Weddings
Wedding Guidelines
Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church
A Message for the Bride and Groom
Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church is honored to host your wedding. We pray God's richest blessings upon your marriage. The wedding ceremony is first and foremost a worship service that sanctifies marriage in the sight of God. The Wedding Guidelines are designed to assist you in planning a Christian wedding.
Reserving Dates on the Church Calendar
The Church Administrator is responsible for scheduling weddings. Weddings, rehearsals, and receptions are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Church members receive primary preference. Tentative dates may be checked on the telephone; however, a deposit is required to reserve a date. Wedding guidelines and other related materials will be given to the bride and groom when the deposit is received.
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church
100 West Church Street
Cartersville, Georgia 30120
Telephone Number: 770.382.4772
Fax Number: 770.382.4114
E-Mail: office@samjonesumc.org
Web Site www.samjonesumc.org
Ministers Officiating at the Wedding
The church recommends the use of the ordained ministers on staff. The couple should contact the Sam Jones UMC Church Administrator for availability of the staff minister(s) or to inform the church that they wish to ask another clergy person to conduct the service. According to ministerial protocol, the senior minister will then issue an invitation for the guest minister to participate in the service. Only ordained ministers in recognized churches are allowed to perform a wedding ceremony in the United Methodist Church.
Premarital Counseling
After reserving the church, the couple should immediately contact the minister officiating at the wedding about his or her policy of premarital counseling. The church can also provide a list of Christian counselors in the area.
Wedding Coordinator
The church provides a Wedding Coordinator for all weddings. The coordinator is trained in church policies and wedding direction. The Coordinator will meet with the couple prior to the wedding and direct the rehearsal and wedding service. The Wedding Coordinator must be notified of any changes in the ceremony as they are made, and must have a final draft of the order of ceremony or wedding program two weeks before the wedding. (The coordinator usually serves as the wedding director. A couple may use another director, however, the church's Wedding Coordinator is still required to meet with the couple and their director prior to the wedding and oversee the rehearsal and wedding.)
Music
Weddings are worship services, only sacred music is appropriate. Secular music, popular music, and taped music are not allowed. The couple must meet with the Minister of Music and Worship concerning musical selections and musicians. The church organist will play at all weddings unless unavailable. If the organist is not available, a request to use a different musician must be approved by the Minister of Music and Worship.
The Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a holy place set apart for the worship of God. All chancel furniture and furnishings are to remain in place, including the lectern, pulpit, Bible, baptismal font, altar table, cross, flower pedestals, chancel chairs, choir loft chairs, and flags. The Altar Guild will place white paraments on the lectern, pulpit, and altar table. The Bibles, hymnals, offering envelopes, et cetera should also remain in the pews.
Seasonal decorations and banners will remain in place during a wedding. During Christmas, decorations include the Chrismon tree, Advent Candle Wreath, wreaths on the doors, et cetera. Different decorations may adorn the church during other seasons.
Decorations
· The reverence of the sanctuary or chapel provides a beautiful setting for the wedding. Any additional decorations should be simple and in good taste.
· The two candles on the altar table should be lighted first. No other candles or other decorations should be placed on the altar table. Dripless candles are required.
· All candelabras and unity candles must have protective covers underneath to protect the carpet and furniture.
· Please do not use any nails, thumb tacks, glue, or tape on any wood surface, including the pews. Flowers and ribbons can be used on the end of the pew provided the wood is fully protected from any scratches and moisture. Due to fire hazards, lighted candles cannot be used on the pews.
· Floral arrangements or greenery can be placed on the two pedestals. Please do not use any berries or other greenery that might fall and stain the carpet. Lilies, gardenias and other strongly scented flowers may not be used. Silk flowers may be substituted for these blossoms. Any flowers next to the altar table should be lower than the top of the cross, maximum height for brass cross, 37", silver cross, 31".
· Decorations of greenery or flowers are allowed in the windows. Candles may be placed in the windows if they have a glass globe and protection underneath. The church has globes and protective covering, if you choose to use them, clean them and return them to the church.
· The family or florist is responsible for removing all decorations and candelabras immediately after the wedding. If the bride and groom would like to use the wedding flowers for the church service the following Sunday, they should speak with the church office when the church is reserved. Sunday flower arrangements are sometimes reserved months in advance.
· If a flower girl is part of the ceremony, silk petals must be used. Live flower petals are not allowed.
· Please do not use rice or birdseed when the couple leaves the church. These materials are slippery and hazardous on the steps.
· The florist may decorate the sanctuary 4 hours prior to the ceremony on the day of the wedding. If additional time is required, please contact the church administrator.
· The bride and groom are responsible for sharing these guidelines with the florist and informing the church of the name, address and phone number of the florist or party responsible for decorating the sanctuary.
Sound Technician
The church requires and provides a trained sound technician for the rehearsal and wedding.
Photography and Videography
In keeping with the reverence of the worship service, no flash photography is allowed during the wedding service. (The sevice begins when the bride arrives at the altar and ends when the couple is presented to the congregation and the recessional begins) This policy includes professional photographers and guests.
Photographers should remain in the back of the sanctuary or chapel. No movement is allowed during the service.
Video cameras may be used in the back or side of the sanctuary and chapel. Only fixed or remote cameras may be placed in an inconspicuous place in the choir loft. Videographers should remain in the back of the sanctuary. No movement is allowed during the service.
The bride and groom are responsible for sharing these guidelines with the photographer and videographer and informing the church of the name, address and phone number of both the photographer and the videographer.
Receptions
The Fellowship Hall or Family Life Center can be reserved for the wedding reception on a limited basis if available. Contact the Church Administrator for information, guidelines, and fees.
Bridal Parlor
A Bridal Parlor is available for the bride's use along with her attendants. Food and beverages are not allowed in the Bridal Parlor. The warming kitchen nearby can be used for refreshments. All personal items should be removed from the room one hour after the wedding.
Rehearsal
Rehearsals are held the night before the wedding at 6:00 p.m. The bride and groom will meet with the Wedding Coordinator prior to the rehearsal. If all the wedding party arrives on time, a rehearsal generally lasts about one hour. The minister will begin the rehearsal with prayer. Then the coordinator will put the wedding members in their proper place. The minister will go through the service. Finally, the party will practice the processional and recessional.
Wedding License
The couple is responsible for obtaining a valid wedding license before the wedding. The minister is legally required to have the license prior to performing the ceremony. The couple should bring the license to the rehearsal.
General Rules
No alcohol or tobacco of any kind is allowed on the church site. Anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed to participate in the service.
In the United Methodist tradition, the church observes "open communion," which means that all believers present are invited to the Lord's Table. It is not appropriate for the bride and groom alone to receive communion during the wedding service. The ministers will be glad to explore other alternatives with the couple.
The ordained ministers of the church staff have the final authority in all decisions and policies.
Keys
The couple is responsible for making arrangements to pick up the church keys no later than the Thursday prior to the wedding, before the church office closes. All personal items and floral arrangements should be removed within an hour after the wedding. The keys must be returned to the Wedding Coordinator following the wedding.
Fee Schedule
Please contact the church office for a copy of the fee schedule.
Conclusion
Our church staff is here to help make your wedding a Christian service of worship that celebrates God's love in our lives. If you have any questions about the policies or guidelines, please contact the Church Administrator or one of the ordained ministers. May God bless your marriage as you establish a new home together.
