|
Who Conducts the Wedding Service?
It is the standard policy of the Session that one of the pastors of the First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim will conduct wedding services performed in the sanctuary. For special reasons, upon request, the pastor may consider extending an invitation to another minister to participate in the service or to act in his or her stead. If another pastor is to conduct the service he or she must provide the church office with an order of worship for advance approval. The visiting pastor's religious affiliation must be publicly acknowledged.
Pre-Marital Consultations with the Pastor
All weddings conducted by one of the pastors of the church will be preceded by premarital counseling sessions including a preliminary interview where the pastor will review what is involved in these conferences.
The purpose of these meetings is for the pastor to get to know the couple better and become acquainted with their understanding of marriage. The pastor will assist the couple in looking at their expectations for being married, what dreams they sense are being fulfilled, and will discuss any impediments which may be present.
The meetings will involve a detailed review of the wedding service and how the couple's desire for special music, liturgy, vows, etc., may conform with the Directory of Worship of the Presbyterian Church. The pastor has the responsibility to see that the service is in keeping with these guidelines. 
Wedding Fees
For a sanctuary wedding, the wedding fees cover:
 Expenses for the use of the church facilities
Pastor
Organist
Soloist
Wedding Coordinator
Assistant Wedding Coordinator
Unity Candle adorned with silk floral wreath
Printed Order of Worship
Dressing Rooms for both men and women
Custodial Services
Sanctuary decorations except for live floral arrangements. These include 12 candle standards down the center aisle with ivory candles, glass chimneys and silk floral cascades; pew bows and tulle roping down the center aisle; white cover for kneeling bench; bows on large candelabra in front of sanctuary; and, 2 pillars with urns to hold live floral arrangements.
The fee is $2,000. A deposit of $500 is required to reserve your wedding date. This deposit includes a non-refundable amount of the $350 and the balance of $150 may be refunded if there is not overtime or damage charge. This deposit is made at the time of the initial interview with the pastor. The balance must be received no later than ten days before the rehearsal date.
The Duties of the Wedding Coordinator
In making preparations for any wedding to be held in the sanctuary, the bride must be in communication with the Wedding Coordinator well in advance of the wedding. This is to facilitate the smooth execution of all plans, to answer questions, and to make the bride and groom aware of details that they otherwise may overlook.
The church Wedding Coordinator is to be engaged for all weddings to:
a) be your advisor in planning wedding arrangement
b) take charge of and direct the wedding rehearsal with the pastor
c) direct the set-up and decorating of the sanctuary, and be responsible for seeing that the wedding goes smoothly.
Use of Facilities
The use of the sanctuary and the fellowship hall, along with the other facilities of this church, are governed by guidelines established by the Session. It is a policy that church programs or weddings of church members be given first priority in the use of facilities. In the event of a conflict of date or time, the pastor reserves the right to reschedule a wedding, in consultation with the couple.
It is recommended that as much notice be given as possible in securing a reservation and returning the application form. When this is received along with the non-refundable deposit on the wedding fee, the date and time of the wedding will be entered on the master calendar in the church office. It is recommended that a reservation be made at least three months in advance of the wedding date.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on our premises, except at receptions. This also includes the cars and limousines. Alcohol and nervous excitement do not provide the basis for a smooth wedding.
Smoking is not allowed inside any of the buildings. There is a large tree in Keller Garth (the patio area) with seating around it with nearby waste receptacles where smoking is permitted.
Dressing Facilities
There is a Bride's Room with an adjoining restroom. The restroom has only one sink, so we suggest that women have their makeup and hair done before they arrive, but that they dress at the church to keep the gowns fresh and wrinkle-free. Don't forget to break in your shoes at home for a couple of weeks. You'll be glad you did!
The men may dress at home or at the church. Our library is made available to you for this purpose. If they choose to dress at home, the jackets will stay much nicer if they are transported to the church on a hanger. Be sure to try on any rented garments in time to make any adjustments and also make sure that all necessary items have been included. Rare is the wedding where all the tuxes fit correctly the first time!
Rice and Birdseed
It is the strict policy of the Session that confetti, bird seed, or rice not be thrown on the church grounds, public sidewalks, or the church parking lot. It can be very dangerous to persons walking, particularly older people who may not have sure footing, and it is difficult to clean.
Photography
No photographs may be taken in the sanctuary during the wedding service, except as the couple recesses up the aisle at the conclusion of the service. The sound of the cameras and distraction of flashing lights is an intrusion that detracts from the solemnity of the worship experience. This rule applies to your guests as well as to your professional photography. There is no restriction on staging of the bridal party after the service is completed for the benefits of friends and professional photographers for up to 30 minutes after the service. An instruction sheet for you to give your photographer will be given to you by the Wedding Coordinator.
Video
Video recording is permissible if the operator is located in an area assigned by the Wedding Coordinator, remains at that location, and uses only available lighting.
If there are any questions regarding the propriety of taking pictures or other activities associated with the wedding, the Wedding Coordinator will make the final decision in consultation with the pastor.
Wedding Music
The church organist is the organist for all weddings conducted in the sanctuary. In the event that she cannot be present, a substitute will be secured by her. All music is to be selected in consultation with the organist who will know what is compatible with the worship focus of the service conducted in our church. She has a large repertoire of music written for the organ or piano which can be used at various points in the service.
The church may provide a soloist if one is desired, or you may have a soloist from outside the church in which case, please arrange a time for the soloist and the organist to meet and rehearse together. There is a grand piano in our sanctuary which can be played by guests of your own choosing. All musical selections must be approved by the pastor.
Ordinarily, classical and sacred music will be given priority, although some contemporary music is acceptable if the lyrics and tune are in harmony with a worship emphases, and compatible with the theology of marriage. The service may include a hymn sung by the congregation as an audible sign that the wedding guests are actively involved in the service.
Please contact the organist to schedule an appointment.
Flowers
The church provides pew candles, tulle ropes and bows, the candles on the communion table and the unity candle. There are two pillars and urns for floral arrangements which hold standard one-gallon florist posts. To see any of the available decorations, please make arrangements with the Wedding Coordinator.
Flowers may be delivered to the church two hours prior to the service. If the florist is attaching flowers to the pew candles, please let the wedding coordinator know. If the flowers used in the service are to be transported to the reception afterwards, have someone assigned to that task. If you do not want to take the flowers, the church will use them in our service the following Sunday and take them to members who are home-bound.
Guest and Family Seating
Please let the Wedding Coordinator know in advance the seating arrangement you prefer for parents, grandparents, or other close family members who will be escorted down the center aisle. The guests you wish to have seated in one or two pews reserved just behind your immediate family should be told to mention this to the usher as they are seated for the service. It is not necessary to seat the congregation on either the bride's or groom's side. The best choice if for everyone to sit as close to the front as possible.
Participants
Some couples choose other friends or relatives who are not in the wedding party to be:
Readers - A reader participates in the actual service by reading some of the scripture lessons or an appropriate tribute to the occasion.
Acolytes - The acolytes light the pew candles and the bride and groom candles on the
communion table. Sometimes parents light these candles.
Ushers - An usher welcomes the arriving guests and assists them to their seats. One usher per 50 guests is a good ratio.
Guest Book Attendant - The guest book is closed 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the wedding. The attendant is responsible to pick up the duties again later on at the reception.
Flower Girls and Ring Bearers - Try to choose children who are mature enough to be up to the task. Children who are too young to grasp their purpose in the ceremony will not be able to accurately carry out their duties. Children who cannot pay attention to the service will distract from it by squirming around.
Receptions
It is possible for the couple to have a wedding reception in the church's fellowship hall for a separate fee. A reservation for such use should be made through the Wedding Coordinator at the time the wedding is scheduled. The rental fee is for 7 hours (includes 2 hours for set-up and 1 hour for clean-up). There will be an additional charge for any time beyond that. Music (live or recorded) is permitted at receptions. The Session does allow the use of champagne and wine on the premises, if served by approved caterers. When wine and/or champagne is served an additional fee will be charged for security.
On Your Wedding Day
Your Wedding Coordinator will arrive at the church two hours prior to the time of the service. The fee you have paid reserves the sanctuary and dressing rooms for three hours which begin when the Coordinator arrives. Your photographer will let you know how much time he/she needs for pictures to be taken before the service; however, if you will not be taking any pictures prior to the serve you need not arrive more than one hour in advance. If you are taking all of your pictures prior to the service, special arrangements will need to be made with the Wedding Coordinator.
Bring along some crackers, 7-Up or anything that will help you ward off "butterflies".
Alcohol consumption will almost always make matters worse. Going for several hours without food prior to the wedding is the a major cause of fainting spells!
Remember your marriage license! The marriage cannot be performed without it. It's a good idea to bring it to the rehearsal and give it to the Wedding Coordinator at that time - just to be safe.
REMEMBER THE RINGS!
ENJOY YOUR DAY!
|
|
