Church Leaders
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Wedding Manual
Prepared by Dr. Neil Chadwick
1. Call the Pastor's Secretary at the church office to inquire about available wedding dates and set up an interview with the Pastor. 2. Once plans are formalized with the Pastor, contact the Wedding Consultant as early as possible to discuss type of wedding and make the necessary arrangements. She will discuss etiquette and costs. 3. Schedule counseling sessions with the Pastor by contacting his secretary at the church office. 4. Rehearsals are usually conducted the evening prior to the wedding. All props (candles and matches, programs, guest book, etc.) should be there for the rehearsal, as well as all participants. It is also expected that the Marriage License will be given to the minister at this time. WEDDING CONSULTANT
The Wedding Consultant is the person designated by the Pastor to be a liaison between the church and the bridal party. The Wedding Consultant will provide the following: 1. Confirmation of the date, time and nature of the wedding. 2. Reservation of the Sanctuary for the wedding, rehearsal and use of the Fellowship Hall, if applicable. 3. Assistance with plans for music, including names and phone numbers for potential musicians. 4. If the Fellowship Hall is to be used for the reception, help with plans and coordination of the reception, catering and program. 5. Tour of the facility and inventory of available wedding supplies. 6. Furnish name and telephone number of audio technician as required. COUNSELING
Generally six months prior to the wedding date, appointments should be made with the Pastor for premarital counseling. Prior to the first session, in most cases, the couple will be requested to complete a Premarital Inventory. Following this, the number of sessions will be determined by the Pastor once he has met with the couple. Note that although the church does not charge for pre-marital counseling, the inventory report and analysis done by Prepare/Enrich, Inc. costs $30.00. When taking this inventory, please come with a check made out directly to "Prepare/Enrich, Inc." CHURCH PROVISIONS
Included as part of the Building Use, the church provides: 1. Use of the facility for date of wedding and rehearsal one day prior to wedding. 2. If reserved for the reception, the Fellowship Hall will be available for decorations the day prior to the wedding. 3. Custodian to open building, accept deliveries, clean up following the ceremony, and set up for next service. 4. Service of Wedding Consultant. WEDDING EXPENSES
Please refer to the "Wedding Charges" Form to determine fees for use of the sanctuary and/or gym, as well as additional services of the custodian, organist's and sound technician's charges, and the officiating minister's honorarium. Note. Premarital counseling is provided as an integral part of the church's ministry; there is no charge for this counseling. MUSIC
Music is an important part of the wedding service. The proper choice of music will help to create an attitude of worship. It is important, therefore, that music be chosen which is Christ centered and Christian in origin. If help is required in coordinating music and/or musicians for the wedding, the matter should be discussed with the Wedding Consultant and/or organist and soloist. The Pastor will be given opportunity to examine and approve these plans. DRESS
It is expected that the bridal party be modest in matters of clothing. While styles are not a consideration, clothing should be chosen which is not in any way a distraction from the sacredness of the service. PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographers are welcome to take all the pictures they wish before and after the ceremony in the sanctuary and in the foyer, as well as at the time of procession and recession. Video taping is permitted, although the cameraman is not to be positioned on the platform, and movement must be kept to a minimum. Arrangements may be made to allow the photographer and guests to take pictures after the ceremony. TIME
Friday evening, Saturday morning, afternoon or evening weddings are permissible. Sunday weddings are allowed only under special circumstances. OTHER
1. Smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any part of the church building or on the premises. 2. The use of rice is disallowed (because of injury to the birds); bird seed may be used instead. 3. Please have all deliveries on the date of the wedding made in one time period, usually one to two hours before the ceremony. 4. The church will supply candles for the candleabra if desired; candles for the "Unity Candle" are to be supplied by the wedding party. 5. If using the Fellowship Hall, the wedding party is responsible to do general cleaning and removal of decorations after the reception. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COUPLE
Proper planning and preparation combine to create a successful and beautiful marriage ceremony. Accordingly, the following suggestions and observations concerning your coming marriage are offered: 1. The following people should be at the rehearsal: bride, groom, all ushers and attendants, the bride's mother and father, the groom's mother and father, organist, soloist, and sound technician. It would be impossible to have a successful rehearsal without these people being present. 2. The bride and groom are responsible for securing their own organist and soloist(s). Any fees involved should be discussed prior to the wedding and be paid at the time of rehearsal. WEDDING INFORMATION SHEET
Bride:_____________________________ Phone: __________ Address:___________________________________________ Groom:____________________________ Phone: __________ Address:___________________________________________ Date:___/___/___ Time:________ Location:______________ Bride's Age:________ Groom's Age:________ Bride's Employment:___________________________________ Groom's Employment:__________________________________ Bride's Parents: _______________________ Phone: _________ Groom's Parents: _____________________ Phone: __________ Church Affiliation - Bride: _____________ Groom:____________ Previous Marriage - Bride: (Yes) (No) Groom: (Yes) (No) Facilities to be used: Sanctuary: _____ Fellowship Hall: _____ Date Reserved: ___/___/___ Time of Day: __________ Date of Rehearsal: ___/___/___ Time of Day: __________ Officiating Minister: Name: ________________________ Phone: __________ Address:________________________________________ Church Affiliation: _________________________________ Attendants: Maid/Matron of Honor: (circle one) ___________________ Bridesmaids: ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Best Man: ______________________ Groomsmen: ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Flower Girl: ______________ Ring Bearer: ______________ Candle Lighters: ______________________ ______________________ Processional: Regular (__) Couples (__) Other (_______________) Organist:_____________________ Phone: __________ Soloist:______________________ Phone: __________ Number of Songs: ____ Other instruments: _________ p>Songs: 1) _________________ 2) ________________ 3) _________________ 4) _________________ Florist:___________ Photographer:________________ Phone: __________ Caterer:_____________________ Phone: __________ Additional Persons:_____________________________ Guest Book Attendant:__________________________ Audio Technician:______________________________ Additional Information:___________________________ ____________________________________________ Length of Engagement:__________________ Double Ring: (yes) (no) Candleabra: (yes) (no) Unity Candle: (yes) (no) Kneeler: (yes) (no) Runner: (yes) (no) (supplied by florist) Number of Guests Anticipated: ___________ Reception Information: __________________________ ____________________________________________ Equipment needs: _____________________________ Special Inclusions in Ceremony: __________________ __________________________________________________
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