The covenant of marriage is a holy promise that a couple makes to one another, to the community of family and friends, and to God.
Our church house is located on the corner of Joe Orr Road and Western Avenue in Olympia Fields. Its traditional colonial architecture and prominent location lead to many requests for weddings. We do require that all couples seeking to participate in the marriage covenant give evidence of their Christian faith and their commitment to preparation for marriage.
Each couple seeking to be married must go through a process of premarital counseling. This process consists of five to six sessions with the pastor.
It is prudent to schedule weddings at least nine months in advance in order to allow adequate time for preparation. Marriage is a life-long covenant that is not to be entered into lightly but “reverently and in the fear of God.”
FAQ’s
I am not a member of Olympia Fields UMC. May I still have my wedding at OFUMC? A church wedding is a service of Christian worship. At least one member of the couple needs to be active in a Christian congregation to have a wedding at OFUMC. Please supply name of pastor, church name and phone number.
I have a minister who is willing to officiate at my wedding. What do I need to do to have the ceremony at OFUMC? The pastor of OFUMC must approve of all weddings in the church sanctuary. Please submit the name, address, telephone number and ecclesiastical standing of the minister you would like to officiate to the church office. The pastor will call your minister to verify ecclesiastical standing.
I am a Christian but my future spouse is not a Christian. We will discuss the nature of the prospective spouse's non Christian belief in God.
I am divorced. May I be married at OFUMC? Yes. However, the permarital counseling will include an exploration of the circumstances leading to the dissolution of a previous marriage.
Schedule of fees
$50 Security Deposit (will be deducted from the total cost of the wedding or refunded if wedding is cancelled.)
$400 Sanctuary Space Use (includes rehearsal & wedding)
$150 Parlor (bride’s party dressing area)
$500 Pastor’s Honoraria
Organist Fee to be negotiated with the Church Organist.
$70 Sexton’s Fee (members only)
Members of Olympia Fields UMC pay only the sexton’s fee and the organist fee.
Honoraria to the pastor is optional for members of least two years or more.
All wedding fees payable one week ahead of the event. If not, there will be hold on the wedding plans.
Please Keep in mind. . .
Maximum seating capacity of the sanctuary is 200.
If you are using a runner, the sanctuary aisle is 60 feet.
The sanctuary is air-conditioned.
Brides may choose to use the church parlor for dressing.
No smoking is permitted in the church building.
No use of alcohol is permitted anywhere on the church grounds.
Photographers may not use a flash during the wedding. Videographers should plan to work either from the church balcony or the choir loft.
Wedding coordinators work under the direction of the pastor during the wedding rehearsal and ceremony.
