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Wedding Policies and Procedures
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
700 J. R. Miller Blvd. Owensboro, KY 42303
270-684-8879 fax 270-684-8839
sallie@fccowb.org www.fccowb.org
Congratulations! We rejoice as you take this important step in your life. Choosing a life mate is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Therefore, our congregation strives to make the wedding ceremony to be a deeply spiritual and sacred experience.
The celebration of marriage is an action of the Church as well as an event for a couple and their family and friends. At First Christian Church (FCC), it is our desire to create an atmosphere that allows the preparation time to be a period of growth, while developing an understanding of the commitment of Christian marriage. Remember, a wedding ceremony lasts about one half hour, whereas, a marriage should last a lifetime. The service itself should be a witness to the conviction that marriage was instituted by God and that God does indeed bless those who make a sacred covenant with one another in God's name.
The following guidelines are provided to assist couples and their families beginning to plan a wedding at First Christian Church. We hope, that with an understanding of the regulations and traditions of First Christian Church, your wedding will be one of beauty and dignity. Any questions can be directed to wedding hostess.
MAKING WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS
Arrangements for a wedding must be made through the wedding hostess, not the church secretary or minister. Church members may make a reservation at any time. Non-members may make a reservation no more than nine (9) months in advance. Please complete the attached wedding information form, make a copy for yourself and return the original with your deposit to the wedding hostess. Date, hour, services desired, etc. will be considered firm when these items are received and confirmed by the wedding hostess.
A minister on staff at FCC must be involved in the ceremony and conferences with that minister are required. If the couple wishes to have a minister who is not on this congregation's staff participate or officiate in the marriage service, the invitation to that minister will be extended by one of the ministers of FCC via the wedding hostess.
CHURCH WEDDING HOSTESS
The FCC wedding hostess may/may not assist with the wedding rehearsal and ceremony. A meeting with the FCC wedding hostess is required to discuss church policies, review the ceremony, and tour the facilities. The hostess is familiar with the equipment and other items FCC has available for use in your wedding. Any questions you have about your wedding should be directed to the wedding hostess. If the couple uses an outside wedding coordinator or planner, this person must work with the FCC wedding hostess to ensure compliance with FCC's policies and procedures.
TIMES FOR WEDDINGS
Weddings must be arranged at times which do not conflict with regularly scheduled services.
The wedding hostess or custodian will be available to open the church two (2) hours before the wedding and one half (1/2) hour before the rehearsal. The church can be opened earlier if arrangements are made ahead of time. There will be a fee of $25 per hour for every additional hour that the church must be opened.
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that the exact time indicated for the rehearsal and wedding be observed and care should be taken to have all members of the wedding party in their place at the time indicated.
THE FACILITY
The Sanctuary seats 449.
The main seating in the nave is 234 tight, 210 comfortably.
The trancepts downstairs seat 72. (north and south together)
The main balcony seats 48.
The trancepts balconies seat 77. (north and south together)
The pews at the back and side of the main nave seat 18.
The Atrium can be set up to accommodate up to 75 seated.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
The wedding ceremony is a religious service conducted by one of the minister and is under his/her supervision. The ceremony will be discussed with you in your counseling session.
THE REHEARSAL
Rehearsals are scheduled with the FCC wedding hostess. The minister performing the ceremony is in charge of the rehearsal and that minister shall direct the proceedings of the rehearsal in all its parts. Only the wedding party and immediate members of the family need be present at the rehearsal and are expected to be on time. The rehearsal usually lasts about one hour. Practicing the wedding music may not be done during the rehearsal unless arranged in advance and additional charges may apply.
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MARRIAGE LICENSE
The marriage license must be in the hands of the officiating minister before the ceremony. It is best to bring the license to the rehearsal, if one is to be held.
MUSIC
The Church Organist shall be used unless special permission is given for another organist. Piano may be used without special permission.
Taped music may be played but requires the hiring of a sound operator (see next paragraph). All music of the wedding must be compatible with the sacred nature of the ceremony. Appropriate solos may be used for the ceremony. All music should be discussed with the minister in advance.
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER/SOUND SYSTEM
Please inform your photographer/videographer of these policies. The taking of pictures must not detract from the wedding ceremony. The Minister and FCC wedding administrator must approve all plans for the use of photography, videography and the sound/light system. Only authorized persons may operate the Church’s sound/light system.
DECORATIONS
It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform those responsible for decorations of these policies.
Please check with the FCC Wedding Administrator for access to the church if time beyond normal office hours is needed.
Members may use the church’s candelabras. There are 6 candelabras with 7 candles on each piece. The Church’s tube candles must be used with the candelabras. Inserts for the candles are ordered for a nominal fee from the wedding administrator.
*Non-members must use a rental company for candelabra. Dripless candles must also be used for rented candelabra. Someone must always be present in an area where candles are burning. The use of hurricane lamps is prohibited.
The church will make its double kneeling bench available to those who wish to use it.
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NO DECORATIONS may be placed on the Communion Table and it may be moved back, but cannot be removed from the chancel.
All decorations must be removed from the building and grounds by the time of the next use of the building. Please check with the FCC wedding hostess for the specific time for your wedding.
DRESSING ROOMS
Dressing rooms for the wedding party will be available. These areas are to be left clean with all personal items removed after the ceremony. The wedding hostess will inform you of those areas to be used.
All rooms used must be left in the condition in which they were found. Should a spill occur, please report it to the FCC wedding hostess or custodian immediately.
THE RECEPTION/REHEARSAL DINNER
Arrangements for a reception/dinner at FCC can be made through the wedding hostess.
_ Members may use the equipment and furnishings in the kitchen area under the direction of the Kitchen Hostess (Hilda Nance).
_ Non-members must furnish everything necessary for the reception and are responsible for clean up.
_ All rooms, furnishings, and equipment must be left as found.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the church premises. Appropriate behavior is expected of all present.
All reception music must be void of vulgarity and the FCC Wedding Administrator should be consulted about music that may be used at the reception. No vulgarity is allowed in verse or dance.
A reception at the church should be concluded within four hours after the beginning of the wedding ceremony.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to make certain that the wedding party knows these rules.
Alcoholic beverages may not be used on the FCC premises at any time. No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs may take part in a wedding or rehearsal.
There shall be NO SMOKING inside this facility.
Consumption of food and drink is limited to the kitchen, atrium, and gym. Additional places must be approved by the FCC Wedding Administrator
No confetti, rice, or birdseed may be used. Bubbles are allowed only for outdoor use.
Dress should be in keeping with the church setting and be suitable for a religious ceremony.
FCC, its agents, representatives and members, shall not be liable for injury to persons or damage and loss to property occurring in or upon the Church property during the use of the facility. The Bride and Groom hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless FCC, its agents, representatives and members from any and all liability for any such injury or damage, caused by the acts of others.
For those concerned about safeguarding personal items during the ceremony, it is recommended that a security guard be employed for the service.
FEES
The property rental fees listed below do not apply to the members of First Christian Church, Owensboro.* Personnel fees are required from both members and non-members alike, except where noted. Any exceptions to these policies will be addressed by Church Staff.
Property Rentals Fees: NON MEMBERS
Sanctuary Wedding, Rehearsal, and Dressing Rooms $ 500
Atrium Wedding, Rehearsal, and Dressing Rooms $ 250
Sanctuary Wedding, Rehearsal, Dressing Rooms, and Large
Social Hall or Atrium Reception $ 625
Atrium Wedding, Rehearsal, Dressing Rooms, and Large
Social Hall Reception $ 375
Rehearsal Dinner (Kitchen and Dining Space) $ 185
Personnel Fees:
Minister’s Honorarium (Non-Members only) $ 185
Church Organist (no rehearsals) (Members) $ 185
(Non-Members) $ 250
Wedding Administrator
Wedding and Rehearsal $ 125
Wedding, Rehearsal, and Reception $ 185
Additional Services $ 15/hour
Custodial Services
Wedding only $ 125
Wedding and Reception $ 250
Rehearsal Dinner $ 125
Sound, Lights, and Recording Operator $ 25
Deposits:
A deposit in the amount of one-third of the total fees owed is required to be paid in order to reserve your wedding date on the church calendar. No date will be secure unless and until the above deposit is paid in full.
Additionally, a security deposit in the amount of $250 is required to be paid. The security deposit will be returned after the ceremony if the facilities are left in good order, as determined by the wedding administrator. The security deposit may not be applied to other fees. The balance of your fees and the security deposit must be paid at least 30 days before your wedding date. In the event of cancellation, all fees and deposits will be returned.
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