GUIDELINES FOR YOUR WEDDING

WEDDINGS AT TRINITY UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

WEDDINGS AND THE CHURCH

Trinity United Methodist Church is maintained by its members and friends to serve this community; its use is not restricted to its members. All who desire a church setting, a spiritual foundation for their marriage, and who will use the building and facilities with reverence and good taste - are more than welcome to use the church under the direction of the staff.

The proposed date for your wedding must be confirmed by the pastor. No other plans should be made until this date has been confirmed by the pastor at the initial interview. Dates and times are only confirmed with a $50.00 deposit. If a deposit is not received, the church will no longer reserve the wedding date.

The church parlors will be open three hours before the wedding (for the bride’s preparation), and the choir room will be open three hours before the wedding (for the groom’s preparation).

PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING

The pastor’s primary goal in officiating at weddings is to prepare the couple, not just for a wedding, but for a Christian marriage. For this reason, pre-marital counseling is required.

Pre-marital counseling consists of four or more one hour sessions.

The initial interview is primarily a “getting acquainted” and information gathering session. During this interview decisions are made whether the wedding can be conducted based on information given. The pastor reserves the right to refuse officiating at a wedding if circumstances morally prevent him/her from doing so. The pastor also reserves the right to refuse officiating at any rehearsal or wedding.

While every effort will be made to accommodate the couple’s schedule, it is the couple’s responsibility to schedule sessions in conjunction with the pastor regardless of geographical location.

All fees are due no later than two weeks prior to the service. Dates for weddings must be confirmed with a $50.00 deposit.

Live, fresh flowers are to be used on the altar. Please contact Judy Fridley, at least one month prior to the wedding, regarding flowers and candles at 676-8340. The sanctuary will be set up for the wedding before the rehearsal. There will be no changes following the rehearsal. Pew bows, if used, must be tie or clip on, can not be taped.

Couples are urged to attend church regularly, whether in this church or in any other church of their choice. If the couple is unchurched the pastor would be pleased to discuss membership at Trinity.

A pastor of Trinity Church will officiate at the weddings. If the family wishes another minister to participate, that desire should be made known to the pastor at the initial interview. Other ministers, known to the family, may participate upon approval of the Trinity pastor.

All couples, regardless of who is officiating, must initially meet with the pastor of Trinity Church to review the wedding guidelines and building policies, set dates and times, fill out a Wedding Information Sheet, and approve an variations or additions to the wedding service.

A representative of the altar guild will be present at all weddings, in the sanctuary to assist the pastor and wedding party at the rehearsal and wedding. Guild members are volunteers who assist the pastor and should be extended the same respect and courtesy.

Weddings at Trinity require a rehearsal, usually the day before the wedding. The pastor is in charge of the rehearsal. Rehearsals help all participants to become familiar with the service. The rehearsal is an informal event and formal attire is not required.

All members of the wedding party including all attendants, parents, musicians, and liturgists are expected to be present. The rehearsal will begin at the appointed time.

A traditional Christian Marriage service is offered at Trinity. This ceremony is considered a worship service. Any additions, changes or modification of this service must be discussed with the pastor at the initial interview (even if another pastor is assisting with the service.) Scripture lessons, special readings, or poetry selections must be approved by the pastor prior to the rehearsal. The pastor reserves the right not to use any selections in the service. The Wedding service begins with the seating of the Mothers. Other guests should be seated prior to the wedding service. A wedding is a joyous occasion for the wedding couple and guests; therefore, memorials are discouraged.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is to be celebrated by the whole Body of Christ or not at all.

The wedding is a worship service, thus the music selected should reflect the sacred and joyful nature of praise and adoration. This does not exclude the use of secular music for weddings; however, a list of music should be given to the pastor two weeks prior to the wedding for his/her approval. Thereafter, it is up to the couple to meet with the organist to go over this list. If an organist other than one listed elsewhere in this brochure is desired, such request must be made to the pastor at the initial interview. The pastor reserves the right not to use musical selections.

In keeping with the sacred nature of the wedding service, flash photography is not permitted. Available light photos may be taken from the back of the church. The photographer may go down the center aisle ONLY as far as the last occupied pew to photograph the wedding party as they enter; and during the recessional the photographer may again go down the center aisle ONLY as far as the last occupied pew.

Before, during, and after the service the photographer should remain out of sight, or behind the last occupied pew. Video cam photography is welcomed; however, please consult with the pastor for locations. Photographers are not allowed in the altar or chancel area during the wedding service.

After-wedding photographs should begin IMMEDIATELY after the wedding unless a reception line is used to greet the guests (45 minutes is allotted for pictures). Pictures including the pastor should be taken first. Since some weddings are scheduled back to back it is important that such photography be accomplished in a timely fashion.

It is understood that the couple being married and their entire party shall conduct themselves in keeping with the sacred environment of the church. The wedding party should care for the building and furnishings. All rooms and furnishings shall be returned to their original places. The use of alcohol, drugs, and/or any forms of tobacco are prohibited on church property.

The pastor reserves the right to cancel the wedding rehearsal or wedding if he believes any of the wedding party to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or for any other reason.

There is no reserved parking. With the permission of the city, the meters directly in front of the church will be reserved for use by the Wedding party.