What days of the week are we able to get married at Vine Church?

Weddings at Vine Church are generally held on Saturdays, with occasional Friday availability. Weekday weddings may also be possible depending on church availability. Please get in touch with us to discuss your preferred date.

How long does the service go for?

Approximately 40 minutes to 1 hour – depending on how many songs, Bible readings and prayers.

What marriage service do you use?

We use A Service for Marriage (Second Form) from An Australian Prayer Book 1978. Whilst written in contemporary English, it nevertheless maintains much of the beauty and gravitas of the traditional marriage service of the Book of Common Prayer that has been used world-wide since 1662.

Can we write our own vows?

No. We are only licensed to conduct services published by the Anglican Church.

Can we honour our parents during the service?

This is possible, but please speak to your pastor.

Can we have readings from poems, plays, novels or other secular sources during the ceremony?

Your wedding is a Christian service and therefore all readings need to be taken from the Bible. We suggest that you try to include any other readings at your wedding reception.

Do we need to sing at a wedding?

No, this is up to you. We recommend solid, easy-to-sing, well-known hymns, sung with a guitar or piano. Please see below for more information about music.

Does the bride need to be on time?

Yes, we encourage everyone involved in the wedding to arrive on time. A short grace period is usually possible, but please be mindful that there are often other events on site, including other weddings, which cannot be delayed.

Can I tell my guests a different time to the time that was agreed upon with the church?

If the time you invite your guests to church differs from the scheduled time for your wedding, for whatever reason, please let us know so we are aware of this.

Am I allowed to have a page boy or flower girl?

Yes.

Can you give the Bible Readers some tips?

Before the Wedding Day: Make sure you have a copy of the Bible reading ready well before the wedding. Ask the couple being married for a copy of the Order of Service with the passage printed — that way you will be reading the version printed on the day (we recommend the NIV 2011). Practice the reading at home: not too quick, and not too slow. 

On the Day: Come and say hello to the pastor 20 minutes before the wedding service. Feel free to ask any questions if you are unsure of anything. Sit in a spot where you can come to the front easily. An aisle seat is good.

During the Ceremony: At the time of the reading, the pastor will invite you by name to the stage and give you a handheld mic to use. Keep the mic close to your mouth (4-8 cm away). Read strongly, not too quick, not too slow. If there is a second Bible reader, step away from the lectern and wait on the stage until they have finished their reading. When you have both finished reading, return to your seats. 

Does the church produce the Order of Service for us?

We recommend that couples create their own Order of Service and arrange printing through Officeworks or another print shop. Your pastor will review and approve the final draft before printing to ensure it aligns with the wedding service.

Is flash photography allowed? Is it ok to video the ceremony?

Yes, but please ask your photographer to be respectful during the wedding. Videographers will need to supply their own microphone, which they can give to the pastor to wear.

Can you provide musicians for the wedding?

Generally no.

Often members will ask friends from church who serve in the worship team to play at their wedding. Others hire their own musicians. 

Often, members ask friends from church who serve on the worship team to play at their wedding, while others hire professional musicians.

What music do we need to organise?

• Arrival – A playlist of music from a Spotify playlist or phone as your guests arrive. Alternatively, your band may play some quiet background music.
• Processional – played as the bride walks into the church.
• Hymns – optional. These should be well-known and easy to sing.
• Signing of the register — an item played by musicians or a song played from a Spotify playlist or phone.
• Recessional – played while the bridal party walk out of the church. Usually an upbeat, joyful piece of music.

Please note:

• You must seek approval from your pastor for your song selections.
• Don’t forget to tell any musicians you hire if they will be working with other musicians.
• Your musicians will need at least two weeks’ notice of the music required.
• Please bring your playlist to your rehearsal and provide to the site manager or sound technician.

Can we have a soloist?

You may bring a soloist, but this must be approved by your pastor.

Should I pay the musicians?

Unless they are a friend attending your reception, you should generally pay your musicians. When asking them to play, ask upfront how much they charge. Usually it is about $150–$300 per musician.

Can I look at the building?

Yes, you are welcome to visit our services at 9:15am, 11:15am or 4:30pm on Sundays to see the church. Please note that there are no official tours during services.

If you would like a tour, you can arrange a short 15-minute visit with our bookings manager during the week in business hours.

Is there parking available at Vine Church?

There is one designated funeral and wedding loading zone in front of the church on Albion Street that can be used as a drop-off and pick-up point for the couple.

There is also a space near the back gate on the grounds that vendors may use briefly to unload items. This vehicle must be moved once guests begin arriving.

For guests, there is ample free 2-hour street parking nearby, including Bourke Street, Flinders Street, Albion Street and Fervo Street, as well as secure parking at St Margaret’s Car Park on Bourke Street.

How many people does the church seat?

160 comfortably, 220 at an absolute squeeze.

What are the rules regarding decorating the church?

All decorations must be agreed to by the bookings manager in advance. You are responsible for arranging their removal after the ceremony. The church must be left as it was found.

What are your rules regarding the use of petals, confetti or rice?

Confetti and rice are not permitted on church property or on the street.

Real petals are not permitted inside the church. Faux petals may be used but must be cleaned up after the ceremony. Genuine flower petals are permitted outside the church.

When can our florist, friends and musicians access the church?

The church is usually opened 1.5 hours before your ceremony. We generally allow a 90-minute bump-in period, which may be negotiated with the bookings manager depending on the package you have selected.

Can we serve refreshments after our ceremony?

Yes, refreshments may be served in the foyer, grounds, or hall. Please speak with your bookings manager for more information and requirements.

Do you have a site map?

Do we need to pay the pastor or give him a gift?

No, but please show them your appreciation. Although it is your special day, it is for them a day away from their family. 

Do we need to invite the pastor to the reception?

No, you do not. The pastor does not expect to be invited to the wedding reception.

Are pre-marriage courses compulsory?

Yes. Pre-marriage counselling or a course is compulsory for couples being married by a pastor from the Vine Church team. Please speak with the pastor who will be marrying you for more information.

Pre-marriage counselling is a valuable opportunity to prepare not just for your wedding day, but for your marriage. It provides space to talk through important topics together and build a strong foundation for your life ahead.

Can we have a rehearsal?

Yes. A one-hour rehearsal on the Thursday evening leading up to your Saturday wedding is included in your wedding fee.

If you have a live band, the rehearsal will be extended to one and a half hours.

Please arrive on time so that the rehearsal can run smoothly. If you require longer than the allocated time, please note this on your application and inform your bookings manager.

(We will provide guidance on who should attend the rehearsal closer to the date.)

Can we be married by a pastor from another church or a civil celebrant?

We allow external pastors if the following conditions are met:

• the character and doctrine of the pastor honours Christ,
• the pastor is from a Bible-based denomination,
• the pastor is an authorised marriage celebrant, and
• the wedding rites have been reviewed and accepted by the Lead Pastor of Vine Church.

Please note that we don’t host weddings with civil celebrants or wedding ceremonies in our hall but would love to discuss our ‘pastor + wedding’ package with you. 

How much notice do we need to give?

Legally you are required to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form in the presence of the pastor one month prior to the wedding. Apart from this, bookings are subject to the church being available. 

Do you provide pre-marriage counselling or course?

Yes. Please chat to the pastor marrying you. This is compulsory for couples being married by one of pastors from the Vine Church team.

Don’t get bogged down in wedding preparations and fail to prepare for your marriage. There is no pass or fail, rather its a helpful opportunity to sit down together to discuss and explore the commitment you plan to make in marriage. A marriage is more than the wedding day, and pre-marriage counselling is well worth the investment. 

What books do you recommend on marriage?

Two books we highly recommend are:

• The Meaning of Marriage
• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

• Wedding Service
• Wedding Service Form
• Example Order of Service
• Notice of Intended Marriage
• Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage