WEDDINGS

PLANNING YOUR WEDDING IN THE CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS?

Click here to go to our WEDDING website!

As of June, 2021, Ralph Connor Memorial United  Church in Canmore, and Rundle Memorial United Church in Banff have joined resources to have one Wedding Ministry to welcome all couples wishing to be married in Banff, Canmore or surroundings. Our goal is to have a wedding ministry that is truly world class, affirming, inclusive and equitable.  For a brief video intro to this Ministry, click here!
If you’d like further info, and/or to start planning your wedding, contact Rev Shannon Mang, weddings@ralphconnor.ca

We warmly welcome you to plan your wedding with us at our historic buildings, Ralph Connor Memorial United Church in Canmore or Rundle Memorial United Church in Banff.  The Ralph Connor sanctuary, dating to 1891, seats 90; the Rundle sanctuary, dating to 1927, seats 180+.   There are many stunning outdoor venues as well that make a beautiful setting for a wedding.

At Ralph Connor (Canmore), and Rundle Memorial (Banff), we celebrate God’s gift of the human diversity of sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. We welcome all couples equally who come to us seeking to be married.  Both of our Congregations are Affirming Ministries of the United Church of Canada, and are striving  to “live into” the commitments we have made to be loving, inclusive places of justice and welcome.


Ralph Connor Memorial UC, Canmore


Rundle Memorial UC, Banff

We request that couples contact us well in advance of their wedding date. Insofar as the wedding is taking place in a congregation of the United Church of Canada, we would anticipate that the couple will be comfortable with a United Church minister and a Christian wedding service.  Secular or non-Christian ceremonies are not permitted. We strongly advise couples to attend a marriage preparation course in the community where they reside. Where blended families or remarriage is involved it might be advisable to pursue further premarital counseling, or to consult with our Wedding Minister, Rev. Shannon Mang.

For the most part, the Province of Alberta has removed the pandemic precautions that included capacity limits for weddings.  However, the Ralph Connor congregation – now spanning both Canmore and Banff – does have some guidelines for you to consider.

COSTS:

Indoor Wedding costs include Minister (Rev. Shannon Mang), Pianist (Aurora Borin), a local Wedding Host, and use of Church’s Marriage Register.

$1,500.00- Indoor Wedding, Ralph Connor Memorial UC, Canmore (maximum seating capacity 90)

$ 2,000.00- Indoor Wedding, Rundle Memorial UC, Banff (maximum seating capacity 180+)

$ 500.00 – off-site wedding, Banff/Canmore area – Minister only, plus use of Church Register. (plus mileage, if it’s an outdoor service outside the towns of Banff or Canmore).

There is no reduction in fees if a couple chooses to bring their own resource people, and these must be pre-approved by our Wedding Minister.

Not included is the cost of an Alberta Marriage License, which must be purchased at least 24 hours and as much as 3 months prior to the marriage, at any Alberta Registry office. If you are in Canmore you may visit the registry office at 119-104 Kananaskis Way (closed Saturday-Sunday) or in Banff at 211 Bear St #103 (closed Sunday-Monday). For more information about getting married in Alberta go to the Government of Alberta Website.

Ordinarily the couple will have a wedding rehearsal the evening before or the day of their wedding. It is helpful to have everyone who will be actively involved in the wedding – the wedding party, ushers, additional musicians, etc. – attend the rehearsal.

Our Wedding Host will help coordinate preparation details and be a resource for you on your wedding day. The minister will be available to work on the details of your ceremony. We advise you make an appointment through our office very early on to have the conversations needed for this special day.

PARKING CONSIDERATIONS

Both Churches are located downtown, so parking can be tricky.  In Banff National Park, you also need to make sure that you have a Parks Pass.  Both Towns, Banff and Canmore, have implemented paid parking in the downtown core.  For details, see

Banff: https://banff.ca/93/Parking

Canmore: https://canmore.ca/projects/transportation-projects/paid-parking-fare-free-transit

CHURCH AS A BACKUP for an Outdoor Wedding

You can book the church for a backup venue for a non-refundable fee – check with the Wedding Minister for details.

DEPOSITS

Please note that no booking is considered confirmed until the non-refundable deposit of $200 is received. Whether your wedding will be in Banff, Canmore, or the surrounding area, contact our office in Banff, office@rundleunited.ca to arrange for payment.

Overseas Inquiries – Please contact the Ralph Connor office for payment details please note: Charges quoted are subject to change.

Thank you for your interest. God’s blessing be with you as you prepare for your wedding day.

Ready to Book?

Download the Rundle – Ralph Connor Wedding Booking Form

Alberta Government Marriage Website

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