Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to be married at Grace?
Who can be married at Grace?
Due to the volume of activities at Grace, we need to limit weddings to couples where at least one of the engaged persons, or his/her parents, is a member or regular attender of Grace Church.
Where can we get married at Grace and when are weddings held?
Two areas are available for weddings at Grace - the Worship Center and the Guest Reception Room (which holds approximately 125 people). Wedding ceremonies are usually held on Fridays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. No weddings are held on Sundays or holidays.
Can we have our reception at Grace?
Grace Church has a fully staffed catering service to serve your reception needs. Contact Craig Pearson at 952-224-3042 for scheduling and further information.
Can a Grace Church pastor perform our ceremony off-site?
Grace pastors are available to officiate at weddings off-site as their schedules allow.
Can a non-Grace pastor perform our ceremony?
Guest pastors are welcome to perform ceremonies at Grace after agreement, by their signature, to the Grace Church Statement of Faith. Out-of-state pastors must have their credentials registered at the Hennepin County Offices. To perform weddings in Minnesota, your out-of-state pastor should write a letter requesting credentials from the State of Minnesota. He should send the letter along with a copy of his ordination certificate to: Director of Licensing, Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street - PSL West, Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026
What are the fees for pre-marriage counseling at Grace Church?
All couples being married at Grace or by a Grace pastor will need to complete the Prepare® pre-marriage counseling with a Grace pastor. The following counseling fees apply:
For Grace couples using a Grace pastor:
$35 for the scoring of the Prepare® relationship inventory and no charge for the follow-up counseling.
For Grace couples using a non-Grace pastor:
$35 for the scoring of the Prepare® relationship inventory and $75 for the follow-up counseling.
For non-Grace couples who desire pre-marital counseling at Grace Church:
$35 for the scoring of the Prepare® relationship inventory and $150 for the follow-up counseling.
Contact Kathy Veurink, Director of Guest & Member Services, for further clarification on pre-marriage counseling fees.
How long does it take to complete the pre-marriage process?
Couples need to complete the pre-marriage class, which is a 12-week course offered in the fall and the spring. For information and registration go to www.marriagetraining.org. Also, you need to allow time for approximately three sessions with your wedding pastor to plan the details of your ceremony and to take the Prepare® relationship inventory. This inventory will help clarify issues unique to your relationship.
Do we have to be engaged to take the pre-marriage class?
No. Many couples in the class are seriously dating but not engaged and some couples are recently married.
How do we contact a pastor to officiate at our wedding?
Most of the pastors at Grace are available to perform wedding ceremonies. After speaking with the Wedding Director about your preferences, call the church at 952-926-1884 and ask for your preferred pastor's assistant. He/she will determine if the pastor is available on your wedding date and help you to schedule the premarital interview.
What happens at the premarital interview? (Go to Step 2 in "Planning a Wedding at Grace Church")
Why are there so many policies and steps I have to go through to get married?
Our goal at Grace is to prepare couples not only for their wedding, but more importantly, for a lifetime of marriage. We want to equip you with the relational tools and the biblical perspective to help your marriage prosper in Christ.
How do we get started?
The first step is to contact Kathy Veurink, Director of Guest & Member Services, to discuss a wedding date and the pastor you would like to perform your ceremony.