*COVID-19 NOTICE*: The Government of Alberta has produced a guidance document, outlining the specific guidelines and restrictions for Weddings. Click here for the June 18, 2021 version. Alberta will be proceeding to “stage 3” of its summer reopening plans as of July 1, 2021, but has not yet informed Churches of the full expectations and regulations attached to this stage. We will wait to see the full guidelines of this stage before resuming indoor weddings.
Marriage Preparation We highly recommend that all couples that get married in Banff at Rundle United participate in a Marriage Preparation course prior to their wedding date. This is not a requirement, but over the years our clergy have found that couples who have engaged in such courses are better prepared for the vows they take and the marriage into which they are entering.
Church Involvement While we do not require that you be involved in a Christian church or community of faith in order to get married in Banff at Rundle, our Wedding Minister will expect you to share with them why it is important for you to be married by a minister in a Christian church. Secular or non-Christian ceremonies are not permitted within Rundle. Our minister has a variety of Christian wedding ceremonies from which you can choose and you will be invited to work with the Minister in selecting and shaping the ceremony that best fits your occasion.
Officiating Clergy Normally our Wedding Minister will be the officiating clergy for your wedding. If however, you are traveling to Banff for your wedding and desire that your relative/family friend/home church minister perform or assist with your wedding ceremony, that is also a possibility but must be discussed with and approved in advance by our Wedding Minister. Of course whomever you would like to perform the wedding must be legally licensed to perform a wedding in Alberta.
Outdoor Weddings If you are coming to Banff for your special day there’s a good chance the abundance of natural beauty surrounding Banff is part of the reason. Our Wedding Minister has performed weddings in a variety of spectacular scenic locations and would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect spot for you to get married in Banff.
Same-sex Weddings At Rundle we rejoice that equal marriage exists in Canada. Our policies apply equally to all weddings performed by our clergy and/or in our building.
Divorced People Seeking To Marry At Rundle Memorial we do not make any judgments about, or place any restrictions upon those previously married. Legally divorced people are welcome to be married in Banff at Rundle and are equally subject to our policies.
Music The majesty of the Alberta Rockies has always attracted artists of the highest level to live and work here. There are many gifted musicians in the Bow Valley who are available for weddings, whether you’re looking for a classical guitarist, vocalist, harpist, string quartets, trios, or duos. You are welcome to include the music that is right for your ceremony. A pianist is included in our fee; additional musicians can be added at your own expense, but must be discussed with and approved in advance by our Wedding Pianist, Aurora Borin, in consultation with our Wedding Minister.
Ceremony Rules The couple and the words of the liturgy should be the main focus of the wedding ceremony. As such, our Wedding Minister will discuss with you some simple rules surrounding photography and videography in order to ensure distractions are minimized.
We are quite flexible when it comes to activities/decorations connected with your wedding and these elements will mainly be left up to you. The use of confetti, rice, or other small tossed objects is however, not allowed in the church or on church property.
Fees At Rundle Memorial United Church, the all-inclusive total wedding fee is C$1250. The fee for off-site weddings is C$350 (Minister + use of our register). These fees are non-negotiable.
A wedding is booked formally upon receipt of a deposit of C$200 (non refundable), or the full amount. Please check at the time of booking to ensure your desired date and time are available. The deposit may be made by cheque, in Canadian funds, made out to Rundle Memorial United Church, E-ransfer using our email address: office@rundleunited.ca, or online by clicking here. Because a wedding fee is not a charitable donation, no donation receipt can be issued. The balance of payment is due no later than the date of the rehearsal and must be paid with cash or cheque.
To check availability, you may reach us by phone 403-762-2075, or email office@rundleunited.ca . The Wedding Booking form is at http://ralphconnor.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WeddingForm2021-1.pdf For all other questions about your wedding, the Wedding Minister for both Rundle Memorial United Church in Banff and Ralph Connor Memorial United Church in Canmore is Rev. Shannon Mang, mangshannon@gmail.com . Information about weddings at Ralph Connor, Canmore are found at http://ralphconnor.ca/weddings/