Preparing you for a lifetime of marriage

At Ev, we require each couple to commit to the following before their wedding day:

1. Two sessions with an Ev pastor to look at the biblical basis of marriage, at no cost and as close to the engagement as possible. These sessions may include other engaged couples.

2. One session with the officiating pastor to plan the wedding structure.

3. Two pre-marriage sessions with counsellors, reimbursed up to $150 by Ev Church.

4. One pre-wedding session around two weeks before the wedding, with separate meetings for the engaged woman and engaged man.

5. One one-hour wedding rehearsal at the chosen venue. Check with the officiating pastor before booking it.

1. Apply for a marriage licence between three months and one week before the wedding. Use Independent Evangelical as the denomination and Auckland Evangelical Church as the organisation. Apply online at https://marriages.services.govt.nz/.

2. Decide who will prepare the order of service booklet, welcome guests, provide music, lead two prayers, and witness the register.

3. Choose two to four congregational songs or hymns, processional and recessional music, and whether the music will be live or recorded.

4. Decide whether you prefer the sermon before or after the vows.

5. Choose two Bible passages. Suggestions include 1 John 4:7-21; John 2:1-20; Ephesians 5:21-31; Genesis 2:18 and following; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; and Colossians 3:12-17.

6. Most importantly, spend more energy working on your marriage than your wedding day. Read through the Bible passages above and pray together.

1. Contact the pastor before booking the reception or church building to confirm their availability, including the rehearsal date.

2. Ev Church does not assist with weddings on Sundays. Our first priority is the congregations that meet that day.

3. Because each wedding requires significant pastoral time, Ev Church restricts weddings to people who plan to attend our church.

4. Ev Church may remarry people who are divorced when the circumstances are consistent with God’s Word. We welcome further enquiries about this.