The Sanctity of the Marriage Ceremony

Northridge United Methodist Church is a congregation of the United Methodist Church (U.S.A.). We consider the marriage ceremony to be a service of worship before God. Your wedding should give suitable direct attention to God and exemplify the faith of the church.

Available Facilities
The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary can accommodate approximately 375 guests on the main floor and 100 guests in the balcony.

Scheduling Your Wedding

Since church activities generally have priority, we maintain a wedding calendar up to a year in advance. Weddings are normally held on Saturdays, but exceptions will be considered upon request.
No weddings or rehearsals will be scheduled for the Saturdays preceding Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, or Thanksgiving weekend.

The wedding must be confirmed within 30 days after scheduled. After you have met with the Wedding Director, read and accepted the church's wedding policies and wish to reserve a date for your wedding, you may fill out an application form and return it, along with a deposit of $500, to:

Northridge United Methodist Church
Attn: Wedding Director
9650 Reseda Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91324

If the date cannot be confirmed, the deposit of $500 will be refunded. Once the date is confirmed, your deposit is non-refundable. All remaining fees are due on the day of the rehearsal.

IMPORTANT REMINDER
Once the date and time are confirmed by the church, no change may be made without approval from the church. There is an additional charge of $200 to change the date and time. Please send notice of change in writing to the Wedding Director for request consideration.

Planning Your Ceremony

You will plan for months for this special day! Much of your energy will go into selecting the perfect dress, cake, and beautiful flowers. In the end, it's all about the ceremony. Our goal is to help you plan a beautiful and worshipful ceremony that you will remember for the rest of your lives!

Because the wedding ceremony is a worshipful event, we ask that you fully understand and communicate all of the guidelines to your florist, photographer, videographer, soloist, and musicians.

Our Wedding Staff

Our Wedding Staff consists of the Wedding Director, the Pastor, the organist, the sound technician and custodian. To arrange a wedding, first call the Wedding Director who can answer questions concerning the availability of dates, ministerial staff, church guidelines and fees. The Wedding Director coordinates all aspects of the wedding on the church campus.

Our Pastor

Marriage ceremonies are conducted by our Pastor. Prior to the wedding you will need to contact the Pastor's administrative assistant for premarital counseling session(s).

A visiting pastor may share in the ceremony upon agreement with our Pastoral Staff. Upon written request, an outside Christian pastor may officiate. Please contact the Wedding Director with questions or for clarification.

The Organist and the Music

The services of our church organist, or approved substitutes, should be used at all weddings held at Northridge United Methodist Church. Rehearsals between the organist and other musicians are usually held up to two hours before the wedding, through prior arrangement directly with the organist. The organist does not attend the wedding rehearsal. Our desire is that the wedding music will be in keeping with the spirit of worship of the marriage ceremony. Our organist will be pleased to help you with selections, soloist and other musicians. All solos must be approved by the organist and/or wedding staff one month before the wedding.

Photography

Photography is one of the most important details of your wedding day. The images captured on this special day will be held near and dear to your hearts for years to come.

Our desire is that your photographer will capture the essence and emotion of your wedding ceremony while still maintaining the integrity of the worship environment.

The Wedding Director will provide you with guidelines for your photographer while in the church. Please review these guidelines with your photographer before you sign the contract for photography services.

Videography

Video Operators should introduce themselves to the Wedding Director and accept the limitations on lighting and the placing of equipment. Video camera equipment or operator is not allowed in sight of the guests prior to or during the ceremony. No artificial lighting may be used during the service. Placement and location of video equipment must be arranged prior to the ceremony with the Wedding Director.

The Wedding Director will provide you with guidelines for your video camera operator while in the Church. Please review these guidelines with your video camera operator before you sign the contract for video services.

Flowers and Decorations
The Sanctuary

The Wedding Director will provide you with guidelines for your florist for the flowers within the Church. Please review these guidelines with your florist before you sign the contract for your flowers.

Candles, Kneeling Bench, and Lectern

Two candle stands, one unity candelabra, a kneeling bench, and a lectern are available for your ceremony. All tapers and unity candles are to be provided by the bridal couple. Specific size and quantity needed will be provided by the Wedding Director.

The Rehearsal

Your wedding rehearsal is very important in making your wedding ceremony all that you expect it to be. Wedding rehearsals are limited to one hour and may be scheduled as early as 5:30 pm and as late at 7:30 pm. The Wedding Director will be available to help direct the wedding rehearsal.
Please ask all members of your wedding party to be in the Sanctuary and ready to rehearse one half hour prior to the scheduled rehearsal time.

Most rehearsals last about one hour. Please take into consideration the heavy traffic hours and plan accordingly. All of the wedding party is to attend, including parents and relatives to be escorted as a part of the ceremony, candle lighters, ushers, scripture readers, and family who are included in the ceremony. This will enable each one to practice their part and allow all to be more confident on the wedding day.

If you would like to have the rehearsal dinner or your wedding reception in the Church Fellowship Hall please advise the Wedding Director.

The Wedding Day

The bride and bridesmaids arrive approximately one hour prior to the photography session. We have an beautiful bride's room available for the wedding party to use, as well as a gathering room for the groom and groomsmen.

On the wedding day, ushers will begin seating guests approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony. Please have all ushers at the rehearsal.

After the wedding, time allowed for photography should be arranged with the Wedding Director prior to the wedding day. On some occasions the wedding party may choose to have all of their pictures taken before the ceremony. If this is your choice, please consult with the Wedding Director regarding the scheduling.

Throwing rice, birdseed or confetti at the bride and groom is not permitted. Bubbles are permitted outside of the church.

Food and drinks are not permitted in the Sanctuary and Narthex at any time.

No alcohol or other drugs are permitted anywhere on church property, including within vehicles.

Smoking is not permitted in any church buildings.

Smoking or alcoholic beverages are not prohibited on all church property. No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be present at a rehearsal, wedding, or reception held at the church. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to communicate these policies to the members of the wedding party.


If you have any questions, please contact the Wedding Director, who will be happy to help you. We are all dedicated to creating a joyous occasion with God's guidance and direction. He is in charge and we have the privilege of assisting with your planning.

Thank you and God bless!