Marriage at Wesley Church
How to contact us
Office
Email: 
Phone: (03) 9663 2935
Minister
Rev Dr Douglas Miller
Email: 
Phone: (03) 9663 2930
Do you really want to get married in this Church?
Let us be clear what this means.
The book of Genesis says:
"Therefore a man leaves his father and mother, and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).
Jesus quoted that passage, and then said:
"Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Mark 10:9).
Getting married in this Church means that both of you invite your parents, your family, and your friends to gather to worship God here. People will hear Bible texts like the two we just quoted. The Minister will then remind everyone that marriage is a most serious vow taken before God, which should never be taken lightly.
Then you will turn to each other, take the other person's hand in yours, and make this vow:
I (myname), in the presence of God,
take you (yourname), to be my wife/husband,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow.
Then the Minister will declare that you two are now husband and wife.
These are vows taken in the presence of God. If you are not going to mean them and carry them out, then it would be better if you don't come and say them.
On the other hand, if you are ready to make this most serious of vows to each other, before God, your families and the wider community, then come and talk to us.
Inside view of Wesley Church
Making the Arrangements
To discuss a marriage in Wesley Church, you can contact the Minister's Secretary
, Phone: 03 9663 2935,
during office hours. Check whether the date and time you want are available.
The secretary will then make an appointment for you both to meet the Minister. The date and time requested for a wedding remain provisional until the Minister has met with you, and you have paid a deposit of $50.
When you meet with the Minister, you will need to sign the Federal Government's "Notice of Intention" sometime between eighteen months and one month before the proposed wedding. When you sign this, the Minister will need to see:
- If you were born in Australia, a full Australian Birth Certificate (not an Extract of Entry of Birth),
- If you were born overseas, and have become an Australian citizen, your birth certificate from that country,
- If you were born overseas, and are still a citizen of the country where you were born, your passport is sufficient evidence.
- If you have been married before, a copy of the Decree of the Divorce or Dissolution of the Marriage; or the Death Certificate (as appropriate).
Meeting with the Minister
The Minister, Rev Dr Douglas Miller, will probably want to meet with you four times, not counting the wedding itself.
- First meeting to take details, discuss options broadly, and sign the notice of intention if your documents are ready.
- Second meeting, to plan out the wedding, and discuss issues left over from the first meeting.
- About a month before the wedding, to check that all planning is under control.
- A wedding practice in the Church, involving all people with tasks if possible, in the last few days before the wedding.
Wesley Church does not offer a full program of marriage guidance counselling. However, Douglas Miller will want to discuss with you why you believe you are right for each other, and how you plan to address any likely problems that may arise. He is also available to discuss other issues you may wish to raise.
Music
Wesley has a long tradition of fine music for its services. The Director of Music (Mr Geoff Urquhart) is a fine musician and competent accompanist, and can accomodate most music requests.
The music chosen for a wedding should reflect the both the joy of the occasion, its Christian meaning, and the venue in which it takes place. The Minister and the Director of Music must approve all music and words of the hymns that will be used in the service. We have a suggested list of suitable music, but are open to other suggestions that fit with the meaning of the wedding service.
The pipe organ and a grand piano are available for use during services. The organ dates from 1842. It is older than the Church building, which was opened in 1858.
When selecting music for your wedding, please bear the copyright laws in mind.
Flowers, Ribbons, Furnishings and Confetti
The cost of flowers is included in the comprehensive fee, as is the use of bows and ribbons for the pews. Flower arrangements are provided by Evan's Florist in Exhibition St.
The furniture on the church platform will be set out as for a Sunday service and should not be moved. We follow the custom of using the liturgical colours on the lectern, prayer desk and Communion Table, which change with the seasons of the year.
Confetti should not be used outside the Church. It is difficult to clear from the garden and not good for the environment. Rose petals are a much better choice.
Some common questions:
Can we be married in the Church if we are not baptised? Yes, you can. The Uniting Church does not require baptism before a wedding can happen in the Church.
What is the minimum period of notice? Three months. Yes, we know that the law allows one month's notice, but we believe that is not nearly enough.
Can we have a wedding on Sunday? No. Sorry. Two congregations meet in Wesley Church on Sunday. We have a full Sunday program and do not accept weddings on Sundays.
How many people can the Church seat? The downstairs seating can seat 250 people. If needed, 50 can sit in the side seats, and another 250 can be seated upstairs. Total: 550.
Can our own pastor come and conduct the wedding? No. Weddings in this Church are conducted by the Wesley Church Minister, Rev Dr Douglas Miller, because he must take responsibility for worship in this Church. In some cases, he may invite another Uniting Church Minister to preside, but only if you agree.
Can we be married in the Church if we are divorced? Yes, you can be. The Minister will still want to discuss why you believe you are right with each other, as he would with any other couple.
Fees
The current cost of being married at Wesley is AUD$1,300.
This includes:
- Minister's fee
- Organist's fee
- Wedding rehearsal
- Flowers
- Verger
- Office Administration
- A printed order of service, with copies for all guests
A deposit of AUD$50 is required when booking the date for the wedding, usually at the first appointment with the Minister, and the balance of the fees is required no more than two weeks before the wedding.
Further Information
For more information, or to make a booking, please contact the
Minster's Secretary during Office Hours by phone on (03) 9663 2935, or
by email 
.
