It is the policy of Arlington United Methodist Church (UMC) to encourage Christian marriage by making the Sanctuary or Chapel available for wedding services, provided that suitable arrangements are made through the Church Secretary (703-979-7527) and in consultation with the Senior Pastor, Abi Foerster, or Associate Pastors, Lydia Rodriguez and Chenda Lee. 

The Pastor will be pleased to make arrangements with you to officiate at your wedding and to set a schedule for pre-marital counseling. At Arlington UMC, we use an instrument for marriage preparation called FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study) as the basis for our pre-marital sessions.  Most couples work with the pastor for six to eight sessions, which typically take two to four months to complete. The church’s pre-marital program is free except for the cost of the inventory, which is $20.  We recognize there is a commitment of time on the part of a couple; however, the church believes it is its responsibility to equip couples with the tools to make love last a lifetime.  In essence, the wedding is a worship service and the marriage is based in faith.  Both should be planned accordingly.

The Senior or Associate Pastors of Arlington UMC will oversee all weddings at Arlington UMC. If you desire to have the pastor of another church or former pastor of Arlington UMC participate at your wedding, it is proper that you first consult with the pastor in charge of the wedding.  Then, that pastor will invite the other pastor to participate in the wedding and details can be worked out together.

Click Here To Download Arlington UMC's Wedding Policies