Wedding Policy REBUILDING A GENERATION Ralph Douglas West Pastor/Founder What an exciting time in your lives! We rejoice with you that God is guiding you into the covenant relationship of marriage. As your church family, we are honored to assist you in preparing for the joyous and sacred occasion of your wedding. There are many details to consider as you plan a Christian wedding ceremony and accompanying events. We hope the information in this booklet will answer many of your questions. This booklet will inform you about the procedures for arranging a wedding at Brookhollow Baptist Church, as well as set forth our policies, so that together we can be good stewards of the church facilities. Reservation To begin the reservation process for your wedding, a wedding application (enclosed) along with a deposit of $200.00 for members and $400.00 for non-members must be submitted to the Northwest Administrative Office at The Church Without Walls. You may leave the application and deposit with the receptionist at the Northwest Campus Monday through Thursday 9 am to 6 pm or Sunday 8 am to 1 pm. Once received, your application will be reviewed for dates and availability. Afterwards, an appointment with the wedding liaison will be setup to discuss the following policies. Please remember, only submit the wedding application and deposit; the policies will be reviewed during the initial appointment. Initial (____) Wedding Liaison All weddings held on any of the Church Without Walls campuses will require the presence of the church’s Wedding Liaison. The Wedding Liaison’s responsibilities are as follows: o The Wedding Liaison will be a liaison between the church and the bride & groom and will be the contact person throughout the wedding process. o The Wedding Liaison will conduct the initial consultation with the bride & groom, reviewing the church’s wedding policies and procedures. o The Wedding Liaison will attend the wedding rehearsal and the actual wedding. Initial (____) Reserving Your Wedding Date Weddings are held on Saturdays only, between twelve o’clock (12:00pm) and five o’clock (5:00 p.m.), with a one hour rehearsal prior to the date of the wedding. Due to the seasonal demands of the facilities, weddings are not scheduled on any holiday weekend. This includes but is not limited to: Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc. In addition, weddings which conflict with church services or special events will not be scheduled. Important note: The Church Without Walls reserves the right to refuse any date requested that it deems necessary. Initial (____) Staff Minister Selection The Wedding Administrator or Liaison will confirm the acceptance of the Staff Minister that will officiate your ceremony within 30 days after receipt of the wedding application. Staff ministers do not attend the rehearsal. If a guest pastor or minister is requested, he or she must be a licensed minister and approved by TCWW. Important Note: If there are circumstances that require you to be united in marriage prior to your scheduled wedding date, please inform your assigned Wedding Liaison immediately. Initial (____) Marriage License Important Note: Your original marriage license is required in the Church Office seven days prior to your wedding date. Please be advised that NO weddings will be performed without the original marriage license! Please contact the Wedding Liaison to turn in the marriage license. Initial (____) Wedding Rehearsal Your wedding rehearsal will be scheduled on the Friday before your wedding for one hour. All participants should be at rehearsal and ready to start on time. Your vocalist should arrange a rehearsal time other than during the wedding rehearsal. There will be a late penalty of $30.00 if your wedding rehearsal starts or ends between 15-30 minutes late, and a $10.00 charge for every 15 minute interval thereafter. No decorating is allowed at rehearsal. No items can be left overnight at the church prior to the wedding ceremony or after the ceremony is completed. Initial (____) Musician and/or Music Selections All music must be submitted (on disk) and approved by the Minister of Music 30 days prior to the wedding date. Please provide a copy of your music to assigned Wedding Liaison. Only music which is suitable for worship service may be used. No Secular music is allowed-no exceptions. You are encouraged to contact the Minister of Music for guidance with your selections. A fee of $150.00 each is charged for services for TCWW staff musicians. Initial (____) Rev. 1.28.15 2 Wedding Coordinator/Director You are required to have a coordinator/director to direct your rehearsal and wedding day events. This person should not be a member of your wedding party. You must provide their information and they must meet with Wedding Liaison for a final consultation prior to the rehersal/wedding. Initial (____) Wedding Program You are required to submit a final draft of your program to the Wedding Liaison for approval three (3) weeks prior to the wedding date. Your wedding must reflect a worship experience that includes a scripture and a prayer. You may email your program for approval to your assigned Wedding Liaison. Initial (____) Photography The location chosen for your wedding ceremony and the surrounding church grounds are available for photographs. Flash pictures are not permitted during the exchange of vows; however, timed exposures without flashes are allowed. Initial (____) Videotaping The videographer must consult with the Church Wedding Liaison and comply with TCWW policies. Video equipment should be stationed in a fixed location during the ceremony, which will not cause a distraction. Initial (____) Sound Technicians Our sound technicians are trained professionals that will be here to provide sound and lighting for you i.e., microphones, tracks played, and mood music. A fee of $150.00 will be required. Initial (____) Rental Equipment The bride and groom are completely responsible for ordering of all wedding equipment and all related charges. This includes pick-ups and deliveries. Initial (____) Dressing Rooms The bride and groom will be provided with (2) dressing rooms. Absolutely NO food or drinks are allowed in the dressing rooms. The bride and groom are responsible for all clean up of dressing rooms after the wedding ceremony. Initial (____) Rev. 1.28.15 3 The Ceremony/Reception Your wedding ceremony is sacred and will be treated as such. Traditional vows will be used. The bride and groom are not encouraged to write their own wedding vows. Your wedding will be required to begin no later than 4 pm if you are having an onsite reception. The wedding ceremony location will be available for decorating four (4) hours prior to the ceremony scheduled time. Please arrive at the church promptly to ensure all your needs are met within the time allotted. There will be a late penalty of $30.00 if your wedding starts or ends between 15-30 minutes late, and a $10.00 charge for every 15 minute interval thereafter. Important Note: All personal items must be secured by its owner. The church will not assume any responsibility for lost or stolen items. Initial (____) Ceremony Location Options Northwest Location: Chapel seats approximately Chapel (informal) seating maximum Worship Center seats approximately Prayer Garden South Chapel 150 20 1500 20 500 Southwest Location: Worship Center seats approximately 1,000 Bingle Location: Worship Center seats approximately 300 Reception Location Options Northwest Location: Fellowship Hall seats approximately 50 Southwest Location: Fellowship Hall seats approximately 200 Bingle Location: Fellowship Hall seats approximately 50 Note: The above seating is based on round table capacities Rev. 1.28.15 4 Important Note: TCWW does not provide catering service (or provision of punch bowls, linen, coffee dispenser, paper plates, candles, or candelabra). Bride & Groom are responsible for rental of ALL linens-napkins, table cloths, chair covers, skirting. The ice machine is available for use at Northwest Campus (only). A limited number of tables and chairs are available for use. Reception locations are available for a period of four (4) hours including set-up. Evening wedding receptions must be completed and cleared by 9:00 p.m. Alcoholic beverages and or red/dark colored drinks are not allowed. The use of the Kitchen does not include the use of utensils, cooking ware or supplies. All receptions and/or rehearsal dinners require the presence of the TCWW Catering Staff representative. The caterer’s appointed staff, or the bride and groom are responsible for all food and decoration clean up. Southwest Entrance instructions: the building is kept secured on Friday’s and Saturday’s and to gain entry, please ring the door bell located at the entrance of fellowship hall. Initial (____) Cancellations Important Note: CANCELLATIONS THAT OCCUR LESS THAN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS FROM THE WEDDING DATE WILL INCUR A 50% PENALTY CHARGE FROM THE WEDDING DEPOSIT. Initial (____) Ceremony & Reception Policies 1. Only authorized church personnel may operate the sound, lighting, and musical equipment. Unauthorized persons are not allowed in the sound room. 2. No decorations of any kind shall be applied to walls, ceilings, or glass. Nails and staples are not permitted. No adhesives of any kind are permitted. Pew/Chair makers must be secured with plastic hooks. Silk rose petals must be used. No rice, bubbles or glitter decorations are permitted. 3. Mechanical or dripless candles MUST be used. Votive candles may be used in hurricane lamps. In order to protect the carpet and furniture, plastic material must be placed under the unity candle. 4. No furniture or plants may be moved without prior approval of the Wedding Liaison. 5. No one is allowed on the platform, pulpit, sound room, or choir loft without approval. 6. TCWW does not provide wedding accessories such as candelabras, kneeling benches, table cloths/linens/table skirting etc.; these items will need to be rented at your expense. 7. The bride and groom are responsible for all outside scheduling of vendors for the wedding and reception. TCWW’s Wedding Liaison should be kept abreast of your plans to eliminate conflicts. Should your coordinator or vendors have questions, they should contact TCWW’s Wedding Liaison regarding the church’s wedding policy and procedures. 8. The bride and groom will be held liable for any damage to the carpet, furniture or building. TCWW reserves the right to restrict the privileges of any outside vendor who violates the wedding policy of TCWW. 9. TCWW is a “Smoke Free” environment. Absolutely no smoking is permitted in any church building or anywhere on the campus. 10. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the premises. 11. Maintenance Staff is not permitted to assist with decorating or set up. Rev. 1.28.15 5 Initial (____) Deposit Members Non-members $200.00 $400.00 A deposit must be submitted with your Wedding Application in the form of a money order or cashiers check upon approval of date. The deposit is NOT applicable to any fees. The deposit in its entirety will be refunded within thirty (30) days, unless one or more of the following occurs: (a) There is damage to any part of the church building as a result of your wedding and/or reception. (b) If your wedding is cancelled less than fourteen (14) days of the scheduled date (one-half of the deposit is forfeited). Cancellations must be submitted to the Wedding Liaison Coordinator in writing. (c) There is a late penalty of $30.00 if your wedding starts or ends between 15-30 minutes late, and a $10.00 charge for every 15 minute interval thereafter. Initial (____) Wedding Fees All building related fees must be submitted to the Northwest Administration Office at your final consultation; which will be one (1) week prior to your wedding date. All fees are non-negotiable and must be paid by cashier’s check or money order. Please make your cashier’s check or money order payable to BrookHollow Baptist Church. Northwest Location: Prince Chapel Prince Chapel* Members $100.00 No Cost Non-Members $200.00 No Cost (* only applies if less than 20 guests and no decorations) Prayer Garden South Chapel North Worship Center No Cost $350.00 $600.00 $100.00 $700.00 $1,200.00 Southwest Location: Worship Center Members $200.00 Non-Members $400.00 Bingle Location: Worship Center Members $150.00 Non-Members $300.00 Northwest/Southwest/Bingle Locations: Rehearsal/Reception Dinner/ Fellowship Hall Members Non-Members $150.00 $300.00 Catering Staff: Members Non-Members (Required for Rehearsal Dinner or Receptions) $10 per hr $20 per hr Other Fees: (Payable to those persons) Officiating Fee Wedding Liaison Musicians Sound Technicians Non-Members $250.00 $250.00 $250.00 $250.00 Rev. 1.28.15 Members $150.00 No Cost $150.00 $150.00 6 Initial (____) Premarital Guidance Private Session Premarital Guidance is mandatory for every couple entering into the Marriage Covenant and is covered in four sessions. Your premarital guidance MUST be completed two weeks prior to your wedding date. The minister performing premarital guidance MUST be approved by TCWW prior to beginning sessions. Please do not begin counseling sessions prior to obtaining approval form TCWW. The premarital counseling wedding liaison will assist you in contacting the staff minister to schedule all appointments to complete the sessions. In the first session the couple will complete the Prepare Enrich Inventory (a computerized inventory). Afterwards, three private sessions will be scheduled with a staff Pastor to discuss any personal concerns, and to review areas of strengths and weaknesses identified by the computerized inventory. These sessions will last 45 minutes to one hour. Special Note: If a guest minister has been approved to perform your ceremony and you are completing pre-marital counseling with the approved minister, please submit a letter as verification of sessions completed to Wedding Liaison prior to Wedding Date. Initial (____) Premarital Counseling Rev. 1.28.15 Members Non-Members $150.00 $200.00 7 THE CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THE WEDDING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS NECESSARY. A BOOKING FEE (DEPOSIT) OF $200.00 FOR MEMBERS AND $800.00 FOR NONMEMBERS IS REQUIRED TO SECURE THE DATE. THIS FEE IS REFUNDABLE ON THE CONTINGENT THAT THE FACILITY IS FOUND IN THE SAME STATE AS IT WAS UPON SECURING THE BUILDING. IT IS AGREED THAT TCWW’S WEDDING LIAISON SHALL ACT AS A LIASION BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE BRIDE/GROOM, NOT AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OR AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CHURCH. THIS CONTRACT SHALL NOT IN ANY WAY, REPRESENT OR BE CONSTRUCTED AS TO CREATE A PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT UNDERTAKING BETWEEN THE PARTIES THEREOF. TCWW IS HEREBY RELEASED FROM ANY AGREEMENTS MADE WITH TCWW HIRED STAFF PERFORMING SERVICES FOR THE BRIDE/GROOM UNLESS OTHERWISE STAFFED BY TCWW SPECIFICALLY. Witness of Hands this ____________________day of_________________20____. Responsible Party_________________________________________Date_________________ Bride/Groom Signature__________________________________________________Date_______________ Bride/Groom Printed Name__________________________________________________________________ Wedding Liaison/Administrator Signature__________________________________________________Date_______________ Wedding Liaison/Administrator Printed Name__________________________________________________________________ Northwest: 5725 Queenston Boulevard, Houston TX 77084-6409 Southwest: 7500 Eldridge Parkway, Houston TX 77083-3406 Bingle: 5314 Bingle Road, Houston, Texas 77092 Telephone: 281/649-6800 Toll Free: 888/377-8299 Facsimile: 281/649-6850 Wedding Line (Voice Mail Only): 281/649-6847 Website: www.churchwithoutwalls.org Rev. 1.28.15 8