Say “We Do” To Weddings!
Outreach Magazine Editors

When will unbelievers in your community come knocking on your church’s door? Often, it’s in the springtime as couples begin to plan their summer weddings. Research shows that life transitions such as marriage compel many people to discover, or return to, Christian faith. Weddings are also a time when hundreds of unchurched people will visit your church.

So when couples in your community are ready to say, “I do,” make sure your church is ready to say, “We will help.” Offering your church as a place for weddings and receptions can cost you virtually nothing.

* Advertise. Offer your building’s availability for weddings and receptions at a competitive rate. Resist the temptation to give different rates to members and non-members. Place signs at local bridal shops, bakeries, photographers and community centers.
* Conduct Workshops. A marriage workshop is a great way to publicize your church’s facility. Offer a free four- to six-week premarital or engagement workshop quarterly, and enlist couples and leaders from your church to teach each session. Make sure the course teaches Christian principles and inspires devotion to God’s design for marriage-without judgment of where couples may currently be in their relationship.
* Be A One-Stop Shop. Offer wedding-planning services. Some of your stay-at-home moms and retirees may love to offer their planning expertise. Also provide premarital counseling. Include a sliding payment scale for those with financial need.
* Facilitate. Prepare your facilities as well as your wedding accessories (candle holders, kneelers, arches). Remember to spruce up your lobby and bathrooms-company’s coming!
* Celebrate. Consider renting your fellowship hall or multi-purpose rooms for the reception, thereby facilitating an inexpensive reception for couples and yet accommodating their celebration plans.

The above article, “Say ‘We Do’ To Weddings!” is written by the Outreach Magazine editors. The article was retrieved from page 3 of “Keep the Change, Outreach on a Shoestring,” which is featured in the Outreach magazine in 2006.

The material is most likely copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study and research purposes.