Weddings or services of holy union, child dedications, memorial, funeral services and any other important life passage:

We offer excellent services for marriages, baby-welcoming, and for a death. People who are otherwise unaffiliated often find that Unitarian ministers and lay chaplains provide just the right mixture of spirituality and non-dogma that they are looking for. They need not fear being required to join the church. They are simply offered a service of high quality, custom-made for their particular situation.

The Unitarian Fellowship of Kelowna offers its services to its members as well as members of the public who wish to be married by our minister, the Reverend Linda Horton, or our licensed chaplain, Lindsay Atkinson-Smith. It is the position of the Unitarian Fellowship of Kelowna that we support the celebration and maintenance of healthy, committed, loving relationships between two people, regardless of sexual orientation. We are pleased to officiate at weddings for either opposite-sex or same-sex couples.

Your wedding service should say what you want it to say about your relationship. In consultation with the minister or chaplain, you are encouraged to participate in the planning of the service. This could include, if you wish, writing your own vows, choosing readings and prayers, and involving family or friends in the service.

Why might anyone wish to be married by us? Here are some reasons given by people who have been married through a Unitarian church

"We wanted a service that is spiritual but without any particular religious doctrine."

"We wanted to be able to design most of the service ourselves, or at least have a large part in deciding what words are used."

"We wanted to be married by someone who would take a personal interest in our needs."

"We aren’t ‘religious’ but we wanted a church wedding."

"One of us is divorced."

"We wanted to be married in a park (or at someone’s home), but we wanted some spiritual content."

"Our families are from two different faith traditions, and ...

"We don’t want to offend either of our families."

or

"Neither of the faiths will marry us."

"We like your building."

It is usual to have at least two interviews with the minister or chaplain, before the service. Designed as times for sharing together, not as lectures, these interviews provide an opportunity for you to look at the significance of the wedding service, your expectations and needs in marriage, and your relationship as marriage partners.

What are the costs?

no fee for members of the Unitarian Fellowship of Kelowna except for travel or other extraordinary expenses.

for members of the public please contact the church office.

If you know someone who is at such a junction in their life journey, please invite them to consider contacting us through the Minister’s line at (250) 763-7296 or via E-Mail. Contact the Reverend Linda Horton or our licensed lay chaplain for assistance in planning a service suitable to your personal needs.

Links for wedding planning:

Twenty Questions to Ask Before You Get Married from Susan Piver's book, The Hard Questions: 100 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Say "I Do"

RainbowWeddingNetwork offers you immediate access to gay-friendly wedding services, including an online registry, specifically designed for gay, lesbian, bi, trans & gay-friendly couples.

Your local library is also a good resource! In the Okanagan you can search the on-line catalogue for the Okanagan Regional Library.