations, within a half hour of the actual service, by a party organized by the couple.
Photographs/Video
Photographs are permitted by anyone as the procession moves up and down the aisle. However, during the actual ceremony and signing of the register, only the assigned photographer/videographer is permitted to take photos/videos, and this must be done without flash and without moving in front of the congregation. If time permits, posed photos may be taken in the church after the ceremony. Please plan with the Church Administrator/Service Coordinator at least one week prior to the day.
Sound System
The sanctuary sound system is available for use and may only be operated by a church-approved, trained operator secured by the Church Administrator/Service Coordinator. A fee for the sound operator service provider applies. Videographers hired for the event are not able to plug into the sound system and must use their own audio recording equipment.
Fairlawn does not provide livestreaming or video services. We are able to provide contact information for video services by an independent contractor.
Bulletin
The Minister, Director of Music and couple will provide the Church Administrator/Service Coordinator the order of service and cover photograph for the service bulletin 3 weeks before the service date. Final draft will be sent to the couple for approval for printing 2 weeks before the service date. Please confirm the number of bulletins required, to a maximum of 200. More than 200 can be printed however, an additional fee will be applied.
** Confetti and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises and property. **