A wedding is one of the happiest and holiest moments in life. As two persons join their lives to establish a home, the Church rejoices with them and is eager to help make the occasion of their wedding beautiful and meaningful. It is not necessary for a wedding to be elaborate in order to be beautiful. The true beauty lies in the spirit and attitude of those who take part.
In the happy excitement of planning a wedding, many questions as to details arise. The following procedures are outlined to guide you in your planning. Please read them carefully so that the high standards of your Christian Marriage Ceremony may be carried out in an atmosphere of worship.
The ministers and staff of Richland Hills United Methodist Church wish to extend every possible courtesy to you.
I. FACILITIES AND FEES
Sanctuary (seating approximately 500) is available for weddings.
The Minister must be consulted before the wedding date can be placed on the church calendar. A damage deposit/reservation fee is required and will be returned after the ceremony if the sanctuary and church building are not damaged.
Requests for weddings reservations must be made six months in advance. Tentative reservations may be made by telephone. After the wedding information form is filed with the Administrative Assistant and the deposit is received, the date will be placed on the Church calendar and a Wedding Liaison will be assigned.
All fees and honorariums must be received in the church office no later than one month prior to the wedding rehearsal. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the wedding.
Wedding Package for Members:
$100.00 refundable deposit (post-dated to the day of the wedding)
(will be returned after the wedding if the sanctuary and church building are not damaged)
$1,000.00 includes required fees to be paid to RHUMC
(of which $130.00 is to be paid at the onset of the counseling.)
Wedding Package for Non-Members:
$200.00 refundable deposit (post-dated to the day of the wedding)
(will be returned after the wedding if the sanctuary and church building are not damaged)
$1,500.00 includes required fees to be paid to RHUMC
(of which $130.00 is to be paid at the onset of the counseling.)
Wedding Package for Mini Wedding:
$100.00 refundable deposit (post-dated to the day of the wedding)
(will be returned after the wedding if the sanctuary and church building are not damaged)
SEE INFORMATION ON DESCRIPTION OF MINI WEDDING
$300.00 includes fees to be paid to RHUMC but does not include fees for pastors or musicians.
(for mini wedding this includes use of facilities, the wedding liaison and custodian only)
(church will be available for 2 hours unless prior arrangements have been made)
II. MINISTER/COUNSELING
Four counseling sessions are required of all couples prior to the wedding. (The content has been established by the pastors and a private counselor, including sessions on communication, growth areas, expectations, finances, religion, spiritual life, etc.)
Two sessions are to be scheduled with a licensed professional counselor (Ms. Peggy Nix, 817-595-2520) who works with the pastoral staff.
The cost of the sessions to be scheduled with Ms. Nix is $130.00 of the wedding package fees and should be paid to Ms. Nix at the time the counseling begins.
The remaining two sessions are to be scheduled with the pastor conducting the marriage ceremony unless otherwise arranged.
If a minister other than one of the ministers of RHUMC is to officiate, the Senior Minister of RHUMC must first be consulted and a Wedding Liaison will be assigned. Accepted ministerial ethics provide a visiting minister officiate only with the approval of the Senior Minister of the Church and a clergy representative of RHUMC will participate in the service.
The United Methodist Church's Order for the Service of Marriage or the alternate text for the Service of Marriage is suggested. Any other service, or addition to these services, must be approved by the Senior Minister.
The officiating Minister will be in charge of the rehearsal unless the officiating minister designates someone else.
Counseling is not required for mini weddings but if you would like to use this counseling with Peggy Nix you may contact her on your on and pay that fee separately.
III. WEDDING LIAISON
RHUMC provides the services of a Wedding Liaison who assists the bride and groom in the planning and directing of weddings. She will coordinate the wedding details with the Church, Minister, and Bride/Groom. The Wedding Liaison will be available to unlock and lock the church and to assist the minister during the rehearsal and the wedding. The minister is responsible for leading the rehearsal. The liaison will also be available to coordinate and oversee the reception if held in the church, but she is not responsible for planning the details or serving. The Wedding Liaison will meet with florist/caterer/decorator the day of the wedding for set-up.
For mini weddings the Wedding Liaison will be available to unlock and lock the door and answer any questions on the day of the wedding.
IV. MUSIC
A wedding is a service of worship and in keeping with dignity of the service, appropriate music, both instrumental and vocal, should be performed in the context of the ceremony itself.
- The music must magnify the glory of God who created the love which exists between man and women. Secular songs are not appropriate in the spirit of this service of worship.
- The Director of Music should be consulted for all musical selections.
Musical Accompanist
- The church organist may be available to play for weddings if requested. Should the couple request another organist, he/she must be approved by the arrangements coordinator or senior minister.
- Other musical accompaniment is permissible if approved in advance by the Senior Minister or Director of Music.
Vocal Selections
- If there are any questions concerning the music, the Director of Music will be glad to counsel with the couple. Theme songs from movies or Broadway shows are not appropriate. Also, songs by pop music artists are not appropriate. This type of music is suggested to be played at the rehearsal dinner or at the reception. Music for your wedding should be selected at least six weeks prior to the wedding date.
V. PHOTOGRAPHS
We recognize the value of wedding photographs as a lasting remembrance and want to be cooperative, while keeping uppermost the necessity for maintaining the order, dignity and sacredness of the occasion. Photographs may be taken in the hall or narthex preceding the ceremony. Videotaping is permitted.
After the mothers are seated, the only pictures to be taken are the bride's entrance, the bride and groom's exit and other pictures from the rear of the sanctuary, using available light (without flash). This must be done in a way that will not disrupt the orderliness of the ceremony.
The wedding party may return to the altar immediately after the ceremony for as many pictures as they wish.
Photographers are cautioned about standing on or placing camera equipment on the church pews or other furnishing in such a way as to mar their surfaces.
Family and friends should be notified of these photography guidelines so that the service will not be disrupted.
VI. WEDDING DECORATION GUIDELINES
The Wedding Liaison is available to discuss any questions you might have.
- No decorations shall be used which will hide from clear view the worship symbols in the chancel. These include the Bible, the communion table, the pulpit, the lectern and the baptismal font. No furnishings may be moved, including banners, paraments or other items as may be in place during special seasons.
- Nails, tacks, staples, tape, pins or anything which will mar the woodwork or walls cannot be used.
- Wrapped wire or ribbon that will not mar the surface may be used on the ends of the pews to fasten bows.
- No candles (except unity) of any kind or any other decorations other than pew bows shall be used outside the chancel area (communion rail).
- Candelabras and votives will be furnished by the Church upon request. All candles must be of the votive type. There must be ample plastic material under all candelabras to protect carpets and furniture.
- No decorations may be used on any of the railings in the sanctuary.
- The Church Office must be called one week in advance to schedule a time for decorating after consultation with the Wedding Liaison.
- All decorations and equipment must be removed immediately following the ceremony.
- Decorations may be placed only on the day of the wedding unless otherwise arranged through the church office.
- The Church must be left in the same condition it was found. In case of damage, you will be held responsible for all charges necessary to repair damage.
VII. RECEPTION GUIDELINES
The Wedding Liaison is available to discuss any questions you might have.
- No church equipment, other than tables and chairs may be used.
- Nails, tacks, staples, tape, pins or anything that will mar the woodwork or walls cannot be used.
- Any candles used must be of the votive type and must have ample plastic material beneath it to protect the floor and furniture.
- Decorations may be placed in the church only on the day of the reception. All decorations and equipment must be removed immediately following the reception.
- Furniture for the reception will be arranged by the custodian and should not be moved. If special requests for furniture arrangements need to be made, this should be done in advance in consultation with the Church and the Wedding Liaison.
- No rice may be thrown in the Church, or on the steps or walks of the Church. It is recommended that birdseed be thrown outside the building.
- The reception area must be left in the same condition in which it was found. In case of damage, you will be held responsible for all charges necessary to repair the damage.
- If you are holding your reception in Reeves Hall you will need to fill out a Building Use Policy form, also. There are additional fees covered in that policy. All Saturday receptions must be completed and cleaned up by 3:30 p.m. to allow time for veritas. worship service set-up.
VIII. DESCRIPTION OF MINI WEDDING
A mini wedding is a small wedding that is held in the sanctuary only and does not have a dress rehearsal prior to the wedding. This would be a ceremony of vows only with minimum set up involved. The changing rooms are not available for a mini wedding. The sound system is also not available for a mini wedding. The wedding liaison will unlock and lock the doors and answer any questions that day. The attached checklist does not have to be filled out for a mini wedding. If a reception is desired additional fees and policies are available with the Building Use Policy (please contact church office for this information). If you require one of the pastors or any of the musicians to assist with your mini wedding, those fees are separate and are paid directly to the pastors or musicians.
IX. OTHER POLICIES
The Church will not be responsible for personal items brought to the church for use in the wedding or reception, nor shall the Church be liable for such items if lost, stolen or damaged.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY NOT BE SERVED ANYWHERE ON CHURCH PROPERTY, EITHER PRIOR TO, OR FOLLOWING, THE WEDDING/RECEPTION. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of wedding service and/or reception.
SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE CHURCH OR ON THE PREMISES. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of wedding services and/or reception.
All couples are responsible for reading each of the policies and passing that information on to the appropriate florist, caterer, or photographer, so that they may be aware of the procedures at RICHLAND HILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. |
