Understanding Marriage in the United Methodist Tradition

The United Methodist Church of Geneva, in alignment with our United Methodist Social Principles, “affirm marriage as a sacred lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith, an adult man and an adult woman, or two adult persons of consenting age into union with one another. While The United Methodist Church does not recognize marriage as a sacrament, we celebrate and cherish this union as an expression of the couple’s faith, grounded in their relationship with God and one another. Marriage thus reflects a continued willingness to grow together in Christ and a commitment to cultivate a covenantal bond that encompasses intimacy, grace and love.”

To this end, we offer our church and its grounds to couples wishing exchange vows and begin their journey as a family of faith. Led by ordained and theologically trained clergy, weddings are more than just ceremonies; they are worship services, affirming God’s presence between the couple and with God.

Preparing for Marriage at UMCG

We welcome all couples to apply to use our building and grounds for their wedding. Because we are an active church, engaged in many ministries, we have limited availability for weddings. Please apply no less than six months prior to your wedding date.  Those persons active in our church by their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness along with their adult children have preference in scheduling and pricing over those who do not yet participate in UMCG in this same way.

Click here to apply to have your wedding at UMCG.

Please download our Wedding Packet to learn more about services, expectations, and fees for wedding at UMCG.

FAQ

Do you have to be a member to have a wedding at UMCG? No.But because we are an active church, engaged in many ministries, we have limited availability for weddings and extend preference to those persons active in our church by their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness along with their adult children.

Does UMCG perform weddings for non-heteronormative couples?  Yes. We celebrate the covenant of Christian marriage between any two consenting adults of faith.

Can I have persons other than UMCG clergy patriciate in officiating the wedding? Our clergy are honored to officiate your wedding. However, if you have an ordained clergyperson who would like to officiate let us know! We do require that officiants be ordained in a recognized Christian church tradition that screens and licenses applicants. There are many ways for others to participate in the ceremony at the discretion of the officiating pastor. As a matter of professional courtesy, invitations to non-UMCG clergy to participate in a wedding are made by the officiating pastor.

What does it cost to have my wedding at UMCG? Our Wedding Packet outlines the fee structure for weddings and is tailored to the needs of each couple.  Weddings typically start at $1,300 for use of the space and all persons supporting the wedding.

We already have a wedding coordinator, why do we need one at UMCG?  Our Wedding Coordinator handles all the site-specific details for the ceremony including the rehearsal.  Our Wedding Coordinator appreciates liaising with any day of wedding coordinators as soon as possible. Having a UMCG site-specific wedding coordinator ensures your ceremony proceeds smoothly and with dignity.

Who takes care of the wedding license? Couples wishing to have their marriage recognized by the state, must contact Kane County to apply for a marriage license no more than 60 days prior to their wedding and must provide the Wedding Coordinator the licenses at the rehearsal.

More information regarding Kane County can be found here.

Church Statistics

  • Sanctuary seating capacity is 450
  • The sanctuary aisle is 55 feet long
  • Number of pews on each side: 15
  • Sanctuary organ is a Schantz 1999
  • Sanctuary piano is a K. Kawai
  • Digital Projection and Livestreaming Available
  • Dressing Areas Included
  • Photos may be taken in our beautiful native gardens or in our historic 1870’s building.
  • An elevator is available for access to our second-floor sanctuary.
  • The church can provide several options for candle displays.