Wedding Policy
FACILITIES AVAILABLE
The sanctuary (seating capacity 650) is available for wedding services, subject to prior schedules and limitations. Air-conditioning or heating will be provided for both the rehearsal and the wedding. The building and bride’s room will be open two (2) hours prior to the wedding ceremony. In addition to the use of the sanctuary and bride's room, the Wedding Coordinator will assign a room for use by the groom and groomsmen.
Receptions may be held in the Fellowship Hall, the Parlor, the Christian Life Center’s gymnasium, or the Prayer Garden.
ESTABLISHED FEES
For a schedule of fees for weddings at Moody Methodist Church, please contact Kim Colombo at kcolombo@moody.org. For a wedding (and reception) to be placed on the church calendar, a REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSIT for the wedding must be made at the same time you submit your Wedding Date Request Form. The security deposit will be refunded within four (4) weeks following the wedding less any amount required for additional audio engineering for videographer or guest musician, breach of Wedding policy contract, repair of damage to the church property or any extraordinary clean-up. Any other applicable fees must be paid in two (2) payments; half to be paid within thirty (30) days of the wedding being confirmed on our calendar and the balance due no later than thirty (30) days prior to the wedding date. The fee for the Wedding Coordinator is paid directly to her at your first consultation.
PROCEDURES FOR MAKING RESERVATIONS
A wedding request will be confirmed when the church staff has approved the requested date, one of the ministers has agreed to officiate the wedding ceremony, the church Wedding Coordinator and the church Organist are available for the date and the deposit has been paid to the church office. The exact hours of the rehearsal must be fixed at the time the sanctuary, chapel, or any other room is reserved.
Weddings must begin no later than 7pm and the facilities must be vacated by 9pm. If the reception is at our facilities, the wedding must begin no later than 4pm and the facilities must be vacated by 8pm. Rehearsals should normally be scheduled no later than 6:30pm on the day preceding the wedding. The rehearsal date and time should be scheduled at the same time that the Wedding Date and time are scheduled.
Weddings and rehearsals may not be scheduled on the following days:
a. Sunday.
b. Seaside Treasure Festival (Usually the weekend prior to Thanksgiving).
c. Thanksgiving, or Friday or Saturday following Thanksgiving.
d. Christmas Day or the week preceding.
e. Friday or Saturday of the weekend preceding Holy Week.
f. Easter Day or any day of Holy Week.
g. New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.
h. July 4.
Please note: The Bride should understand that our sanctuary is decorated at various times during the year to coincide with the liturgical calendar. These decorations are not to be moved, changed or covered in any way. Weddings scheduled during the month of November must be willing to accept the harvest decorations in the chancel area which the church proudly displays each year.
PRE-WEDDING CONFERENCES
The minister performs the wedding ceremony only after a minimum of two (2) counseling sessions with the bride and groom. It is desirable that these sessions be held at least thirty (30) days prior to the wedding. All couples are urged to make an appointment with their minister far in advance. The minister may require the couple to complete a marriage profile.
The Services of Christian Marriage contained in The United Methodist Book of Worship will be the standard service. Any deviations from these services must be approved by the Senior Pastor.
THE MINISTERS
A minister appointed to or connected with Moody Methodist Church will officiate at all weddings. The Senior Pastor will make wedding assignments.
A guest minister of the couple’s choice may “assist” in the service with the approval of and invitation by the officiating pastor. Guest ministers will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony without the PRIOR approval of the officiating minister.
CHURCH WEDDING COORDINATOR
The bride shall contact the church wedding coordinator at least two (2) months prior to the wedding to schedule a consultation. The church wedding coordinator assures that the policies are followed and coordinates the details of the rehearsal and wedding between all parties involved. If the bride secures an outside consultant, that person will serve under the guidance of the church wedding coordinator.
MEMBER WEDDING
To be regarded as a member wedding, the bride or groom or either of their parents, grandparents, or guardians must be a member of Moody Methodist Church and must have been a member for at least six (6) months prior to the time the Wedding Date Request Form is submitted.
NON-MEMBER WEDDING
Non-member weddings will not be confirmed until NINE (9) months prior to the date desired, in order to permit members of the church to have preference of dates. Non-member weddings will not be scheduled during the month of December.
Prior to such confirmation, the bride and groom must meet with the pastor, who will then present the request to the church staff for calendar approval.
MUSIC FOR THE WEDDING
Moody Methodist Church views the wedding ceremony as a sacred service, invoking the blessing of God on the foundation of the home. It is important that the music chosen be appropriate to the sanctity and reverence of this celebration, a revelation of God’s steadfast love for His children in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The church’s organist will serve as the organist for all weddings and must approve all music two (2) months prior to the wedding date. A CD recording of the selections for service music will be made available to you. You should choose your selections based on those provided. You should contact the church organist with your selections. The church organist will not attend the rehearsal. If you wish the church organist to attend the rehearsal, you should coordinate with her and an additional fee will be requested. The church organist will arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony. If the church organist is not available, she can provide the bride with appropriate organists to contact.
All vocal solos should have a sacred text that is clearly centered on God or on the Holy Scriptures. Recorded music (including soundtracks for accompaniment) must not be used. Both music and musicians must be approved by the church’s organist at Moody Methodist Church at least two (2) months prior to the wedding date.
The church’s organist is to be in charge of all music at the wedding, even if there is other music in addition to organ music.
Hymn music is encouraged and should be selected from The United Methodist Hymnal.
Church organist can also provide harp music, if you prefer. Contact church organist for separate pricing.
If a vocal soloist is desired, the church’s organist can recommend and secure a qualified singer. One rehearsal period will be allotted with the organist when she arrives at 45 minutes prior to the ceremony.
Instrumentalists must be approved by the church’s organist.
Recorded music (including soundtracks for accompaniment) must not be used.
If the guest musician requires audio engineering other than the standard public address system, which includes plugging into the church's system, an additional fee will be assessed. This fee is usually taken out of the security deposit.
THE ORGAN CONSOLE AND THE PIANO CANNOT BE MOVED WITHOUT THE CHURCH ORGANIST’S APPROVAL. ANY APPROVED MOVE WILL BE EXECUTED BY ASSIGNED CHURCH FACILITIES STAFF.
THE REHEARSAL
The rehearsal ordinarily is scheduled for 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. on the evening preceding the wedding ceremony. The wedding rehearsal should begin promptly at the scheduled time and should proceed in a quiet, dignified, and reverent manner. The rehearsal is an integral part of the wedding preparation and is held in a place dedicated to the worship of God. All members of the wedding party should be present and APPROPRIATELY DRESSED. The following suggestions will serve as a guide to prepare for the rehearsal:
1. The Moody Methodist Church minister will be in charge of the rehearsal and will be assisted by the church wedding coordinator.
2. The rehearsal will require approximately one (1) hour.
3. All attendants, as well as both sets of parents and other guests who will be formally seated (like grandparents) should be present.
4. The ushers should be present.
5. The marriage license should be delivered to the minister at the rehearsal.
6. Remember that NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL are allowed in the church at any time or place.
7. To facilitate the needs of the wedding party, the wedding coordinator will be present at the rehearsal and at the wedding to uphold the policies of the church and to assist the presiding minister. In addition, an outside wedding coordinator may be present and will function under the guidance of the wedding coordinator.
THE RECEPTION
This section only applies if our facilities are used for the reception. The church encourages members to use its facilities for wedding receptions.
A church representative will be present. The wedding must begin no later than 4pm so the facilities will be vacated by 8:00pm. If a caterer is used, the church will provide the facilities and tables. The caterer must provide everything else necessary for a complete reception and is required to leave the facilities clean and orderly. The Bride is responsible for seeing that the caterer receives and signs the sheet of instructions provided by the church. Strict compliance with the following rules is required as a provision for holding the reception in the church:
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
NO SMOKING.
NO RICE, BIRDSEED, GRASS SEED, CONFETTI, POTPOURRI, or other such matters, on church property.
AUDIO ENGINEERING
A standard public address system set-up, in the “Worship Service” microphone configuration, is included with the use of the building. For most weddings this is quite sufficient.
No reconfiguration of the public address system or microphones by anyone other than our Audio Engineer will be allowed.
Under special circumstances, the officiating pastor may suggest the professional services of the Audio Engineer for Moody Methodist Church.
A professional audio recording of the wedding ceremony is available upon request, using our equipment only. Please contact church prior to wedding about requirements. For any last minute audio adjustments, the additional fees will be deducted from your deposit.
No outside equipment will be plugged into our equipment without two (2) weeks prior approval from our audio engineer.
If the guest musician or videographer require audio engineering other than the standard public address system, which includes plugging into the church's system, an additional fee will be assessed. This fee is usually taken out of the security deposit.
FLORIST, DECORATIONS AND FURNISHINGS
Floral decorations are not to be placed on the altar, pulpit, lectern, baptismal font or altar rail. Decorations must not obscure the altar or chancel area. Any decoration which detracts from the sanctuary as a place of worship will not be allowed. The church wedding coordinator will be of help to the couple in determining the appropriateness of decorations.
Two candelabra and Unity Candle stand are available. The cost of the candles, which must be ordered through the church office, is included in the required fees. The Unity Candle itself must be purchased by the bride. All candles used must have drip protectors. If a unity candle is to be used, the couple should consult with the supervising pastor about its placement. Protective plastic for the floor covering must be used under all candles. Candles and candelabra that are provided by the florist must first be approved by the church wedding coordinator. Florists will be held responsible for cleaning or removal of spilled wax from their candelabra.
Fasteners such as tacks, pins, nails, or tape must not be used on wood surfaces or walls. Wedding runners or aisle runners are not allowed under any circumstances.
Furnishings and decorations in the sanctuary must not be moved without the consent of the officiating pastor or church wedding coordinator. If approved, only our facilities staff is to move church furnishings.
The sanctuary will be open two (2) hours before the wedding ceremony starts for florists to decorate. Decoration must be completed one (1) hour before the start of the service. All decorations must be removed from the sanctuary immediately after the wedding, unless the wedding party chooses to leave the flowers for use in the Sunday Services the following day.
The florist or decorator is responsible for any damage done to the church building. Any repairs must be made to the satisfaction of the church’s business administrator. It is expected that the building will be left in the condition in which it was found.
The church wedding coordinator will be of help to the couple in all of these matters.
THERE IS A SEPARATE SHEET FOR THE FLORIST/DECORATOR WHICH MUST BE SIGNED BY THE FLORIST/DECORATOR AS EVIDENCE OF WILLINGNESS TO COMPLY WITH THESE STATEMENTS. THE BRIDE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURNING THIS SHEET TO THE CHURCH AT LEAST THREE (3) WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING.
PHOTOGRAPHER and VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHER
Because the wedding is a service of worship, no flash photographs will be allowed after the prelude has begun.
During the wedding service including the processional and recessional, no photographer shall be present in the aisles or in the chancel area.
Photographs of the wedding may be completed when the service is over.
All video equipment must be placed in the balcony. No lights are to be used. One stationary video camera may be allowed in the chancel area, at the direction of the church wedding coordinator. If the videographer requires audio engineering other than the standard public address system, which includes plugging into the church's system, an additional fee will be assessed. This fee is usually taken out of the security deposit.
THERE IS A SEPARATE SHEET FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER and VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHER WHICH MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER AS EVIDENCE OF WILLINGNESS TO COMPLY WITH THESE STATEMENTS. (IF THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHER ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE EACH SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THIS SHEET.) THE BRIDE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURNING THIS SIGNED SHEET TO THE CHURCH AT LEAST THREE (3) WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING.
CATERER
The wedding reception is an important part of this occasion. This church and its staff wish to cooperate with the caterer in every way.
The church provides the facilities only, although tables are available for use. The caterer should provide everything necessary for a complete reception and is required to leave the facilities clean and orderly. The caterer should contact the Church Kitchen Manager for information about use of the kitchen.
Strict compliance with the following rules is required as a provision for holding the reception in this church:
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
NO SMOKING.
NO RICE, BIRDSEED, GRASS SEED, CONFETTI, POTPOURRI, or other such materials, on church property.
THERE IS A SEPARATE SHEET FOR THE CATERER WHICH MUST BE SIGNED BY THE CATERER AS EVIDENCE OF WILLINGNESS TO COMPLY WITH THESE STATEMENTS. THE BRIDE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURNING THE SIGNED SHEET TO THE CHURCH AT LEAST THREE (3) WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING.
SMALL WEDDINGS and WEDDINGS AWAY FROM THE CHURCH
Occasionally very small weddings may be planned that do not require the services of the custodian or musician and at which only the couple and no more than twelve (12) friends are present. These may be held at no charge except for the minister’s fee. The same would apply to weddings held in homes or places other than the church. However, all other policies regarding ritual, counseling, etc., outlined in these guidelines apply to those weddings as well.
OTHER POLICIES
No real flower petals may be used for the flower girl. Silk or paper petals may be used.
No rice or bird seed is allowed in the sanctuary or connecting buildings as it presents a safety hazard, potentially causing people to slip or fall. It is also difficult to clean up.
The marriage license should be handed to the minister before the wedding, preferably during the rehearsal. He will fill it out and return it to the county clerk for filing. The county clerk will return it to the couple after processing.
No alcoholic beverages are permitted on church property including the parking lots. Please do not ask the pastor to perform a wedding in any place where alcoholic beverages will be served before or during the service. The pastor will not conduct a pre-marital counseling session, rehearsal, or wedding if either the bride or the groom appears to the pastor to be intoxicated. (Please save yourself the embarrassment of having your wedding postponed after the guests have arrived.) Any member of the wedding party who is intoxicated at the rehearsal or wedding will be removed from the wedding.
Please feel free to talk with the pastor about any questions you have concerning your wedding. We want to help you make it the beautiful and meaningful occasion that it should be.
May God bless you richly as you enter into the new covenant.
WEDDING CHECKLIST
1. Make the necessary reservations for the following
A. Minister
B. Sanctuary
C. Reception (if desired)
2. Place a deposit to request the reservation of your date. Your request will then be submitted for approval by the Church Staff, Church Ministerial Staff, Church Wedding Coordinator and Church Organist.
3. Schedule the two (2) pre-wedding conferences with the minister well in advance.
4. Contact the church wedding coordinator at least two (2) months in advance to schedule a consultation.
5. Contact the church office to receive a CD of the wedding service music selections and contact the church organist to discuss your selections.
6. Make arrangements for the following:
A. Rehearsal
B. Florist
C. Photographer and/or video photographer
D. Caterer
7. Guest ministers must be approved by the church minister at least two (2) months prior to the wedding date. The church minister will invite the guest minister to assist in the service.
8. Guest musician(s) must be approved by the church organist at least three (3) months prior to the wedding date.
9. All fees for the wedding must be paid in full no later than thirty (30) days prior to the wedding.
10. Groom brings wedding license to wedding rehearsal.
The bride is responsible for seeing that the florist, photographer, video photographer, and caterer receive the appropriate sheet of instructions provided by the church. Each of these instruction sheets should be read and signed by the service provider. The bride should return each of these sheets together with final payment of fees at least thirty (30) days prior to the wedding.