[rodgersorgan] Wedding Policy

Here is the complete Wedding Policy my church uses.  If interested, you may 
want to "print this out", being rather long.
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CONGRATULATIONS

The congregation and staff of (church name) extend to you our warmest 
congratulations and best wishes for your wedding.  The Service of Marriage is a 
sacred occasion when two persons pledge their love and loyalty before God and 
all 
those assembled.  The decisions to create a new family with the blessings of 
the church involves holy vows to God and to each other which must only be given 
in reverence and sincerity.

In order that you may have a sacred and dignified marriage ceremony, plase 
read this material carefully so that adequate preparation can be made.  The 
minister and staff of (church name) extend every possible assistance to you so 
that your wedding will be a memorable experience.

The policies in this brochure have been adopted by the Administrative Board 
of (church name) and your full cooperation in upholding the standard, 
established here, is expected.

RESERVATIONS

Reservation of the facilities for a wedding will be confirmed with the 
payment of all fees to the church secretary.  The exact hour of the rehearsal 
and 
wedding must be recorded at the time the Sanctuary and/or Fellowship Hall is 
reserved.

Available dates may be checked by telephone; however, it is necessary for the 
bride, groom, or their representative to have a personal conference with the 
minister before the date can be confirmed.

(church name) feels a responsibility to make our church facility available on 
a first come first serve basis, regardless of being a member or non-member.  
Everyone must pay a non-refundable desposit of $200 ($250 if reserving the 
Fellowship Hall) at the time your date is set.  This deposit will secure your 
date and time from being given to another couple and will be used towards all 
fees due.  In case of cancellation, all fees (except the $200 deposit) are 
refundable up to thirty (30) days prior to your wedding date.

Wedding rehearsals, ceremonies, or receptions will not be scheduled on 
Sunday, New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, from Palm/Passion 
Sunday 
through Easter Sunday and national holidays.

THE MINISTER

The minister of (church name) will be in charge of every wedding ceremony at 
(church name).  Other ministers are welcome to assist, but only at the 
invitation of the staff minister in charge.  If using a guest minister, the 
wedding 
couple is responsible for his fee as well as the staff minister.  Your wedding 
consultant should also be advised that the staff minister is in charge of the 
rehearsal and wedding.

The minister in charge will perform the wedding only after a conference with 
the bride and groom.  This conference should be scheduled at least thirty (30) 
days prior to the ceremony.  Couples must make an appointment with the 
minister for this consultation.

THE RITUAL

All weddings at (church name) will use the basic order of service for the 
marriage ceremony, "The Order for the Service of Marriage" found in the Book of 
Worship of the United Methodist Church.  Because United Methodist Ministers are 
responsible for all services of worship held in our church, any additions or 
alterations must be discussed and agreed upon with the staff minister in 
charge thirty (30) days prior to the ceremony. 

WEDDING COORDINATOR

The services of the wedding coordinator are required for all weddings 
excluding the "informal wedding".  She will help with the wedding, be present 
for the 
rehearsal and the wedding to assist the minister.  A fee is charged for this 
service and is listed in the wedding schedule fee portion of this brochure.

MUSIC

The organist of (church name) will be organist for the wedding.  In the event 
of a schedule conflict, we will make arrangements for a qualified substitute. 
 All other organist must be approved by the organist of (church name).  The 
organist will wear vestments.

The choice of music is important in expressing the meaning of the wedding as 
a service of worship.  It need not be solemn nor should it necessary ignore 
the fact of human love, but it ought to be such that it is in harmony with the 
wedding vows and may be sung to the glory of God.  A church vocalist may be 
used, when available, for a fee.  The Director of Music Ministries and/or the 
Organist are available for consultation regarding wedding music.  All music 
must 
be consulted with the organist and/or Director of Music as to its 
appropriateness.  Musical rehearsals must be scheduled with the organist 4 
weeks prior to 
the wedding.

Vocalists and instrumentalist (trumpets, flutes, violins, etc.) are welcome 
to participate at the bride and groom's discretion.  All music for vocalists, 
instrumentalist, or special request, must be given to the organist at least 
four weeks prior to the Rehearsal date.

If a pianist is desired (or reqired), a separate pianist should be secured by 
the wedding party.

THE REHEARSAL

The rehearsal should begin promptly at the time scheduled.  The bride and 
groom are asked to encourage all members of the wedding party to be as prompt 
for 
the rehearsal as for the wedding.  We suggest that the entire wedding party 
be at the church fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled time of the 
rehearsal.  Please inform your wedding party that church regulations "do not 
allow 
smoking, drugs, or alcoholic beverages in any part of the church building, 
including the Wesley Center."  No rehearsal will be conducted when any member 
of 
the wedding party is udner the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(church name) provides dressing rooms for the bridal party and the groomsmen. 
 The church will not be responsible of liable for personal items such as 
wedding dresses, wraps, purses, silver, and glassware brought to the church for 
use in a wedding or reception if lost, stolen, or damaged.  Every reasonalbe 
effort to protect such property will be given.

A wedding is considered informal or walk-in when no rehearsal is required, 
floral decorations are kept to a minimum.  The bride and groom and possible one 
attendant each walk into the sanctuary with the minister for the wedding 
ceremony.  Wedding guests are limited to family and possible a few close 
friends.  
No charge is made by the church for this type service as custodial duties and 
utilities are minimal.  

RECEPTIONS

(church name)  is happy to make available the Fellowship Hall, which 
accomodates 200 to 300 people, for your reception.  Details of the reception 
should be 
discussed with the wedding coordinator.  A $50 refundable deposit is required 
at time of reservation.

The church can only provide a limited number of tables and chairs.  The 
families or caterer must provide everything else necessary for a complete 
reception 
and is required to leave the facility in the condition in which they found 
it.  The use of any church kitchen equipment is not allowed.  All items and 
equipment used by the caterer must be removed from the church immediately 
following the reception.  An additional charge will be made if it becomes 
necessary 
for the church's housekeeping staff to remove the equipment.  "No smoking, 
alcoholic beverages, or drugs are permitted.  Birdseed, only, may be case upon 
the 
grass and outside walkways."

FLORIST GUILDLINES:

The church recommends the use of live flowers and plants in decorating the 
sanctuary.  However, the carpeting, altar rails, and pews must be protected 
from 
damp greenery and flowers.  Items are not to be attached to any furniture, 
including pews, and building structures of the Sanctuary with tape, tacks, 
pins, 
nails, or glue.  Only wrapped wire or ribbon that will not mar the pew ends 
are to be used to fasten bows.  No flowers, greenery or other decorations may 
be placed on the Sanctuary Altar or around the Cross and organ pipes.  
Arrangements should be made to remove all flowers and decorations immediately 
after 
the ceremony, unless otherwise noted to the wedding coordinator.  Only paper or 
silk flowers may be strewn in the aisles.

Non-drip candles must be used in decorating.  Plastic cloths or other 
protective means must be used beneath the candelabrums to prevent metled wax 
from 
dripping on the carpet or the floor.  (church name) will furnish candles for 
the 
Altar candlesticks only.  Gazebos and arches are not permitted.  All candles 
on the aisle will be head high.

Pew end Candlesticks are now available for use at the church.  Non-members 
may use them at a cost of $8 each.  A unity candle stand is also available upon 
request.

Church furniture and other paraments are a part of the worship setting and 
may not be removed.  White altar cloths are available upon request.

The florist should schedule with the wedding coordinator a time to decorate 
at least one week in advance.  Docorations must be completed one hour before 
ceremony.  The florist will be held responsible for any damage done to the 
building or furniture and is responsible for cleaning any wax from the carpet 
or 
furniture that may have resulted from the wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

"The taking of flash pictures during the ceremoney is absolutely prohibited 
(this includes guest and family)", since it detracts from the sacredness of the 
occasion.  A flash picture of the bride and her father and her attendants may 
be taken just before they enter the sanctuary and then again as the bride and 
groom are coming back down the aisle.  The photographer will not be permitted 
to be beyond the fourth pew from the back of the sanctuary until after the 
wedding ceremony is completed.  A time exposure shot (without flash) may be 
taken during the wedding ceremony from either the back of the church or 
balcony.  
Video taping is permitted from the balcony and from the choir loft with a 
stationary camera used discretely and in good taste.

Pictures are permissible during the recessional.  The wedding party may 
reassemble in the sanctuary following the wedding for posed pictures of the 
wedding 
ceremony.  The photographer may take pictures before or after the service in 
any part of the building.  They may not stand or place equipment on pew or 
other furniture in the church.  He/she will be held responsible for damages.

FEES

All fees should be paid to confirm the reservation for church facilities for 
wedding or receptions.  Church members are not charged for the use of either 
our Sanctuary for weddings and reception, but are asked to pay for the service 
rendered by the minister, organist, wedding coordinator, audio technician, and 
custodian and a refundable deposit for use of the Fellowship Hall.  
Non-members are requested to pay a building fee to help defray the cost of 
utilities 
and building maintenance.  

To receive "member" status the bride, groom, or parent of either must be a 
member of (church name) at the time of inquiry concerning the wedding.

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Let me add, since the printing of this brochure, we have also added at the 
time of the deposit, a required signature stating the bride and groom have 
read, 
and understand the Wedding Policy.
(Please forgive any misspellings or typo's!)
!
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