Reviewing Stephen Thomas, Lay Leader; Alison Longstaff, Minister; and Coleen Snyder, Church Secretary at the Church of the Good Shepherd
Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
With the recent royal wedding at Westminster Abbey, the trend of having a wedding ceremony in a traditional church setting is experiencing a revitalization. And while couples sometimes shy away from a church wedding, believing that it will be too moralizing or old-fashioned, a ceremony at the Church of the Good Shepherd is anything but. As Coleen, Steve, and Alison from Good Shepherd tell us, they’re open to pretty much any couple, regardless of your beliefs. “We see value in providing all couples with a sacred space for their wedding ceremony, regardless of their lifestyle, religious beliefs, denomination, or church membership,” says Coleen. “Two people who wish to join together in marriage are welcome to do so at the Church of the Good Shepherd.”
So, in the spirit of this welcoming and accommodating outlook, we met with the friendly staff at this hospitable church. Here’s what we found...
Personally speaking...
From a visual perspective, the church space is gorgeous. The facade of the building offers a Gothic stone structure, complete with vast stained glass windows and a colossal stone bell tower. On top of this, the grounds are surrounded by mature trees, 19th-century inspired light posts, and an ornamental wrought iron fence. If you’ve had the pleasure of going inside this beautiful space—maybe you’ve been to a friend’s nuptials at what Coleen says, many have dubbed “the wedding church”— the dazzling stained glass windows and rich wood interiors have likely left a favourable impression. And while such a space would be ideal for your wedding ceremony, the officiants here also extend their services to off-site weddings.
But beyond appearance, the staff at this church is both experienced and friendly. The church has had a presence in the community for over 180 years and has undergone much growth and many transformations. Steve, the Lay Leader of the church, has over seventeen years of practice as a wedding officiant and has married over two-hundred couples. As Coleen explains, “he makes it personal for the couple,” especially considering “he takes the time [beforehand] to get to know you.” Pastor Alison feels the same way: “Each couple is unique and special. I love getting to know them and their story. I love helping them through their special day with grace, relaxation, and gentle humour.” Both Steve and Pastor Alison are licensed to conduct weddings within Ontario and both have had years of training in the wedding department. On top of that, as Coleen says, “We have had a wedding ministry within our church for as long as anyone can remember.” While last year they did a whopping 28 weddings; with the addition of Pastor Alison, they’re aiming to reach their former high of 40-50 weddings a year. This coincides with their focus on revitalizing their wedding ministry, because, as they add, “it is something we do well!”
Lisa Marie Maresch says the church was the perfect setting for her June 18th, 2011 ceremony. She told us, "I couldn't' find another place that took such good care of me as the bride. I was surprised with the amount of dedication towards my big day. I was pleased to know that once I had found this as my ceremony location that this was also my ceremony decor, organist/pianist, minister/officiant all in one!"
Ceremony officiants and more...
While Steve and Alison act as your ceremony officiants, the Church of the Good Shepherd offers additional services and perks for booking your wedding ceremony with them. Included in their standard package is full use of the church for your rehearsal and wedding, the services of one of the ministers, a musician, and a wedding coordinator. They also offer use of the parking lot on the wedding day, exclusive use of the church for your wedding time slot, as well as time inside and out for photos.
Additionally, each couple is scheduled to have two meetings prior to the wedding with your chosen officiant. The first meeting (about six weeks before your wedding day) is to go over the ceremony and your arrangements, and the second (about three to four weeks before your special day) is a marriage communication session. “This is to go over healthy communication habits in a happy marriage,” explains Coleen. Each meeting is about an hour in length and helps you better get-to-know your ceremony officiant.
The aforementioned wedding coordinator is great because she (usually one from a select list of ladies with years of experience in this realm) really helps your ceremony run smoothly. She offers a helping hand by doing such things as decorating the church, directing guests and those in the bridal party to their respective places, and having emergency supplies (like water, pins, and tissues!) on hand. “She assists in every possible way to make the day calm and smooth.”
The Church of the Good Shepherd also has three musicians on call, “all with different strengths and who stand ready to accompany your wedding.” Each offers musical accompaniment to your walk down the aisle, during signing, and while guests are arriving, but really, when and what music played, is totally up to you. “Sometimes we get requests for a country music song or pop music!” adds Coleen. So as with the rest of their services, even in music options, this church is accommodating.
A non-denominational reputation
Though the Church of the Good Shepherd is, as the name declares, a church; in the wedding industry, they are known for their non-denominational approach to weddings. As you’ve likely already realized, they’re flexible in many ways because, as they say: “We honour the path that each couple walks in their journey.” They tailor your ceremony to reflect your wishes, including if you’re looking into a religious service or otherwise. You can have the beautiful church setting without what Coleen likes to call a “preachy style”—unless that’s what you’re looking for, of course.
They feel it’s this flexible, friendly, and open approach that leads many brides to choose them. You can write your own wedding vows, have as many people in your wedding party as you like, and children are always welcome. “We find that our brides have such a positive experience that they tell their friends who also come to us.”
Ileana Stafford had her October 8th, 2011 ceremony at the Church. She loved how open-minded and accommodating the staff were, "I chose CoGS because they are accepting of all types of religious background and they don’t make you take marriage classes before the wedding. They were simple and to the point, none of the long drawn out ceremony stuff. The staff was excellent and very easy to work with."
Recent bride Tasia McEvoy couldn't agree more, "They are the most inclusive church we’ve found in the city – with very warm and inviting staff who don’t pressure. They were non judgmental and very easy to talk to!"
The process
Once you book a wedding with the Church of the Good Shepherd, you will be contacted by your officiant, who will arrange the two aforementioned meetings. The day before your wedding is usually the rehearsal (it can however, be scheduled any time during the previous week). On the wedding day, the groom and groomsmen arrive about one hour before the ceremony and are met by the officiant. The bride and her party arrive about 15-20 minutes before the ceremony. The officiant has been there for up to an hour before the groom arrives prepping and organizing. The coordinator usually arrives 45 minutes to an hour before the wedding. And because they care so much about you, Coleen adds that “after the wedding day, we try to make contact with the couple to see how things are going.”
Lisa Marie Maresch says she would recommend the Church of Good Shepherd to anyone getting married, "My experience with working with the staff of Church of the Good Shepherd, is that they are very flexible, easy to contact and converse with. I had no worries when it came to the ceremony, it was all laid out. They were all very friendly and reassuring even though we had arrived late. I would, and already have, recommended this location to many brides."
Details details details
- The standard wedding ceremony package is $800 (no extra taxes or gratuities).
- A deposit of $300 is paid within two weeks of booking, with the remainder being paid at the rehearsal.
- Brides should aim to book 12-18 months ahead, but they say that they’ve been able to pull a wedding together in under a week in the past. “We just don’t recommend that,” adds Coleen.
- They can accommodate up to 200 guests, but also have options for more intimate weddings as well.
Contacting the Church of the Good Shepherd
The best way to get in touch is by phone at 519-743-3845 or through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or you can join them for a service at 10:30am on Sunday mornings to get a feel for the church. You can also check them out at www.shepherdsway.ca or on their Facebook page. The church is located in downtown Kitchener at the corner of Queen and Margaret Streets:
116 Queen St. North
Kitchener, Ontario
N2H 2H7
With the recent royal wedding at Westminster Abbey, the trend of having a wedding ceremony in a traditional church setting is experiencing a revitalization. And while couples sometimes shy away from a church wedding, believing that it will be too moralizing or old-fashioned, a ceremony at the Church of the Good Shepherd is anything but. As Coleen, Steve, and Alison from Good Shepherd tell us, they’re open to pretty much any couple, regardless of your beliefs. “We see value in providing all couples with a sacred space for their wedding ceremony, regardless of their lifestyle, religious beliefs, denomination, or church membership,” says Coleen. “Two people who wish to join together in marriage are welcome to do so at the Church of the Good Shepherd.”
So, in the spirit of this welcoming and accommodating outlook, we met with the friendly staff at this hospitable church. Here’s what we found...
Personally speaking...
From a visual perspective, the church space is gorgeous. The facade of the building offers a Gothic stone structure, complete with vast stained glass windows and a colossal stone bell tower. On top of this, the grounds are surrounded by mature trees, 19th-century inspired light posts, and an ornamental wrought iron fence. If you’ve had the pleasure of going inside this beautiful space—maybe you’ve been to a friend’s nuptials at what Coleen says, many have dubbed “the wedding church”— the dazzling stained glass windows and rich wood interiors have likely left a favourable impression. And while such a space would be ideal for your wedding ceremony, the officiants here also extend their services to off-site weddings.
But beyond appearance, the staff at this church is both experienced and friendly. The church has had a presence in the community for over 180 years and has undergone much growth and many transformations. Steve, the Lay Leader of the church, has over seventeen years of practice as a wedding officiant and has married over two-hundred couples. As Coleen explains, “he makes it personal for the couple,” especially considering “he takes the time [beforehand] to get to know you.” Pastor Alison feels the same way: “Each couple is unique and special. I love getting to know them and their story. I love helping them through their special day with grace, relaxation, and gentle humour.” Both Steve and Pastor Alison are licensed to conduct weddings within Ontario and both have had years of training in the wedding department. On top of that, as Coleen says, “We have had a wedding ministry within our church for as long as anyone can remember.” While last year they did a whopping 28 weddings; with the addition of Pastor Alison, they’re aiming to reach their former high of 40-50 weddings a year. This coincides with their focus on revitalizing their wedding ministry, because, as they add, “it is something we do well!”
Lisa Marie Maresch says the church was the perfect setting for her June 18th, 2011 ceremony. She told us, "I couldn't' find another place that took such good care of me as the bride. I was surprised with the amount of dedication towards my big day. I was pleased to know that once I had found this as my ceremony location that this was also my ceremony decor, organist/pianist, minister/officiant all in one!"
Ceremony officiants and more...
While Steve and Alison act as your ceremony officiants, the Church of the Good Shepherd offers additional services and perks for booking your wedding ceremony with them. Included in their standard package is full use of the church for your rehearsal and wedding, the services of one of the ministers, a musician, and a wedding coordinator. They also offer use of the parking lot on the wedding day, exclusive use of the church for your wedding time slot, as well as time inside and out for photos.
Additionally, each couple is scheduled to have two meetings prior to the wedding with your chosen officiant. The first meeting (about six weeks before your wedding day) is to go over the ceremony and your arrangements, and the second (about three to four weeks before your special day) is a marriage communication session. “This is to go over healthy communication habits in a happy marriage,” explains Coleen. Each meeting is about an hour in length and helps you better get-to-know your ceremony officiant.
The aforementioned wedding coordinator is great because she (usually one from a select list of ladies with years of experience in this realm) really helps your ceremony run smoothly. She offers a helping hand by doing such things as decorating the church, directing guests and those in the bridal party to their respective places, and having emergency supplies (like water, pins, and tissues!) on hand. “She assists in every possible way to make the day calm and smooth.”
The Church of the Good Shepherd also has three musicians on call, “all with different strengths and who stand ready to accompany your wedding.” Each offers musical accompaniment to your walk down the aisle, during signing, and while guests are arriving, but really, when and what music played, is totally up to you. “Sometimes we get requests for a country music song or pop music!” adds Coleen. So as with the rest of their services, even in music options, this church is accommodating.
A non-denominational reputation
Though the Church of the Good Shepherd is, as the name declares, a church; in the wedding industry, they are known for their non-denominational approach to weddings. As you’ve likely already realized, they’re flexible in many ways because, as they say: “We honour the path that each couple walks in their journey.” They tailor your ceremony to reflect your wishes, including if you’re looking into a religious service or otherwise. You can have the beautiful church setting without what Coleen likes to call a “preachy style”—unless that’s what you’re looking for, of course.
They feel it’s this flexible, friendly, and open approach that leads many brides to choose them. You can write your own wedding vows, have as many people in your wedding party as you like, and children are always welcome. “We find that our brides have such a positive experience that they tell their friends who also come to us.”
Ileana Stafford had her October 8th, 2011 ceremony at the Church. She loved how open-minded and accommodating the staff were, "I chose CoGS because they are accepting of all types of religious background and they don’t make you take marriage classes before the wedding. They were simple and to the point, none of the long drawn out ceremony stuff. The staff was excellent and very easy to work with."
Recent bride Tasia McEvoy couldn't agree more, "They are the most inclusive church we’ve found in the city – with very warm and inviting staff who don’t pressure. They were non judgmental and very easy to talk to!"
The process
Once you book a wedding with the Church of the Good Shepherd, you will be contacted by your officiant, who will arrange the two aforementioned meetings. The day before your wedding is usually the rehearsal (it can however, be scheduled any time during the previous week). On the wedding day, the groom and groomsmen arrive about one hour before the ceremony and are met by the officiant. The bride and her party arrive about 15-20 minutes before the ceremony. The officiant has been there for up to an hour before the groom arrives prepping and organizing. The coordinator usually arrives 45 minutes to an hour before the wedding. And because they care so much about you, Coleen adds that “after the wedding day, we try to make contact with the couple to see how things are going.”
Lisa Marie Maresch says she would recommend the Church of Good Shepherd to anyone getting married, "My experience with working with the staff of Church of the Good Shepherd, is that they are very flexible, easy to contact and converse with. I had no worries when it came to the ceremony, it was all laid out. They were all very friendly and reassuring even though we had arrived late. I would, and already have, recommended this location to many brides."
Details details details
- The standard wedding ceremony package is $800 (no extra taxes or gratuities).
- A deposit of $300 is paid within two weeks of booking, with the remainder being paid at the rehearsal.
- Brides should aim to book 12-18 months ahead, but they say that they’ve been able to pull a wedding together in under a week in the past. “We just don’t recommend that,” adds Coleen.
- They can accommodate up to 200 guests, but also have options for more intimate weddings as well.
Contacting the Church of the Good Shepherd
The best way to get in touch is by phone at 519-743-3845 or through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or you can join them for a service at 10:30am on Sunday mornings to get a feel for the church. You can also check them out at www.shepherdsway.ca or on their Facebook page. The church is located in downtown Kitchener at the corner of Queen and Margaret Streets:
116 Queen St. North
Kitchener, Ontario
N2H 2H7
