Centenary's Wedding Ministry Policy: 2007
[PreWedding Requirements]
[Time Frame]
[Officiating Pastors]
[Wedding Coordinator]
[Rehearsal]
[Communion]
[Wedding Music]
[Decorations]
[Photography/Videography]
[Fees]
[2007 Schedule]
[Wedding Policy Agreement Form]
[Wedding Registration Form]
Purpose
The purpose of Centenary's Wedding Ministry is to prepare engaged couples to grow in love and peace with God and one another all their days, provide assistance in planning a wedding ceremony that glorifies God and reflects His plan for the couple's life-long commitment as husband and wife, and provide resources and ministry after the wedding to help the couples grow in their love for each other so that their love for one another reflects the love of Christ for us all.
Wedding Policies
PRE-WEDDING REQUIREMENTS:
Your wedding plans at Centenary begin when you contact our Wedding Coordinator, Julie Scoggins, to determine if your desired date and time are available. Our Wedding Coordinator will contact you within ten days to confirm whether your preferred date and time are available. You may contact Julie via telephone (269-2800, Ext. 501), or by Email by clicking on the icon below:
Upon confirmation, your next step is to print, complete sign and return our Wedding Application and Policy Agreement Form and mail these along with your down payment to Centenary in care of our wedding coordinator. (These forms are in the Adobe Acrobat format ... click here if you need to download the Acrobat Reader). The forms and down payment must be returned to our Wedding Coordinator within one week of the date being confirmed.
Once you have completed the policy agreement and remitted your down-payment, please contact Keene Howard to arrange your Pre-Marital Counseling sessions. All couples are required to complete these sessions. You may contact Keene via Email by clicking on the icon below:
TIME FRAME:
Your wedding service is scheduled in a four hour time block. Access to the church on your wedding day is permitted only within this time block. At the start of the time block all wedding members, florists, photographers, etc will be allowed access. For example, a 4:30 wedding would have a time block from 2:00-6:00. This would allow for pictures before and after the wedding. If all pictures are taken prior to the ceremony then a time frame of 1:30 -5:30 would be scheduled for a 4:30 wedding.
OFFICIATING PASTORS:
Centenary is blessed to have several pastors on our wedding team. As soon as your wedding date is confirmed, it is your responsibility to contact one of them and make plans to meet with you to discuss your wedding, assist at your rehearsal, and officiate on your special day. Other United Methodist pastors are also authorized to conduct weddings at Centenary. The officiating pastor may invite another ordained minister to assist in the ceremony if requested. Please contact your wedding coordinator for details.
WEDDING COORDINATOR:
The services of the Wedding Coordinator are a part of every wedding at Centenary. She will provide answers to questions concerning facilities, procedure, rehearsals, decorations, custodial services as well as directing your rehearsal and wedding. A wedding coordinator of the bride's choosing may also be used so long as our wedding policies are followed and all decisions related to the wedding and rehearsal are approved by our Wedding Coordinator. Our coordinator is required to be on site for the rehearsal and wedding and has final say on all matters pertaining to the wedding.
REHEARSAL:
Your rehearsal is a time for you and your wedding party to become familiar with the flow of the wedding service so that you may feel comfortable and confident on your special day. Members of the wedding party must keep in mind that throughout the entire rehearsal they are in a holy place dedicated to the worship of God. Wedding parties and guests are expected to dress and act accordingly. Your rehearsal is scheduled for 1 hour, and therefore all members of the wedding party should be on time and ready to start at the appointed hour. The wedding coordinator will provide you with a timeline of the events of your wedding service and will help insure that the ceremony runs smoothly. A member of the sound team will not be present for the rehearsal.
COMMUNION:
Since the marriage service is worship the celebration of the Holy Communion may be included as a part of your wedding ceremony. United Methodist practice and tradition instructs that if communion is included in your service, then "not only the husband and wife, but the whole congregation are to be invited to receive communion" (United Methodist Book of Worship). We believe that communion should be offered to everyone present at the wedding, but we will allow you to make that decision. If you choose to serve communion, you will be responsible for providing the cups, bread, and juice. The Wedding Coordinator can help you with the details.
WEDDING MUSIC:
Your wedding is first and foremost a service of worship that celebrates God's role in your life and asks Him to bless and sanctify your wedding and marriage. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the selection of all music to be used in your wedding so that it is appropriate for a Christian worship service. All music must be approved by our wedding Coordinator prior to the rehearsal. The piano is available for anyone to play, however if you chose to use the organ than an organist will be provided. Additional musicians are available for a fee upon request.
DECORATIONS:
The Sanctuary has four sections of seating with a center aisle and the décor is green and gold. The chapel has two sections with a center aisle and the décor is red. The Sanctuary and Chapel both have organs. Plants, religious articles, Christmas/Easter decorations may not be moved. Fresh flowers may not be thrown in the center aisle (silk only) and an aisle runner is not permitted. No tacks, pins, nails, screws, glue, tape or items that could damage the furnishings or buildings may be used.
The following items are available at no additional cost:
- Two seven-arm candelabras (candles provided)
- Unity Candle (candles provided)
- Pew candles
- Kneeling Bench
- Two white columns
- Window Hurricanes (Chapel only)
- Guest Register Stand
- Easel for Picture
PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY:
Flash photography in the service is not permitted once the ceremony has begun, that is, following seating of the mothers. The photographer may take aisle shots of the processional half way down the aisle, but not at the front of the Sanctuary. Following the processional all photographers must remain in the rear of the church. Once the ceremony has started videography is permitted at various locations but must be stationary. Prior to the ceremony videography is permitted throughout the Sanctuary. All photography and videography should not interfere with the sanctity of the wedding ceremony. You will be given a letter of understanding that your florist, photographer or videographer must sign to be returned to us within thirty days prior to your wedding.
FEE STRUCTURE AND PAYMENTS:
For purposes of our wedding policy, member means bride or bride groom, parent or grandparents, or children of the bride or groom. A $250 refundable deposit is required of all persons to hold the date.
Wedding Fees for Members of Centenary:
- Members are not charged for use of the Sanctuary (seating of over 800 people) or Chapel (seating of approximately 175 people).
- $750 Service Fee (Inclusive of wedding coordinator, set-up/clean-up, sound technician, piano/organist, pre-marital counseling and pastoral honorarium.)
- Total Fee: $750.00
Wedding Fees for Guests of Centenary:
- $250 Payment for Sanctuary (seating of over 800 people)
- $175 Payment for Chapel (seating of approximately 175 people)
- $825 Service Fee (Inclusive of wedding coordinator, set-up/clean-up, sound technician, piano/organist, pre-marital counseling and pastoral honorarium.)
- Total Fee: $1075.00 for Sanctuary Wedding; $1000.00 for Chapel Wedding
Wedding Reception:
We offer our Fellowship Hall and Courtyard for receptions with a maximum capacity of approximately 150 people for inside only and 250 for inside and outside seating. The Gym, with a capacity is 400 people, is also available. Please contact our wedding coordinator for further details and policies. Fees are as follows:
- Fellowship Hall / Courtyard: $150, Members; $250, Guests
- Fellowship Hall / Courtyard / Gym, $300, Members; $500, Guests
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
Following approval of your wedding date the deposit and application are due within one week. The remainder of the fees must be paid in full 30 days prior to the wedding. If you cancel your wedding 30 days prior to your date you will be refunded your down payment less a $100 cancellation fee. If you cancel your plans within 30 days of your wedding the entire down payment will be forfeited. Following the wedding, your deposit will be refunded within thirty days provided that there has been no damage to the facilities.
Wedding Party Responsibility:
You are responsible for any damage to the facility. Any member of the wedding party who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate in the rehearsal or wedding. There are to be no tobacco products or alcoholic beverages on church premises at any time. Violation of this policy could result in the cancellation of the wedding.
Centenary United Methodist Church is not responsible for personal items such as wedding dresses, purses, silver to be used at receptions, etc, if lost, stolen or damaged. Please entrust your valuables to a reliable party.
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