Marriage Ministry
At Southland, we believe marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God.
Our Marriage Ministry is committed to helping couples build and maintain strong, Christ-centered relationships by offering Biblically grounded resources, intentional community, and meaningful growth opportunities.
Preparing for marriage, are newly married, or have been married for many years, we are here to support and walk alongside you through group life, mentoring, intentional events, and practical resources. We want to encourage and equip couples to thrive in every season of marriage.
Are you planning your big day? Or maybe you’re already married and want to grow together–we are here to help. Simply choose below how we can best help you.
So, what season of marriage are you in?
Weddings
Congratulations, You’re Engaged!
We’re so excited for you as you begin this new chapter together. If you're considering getting married at Southland or having a Southland staff member officiate your wedding, we’d be honored to walk alongside you during this meaningful season. Here’s everything you need to know as you take your next steps toward the big day and a lifetime of committed love.
Prepare for a Strong Foundation
We believe that preparing for marriage should be intentional and rooted in faith. At Southland, we’re committed to helping couples build strong, Christ-centered marriages. That’s why we require all couples getting married at Southland or having a Southland staff member officiate their wedding to participate in our 2-Day Marriage Workshop.
The Marriage Workshop is designed to help you and your fiancé build the foundation for a thriving, Christ-centered marriage. Together, you’ll explore biblical principles of marriage, address common challenges couples face, build on your strengths, identify areas for growth, and gain practical tools to strengthen your relationship for the journey ahead.
Each couple will be paired with a trusted, seasoned marriage mentor couple from our church, committed to walking alongside you during your engagement and into the early stages of marriage. Their role is to offer guidance, encouragement, and support as you and your fiancé prepare for life together. After the Marriage Workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with your mentor couple to review the results of a personalized couple’s assessment, offering deeper insight into your unique strengths and areas for growth as you continue building a strong foundation together.
Note: Anyone getting married or who has been married up to five years is welcome to attend the Marriage Workshop. You don’t need to be a Southland member or be getting married at Southland to participate. Whether you’re planning your wedding elsewhere or simply looking to invest in your relationship during the early years of marriage, this workshop is a valuable opportunity!
THE VENUE & SERVICES
All Southland weddings take place in our chapel located at the Nicholasville Campus. The chapel seats up to 300 guests and offers a warm, elegant setting for your special day. Tours are available Monday through Friday by appointment.
To schedule a tour or learn more give us a call at 859-224-1600.
For more information about weddings at Southland, check out our Southland Wedding Guide.
Photos by Josephine Klein Photography
CHapel wedding
$1100
Cost includes:
Marriage Workshop (required)
Southland Staff: Officiant, Coordinator, Sound Tech, and Custodian
Reserved facilities for rehearsal and cermony
Off-site Wedding
$700
Cost includes:
Marriage Workshop (required)
Southland Officiant
Ready to book the chapel or a Southland officiant?
Here are your next steps:
Read Southland’s Biblical beliefs & values regarding marriage and sexuality.
Mark your calendar for the Marriage Workshop you’ll attend.
Submit a Wedding Request Form.
Still have questions?
THE WEDDING PROCESS
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1. The Wedding Request Form
Start here! If you're hoping to be married at Southland or by one of our officiants, your first step is to fill out the Wedding Request Form. This lets us begin the conversation and see how we can best serve you and your fiancé. -
2. The Wedding Deposit
Once we’ve reviewed your request and confirmed availability, we’ll send you a link to submit your deposit. Once the deposit is paid, your wedding is officially booked on our calendar! -
3. Prepare for your Wedding
If you're getting married in our chapel, our Wedding Coordinator will contact you to help plan the big day.All couples (whether marrying at Southland or using a Southland Officiant) will meet with your Officiant in preparation for the ceremony.
You will also be enrolled in our Marriage Workshop and paired with a Marriage Mentor.
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4. Get Married
Your big day arrives! We’re honored to walk with you into this new chapter. We will walk with you in celebration of your marriage and help you grow in faith as a married couple.
Marriage
Mark 10:6-9 (ESV) But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
We love partnering with married couples to help them grow together and towards Jesus. Tell us where you’re at in marriage: newly married (up to 5 years), or pursuing marriage enrichment (over 5 years):
Newly Married (up to 5 years)
For couples who are newly married, this is a crucial season to lay a strong, Godly foundation for your life together. Building your marriage on Christ creates lasting love, unity, and purpose. When God is at the center, you and your spouse can better navigate life’s challenges, deepen your emotional and spiritual connection, and establish a legacy of faith for generations.
One way we want to support you in this journey is by inviting you and your spouse to our 2-Day Marriage Workshop. During this time, we’ll dive into biblical principles for marriage, address common challenges couples face, and identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth in your marriage.
Plus, each couple will be connected with a marriage mentor who is an experienced, Christ-centered couple who will walk alongside you, offer guidance, and support you beyond the workshop as you continue to grow in your relationship.
Marriage Enrichment
Whether you’ve been married for years or just a few, every marriage needs intentional care, encouragement, and spiritual growth. Our Marriage Enrichment opportunities are designed to help couples strengthen communication, deepen emotional and spiritual intimacy, and grow together in a Christ-centered, God-honoring relationship.
Here are a few ways to invest in your marriage:
Find a Marriage Group at your campus and connect with other couples pursuing Godly marriages.
Become a Marriage Mentor. This is an opportunity not only to pour into other couples but also to continue learning and growing in your own marriage as you walk alongside others, building a Christ-centered foundation.
Check out the following resources to help you grow in love, faith, and purpose together.
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Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make
By: Paul David Tripp
- In this rebranded edition of What Did You Expect?, popular author and pastor Paul David Tripp encourages couples to make six biblical commitments to the Lord and to one another. These commitments, which include a lifestyle of confession and forgiveness, building trust, and appreciating differences, will equip couples to cultivate thriving, joy-filled marriages built on Christ.
Purchase →From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage
By: Craig and Amy Groeschel
- Perfect for single adults, engaged couples, and married couples alike, Craig and his wife, Amy, show you how to conquer the odds and find the joy, passion, and strength of a marriage built by God.
Purchase →The Meaning of Marriage
By: Timothy Keller
- Timothy Keller, with insights from Kathy, his wife of thirty-seven years, shows marriage to be a glorious relationship that is also misunderstood and mysterious. The Meaning of Marriage offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to know God and love more deeply in this life.
Purchase →Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
By: Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
- Love & Respect teaches that women need love and men need respect to maintain a healthy relationship. By understanding this dynamic, couples can break the cycle of conflict and improve communication. The book offers practical, faith-based tools to build intimacy and restore passion.
Purchase →His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage
By: Willard F. Harley, Jr.
- His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley identifies the ten most important emotional needs of men and women in marriage. It offers practical advice to help spouses meet each other's needs, strengthen intimacy, and prevent infidelity.
Purchase →