Resurrection, A United Methodist Church, is honored to offer the Wedding Ministry for the very special occasion of holy marriage. Weddings are available for both our members and non-members of the congregation. The wedding ceremony is a worship service where the couple pledges themselves to one another in the presence of God and begins their marriage with Christ as the foundation. The following policies and procedures have been established to help your wedding go as smoothly as possible.

Exciting new changes are taking place on the Resurrection Weddings’ web pages. Below you will find information to get you started in the process of booking your wedding ceremony.

For additional questions, please contact:

Megan Strout

Coordination Director of Weddings

913-232-4162

Weddings@cor.org

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE AT RESURRECTION

• Worship attendance is required of non-members to create an understanding of our denomination and our church.
• Presentation of a properly executed marriage license at the rehearsal is required as the wedding cannot take place without the marriage license. If you are marrying in Kansas, the license must be issued in Kansas. Likewise, if your venue is in Missouri, the license must be issued in Missouri. The pastor can only perform weddings in full accordance with the law. Please do not overlook the necessity for careful compliance.
• Completion of the Premarital and Newlywed Class Prepare & Enrich is required before the wedding day, and meeting(s) with the assigned pastor before the ceremony.
• A waiting period of at least six months following a divorce or death of a spouse shall be observed to allow for healing following the end of a previous marriage.
• Weddings are performed on Fridays or Saturdays based on the location and availability.

SCHEDULING THE WEDDING

Your big day is here! Follow these steps to start the planning process. A contract is set once the final email from the Wedding Director is sent with the approval and the contract and Premarital Counseling is completed.

• Fill out the Wedding Interest Form. A date must be included to proceed.
• When the Wedding Director tentatively confirms your date is available, the contract will need to be turned in to hold the date. The date is not considered held until the final email confirmation has been sent reflecting the reservation. Turning in the contract does not mean the date is held but it is an important step in the process. Click here to complete the Wedding Contract.
• Resurrection requires the Prepare & Enrich course a premarital preparation class before being married by a Resurrection pastor. This faith-based course helps build the couples’ foundation before the vows. Enroll here.
• The wedding information page will help guide the Resurrection Wedding Coordinator with the final details for the wedding ceremony. Click here to fill out the Wedding Information Form (note: you need to answer YES to the first question.This will need to be filled out 3 months prior to the wedding.

WEDDING FEES

The $100 non-refundable scheduling fee is required at the time the wedding is scheduled with the Wedding Director. All fees are due the Friday before the wedding day. Please make all payments in the form of a check payable to The Church of the Resurrection.

The fees cover the cost of the Rehearsal (Firestone Chapel exception noted below) and Wedding Day events including the Premarital counseling course (Prepare & Enrich), the service of the Resurrection Pastor, the Resurrection Wedding Coordinator, Resurrection Facilities usage and cleaning, and Resurrection technology. Any additional items are not the responsibility of the church.

• $100.00 for the scheduling fee is in addition to the location cost chosen below.
• All Resurrection locations which include- Blue Springs, Brookside, Downtown, Leawood: Wesley Covenant Chapel and The Memorial Garden, Overland Park, and West: $2000.00
• Resurrection Leawood’s Firestone Chapel without a rehearsal $500.00
• Resurrection Leawood’s Firestone Chapel with a rehearsal $800.00
• Off-Site $500.00
• Premarital Course Prepare & Enrich Class, the course only: $125.00 per couple

THE VENUES

Resurrection has six locations where weddings can be held: Blue Springs, Brookside, Downtown, Leawood, Overland Park, and West. While weddings can be held at each location, detailed information is provided for Leawood, Downtown, and Brookside. If you are interested in Overland Park, West, or Blue Springs please contact weddings@cor.org for further details.

Each location is unique in its own way as a wedding venue. The following information below can help you with this decision. Resurrection locations do not offer a space for wedding receptions.

BROOKSIDE

The Resurrection Brookside location opened on December 18, 2022. This location is busy getting all its procedures in place to be able to host a wonderful wedding ceremony. They will be accepting wedding reservations starting April 1, 2023. Tours are available now! Please email weddings@cor.org or fill out an interest form on the home page to proceed with a tour.

DOWNTOWN

Weddings at Resurrection Downtown are held at 1522 McGee building. This urban, loft-style venue in downtown Kansas City has a warm and inviting feel that seats approximately 250 guests. Wedding ceremonies take place at 1522 McGee. The sanctuary has seating for up to 250 guests. Weddings can be scheduled on Friday evening or on Saturday afternoon with a start time no later than 4 p.m.

FRIDAY WEDDINGS

• Evening Times Available
• Use of the building from two hours before the wedding starts and one hour after.
• Rehearsal Thursday at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY WEDDINGS

• Weddings can be held Saturday afternoons with a start time no later than 4 p.m.
• Use of the building from two hours before the wedding starts and one hour after.
• Rehearsal is Friday at 5 p.m.

LEAWOOD

The Leawood location has three options for the wedding ceremony. There is a bridal and groom dressing room available for use.

Wesley Covenant Chapel is a warm and inviting facility seating approximately 350 guests and is available year-round.

The Memorial Garden is available, weather permitting, from spring until fall, and can seat up to 50 guests.

Firestone Chapel is a small intimate setting for a smaller wedding no larger than 40 guests. There is a piano for use in this location but no additional technology.

Please note: weddings and photos are not performed in Sanctuary A.

FRIDAY WEDDINGS

• Wedding Time 7 p.m.
• Use of the building from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Rehearsal Thursday at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY WEDDINGS - 1 pm

• Wedding Time 1 p.m.
• Use of building 11 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Rehearsal is Friday at 5 p.m.

SATURDAY WEDDINGS - 5 pm

• Wedding Time 5:00 p.m.
• Use of building 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Rehearsal Friday at 6:30 p.m.

OFF-SITE LOCATIONS

Some of our pastors also officiate at offsite venues outside of Resurrection. The process to book an off-site wedding is the same as an on-site wedding. The difference is the venue will have its own set of policies. Rev. Adam Hamilton is not available to perform weddings offsite.

MINISTRY & THE PASTOR

The pastor(s) at Resurrection officiate at weddings at his or her campus venue. Guest clergy may assist with the approval of the Officiating Pastor or his/her designee. A pastor will be assigned depending on the date of the wedding. A particular pastor may be requested but is not guaranteed due to scheduling and other commitments.

The pastors will spend one or more sessions in conference with a couple planning to be married. It is their responsibility as a pastor to function in this capacity as a counselor. This will include discussions of both the service and the marriage itself. After the pastor is scheduled for the wedding, the couple is responsible to contact the pastor’s administrative assistant to schedule these session(s). At the discretion of the pastor, additional outside counseling may be required. Communion is not offered at a Resurrection wedding, but the couple may share the marriage cup. These ceremony details will be discussed at the meetings with the pastor.

PREMARITAL PREPARATION CLASS

We want you and your partner to "live happily ever after!" Our Premarital and Newlywed Class is designed to help couples take the next steps of their journey on the right path. Trained instructors lead each session, covering topics to strengthen your connection with your partner and help you gain important lifelong skills. Topics include communication, conflict and resolution, financial management, and experiencing God, among others.

Resurrection requires the Prepare & Enrich course as the premarital preparation class before being married by a Resurrection pastor. The Premarital and Newlywed course is open to all dating couples and is a requirement for any couple desiring to be married by a Resurrection pastor. There are several opportunities to complete this course throughout the year.

The course is also available to those who haven’t set a wedding date. This course, like all of Resurrection's ministries, is open and welcoming of all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. Although denominational policy currently restricts our ability to host and officiate same-gender marriages, there are other ways we can support your special day. Please email weddings@cor.org for additional information.

Next Prepare & Enrich Sessions available for sign-up:

• March 25 in person at Resurrection Leawood 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• June 3 in person at Resurrection Leawood 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Zoom: August 29, September 5, 12, 19 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Must attend all sessions

RESURRECTION WEDDING COORDINATOR

Each on-site wedding will have a Resurrection Wedding Coordinator. This coordinator represents the church in managing the many details of the wedding and rehearsal within the church building. Their responsibilities include ensuring the wedding venue is ready for the rehearsal and wedding, unlocking rooms for the wedding party, coordinating audio set-up with technology, arranging guest book podium and gift table, assisting the pastor with the rehearsal, orchestrating processional and recessional, monitoring time schedules related to the ceremony, setting guidelines for the photographer, ensuring the church is cleaned after the wedding, and overseeing any other facilitation needs within the church. A coordinator will be assigned to the contracted wedding approximately three months before the wedding date. All inquiries after this point can be made directly to the assigned coordinator. Outside wedding coordinators are welcome to participate and help with your personal needs. The Resurrection Wedding Coordinator will still manage all the church-related rehearsal and wedding day items.

WEDDING MUSIC

The wedding is a service of worship. All music played or sung during the wedding should express a Christian message appropriate to the occasion. The couple is responsible for setting up their wedding music. Please contact musicians as soon as possible to plan for your wedding. The couple is responsible for the purchase of any music not currently found in the church’s music library.

WEDDING PARTY

To have your wedding run smoothly, the wedding party must arrive at the times indicated by the wedding coordinator. It is the responsibility of the couple to arrange for the care of the property of the wedding party before, during, and after the wedding, as well as the removal of their items immediately following the service. The church will not be responsible for any articles belonging to any person in the bridal party, a guest at the wedding, or a vendor serving the wedding. Wagons or other transportation are not permitted down the aisle. Please remind all the wedding parties, friends, and family that smoking is not permitted inside the church and that no alcoholic beverages are permitted in the church or on the church grounds. If alcohol is present on the premises, the officiating pastor reserves the authority to cancel the service.

PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS

Resurrection encourages the couple to employ a professional photographer for the wedding. To keep the reverence of the occasion there are a few requirements for the photographer/videographer. Please share this with the professional if you decide to utilize one of these.

• The photographer can arrive at the times listed by the Resurrection Wedding Coordinator
• No flash photos are permitted following the processional but may be taken during the couple’s recessional.
• The photographer will need to remain at the rear of the sanctuary.
• The church does not offer a professional video of the wedding. The couple is responsible for providing personnel for this service. While weddings are recorded at some venues, this is NOT a professional video. Since it’s a wide shot from the very back of the church, the detail is hard to see. Therefore, if you want a video of your wedding, we strongly recommend the couple hire a professional videographer. The wedding coordinator will provide the appropriate details on camera placement. Livestream is available for an extra cost of $100.

DECORATIONS

FLOWERS

Flowers are the responsibility of the bride. Nothing can be placed on the altar. Decorations of any kind may not be attached to the pews/chairs, or any other furniture by gluing, nailing, pinning, or taping. The bride and florist should consult with the Resurrection Wedding Coordinator about the way decorations may be placed on the ends of the pews/chairs. All decorations, flowers, candles, etc. must be removed from the building immediately following the service. No decorations belonging to the church may be moved. The wedding coordinator will provide times for the florist to arrive for set up.

CANDLES

The venues vary in the use of candles. The church will provide white candles for the worship candles. The church will also provide candle-lighting torches. If the couple chooses to rent candelabras, the candles must be placed inside a hurricane glass. Aisle candles are permitted in hurricane lamps only. If the bride and groom desire a unity candle, it will be their responsibility to provide the pillar candle. The church will provide three crystal candlesticks and two side tapers. The lighting will be officiated by the pastor.

BUBBLES

Because of city ordinances and other restrictions, confetti, rice, and birdseed are not to be distributed and/or thrown inside or outside of the church. Only bubbles outside the church may be used for this tradition. Bubbles cannot be used in the Memorial Garden.