First Presbyterian Church
Wedding Policies
First Presbyterian Church wants to render the best possible service to its members and
friends. One of the privileges of church membership is the right to have full use of the
church's facilities for the occasion of marriage. The wedding ceremony is one of the
most sacred rites of the church. It is the desire of the pastor and the church family to
make every wedding a beautiful and sacred event.
PRESBYTERIAN POLICES
The wedding policy of this church is in strict compliance with the Presbyterian
Book of Order article (W-4.9000), a copy can be found in the back of this document. If
you are seeking marriage in this church, you must read this statement, and agree to its
principles.
THE PASTOR
Only the installed pastor of First Presbyterian Church is to perform wedding
ceremonies in this church, and in accordance with the Book of Order, "The ceremony
shall be under the sole direction of the minister." In special situations, other ministers
may perform weddings with the approval of the pastor and the session.
PREMARITAL CONFERENCES/COUNSELING
The bride and the groom shall arrange premarital counseling as far in advance of
the ceremony as possible. It is best that this counseling be held before the invitations are
sent out. The minister will give them advice that will help them to properly prepare for
the marriage and their wedding. The couple will be required to have four pre-marriage
counseling sessions. The last to be held within two weeks of the wedding to tie up any
loose ends. The times and dates are negotiable with the pastor.
MUSIC
Music used in the wedding ceremony should be in keeping with the sacredness
and dignity of the wedding ceremony. If the organ or the piano is to be played, only
those who regularly play these instruments for the church are to be used. If they are
unavailable, the pastor and one of the church’s musicians must approve their
replacements. If a soloist is chosen, it is best to use one who has much experience in
singing in front of crowds. The music chosen must be approved by the pastor and the
musicians. Arrangements must be made between the individuals being married and the
musicians well in advance of the wedding date to decide on the music for the service. At
the last premarital conference, the pastor must be informed about the music to be used.
The pastor has the final say whether it is proper for a marriage service.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO CAMERAS
It is important to keep in mind that your wedding is a special day that you will
want to treasure forever. If too many flash pictures are being taken, it will take away
form the beauty of your ceremony. Therefore, it is best that only a professional
photographer take pictures during the ceremony and if you want it on video tape, the
person making the tape needs to arrange before hand with the minister an inconspicuous
place to set up prior to the service. The photographer is not permitted to take pictures on
the chancel during the ceremony.
THE REHEARSAL
The rehearsal shall be the night before the wedding except in extreme cases. All
people in the wedding party shall be present at the rehearsal. There will be only one day
or night for rehearsal and only one. If all details are worked out in advance with the
minister and the musicians, there will be no need for additional rehearsals.
DECORATIONS
Candles, flowers, etc. are often used in weddings. They enhance the beauty of a
wedding. Decorations should be used in moderation. Excesses should be avoided. No
decorations shall be put up before the day of the wedding. If you have decorations that
will take some time to get up, it is best to arrive in enough time before the rehearsal to put
them up. One may stay after the rehearsal to finish decorating, but everyone must be
through by 11:00 PM. If one uses the church's fellowship hall and kitchen for the
rehearsal dinner, the same time applies.
DRESSING ROOMS
There are enough rooms in the church to allow for the full wedding party to get
dressed. It should be decided at the rehearsal who will use what rooms. Rooms must be
cleaned and left in an orderly fashion following the wedding service.
FEES
*ACTIVE MEMBERS:
SANCTUARY
FELLOWSHIP HALL & KITCHEN
MINISTER
PIANIST OR ORGANIST
CUSTODIAN
NO FEE
NO FEE
NO FEE
$ 50.00
$ 60.00
NONMEMBERS:
SANCTUARY
FELLOWSHIP HALL & KITCHEN
MINISTER
ORGANIST OR PIANIST
CUSTODIAN
$100.00
$ 75.00
$ 75.00
$ 50.00
$ 60.00
*An active member of the church is some one who as been approved by the session and
is currently on the church rolls and is actively participating the life of the congregation
through their attendance and offerings.
Members and nonmembers will pay a $100.00 refundable deposit one week before the
wedding. The deposit will be returned if the church is left properly cleaned and there are
no damages. Arrangements can be made with a private cleaning firm or with the church
custodian to clean the church and the fellowship hall. If it is not cleaned to standard
following your service, or if damage occurs your deposit will be forfeited. The deposit
and fees must be received by the church treasurer no later than one week prior to the
wedding. Send your deposit to:
First Presbyterian Church
P.O.BOX 566
Anywhere, Any state 65452
The wedding party is responsible for their own table clothes, paper goods, flateware,
and all perishable food items, including: coffee, tea, sugar, and creamer.
OTHER ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE
 No rice or confetti is to be thrown inside or outside the church building.
Birdseed is acceptable outside only.
 No smoking in church building.
 No alcoholic beverages permitted inside or outside church building.
 The wedding party is responsible for any damages.
 The application form must be filled out and turned into the Pastor at least two
months
prior to the wedding date.
 Exceptions to the policies or waivers of the fees can be made upon written
request to the session by the couple seeking to get married.
W-4.9001 Christian Marriage
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human
family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage
is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before
God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment
is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by
the community of faith.
W-4.9002 Preparing for Marriage
a. In preparation for the marriage service, the minister asked to lead the service shall
provide for a discussion with the man and the woman concerning
(1) the nature of their Christian commitment, assuring that at least one is a professing
Christian,
(2) the legal requirements of the state,
(3) the privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage,
(4) the nature and form of the marriage service,
(5) the vows and commitments they will be asked to make,
(6) the relationship of these commitments to their lives of discipleship,
(7) the resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in fulfilling
their marriage commitments. This discussion is equally important in the case of a
first marriage, a marriage after the death of a spouse, and a marriage following
divorce.
If the Marriage Is Unwise
b.
If the minister is convinced after discussion with the couple that commitment,
responsibility, maturity, or Christian understanding are so lacking that the marriage is
unwise, the minister shall assure the couple of the church's continuing concern for them
and not conduct the ceremony. In making this decision, the minister may seek the
counsel of the session.
W-4.9003 Time and Place of the Service
Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for
worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of
the minister and the supervision of the session. (W-1.4004-.4006) The marriage
ordinarily takes place in a special service, which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God
and as an expression of the Christian life. Celebration of the Lord's Supper at the
marriage service requires the approval of the session, and care shall be taken that the
invitation to the Table is extended to all baptized present. The marriage service may take
place during the Service for the Lord's Day upon authorization by the session. It should
be placed in the order as a response to the proclamation of the Word. It may then be
followed by the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. (W-2.4010; W-3.3503)
W-4.9004 Form and Order of Service
The service begins with scriptural sentences and a brief statement of purpose. The man
and the woman shall declare their intention to enter into Christian marriage and shall
exchange vows of love and faithfulness. The service includes appropriate passages of
Scripture, which may be interpreted in various forms of proclamation. Prayers shall be
offered for the couple, for the communities which support them in this new dimension of
discipleship, and for all who seek to live in faithfulness. In the name of the triune God
the minister shall declare publicly that the woman and the man are now joined in
marriage. A charge may be given. Other actions common to the community and its
cultures may appropriately be observed when these actions do not diminish the Christian
understanding of marriage. The service concludes with a benediction.
W-4.9005 Music and Appointments
Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of
the church. (W-2.1004) The congregation may join in hymns and other musical forms of
praise and prayer. Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to
the place of worship, enhance the worshipers' consciousness of the reality of God, and
reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life.
(W-1.3034; W-1.4004-.4005; W-5.5006)
W-4.9006 Recognizing Civil Marriage
A service of worship recognizing a civil marriage and confirming it in the community of
faith may be appropriate when requested by the couple. The service will be similar to the
marriage service except that the opening statement, the declaration of intention, the
exchange of the vows by the husband and wife, and the public declaration by the minister
reflect the fact that the woman and man are already married to one another according to
the laws of the state.