steps for getting married

The elders, office staff, and ceremony coordinators at Mars Hill have outlined the following steps regarding marriage at Mars Hill. We hope that by following these steps, your wedding day will go smoothly and be enjoyable to you and pleasing to God.

Please take a few moments to review the entire list. The steps are outlined in the order that they need to be completed. Please do not skip any of the steps.

1. Enroll in the Preparing for Marriage Class.
2. Contact a Mars Hill Facility Coordinator if you want to book a Mars Hill building for your wedding. Please see the building rental fact sheet for information on the facility you wish to reserve.
3. Get registered on the Couples section of the Weddings website by emailing weddings@marshillchurch.org with the bride and groom's first and last names along with both of your email addresses.
4. Submit the wedding details form on the Couples section within one week of you registration on the weddings web site. You'll indicate your preferences for the pastor you'd like to officiate your wedding. A ceremony coordinator will contact you to set up a meeting to discuss your ceremony flow about four to six weeks prior to your ceremony.

We trust this information will be helpful to you as you begin your wedding plans, but please don't hesitate to contact us by calling the church office or emailing weddings@marshillchurch.org if you have any further questions. Congratulations on your engagement and happy planning!

Preparing for Marriage Class

The Preparing for Marriage class is a pre-marriage study for engaged couples offered quarterly. This class is mandatory for anyone wanting to be married by a Mars Hill pastor and is open to Mars Hill members only. For more information about the class and to find out how to apply for the next one, please email weddings@marshillchurch.org.

Pastor to officiate wedding

Each elder is a licensed pastor who is available to marry members of the church. The list of available elders is part of your ceremony detail page, once you register on this website.

Please be advised that the elders are unavailable to officiate an out-of-state wedding, as well as a wedding outside of Seattle by more than a one hour drive (unless agreed to by pastor). Some pastors may agree to perform an out of town wedding, while some may not. Please contact weddings@marshillchurch.org to inquire about pastoral availability for an out of town wedding. As an out of town wedding is a significant commitment on behalf of the pastor, please plan on paying for any necessary travel or accommodations expenses. The suggested honorarium for the pastor to perform your ceremony is $150. Please pay the pastor or coordinator directly. If there is a financial hardship involved, please discuss this with your pastor.

Pastors will not commit to any wedding before you have enrolled in the Preparing for Marriage Class and the wedding details form has been submitted. Your ceremony coordinator will book your pastor for you once she has received your details form. When the pastor who is officiating your wedding is confirmed, his name will appear on your wedding details form.

Due to time and travel constraints, pastors may not always be able to attend rehearsals or receptions. If you have questions about this, please discuss this with your pastor.

Website registration

Once you have enrolled in the Preparing for Marriage Class, we ask that you register on the wedding website by emailing weddings@marshillchurch.org. Please include both the bride and groom's first and last names, along with both your email addresses in your request. Once you receive your usernames and passwords, you will be able to access the Couples section of the website and be able to submit the wedding details form. This form must be completed within one week of receiving your passwords.

Registration on the website is required if you would like a Mars Hill pastor to officiate your wedding. If someone outside of Mars Hill is officiating, you need not register your information. Once you are given access to the Couples section of the website, you'll need to submit your wedding details.

Marriage License

MH elders and coordinators are not responsible for obtaining marriage licenses. You are responsible for acquiring all necessary paperwork.