Premarital Steps
Step 1 — Read and sign the Elders’ Statement on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage. Fill out the personal profiles for both the bride and groom and return to the Connections Department prior to your initial consultation. If either person has been divorced, please note there is a section on divorce issues that needs to be completed, as well. These profiles are not a test that you will pass or fail, but rather tools to help you see key strengths and growth areas in your relationship. This will be discussed during your initial consultation. As with all counseling done at BPCC, all information given on the personal profiles will be kept confidential.
Step 2 — Contact the Connections Department at 922.9882, ext. 106 to set up an initial consultation.
During the consultation we will:
1. Provide honest and supportive feedback about your relationship in assessing your readiness for marriage.
2. Explain BPCC’s marriage process as set forth by the elders, including an explanation of our fees.
3. Explain the “Prepare to Last” marriage preparation seminar, which is held three times a year. Our goal is to discuss the key areas of your relationship so that we might affirm your union with integrity and blessing before God. It is our hope that you will utilize the wisdom, training, and experience of those involved in your premarital counseling as you begin a marriage that will be God-glorifying, mutually satisfying, and lifelong.
Step 3 — Fill out the wedding application (download pdf from top of this page) and return to the Connections Department. We view the agreement to perform your wedding to be more of a partnership than a one-time event. Your responsibility in this partnership is to read the elders’ statement carefully and then honestly determine if you will choose to follow these guidelines. Again, these guidelines are our way to help you establish a Godly foundation for a lifetime of marriage.
Step 4 — The “Prepare to Last” Seminar
One of our most important and exciting roles as a partner in your wedding comes in helping you prepare for your lifetime commitment of marriage. That’s why we ask all couples to participate in the “Prepare to Last” seminar. This ten-week seminar is offered three times per year. There is a fee of $129 per couple, to cover expenses. Contact the Bay Pointe office to find out when the next class will be offered and to register.
Step 5 — The Connections Department will confirm your wedding date and payment will be required with the exception of hourly fees. (Please note that steps 1 through 5 can happen as quickly as one week.)
Step 6 — To begin planning your wedding, set up an “Initial Wedding Planning Consultation” with the wedding coordinator anytime after your wedding date has been confirmed. (All fees are due at this meeting). Schedule an appointment through the wedding coordinator to meet with your officiating pastor. This appointment should be scheduled after the “Prepare to Last” seminar and at least two weeks prior to your wedding day.
The wedding coordinator’s responsibilities include:
• Be a support for the bride.
• Arrange for a pastor.
• Arrange for a sound technician.
• Arrange for a soloist, if needed.
• Arrange for a keyboard player, if needed.
• Coordinate wedding rehearsal and explain responsibilities of everyone involved in the wedding ceremony.
• Inform the photographers of accepted practices and dress code.
• Send wedding party in on time.
• Coordinate set-up and take-down with custodian.
• Clear all music chosen for the wedding ceremony with the officiating pastor.
• Hourly fees will be billed as they occur.
The officiating pastor’s responsibilities include:
• Assisting in planning a ceremony that is a unique and special celebration before God of your marriage and the beginning of your life together.
• Sharing a message for your wedding.
Step 7 — Wedding Day! May God bless your ceremony, as you have been faithful to build upon His foundation and design for your marriage.
