WEDDING SERVICES
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DOVER |
This church believes that Christian marriage is meant to be a high and holy experience, and must be entered into reverently, discreetly, and in the love of God. We encourage prospective brides and grooms to prepare faithfully for their new life together, and to that end we want to fill their wedding service with meaning and beauty.
Because First Baptist Church of Dover is an organization dedicated to following Christian ideals and principles, it is felt that the facilities of First Baptist can best be utilized by persons seeking to be married who are also Christian in commitment. Weddings solemnize the joining together of a man and a woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted of God, and signifying the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church.
It is our aim to exalt a Christian marriage and to give dignity to the service. To do this, we have set forth the following policies and procedures for the conducting of wedding services in the First Baptist Church.
Please read these guidelines carefully. The pastor will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We desire to be of help to you and will assist you in making this a beautiful and reverent occasion in your life.
PLEASE NOTE:
It is necessary to confer with the pastor concerning the date and hour for the ceremony before any announcements are made.
Before any couple is married in the church, they must meet with the pastor prior to the date of the wedding. It is understood that arrangements for the wedding are tentative until after the first contact with the pastor.
Generally, this first contact ought to be made at least six months prior to the tentative date for the wedding.
A Christian wedding is more than a ceremony conducted by a minister and held in a building set apart for worship. It is a solemn, yet joyful observance, in which a man and woman publicly declare before God their lifelong love and faithfulness. The marriage service, therefore, ought to be carefully planned. It is not simply a display of pageantry and beauty, but a significant and holy celebration of spiritual commitment. In the celebration of a wedding, there are many delightful and traditional accompaniments which enhance the beauty and joy of the occasion.
To assist those planning a wedding at First Baptist Church, Dover, the following guidelines and information are provided:
SCHEDULING
In order to avoid any scheduling conflicts or disappointments, it is necessary to contact the church office well in advance of your planned wedding.
Weddings may be arranged for any time which does not interfere with the regularly scheduled services and responsibilities of the church. Friday and Saturday weddings are most common. Consideration must be given to the custodial time required in preparation for the wedding and the clean-up afterward. Time must be allowed for preparation for Sunday’s services.
You may obtain an APPLICATION FOR USE OF CHURCH FOR WEDDING SERVICE from the church office. Once it is completed, the application must be returned to the church office with a non-refundable deposit to secure your desired date.
OFFICIANT
It is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Dover, who officiates at all weddings held in the church. It is understood that he will have the responsibility of determining the propriety of any marriage to be held in the church, based on the teachings of the Bible. In special circumstances, it is possible to arrange with the pastor for some other minister of the gospel to assist in the wedding service.
PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING
All persons to be married at First Baptist Church, Dover, must conscientiously participate in a program of pre-marital counseling with the pastor. Usually this involves four sessions with both the prospective bride and groom. These sessions will utilize the PREPARE-ENRICH INVENTORY, a pre-marital program for building strong and growing relationships. Assignments for personal study will be given and are expected to be carefully fulfilled, as well as all agreed upon counseling dates and times. The PREPARE-ENRICH INVENTORY requires a $35 processing fee, and is payable at the first counseling session.
These pre-marital sessions will also offer the bride and groom an opportunity to construct their own personal wedding service. The pastor will provide couples with appropriate guidelines and resources and recommendations. The cost of these pre-marital sessions is included in the pastor’s fee.
When, in special circumstances, some other minister of the gospel is asked to officiate in a wedding service at First Baptist Church, it is expected that such a minister will also provide suitable pre-marital counseling.
MUSIC
The organist of First Baptist Church, Dover, retains the “right of first refusal” for all weddings held at the church. In the event that the church organist is unable to provide for such a service, wedding couples are permitted to secure their own organist, with the understanding that the guest organist is competent to play the church organ and will be responsible for its use. Guest organists must arrange for a training session with our organist at least one month prior to your wedding date. The piano may be used in lieu of the organ.
If there is to be a soloist, the organist must be informed. Copies of all vocal music must be provided for the organist, at least one week in advance. There are also accommodations for the use of CD and/or Cassette Sound Track Accompaniments.
Music for the wedding is to be in keeping with the sacred nature of the ceremony. ALL music is to be approved by the organist and pastor at least one week in advance of wedding. The church organist or pastor will assist in securing a soloist and/or instrumentalist if the couple desires.
REHEARSAL
ALL participants in the wedding service must attend the rehearsal. While the ceremony itself is generally simple, the rehearsal is an important part of the preparation for your wedding. By paying attention to the details at the rehearsal, everyone will feel more at ease when the wedding actually takes place! Rehearsals will take approximately 75 minutes. It is expected that rehearsals will begin and end on time; in the event of late starts a portion up t the entire security deposit may be withheld.
Please note: At the conclusion of the rehearsal, the church will be closed. Any decorating of the sanctuary must be done prior to the rehearsal.
A valid Marriage License from the State of Delaware must be provided one week prior to the rehearsal.
BUILDING USE
The sanctuary of the First Baptist Church is ideally suited for a lovely wedding service. Like divine worship, a Christian wedding is also a religious service. Therefore, we encourage the use of modest decoration, flowers, and candles.
The church facility will be opened 2 hours prior to your wedding. It will be closed 1 hour after the conclusion of your wedding.
PLEASE NOTE:
Smoking is NOT allowed in any part of the church building.
Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted anywhere on the church premises.
It is expected that all participants in the wedding will conduct themselves in a reverent and civil manner throughout all areas of the church, at all times.
Reception facilities are not available to non-members.
Any rearrangement of church property must be approved by the pastor and returned to its original location
Food and beverages are NOT permitted in any rooms or hallways on the sanctuary level.
WEDDING PROTOCOL
Pictures — No flash photography is allowed during the wedding service, by either guests or official photographers. [Flash photography is permitted, however, during the processional and recessional,) The use of video equipment is also permitted, without spotlights. The pastor will inform photographers/videographers where they may position themselves in the sanctuary. The following statement must appear in your wedding program:
“We kindly request no flash photography or floodlight
video recording during the wedding
service”
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Rice-Confetti-Birdseed-Flower Petals
— These are NOT permitted at any location on the church property (inside or outside). May we suggest bubbles outside?
Decorations — Nothing may be attached to the walls of the entry, narthex, sanctuary, or parlor. All decorations must be removed and disposed of immediately after the service. Ribbons and floral arrangement on pews may not be attached with any adhesive substance. Duct tape may not be used for any purpose. No electrical/battery powered decorator lights are permitted in any part of the church building
Flowers — Floral bouquets, aisle runners, and decorations are the responsibility of the bridal party and should be arranged for with your own florist. If you choose to leave your flowers for the Sunday church service, please inform the church secretary as soon as possible, that we may include it on our flower calendar and an appropriate statement will be included in the church bulletin
Unity Candle — First Baptist Church has a beautiful Unity Candle stand available for weddings. Couples should provide their own candles,
Candles — Candles are permitted only in designated areas of the sanctuary. All candles must be dripless beeswax. To protect carpets, adequate floor coverings must be placed under all candles. Any use of candles (other than the Unity Candle) must have the advanced approval of the pastor. With the exception of the Unity candle, all other candles must be shielded with a glass globe (i,e, no open flame.)
Bulletins — Printed wedding bulletins may be arranged for with the church secretary. You are responsible for purchasing the bulletins of your choice, and seeing that the secretary has them and the information needed to prepare them two weeks prior to your wedding date.
WEDDING COORDINATOR
If you are planning to use a Wedding Coordinator at the rehearsal/wedding, the coordinator must meet with the pastor at least 48 hours prior to the rehearsal.
FEES
See the enclosed APPLICATION for the fees which have been established for church use. All fees must be paid in full, one week prior to the wedding. ALL fees are to be paid in cash only. A receipt will be provided for all cash received.
A Refundable Security Deposit ($100) is to be paid to the church. This deposit will be refunded 48 hours after your wedding. It will be retained by the church in the event of damage or abuse to the church property. or (b) any severe infraction to the policies and procedures stated in this WEDDING INFORMATION BOOKLET. Please note: a portion of the Refundable Security Deposit may also be retained in the event of a delayed wedding rehearsal because of late arrivals. (Make sure your wedding party arrives on time for rehearsal!)
PLEASE NOTE:
A non-refundable deposit of $125 must be paid in advance to reserve date.
Deposit must be paid with application.
Deposit will be returned if application is not approved.
