Wedding Policies

WEDDINGS

We believe the wedding ceremony is to be one of the most sacred ceremonies of the church. It is much more than a gala social event. It is a religious ceremony in which two persons invoke the blessings of God upon their marriage.

It is the desire of the pastor and other ministers of the church, as well as the church family, to make every such ceremony a beautiful and worshipful event. To that end, every possible consideration and courtesy is extended to each wedding party.

One copy of this policy will be signed and returned with the deposit for your wedding date to be placed on the church calendar. The wedding party will keep one copy of these policies for reference during the planning of the ceremony.

WEDDING COORDINATOR

The church will supply a Wedding Coordinator for weddings requiring a rehearsal. She will help you from beginning to end and coordinate with the church office.

The Wedding Coordinator will give you wedding information that you are to complete and return quickly to her.

MINISTER

A minister of this church will officiate at all weddings. It is the policy of the pastor to counsel with the bride and groom at least two weeks prior to the wedding so that the true meaning of a Christian marriage may be understood. You may make your appointments by calling the pastor’s secretary. It is his desire that your wedding be one of the most significant moments of your lives. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask questions of the pastor.

MUSIC

Music used in the ceremony should be in keeping with the dignity of a religious service.

An organist is included in the Basic Package Fee. A pianist/soloist etc. is listed as optional.

AUDIO TAPING

Our sound department will attend the wedding and handle the sound system for you. There will be no sound system used unless our trained personnel handle them.

VIDEO TAPING

Video taping of the ceremony is available. Please contact the wedding coordinator for setup and fees.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Pictures are a cherished part of weddings. Because a wedding is a sacred occasion, we request that these procedures be followed in the taking of photographs.

Flash pictures may be taken of the processional and the recessional. Flash photographs can be taken during the ceremony.

The photographer may not go on stage during the ceremony.

THE WEDDING PARTY

It is expected that members of the wedding party will recognize the fact that this is a church and will conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the atmosphere of a place of worship.

Immediately prior to both rehearsal and wedding, it is expected that members of the wedding party will refrain from the use of alcoholic beverages. No rehearsal or wedding will be performed if any member of the wedding party is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the church building or in front of the building. It is the obligation of the bride and groom to make certain that these policies are made known to and followed by all members of the wedding party.

A room is available so that the bride and her attendants may dress at the church. Since the church cannot be responsible for personal belongings, we require that you remove everything from this room immediately following the wedding.

The bride/groom will be held responsible for any damage done to the building or furnishings.

WEDDING START TIME

The Minister, Wedding Coordinator, Sound Engineer, Organist and other staff have allotted one (1) hour for your wedding. It is important that the bride/groom understand that the wedding should start at the designated time requested by the bride/groom.

Note:

1. A 15-minute grace period will be given upon the approval of the wedding coordinator.

2. Ceremonies that do not begin within 30 minutes of the scheduled time will have to be rescheduled at the cost of the bride/groom.

3. Bona fide emergencies will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

4. A $100.00 refundable deposit is included in the deposit of $250 that is required when placing the wedding date on the calendar. The wedding must start within 15 minutes of the scheduled time or the deposit will not be refunded.

RECEPTIONS

The church does not have suitable facilities or staff for a reception.

Rice must not be thrown after the wedding. Birdseed may be thrown outside the building only.

DECORATIONS

In the placing of flowers, palms or other decorations, care must be taken to insure that the floors, carpets, walls and furnishings not be damaged. Decorations must not be hung or suspended from fixtures or furnishings. Except for family pew markers, no decorations shall be attached to the furniture. No nails or screws shall be used in decorating. Only masking tape may be used in attaching any type of decoration (no scotch tape please). Please do not touch or move any of the furniture, electrical cords, equipment, or other items. If you need something moved or repositioned please contact the Wedding Coordinator or Hostess.

There will be an additional fee if many items need to be moved.

The florist engaged by the bride shall be responsible for all decorating and may pick up all items on Monday if they cannot be picked up immediately following the wedding. In the event that they won’t be picked up until Monday please contact the church office for information on where the items have been placed.

CUSTODIAN

The custodian will be present at the rehearsal to open and close the church and be responsible for accommodating the facilities. On the day of the wedding, the custodian will open and close the facilities for the decoration of the areas to be used. The custodian will clean and rearrange the facilities for the next service following the wedding.

FEES

Weddings must be scheduled through the Wedding Coordinator. A $250.00 deposit is to be presented when placing the date on the church calendar. Of that deposit, $100.00 will be refunded if the wedding begins within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, and $150.00 will be applied toward the wedding fees. The remainder of all wedding fees are payable three weeks prior to the wedding date. Unfortunately we cannot hold the date open for you if these are not paid in full. Your wedding will be removed from the church calendar and the date opened up for other events. The portion of the deposit which counted toward the wedding fees will not be refunded. We will work with you in any way possible. However, the wedding fees are non-negotiable.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERS

Basic Package: $450.00

The Basic Package Includes:

Rental of Sanctuary - Rehearsal - Wedding Day (one hour per event)

Pastor

Media (lights and sound)

Wedding Coordinator

Hostess

Organist or Pianist

Custodian

On Time Deposit: $100.00 (this deposit will be refunded in accordance with the Wedding Start Time Policy).

Calendar Date Reserve Deposit: $150.00 – This deposit will be applied toward the Wedding Fees. (Nonrefundable)

Total of deposits due: $250

Remainder of fees due three weeks prior to the wedding: $300

Optional Items: Soloist $ 50.00

DVD $150.00

Live Stream $150.00

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NON-MEMBERS

Basic Package: $750.00