WEDDING POLICY
Matthews Presbyterian Church,
“Christian marriage is an
institution ordained of God, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, established and
sanctified for the happiness and welfare of humankind, into which spiritual and
physical union one man and woman enter, cherishing a mutual esteem and love,
bearing with each other’s infirmities and weaknesses, comforting each other in
trouble, providing in honesty and industry for each other and for their
household, praying for each other, and living together the length of their days
as heirs of the grace of life.”
We congratulate those who are ready to enter the
covenant of marriage, and provide this policy to govern the use of our church to
solemnize the wedding ceremony as a service of Holy Worship.
Eligibility
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Active members of this church, who have been in attendance for at least
six months prior to the wedding, are eligible.
-
Requests outside the above guidelines may be considered at the
discretion of the church’s pastoral staff and Session.
Arrangements
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All arrangements must be made through the church office at least six
months prior to the date of the wedding.
-
The office will put you in contact with the persons concerned with
helping you plan the service, such as pastor(s), wedding director and organist.
Counseling
-
For members and nonmembers, a scheduled conference with the minister
will initiate your wedding request.
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The minister will provide a copy of the marriage service and review the
service with you.
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There is a fee for administration and scoring of the PREPARE/ENRICH
inventories used in the counseling session with the minister.
-
If you wish to have another minister officiate or assist in the
ceremony, approval must be obtained from the church’s pastoral staff.
Music
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“Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and
expresses the faith of the church.” The Directory for Worship (W-4.9005).
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The Prelude is a selection of music as stated above, played twenty to
thirty minutes prior to the ceremony.
Processional and recessional marches are considered part of the ceremony
itself.
-
Vocal solos or instrumental music should be theologically appropriate
and reverent.
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If you wish to use an organist other than the church organist, approval
from the minister and church organist must be obtained four weeks prior to the
wedding. The other organist will meet
with the church organist to review the organ stops.
-
All music must be submitted for approval no later than three weeks
prior to the wedding.
Decorations
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Drip free candles are required.
No tacks or tape are to be used on any wood surface.
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Any furniture removed or relocated for the service must be returned to
its original position immediately after the ceremony.
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All areas that have been used must be left as clean as found.
Photography/Videotaping
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Photography of any type is not allowed during the ceremony.
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It is the responsibility of the wedding couple to convey photography
guidelines to their guests and Ushers are to remind camera-carrying guests of
this rule. Photographs may be taken
following the service.
-
Two unmanned video cameras may be used during the service. These are to be positioned at the front and
rear of the Chapel or Sanctuary.
Sound System/Audio Recording
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If an operator is required to operate the sound system, one will be
arranged for through the church office.
-
For audio recording only, a sound system operator will be required and
arranged for through the church office.
Fees
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There is no charge for the use of the facilities to any active member
of this church or their children and grandchildren.
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Non-members are asked to provide a $100.00 deposit upon approval of the
ceremony schedule.
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Balance of fee(s) is to be paid in full prior to the rehearsal.
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Chapel (Rehearsal and Ceremony) Sanctuary
(Rehearsal And Ceremony)
$200.00 $300.00
-
Reception $125.00
-
Organist: $150.00
(Rehearsal & ceremony, $25.00 additional if extra rehearsal with
soloist is necessary).
- Caterer
Deposit $50.00
- Florist
Deposit
$50.00
(The Caterer and Florist deposits will be refunded
after the wedding, if everything is left in satisfactory condition. Please see attached forms to be given to the
caterer and florist.)
Honorariums
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Honorariums for any additional musicians or soloists are not included
in the fee for use of the facilities.
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Suggested amounts:
-
Minister: $150.00 (two
counseling sessions, rehearsal, ceremony)
-
Assist Min. $75.00
- Wedding Dir $150.00
- Sound Oper. $75.00
General Rules & Other
Considerations
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Please use birdseed (rather than rice) outside the building only.
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No alcoholic beverages are allowed on Church property.
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Smoking is not allowed in any of the Church buildings.
-
The Church’s Wedding Director will be consulted for all weddings.
Please sign the accompanying Release Statement and return
it to the church office.
WEDDING POLICY
Matthews Presbyterian Church,
Release Statement
Matthews Presbyterian Church shall not be liable for
any loss, damage, or injury of any kind to any person or property arising from
any access to, or use of church property, or caused by any defect in any building,
structure or other improvement on the property, or by or from an accident on
the property or any fire or other casualty thereon, or occasioned by any other
cause whatsoever.
The undersigned agrees to protect, indemnify,
defend, and hold harmless, Matthews Presbyterian Church from any and all
claims, demands, actions, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and
costs), or lawsuits arising out of or in conjunction with their use of Church
property and facilities.
We have read and agree to the contents of the Wedding
Policy and the above Release Statement.
Signature: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________