Your wedding day is precious in the sight of God and should be conducted with reverence toward Him. West Hills Baptist Church (“WHBC” or “the church”) sets forth these guidelines to help plan a memorable, God glorifying wedding that reflects the worship of the Lord, the witness of the Gospel and the biblical covenant of marriage.

These guidelines apply to weddings that use WHBC facilities, involve a WHBC pastor, or are otherwise conducted under the church’s pastoral oversight.

They are to be understood in the light of the church’s desire to magnify God, promote Christ likeness, strengthen meaningful Christian relationships, and uphold the witness of the Gospel. They are intended to help church members plan a wedding ceremony that honors the Lord, reflects the biblical meaning of marriage, and respects the use of church facilities. Because WHBC is an Elder-led church, weddings connected with the church are under pastoral oversight. Church pastors have the discretion to interpret these guidelines when needed. The terms Elder or Pastor are used interchangeably in this document and bear the same meaning.

WHBC believes the biblical teaching that God created marriage as the first institution for mankind: a sacred, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18–24; Romans 7:2–4). Marriage portrays the union of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:21–23) and should therefore be entered into before God with reverence, faithfulness, and joy (Hebrews 13:4).

Jesus said, “From the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh; so, they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Mark 10:6-9).

Both individuals must be born again and meet one of the following requirements:

• Both must be members of WHBC in good standing.
• One person may be a member of WHBC and the other a member of a church of like faith and practice.

This requirement helps ensure that the marriage is entered into with shared Christian commitment and appropriate pastoral care. This requirement reflects WHBC’s understanding that church membership involves shared faith, accountability, submission to spiritual care, and commitment to the doctrine and testimony of the church.

In relation to wedding ceremonies involving the WHBC facilities and pastors, the couple should meet with one of the pastors to review these guidelines, discuss their desire for a church wedding, discuss possible date/time of wedding and receive approval to proceed with scheduling. No wedding date should be considered confirmed until the pastor and facility availability have been confirmed. Sundays before 4:00PM and Thursday nights are not available for a wedding due to committed church services.

The couple is responsible to obtain and bring the required marriage license in accordance with civil law before the ceremony. The pastor should receive the license prior to the wedding so that all legal requirements can be completed properly.

The couple must commit to meet with a pastor for premarital biblical counseling. This counseling is intended to help the couple understand the biblical foundation, meaning, responsibilities, and permanence of marriage before making a lifelong covenant before God.

Sanctuary and lobby furniture may not be rearranged. The church will clear the platform for the wedding day.

• Time will be given to decorate the sanctuary. Nails, tacks, pins, glue or tape shall not be used to fasten any decorations to the pews, carpet or the building.
• Candles may not be used in the sanctuary unless they are battery operated.
• Arrangements should be made with those in the wedding party, family or friends to remove all flowers and other decorations following the wedding ceremony.

The couple should designate one person to communicate with the pastor or church representative regarding decorations, arrival times, vendor access, cleanup, and any questions related to the church facility.

All conduct associated with the marriage ceremony and use of the church facility must promote the testimony of the church, avoid the appearance of evil, and support a clear Christian witness before family, friends and guests. No part of the wedding ceremony, reception on church property, music, vows, or related plans should be contrary to the doctrine, covenant, or testimony of WHBC.

WHBC does not charge a fee for use of the church facility. However, separate service fees may apply for personnel or services associated with the wedding, as described below:

• The church may provide a sound technician and/or musician who may charge a fee.
• There will be a cleaning fee for custodial services in the sanctuary and lobby after the ceremony.

At least two weeks before the wedding, the couple must meet with the officiating pastor to go over the order of service.

• The ceremony must be God-honoring in every part, including the order of service, appropriate attire for the couple, groomsmen and bridal party, music, vows and conduct of the wedding party.
• Music should be appropriate for worship and approved in advance by the pastor performing the ceremony.
• Any outside musicians, speakers, vendors, photographers, or others participating in the ceremony or using the church facility must follow these guidelines.

In the week before the wedding, the wedding rehearsal must be held at the church. The couple and the officiating pastor will agree on the exact date and time. All members of the wedding party should attend.

The pastors at WHBC strongly encourage the couple to plan every part of the reception in a manner that will honor the Lord. The reception should not “conform to the pattern of this world” or undermine the God-centered focus of the ceremony and hinder the witness of the Gospel before family and friends.

If any part of the reception will be held on church property, all plans must be reviewed with the pastor in advance and must be consistent with the same God-honoring standards expected for the ceremony.

As laid out in these guidelines, the following is a summary of events for planning a wedding connected with WHBC:

• The couple meets with a pastor to review these guidelines and receive approval to proceed.
• The couple must discuss and agree on a date and time of wedding, based on pastor and facility availability.
• In the months before the wedding, the couple should begin premarital biblical counseling with the officiating pastor.
• About two weeks before the wedding, the couple should coordinate the ceremony and facility plans and review the order of service with the officiating
pastor.
• During the week before the wedding, the couple should attend the wedding rehearsal.
• Before the day of the wedding, the couple should provide the marriage license to the officiating pastor.

By requesting a wedding connected with WHBC, the couple acknowledges that they have read and understand these guidelines, agree to follow the requirements described in them, and desire to plan a wedding that honors the Lord and respects the pastoral oversight of the church.