Weddings at Shawnee Alliance Church

Here at Shawnee Alliance Church, we are committed to helping couples achieve nothing less than the best. Despite the current state of marriage in America and the high divorce rates, we believe successful, satisfying marriages are still possible.

We welcome the opportunity to invest in this commitment and your upcoming marriage. Our premarital counseling is offered to members and non-members of Shawnee Alliance Church (SAC).

Do you want to be married at SAC? It all begins by meeting with an SAC pastor for a premarital interview. Both bride and groom must be present.

What happens at the premarital interview?

The bride and groom meet with a pastor from SAC to discuss wedding plans and details.  An overview of the premarital counseling is discussed, usage of a church wedding coordinator, wedding pamphlet is reviewed, and specific requirements to be married at SAC are discussed.

What facilities are available and what is the cost?

We will answer these specific questions at your premarital interview. Prices range from approximately $250.00 to $1000.00 depending on the couples relationship to the church and the couple’s needs (musicians, technical support, equipment rentals and space needs).

How soon do we need to book the date?

Due to our weekend services, weekly events and other special activities, our facilities are somewhat limited. It is recommended that you send in your request early in order to ensure your date is available.

May we ask a minister not from SAC to marry us?

Yes. That person must have prior approval of SAC ministerial staff person.

Note:  All requirements of this policy apply regardless of whether minister is from SAC or not.

What are the specific requirements to be married at SAC?

We affirm that marriage is the most significant covenant two people can make and we hold it in the highest regard. Spiritual values are incredibly important in marriage.

Therefore, to be married at SAC, you must meet the following qualifications:

1) If the bride or groom is a follower of Jesus Christ, the partner must also be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Marriage is a matter of unity. As such, spiritual beliefs of each individual are significant in the marriage. Therefore, SAC will not join an unbeliever to a believer in marriage (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).  God's Word is clear about spiritual compatibility between marriage partners. If you are unclear about this requirement, please discuss it during your premarital interview.

2) The bride and the groom must not share a residence and must abstain from sexual intimacy.

God's Word gives us clear instructions that sex is an expression of intimacy that is reserved for marriage, and is out of place outside of marriage (2 Corinthians 6:3). Couples who are sexually intimate or living together are asked to abstain from sexual relations until the wedding day and to move apart, understanding that this is a commitment to pursue God's best for your marriage relationship.  Statically, couples who live together prior to marriage have a 75% failure rate in America (Life Innovations, Inc.). SAC seeks to support couples in pursuing not only successful marriages, but most importantly godly marriages.

3) Completion of our six-week premarital counseling program.

What is the cost of the premarital counseling program?
Each couple will be required to take the relationship inventory of Prepare-Enrich ($35.00). Prepare-Enrich is a program designed by Life Innovations, Inc., one of America’s most respected marriage specialists.

Who does the premarital counseling?
Your premarital counseling will be done with the pastor who will officiate the wedding ceremony and with married couples who have received special premarital training. Any couple helping in the premarital counseling is not a professional counselor.  One of the goals of the premarital counseling ministry is to provide all premarital couples with the opportunity to be connected with a mentoring couple in a relationship that extends beyond the six weeks of the program.

What do we talk about in the sessions?
With every couple we cover the following topics:

·         Expectations and Marriage Roles

·         Healthy Communication

·         Conflict Resolution

·         Goal-setting and Finances

·         Family Map and In-laws

·         Intimacy and Sex