Weddings

ESG United Church can accommodate weddings of up to 500 guests.  Our sanctuary, bathed in natural light from stained-glass windows on all sides, and filled with joyous organ or piano music, provides an uplifting backdrop for your marriage service.

Sanctuary facing altar
Sanctuary facing entrance
Reception Hall outside Sanctuary

A Christian Ceremony

At ESG, we welcome all couples wishing to be married in a Christian ceremony. One of our ministers, Rev. Dr. Paul Hutchison, Rev. Sarah Chapman, or Rev. Don Parsons will officiate at your wedding service. You are invited to personalize the traditional wedding vows, as well as other aspects of the service, to make your ceremony truly meaningful.

We are an inclusive and welcoming congregation. Persons of all ages, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, differing abilities, ethnic background, or economic circumstances are welcome to take  part in every aspect of church life, including membership, leadership, celebrating life passages and marriage.

Wedding couples are more than welcome to bring their own officiant. We do require that a minister of ESG United Church be included in the service as a co-officiant. The ESG Minister’s fee would not be waived.

Booking a Date for your Ceremony

Please contact our Church Administrator by email at jennifer@esgunited.org or telephone at (416) 481-1141 ext, 210, to let us know your desired wedding date and time of day, as well as your contact information. The church’s Wedding Coordinator will be in touch with you once your date/time is confirmed to advise on other aspects of the planning process .
Our minister will meet with you about three months before the wedding date to discuss the details of your wedding service. You will also have an opportunity to meet with the church’s director of music to select the music for your service.

Fees

The fee for the use of the Church Sanctuary for the wedding and rehearsal is $800. A cheque for this amount post dated one month prior to the wedding date, must be received by the Church Office to confirm your wedding booking. Honoraria for those who will be assisting at your wedding are requested as follows: the Minister ($400), Organist ($250), Wedding Coordinator ($175), and sound technician ($75).


The church Custodian is to be paid $120 for up to three hours commencing one hour before the start of the service. If required, additional time is billable at $40 per hour. Custodial fees do not apply if a wedding takes place on a weekday.

Music

As part of our wedding program, the church’s director of music plays organ or piano for up to one hour at your service. Upon request, we can arrange a soloist to enhance your service, or you may provide your own soloist. With prior approval, you may bring additional acoustic musicians to provide further accompaniment to the service.

Hours of Use

When you choose ESG United Church, you are entitled to the use of the church building and grounds for up to three hours on your wedding day, plus a one-hour rehearsal (usually a day or two prior to the service).

Parking

Due to our location in a quiet residential area, we do not have a parking lot. However, there is plenty of street parking available on neighbouring streets. There is a small driveway in front of the church where the wedding vehicle may park during your service.

No-cost Settings for Your Group Photos

Our well-kept grounds—the front lawn, church steps or the elegant tranquility garden to the east of the sanctuary—make an ideal setting for photos after your ceremony. You are entitled to use this space at no charge during your rental period. In case of inclement weather, you can use various open spaces inside the church for such photos.

We are happy to recommend WeDo Photography for your wedding photography needs. Contact Daniel Royer for enquiries about his services.

Flowers

By special arrangement, the church may be able to accommodate deliveries of decorative flowers earlier in the day of your wedding. Corsages and boutonnieres may be briefly stored in our kitchen refrigerator prior to your service. We are pleased to accept donations of wedding flowers after your service; please let us know in advance so the church’s flower committee can arrange for their use at our next Sunday worship service.