A wedding is one of the happiest and holiest moments in life. As a man and woman join their lives to establish a home, the church rejoices with them and is eager to help make the occasion of their wedding beautiful and meaningful.
Our church has a wedding committee that will direct all weddings to ensure the proper use of church facilities. There is no charge for this service.
Reservations for weddings are made through the Church Office and a copy of these policies will be given to the bride-to-be. She is responsible for explaining these polices to the photographer, video person, florist, caterer, and any other persons involved. A meeting with a member of the wedding committee should be arranged at the time reservations are made or very soon thereafter.
If the wedding is to be performed by one of our church ministers, the bride needs to contact that minister so that he or she will reserve that date. Pre-marital counseling is required if one of our ministers is to perform the ceremony. If an outside minister is to used, the Senior Minister of our Church must approve the quest minister.
The Board of Trustees requires that the person making the reservations accept full responsibility for any damages to church property, complete all rental forms and sign liability agreement on behalf of all wedding participants and guests.
Since the wedding is a religious ceremony, in the house of God, the decorations should be as simple as possible and should enhance the natural beauty of the Sanctuary/Chapel.
I. FLOWERS:
1. One large arrangement of flowers or greenery, or two small ones, may be used on the altar. No silk or artificial flowers are to be used on the altar tale or in the chancel area. Care must be taken not to obscure the Cross or the Eucharist Candlesticks which must remain on the altar table. Containers belonging to the church or similar ones are to be used. The containers belonging to the church may not be taken from the facilities. Liners may be taken by the florist.
2. Pedestal arrangements of flowers or greenery may be placed within the Chancel rail but never directly in front of the pulpit or lectern. Additional greenery may be used on the candelabra, if attached with pipe cleaners or ribbon.
3. No decorations are allowed within the choir area, in or around the niches, on the pulpit, lectern, or attached to the altar. Outside decorations cannot be attached to any structure without prior approval. Handrails should not be completely covered with greenery, tulle, etc.
4. The Baptismal Font, Processional Crosses, flags, and kneelers are not to be removed from their regular place.
5. Flowers and/or ribbons may be used on the pew ends and/or windows provided the wood is fully protected from moisture. Flowers or ribbons on the pew ends should not extend more than six inches beyond the height of the pew. No tacks, staples, pins, glue, wire, or scotch tape may be attached to anything. Pipe cleaners, cord, or ribbon may be used.
6. Flowers may be left for use by the church during the Sunday Worship services if the wedding is held on Saturday and arrangements are made with the Church Office.
7. THE FLORIST IS EXPECTED TO REMOVE ALL DECORATIONS AND EQUIPMENT PROMPTLY FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY. The Wedding Consultant or Custodian is not responsible for removing decorations or equipment.
8. Flowers and/or water are not to be put in urns on chests in Narthex. Urns are not to be removed.
9. Flowers shall not be placed in the Fellowship Hall or Sanctuary/Chapel until the day of the wedding because of the cost of utilities.
II CANDLES:
1. The two Eucharist candles must remain on the altar at all times.
2. It is recommended only the church-owned candelabra be used. Two pair of adjustable, seven-branch floor candelabra and one pair of seven-branch brass table candelabra are available. The candelabra may not be removed from the church.
3. The table candelabra may be used on the end of the choir pew screens if desired. Glass on screens can not be removed.
4. The seven branch table candelabra may be used on the altar with the Eucharist candles. The Eucharist candles are always lighted first and extinguished last. An arrangement of candles may be placed on the altar with the Eucharist candles as long as the altar is protected from any melting wax.
5. Dripless candles must be used. They are available in the Church Office at cost. The brass wax-savers are required.
6. No lighted candles are allowed in the narthex.
7. Candles are not to be used on the ends of the pews.
8. No arrangement of candles may be placed in the windows.
9. If cathedral candles are used, extra care must be taken to protect the carpet area with additional plastic being used. The candelabra must be twelve inches from the chancel rail.
10. Candelabra may be used under niches in altar area.
II. MUSIC:
It is preferred and recommended that our Church Organist play for all weddings. The organist needs to be contacted as soon as the wedding is placed on the church calendar. A request to use another organist must be approved by our Church Organist and the person must have a practice session with our Organist in advance so as to be thoroughly familiar with our pipe organ.
Our Director of Music must approve all music and only appropriate sacred music may be used. Brides should remember that weddings are worship services. No “love songs,” secular, or pop music is allowed. No taped music allowed in either the Sanctuary or Chapel.
The grand piano in the Sanctuary and Chapel may not be moved at all.
III. PICTURES:
1. The photographer is permitted to take pictures in the Narthex; however, no flashbulbs and/or any other form of lighting shall be used after the bride starts down the aisle with the exception of a picture of the bride and her escort coming in and going down the aisle. No pictures shall be made during the ceremony, except time exposures from the balcony of the Sanctuary. The photographer is cautioned to make sure that there is no noise involved in the making of time exposures, changing of film, etc., during the ceremony.
2. No pictures are to be taken by members of the congregation during the service.
3. Pictures are permissible during the recessional. The photographer may stand in the Narthex doorway for these pictures.
4. It is the responsibility of the bride to review these instructions with the photographer prior to the wedding so that there will be no misunderstanding or deviations from these established rules.
5. Family and friends should also be notified of the photography guidelines so that the service will not be disrupted.
6. All pictures must be completed within one (1) hour of the end of the wedding ceremony; ceremony ends after the last family member is escorted out.
V. VIDEO EQUIPMENT
1. A video camera placed on a tripod may be used in the choir area during the wedding ceremony if the equipment can be set up in such a way as not to detract from the altar area. No person may operate a video camera in the altar area. The video camera must be placed on the pulpit side of the chancel.
2. Video cameras may be set up on the outside aisle of the Sanctuary behind the columns and must remain stationary or placed in the balcony.
3. Persons operating cameras are asked to please be discreet so that the dignity and sanctity of the service be preserved.
VI. GENERAL RULES
1. Our church has a wedding committee that will direct all weddings and must counsel with the
bride-to-be regarding all policies. There is no charge for this service.
2. No candles, flower arrangements, etc. are allowed on any of the grand pianos or in the windows
of the Fellowship Hall.
3. No alcoholic beverages of any kind will be consumed or served on Church property.
4. No beverages or food are allowed in the Sanctuary or Chapel.
5. There will be no smoking in the Church Buildings or on church property.
6. No rice or confetti is to be thrown inside the Church buildings or on the steps leading thereto.
Birdseed may be used outside.
7. No fresh flowers are to be thrown on the carpet.
8. A Brides Room is available for the bride and her attendants. The Builder’s Classroom may be used by the groom and his attendants.
9. The church is not responsible for loss of items.
10. A prie-dieu (prayer bench) is available.
11. Persons are not to sit on the Chancel rail or to stand or walk on the kneeling cushions in front of the
rail at any time.
12. One copy of the information form is to be filled out and returned to the Church Office at least 60
days before the wedding. A copy should be kept by the bride.
13. The church bell may be rung upon request.
14. The wedding committee does not help with receptions in the Fellowship Hall. The Church
Hostess must be contacted for information regarding rules, silver, available tablecloths,
china and etc, and any use of the kitchen required and its separate fees.
15. Outside caterers must be approved by the church hostess.
16. Neither the Sanctuary nor the Chapel is available for weddings on Easter weekend.
17. The church is wired for sound; therefore, it does not provide lapel mics for wedding participants.
18. Communion will not be served during a wedding. A wedding is an order and communion is a sacrament; the two are not to be combined, per the United Methodist Book of Discipline. If requested, the couple may be served communion after the ceremony by the minister in a private setting.
19. A wedding rehearsal will be held prior to the wedding at a time set by the director and the bridal couple. The rehearsal shall be no longer than 1 and a half hours and shall be held where the wedding ceremony will take place.
20. Any violation of the rules by photographers, florists, musicians, and any other party involved in the wedding will result in that individual or entity being excluded from participation in future weddings at First United Methodist Church of LaGrange.
It is our belief that faithful and cheerful adherence to these policies will enhance the reverence and sanctity
of our Church and add beauty and meaning to the wedding service.
VII. FEES
Due to inflation, these fees are subject to review and change periodically. When changes are made a revised schedule will be furnished to the bride-to-be before the wedding.
FOR WEDDINGS
1. Refer to the Master Fee Schedule for information regarding all fees, charges, honorariums, etc.
2. Deposits are required to place a wedding on the church calendar.
3. The balance of all fees must be paid 30 days prior to the wedding date.
4. Unless the bride or the groom, their parents, or guardians have been members of First Methodist Church of LaGrange for twelve months or more at the time the wedding is scheduled on the church calendar, the wedding is regarded as one of a non-member. A non-member wedding cannot be scheduled in excess of four months before the date desired.
5. If the church kitchen is used for a reception refer to the Master Fee Schedule for specific kitchen charges.
