Getting Married Frequently Asked Questions

When should we connect with Premarriage Care? Contact the NorthRidge Coordinator as soon as you are engaged, with or without a ring or a wedding date. This is for all NorthRidge couples either getting married at NorthRidge, another local venue or a destination wedding. How do I find a NorthRidge pastor to officiate our wedding? The officiant is selected from information provided on the Premarriage Questionnaire. Once the Questionnaire is completed, the NorthRidge Wedding Coordinator contacts the pastor. If available, he will hold that date until the couple meets with him for their premarriage interview and the wedding is approved. Note: The Senior Pastor is unavailable to officiate . What if we want a pastor that is not on the NorthRidge staff to marry us, but we want to be married at NorthRidge? Some couples have a pastor they identify with before transitioning to the Detroit area and request them to officiate their wedding. We are able to honor this request as long as the pastor is of like faith and belief, and his license also covers officiating a Michigan wedding. As a courtesy, the requested pastor connects with our staff to confirm participation. Couples will still need to complete the premarriage preparation provided by NorthRidge. Can a NorthRidge pastor marry us offsite? Yes, of course! Pastors are also available for destination weddings! Who will help us plan our NorthRidge wedding? The NorthRidge Wedding Coordinator will meet with a couple once they’ve completed their premarriage interview. She will go over details with the and groom in preparation for their wedding. What are the costs associated with a NorthRidge wedding? The NorthRidge Wedding Chapel has a seating capacity of 200. The cost is $500.00. This includes: Wedding Coordinator, AV-Tech support, use of facility including dressing rooms and rehearsal, use of NorthRidge decorations, set up and tear down of event. What is a customary honorarium for the officiating pastor? In reviewing similar churches, an appropriate honorarium is $300. Can we have our at NorthRidge? Our facility is unavailable for receptions due to Weekend Services and the high volume of ministry activities. What is the general availability for a NorthRidge wedding? Weddings take place on Friday evenings and Saturdays by 12:00 noon. We are unable to accommodate wedding requests for holiday weekends, Sundays and the month of December. Do we have to be a member or active attender to get married at NorthRidge? Weddings at NorthRidge Plymouth are available only to active attenders and members whose weddings have been approved through our premarriage process. A list of local churches who let non-attenders use their facility is available upon request. When should we secure our wedding reception? If you’re planning on getting married at NorthRidge or using a NorthRidge pastor to officiate your wedding, we recommend you wait till your pastoral interview and your wedding is approved. How and when should we secure a license? A is secured in the county in which you reside. Each county has certain requirements which usually require a valid driver’s license, birth certificate, and a small fee. In most counties the marriage needs to be solemnized within 30-33 days of application and a waiting period of 3-5 days. If couples reside in Michigan they do not have to be married in the same county they secured their marriage license, out-of-state residents must. My fiancée lives a ‘long distance’ from NorthRidge. How are we to participate in the premarriage preparation process? Some couples are faced with a ‘proximity’ issue in preparing for marriage. Since all pertinent information is sent via email, we can receive vital information that will aid in determining the status of your relationship for marriage without a fiancée being present. Note: In some cases, e.g., military service, there are restrictions which will limit the participation in the sessions and seminar. The assigned pastor will review such cases and determine alternative plans for premarriage care. How many people does the NorthRidge wedding location seat? The wedding Chapel seats up to 200 guests. Can we see what the wedding room will look like? The Wedding Coordinator will meet with a couple to show them the Wedding Chapel and related decorations provided by NorthRidge Church. Are there any circumstances where NorthRidge would not marry us? Sometimes, there are indicators denote areas of concern to proceed with a wedding. The pastor will review these concerns with the couple during the premarriage interview and request a postponement of marriage. If the couple is willing to consider these pastoral recommendations and work in specific areas of their lives or relationship, we are willing to walk with them in their journey to prepare for a lifetime of marriage. We will marry a couple after they successfully work through the extended preparation plan designed for them. Does NorthRidge perform vow renewals? Our Pastors are happy to officiate vow renewals. A Pastor honorarium is requested and a small fee may be required for room usage depending on number of guests and if using church decorations. Pastors are available for vow renewals both on and off campus.

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