WEDDING

GUIDELINES

Greene Street United Methodist Church 415 W. Greene Street

Piqua, Ohio 45356 (937) 773-5313

(937) 773-5397-FAX office@greenestreetumc.org www.greenestreetumc.org

The congregation of Greene Street Church offers congratulations to you on your upcoming marriage and your choice to be married in our church.

"In Church" means "in the sight of God" and indicates to us that the service will be a symbol of your belief in God and an acknowledgment of your dependence upon Him for all the blessings of life.

Our church wishes to help in any way to make this special occasion meaningful to you and your family. We have prepared this booklet to answer questions and to set forth guidelines to insure that the church facilities will be used as directed by our Trustees.

If you have any questions regarding any of the items listed, please call your wedding coordinator for clarification.

May God bless your marriage as we seek to make our part in the service very special in your spiritual union before the Lord and the community.

Setting The Date

Wedding

You must contact the office to have your wedding date reserved on the church calendar. Every effort is made to schedule your wedding date as requested; however, all church commitments must be given priority.

The bridal couple is required to pay a $100 security and damage deposit to secure your wedding date. The deposit must be accompanied by the signed wedding information form. This deposit will be held until after the wedding and will be mailed back to the bridal couple, assuming no damages have been assessed. Deposit will be refunded if the wedding is canceled 60 days prior to the wedding date.

Rehearsal

Rehearsal time and date should be scheduled with the minister and wedding coordinator. Wedding participants should be on time for the rehearsal. An additional fee may be charged for rehearsals that are delayed due to late arrivals.

Non-Member Wedding

The bride and groom do not have to be members of Greene Street United Methodist Church to be married in our sanctuary. Present policy allows for only United Methodist Pastors to officiate weddings.

License

It is recommended that the marriage license be obtained at least one week before the wedding. The license should be brought to the pastor at the rehearsal.

Pre-Marital Conferences

A three meeting counseling period is required by the pastor with both the groom and the bride. The pastor will schedule the meetings to correspond with your available time (work, school, etc.) We must ask if you need to change the counseling sessions that you notify the pastor or the office.

You will be given opportunities to understand each other, your relationship, and your expectations about marriage. There may be some discussion about communication skills.

The Wedding Service

At the counseling session the pastor will explain the wedding service. You are encouraged to personalize your service with the pastor’s approval.

Wedding Coordinator

Each couple to be married in Greene Street United Methodist Church will be assigned a Wedding Coordinator who will serve as the contact for any questions regarding the ceremony or use of the building and will go over the

wedding plans, explain available options, proper wedding etiquette, answer any questions and familiarize the couple with our facilities. Your coordinator is present the day of your rehearsal and wedding to assist with the logistics of your ceremony; and to provide for special needs of your guests and bridal party.

Invitations

When ordering invitations you may list the address of Greene Street United Methodist Church as 415 W. Greene Street, Piqua, Ohio 45356.

It is advisable to print the time of the prenuptial music as well as the time of the ceremony. This firmly establishes the arrival time for the guests. The hour of the wedding as stated on the invitation is when the bride walks down the aisle.

Open Church Wedding

If you wish to invite members of our congregation to attend the wedding we will announce the date and time in our newsletter, "The Chimes," and Sunday worship bulletins. It is understood an open church invitation does not include the reception.

Sanctuary Decoration

The sanctuary decoration is left entirely to the bridal couple. Flowers may be placed in containers beside the altar, on the railings, or a center arrangement on the altar. If the candelabra are used they may be decorated with

flowers or ribbons. Any decorations used must not mar the furniture or leave scars because of the manner attached. Pew clips are available for decorating the ends of the pews. Candles on the pew ends are not permitted. The altar cloth for weddings is white.

We are happy to have wedding flowers used on the following Sunday for the worship service. Please tell your wedding coordinator of your intention to leave flowers. The Sunday bulletin will read, “Flowers are from the Joe Doe and Sally Smith wedding.”

Candelabra

The church has several sets of candelabra for your use. Please let your wedding coordinator know if you wish to use any of them.

7 branch short candelabra $10

7 branch tall candelabra $10

7 branch candelabra with glass globes $20

9 branch candelabra with glass globes $20

Unity Candle Holder

(couple must purchase candles)

Aisle Runner

Aisle runners are an option. Disposable paper runners or cloth ones may be rented from your florist. The church provides a covering for register openings. The length of the aisle is 75 feet.

Bulletins

Bulletin printing is available through the church office. Bulletin stock is available at Christian bookstores. Printing of the wedding service will be done by the church secretary at no charge for church members. Non-members will be charged $25.00 for this service. Information must be made available to the church office thirty days before the service so that a copy may be printed for the approval of the bridal couple before the final printing.

Facilities Available

Sanctuary

Two center aisles (bride to advance down left aisle, recess right aisle), seating for 300 people in pews, with Steinway grand piano or Moeller pipe organ

Use reimbursement: $200.00 for non-Greene Street members

Parlor

Seating available for 50 adults with small center aisle between folding chairs. The room has a fireplace which forms a backdrop for an altar table. This room is also used for small receptions of 100 people or fewer using the narthex (back of sanctuary) as the area of fellowship for the reception. A kitchenette adjoins this room for food preparation. Items with red food coloring may not be used in the refreshment area, such as red fruit punch.

$50.00 for parlor for non-members

$20.00 for kitchenette for non-members

Wall/Wesleyan Room

This room is located in the lower level of the church and is approximately 30 feet by 60 feet long. It can seat 100 adults at tables allowing room for a serving table.

$75.00 for Wall/Wesleyan room for non-members

$50.00 for Kitchen for non-members

Wilson Hall

Wilson Hall will seat approximately 200 people with a serving table also. A stage is at the east end. A large kitchen adjoins both the Wesleyan Room and Wilson Hall for serving convenience. Tables and chairs are available for use. The church has 14 round (70") tables and many 8 ft. tables to seat up to 200 people.

$150.00 for non-members

$50.00 for kitchen for non-members

Garden

Garden area is located between the two buildings on Caldwell Street. It is landscaped and has a fountain and benches. Receiving lines may be held in that area as well as small weddings and receptions. Those using the area will be liable for plant or flower damage by guests.

$25.00 for non-member weddings

Fees For Church Personnel

*Fee for church personnel for reception set-up & clean-up is $12 per hr.

Custodian

The custodian is a very important part of your service and will work closely with the wedding coordinator to see that everything runs smoothly.

The custodian is responsible for:

Opening and closing the church at the time of your choice both for the rehearsal and the wedding.

Adjusting the heating and cooling (fans, air-conditioning, etc.)

Member Non-Member

Minister Honorarium $300

Wedding Coordinator $60 $100

Custodian $80* $80*

Organist $100 $125

Setting up and monitoring the sound system. (Any special musical selections or sequential solo presentations that require technical adjustments are not considered part of the custodial responsibility. Arrangements should be made with the organist.)

Providing elevator service for wedding guests needing assistance.

Adjusting the lighting before and during the service.

Placing protective pads over the heating ducts in the Sanctuary so that shoes do not get caught in the registers.

Cleaning all rooms and Sanctuary used by wedding party and guests.

Assisting the pastor and wedding party during rehearsal and wedding.

If you are having a reception at our church the custodian is responsible for:

Arranging the opening of doors for the delivery of your cake; setting up tables and chairs; cleaning up and closing after the reception.

Fee for custodian or other church personnel at reception will be an additional $12.00 per hour, estimated and paid in advance. Funds will be refunded for time not used.

Organ And Organist

The organ at Greene Street United Methodist Church must only be played by the Greene Street United Methodist Church organist or by a guest organist approved by him.

The church will confirm the availability of our organist for your wedding date. He is not available for the rehearsal. You must contact him personally to discuss your music selections.

Music For The Service

The marriage service is a worship service. As in any worship service the text of the music should contribute to the sacred atmosphere and should be chosen with care and in consultation with the pastor and the organist.

Photographers

A very important part of your wedding is the photographer. A few basic guidelines need to be noted for your information and for you to discuss with the photographer. Pictures may be posed before and after the Ceremony. Time exposures may be taken during the service from the back of the sanctuary. Flash pictures may be taken of the processional and recessional only. The photographer is asked not to move about the Sanctuary during the service.

Videographer

Videotaping is permitted during the service in an inconspicuous manner. An elevated platform is available for use in the back of the sanctuary. The videographer will provide his/her own equipment. The videographer is asked not to move about the sanctuary during the service.

Reception

If you choose to have a reception at our church several options are available to you.

1. A cake and punch reception

2. A small dinner reception

3. A more elaborate dinner reception.

All church reception plans must be discussed with the wedding coordinator.

Rules For Church Usage

Fire code does not permit smoking in any area of the church building, but smoking is permitted outside the building.

Attendants are not permitted to carry lighted candles.

No bubbles or bird seed are to be used inside the church building. The wedding party should not re-enter the building after the seed has been thrown on them. It is customary for seed to be thrown at the exit of the wedding party from the church. Due to ecological reasons, balloon launches and rice are prohibited. If excessive custodial time is required to clean areas after use of bird seed or bubbles, an additional charge will be assessed the bridal couple.

The church is not responsible for personal items left unattended or not removed from the church after the wedding.

Respect For Church Doctrine

First and foremost, our church is a place of worship. We ask for your cooperation in helping us keep it holy. Do not bring alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs into the premises (church or church grounds) and observe the “No Smoking” policy throughout our facility.

Anyone in the wedding party arriving with alcohol and/or illegal drugs or under the influence of such, provides reason and grounds for the IMMEDIATE cancellation of the wedding.

If the reception is held in the church, the wedding toast should use a non-alcoholic beverage.

The wedding party is reminded that this service is held in a house of worship by the couple’s choice and appropriate behavior is expected. The church staff has the final authority over use of the facility. Thank you for your cooperation.

Have a joyful wedding and a lasting, fulfilling marriage.

EXPENSE ACCOUNTING FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Security & Damage Deposit $100

Church Sanctuary _______________

Reception area _______________

Candelabra _______________

Custodian fee _______________

Organist _______________

Minister _______________

Wedding Coordinator _______________

Bulletin printing _______________

Total $______________

PLEASE NOTE! All fees are to be paid to the church office 30 days prior to the wedding. Checks may be written to Greene Street Church.

Revised, March 2018