Wedding Policies

 

Weddings at Bear Creek
Bear Creek Wedding Philosophy

 

 

Our church family and our pastoral staff approach the institution of marriage very seriously. We fully believe that marriage was established by God when He brought the first man and woman together in the garden. It precedes all other human relationships.

 

We want every engaged couple to know that we are fully committed to the success of every marriage. Therefore, we are fully committed to the Biblical principles regarding marriage. Marriage represents the most important human relationship on earth. We think is it equally important for a couple wanting to be married in a Christian church to recognize and value these principles in their own lives.

 

The present tragedy of large-scale marriage breakdown, and the emotional carnage caused, especially in children's lives, is due in large part to a culture who holds the sanctity of marriage in low regard and who ignore the importance of Biblical principle regarding marriage. Cohabitation before marriage even worsens the problem. The divorce rate is significantly higher for those who live together before marriage than for those who do not.

 

 

A few of the basic Biblical principles that we hold in high regard are:

 

  1. Marriage is a special relationship between a man and a woman.
    (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18, 21-24)
  2. Marriage is meant to last a lifetime. A wedding ceremony is a solemn promise to God and to each other to remain committed to one another for your entire lives.
    (Mark 10:6-9)
  3. A Christian and a non-Christian should not seek to be married.
    (2 Corinthians 6:14)
  4. Remarriage after divorce is prohibited in the Bible for a Christian in certain circumstances.
    (Mark 10:2-12; 1 Corinthians 7)
  5. A couple living together prior to marriage should seek to change their living arrangements prior to seeking a Christian wedding in a church.
    (Hebrews 13:4)

 

We encourage couples to pursue a sense of authenticity in their wedding ceremony consistent with their own values. If a couple is not committed to the biblical values regarding marriage, we encourage you to possibly seek a civil ceremony instead.

 

If a couple has not embraced one or more of the biblical principles mentioned above in the past, but would like to talk with someone about them, any of our pastoral staff would be more than happy to talk with you about how to embrace such values. Sometimes a degree of life-change is necessary to more fully prepare you for a satisfying marriage that can go the distance. Our pledge is to discuss any of these values with you in a loving, open and positive way.

 

It is also important to note that our pastoral staff requires that a couple participate in a thorough pre-marital counseling process prior to their wedding at Bear Creek. This process usually involves 4-6 sessions over a period of approximately 8-10 weeks.

 

 

Scheduling Requirements

 

  • Must be a member of Bear Creek for at least 6 months prior to scheduling a date.
  • Weddings are only available to member's immediate family.
  • Must have a Bear Creek Pastor participate in the ceremony and have any guest participating Pastors approved in advance.
  • Bride and Groom must complete Bear Creek approved premarital counseling prior to wedding.
  • Weddings may be placed on the calendar no more than one year in advance for members.
  • Weddings without receptions at Bear Creek must be scheduled no later than 5:00 PM.
  • Weddings with receptions held at Bear Creek must be scheduled no later than 2:00 PM.
  • All activities must conclude no later than 6:30 PM.
  • Weddings may not be scheduled on Sundays, major holidays or in conflict with on-going church activities.
  • Thirty (30) days prior to the wedding date, the prospective bride and groom should arrange for a personal conference with the officiating pastor and/or hostess to coordinate ceremony logistics.

 

Making the Reservation

 

Anyone wishing to schedule a wedding a Bear Creek Church must contact the Pastor's Administrative Assistant at 281.859.9900 to discuss available dates on the church calendar.

 

The bride and groom must then arrange a preliminary conference with a member of the Bear Creek Church Pastoral Staff (even if someone other than a pastor of Bear Creek is officiating). Please note that it is required that a Bear Creek Pastor perform the vows in the ceremony and other participating Pastors must be approved by a Bear Creek Church Pastor. The Pastor will decide after that conference whether to confirm the desired wedding date.

 

  • No wedding dates are confirmed until approved by a member of the Pastoral Staff of Bear Creek Church.

 

 

A deposit of $250 secures your date on the calendar once approved by a Bear Creek Church Pastor. This deposit will be returned within two weeks after the wedding if all the requirements in the Wedding Brochure and its supplements are met.

 

 

Click here to Pay Your Wedding Fees Online!

 

If your wedding has previously been approved and scheduled on the church calendar, you may pay any pre-marital counseling or wedding related fees online.

 

 

A complete Wedding Packet is available for pickup during regular office hours - Monday through Thursday 8a-5p and Friday 8a-Noon.