Worship Times: 9:00, 11:00am

Wedding Policies

We of First United Methodist Church are pleased that you have contacted us regarding your wedding. We are happy to help you in every possible way, so that your wedding will be a joyous and memorable experience. The following policies and procedures are designed to insure that your wedding service will be beautiful and appropriate for all concerned. A representative of the church will review this policy in detail with the bride or her representative. The bride or her representative and the church representative will initial each page of the policy as it is discussed to signify an understanding of the terms. The bride will receive a copy of this policy and the original will be kept on file at the church.

Marriage

Christian marriage is a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. They fulfill each other, and their love gives birth to new life in each and through each. This union is possible when Jesus Christ is the basis and bond of unity. Christ becomes that bond of unity when the couple is centered on Him. Christian marriage confirms this grace-filled equality of female and male in Christ.

The Christian marriage ceremony is a Service of Worship before God, the direction of which is the responsibility of the pastor. Reverence shall be expected on the part of all participants.

Pre-Marital Consultation

The couple shall participate in a minimum of four hours of instruction and discussion relative to the privileges and obligations they will assume in Christian marriage at the direction of the pastor. It is the responsibility of the couple to schedule these sessions to be completed at least one month prior to the wedding.

Officiant

It is expected that a First United Methodist Church pastor will officiate at all weddings. If another is to officiate or co-officiate, a request shall be made to First Church’s pastor for approval. If approved, FUMC’s pastor will issue an invitation to the guest officiate.

Wedding Director

The FUMC Wedding Director will attend and take a leadership role in both the rehearsal and wedding. The director is familiar with the building, wedding etiquette, and the traditions of First Church. The FUMC Wedding Director will arrive 1.5 hours before the ceremony.

Consultation between the bride and the Wedding Director is required no less than one month prior to the wedding. The bride is responsible for scheduling this consultation.

Reservations

The Program Assistant is responsible for scheduling all weddings. A reservation is considered to be tentative until the signed Wedding / Reception Reservation Request Form and deposit are received. Tentative reservations will be held for two weeks. In the event of a need to cancel, deposits are refundable up to 60 days prior to the wedding. All forms must be completed in their entirety and returned to the Program Assistant no less than two months prior to the wedding date.

Wedding Location

The Sanctuary and Clayton Hall provide a reverent and beautiful wedding setting.

  • The Sanctuary provides a traditional, spiritual setting that can accommodate up to 725 guests.
  • Clayton Hall provides a more contemporary but equally beautiful setting that will accommodate 300 guests in theater seating.
Wedding Date

The facilities will not be available for weddings during the following times due to church programming and holidays:
  • Palm Sunday Weekend
  • Holy Week Easter Weekend
  • Thanksgiving Weekend
  • New Years Eve
  • New Years Day
  • Weddings in December are approved subject to church activities
In addition, the facilities will not be available for non-member weddings during the following times:
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend
  • Memorial Day Weekend
  • Independence Day Weekend
  • Labor Day Weekend
  • Month of December
Non-member weddings will be limited to no more than one per calendar month January through November and will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

Wedding Time

To ensure that all phases of your event progress seamlessly, we ask that all time schedules be noted and strictly adhered to.

Weddings that include a reception on-site will be scheduled no later than 6:00 pm. Weddings that do not include a reception at First United Methodist Church will be scheduled no later than 7:00 pm. The facility must be vacated no later than 9:00 pm.

Deposits

A deposit of half the total charges will be collected at the time a reservation is confirmed. The balance of the total charges is due one month prior to the wedding date.

Non-Member Weddings

In addition to the reservation deposit, a $300 security deposit is required for non-member weddings one month prior to the wedding date. This deposit will be refunded within two weeks following the wedding, provided there has been no damage to the facilities, all policies have been adhered to by all parties associated with the wedding, and the building has been vacated according to the policy guidelines.

A signed Facilities Use Agreement must be returned with the Wedding Reservation Form at the time the wedding is confirmed. Liability insurance naming First United Methodist Church as insured is required in the amount of $1,000,000. A copy of this policy must be received by FUMC one month prior to the wedding.

Care of Premises

All parties associated with the wedding are obligated to leave the building in the condition in which it was found. Church property shall not be injured, marred, or defaced in any manner. Any damage to church property will be the financial responsibility of the wedding party. The wedding party shall not attempt to make any repairs. Necessary repairs will be coordinated by First United Methodist Church and invoiced to the individual responsible for the wedding.

No rice, birdseed, confetti, sparklers, or bubbles may be used anywhere on the premises including sidewalks. No real flower petals may be thrown inside the sanctuary.

The chancel furniture will be removed for the ceremony by the church staff. Movement of any other furniture (including choir chairs), fixtures, kneelers, or musical equipment will not be allowed.

Tables, chairs, and other furnishings, which have been set up for the reception, may not be changed by anyone associated with the wedding. The Facilities Manager or Assistant must be contacted for any changesthat need to be made. Use of any church equipment must be approved by the church prior to use.

A $300 security deposit is required for non-member weddings one month prior to the date of the wedding. This deposit will be refunded within two weeks following the wedding, provided there has been no damage to the facilities and all policies have been adhered to by all parties associated with the wedding. Parties subject to these policies include the wedding party, guests, musicians, caterer, florist, photographer, videographer, and anyone else associated with the wedding.

Rehearsal

A rehearsal is necessary for most weddings and is usually conducted on the evening before the wedding. The rehearsal time should be scheduled with the Program Assistant at the time the wedding is confirmed. The rehearsal shall always begin at the appointed time as a courtesy to all involved. The doors to the sanctuary or Clayton Hall, as well as the east entrance off the parking lot, will be open thirty minutes prior to the rehearsal time.

Wedding Day

The church building shall be open three hours prior to the ceremony to allow sufficient time for the wedding party to dress and for pictures to be made before guests arrive. The FUMC Wedding Director will arrive 1½ hours before the ceremony.

The bride’s parlor, which is adjacent to the passage to the sanctuary, is available to the bride for dressing. The children’s choir room, which is in close proximity, is available for the bridal attendants. Location for the groom and his attendants to dress is dependent on the area designated for the wedding.

Food for the wedding party may be served prior to the wedding from the counter and adjacent table in Newman Center. The individuals providing the food should also clean up. It is understood that members of the wedding party will not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. No alcoholic beverages are to be served on church premises, including parking areas, at any time. The use of tobacco is prohibited inside the church facilities.

The bride and / or her family are responsible for all personal items of the wedding party brought to the church for use in the wedding or reception. While every effort will be made by the church to assist the wedding party in protecting personal property, the church will not be liable for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Reception

Clayton Hall is available for member wedding receptions only. Reception space is not available for non-member weddings. Clayton Hall can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests with table seating. Scheduling of the facilities should be coordinated with the Program Assistant.

Catering needs should be coordinated with the Food Service Director.

A diagram of the reception setup is required no less than five working days before the wedding. Furniture, musical equipment, or fixtures shall not be moved. Once the area has been setup, the reception furniture cannot be changed by anyone associated with the wedding. The Facilities Manager or Assistant must be contacted for any changes that need to be made. An individual or group using an outside caterer should note the caterer’s name, address, and telephone number on the Wedding/Reception Request Form. A fee will be assessed for a Food Service Representative to be present. In addition, the caterer must:
  • Sign an agreement to adhere to the Catering Policy
  • Provide a Certificate of Insurance
  • Use no church food
  • Provide dishes, serving pieces, tablecloths, and all other necessary equipment
  • Clean the kitchen, leaving no leftover food
  • Remove all trash

Flowers and Decorations

First United Methodist Church provides a place of dignity and beauty for weddings. Care should be taken to ensure that the decorations do not hide or obscure the Christian symbols.

Adherence to the guidelines for decorating the church is the responsibility of the person requesting use of the facilities. The florist / decorator should be made aware of the church policies and indicate a willingness to comply by signing a copy of the decoration guidelines. The church reserves the right to remove any items that are not consistent with this policy.

The florist should schedule a time with the church.
The church sanctuary is typically open for decorating during the following times:
Friday – 9:00 am until 5:00 pm *
Saturday – 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

Clayton Hall is typically open for decorating during the following times:
Friday – 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm *
Saturday – 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

*Times may vary depending on funerals or memorials being held.

To prevent any schedule conflicts, decorating for the sanctuary as well as other areas of the church should be coordinated with the FUMC Program Assistant respective of other events that may be scheduled at the facility. The church staff will not be available to assist with decorating.

Please note that the facilities temperature will not maintain flowers overnight. The coolers / refrigerators in the church are not available for use.

Specific Decoration Guidelines:
  • Decorations should be limited to the sanctuary and reception area only.
  • In preparation for the service, the church staff will remove all chancel furniture except the altar, place steps in front of the platform, and place the wedding kneeler on the platform. Movement of any other furniture, fixtures, or musical equipment will not be allowed.
  • Chairs cannot be removed from the choir loft.
  • All equipment must be furnished by the wedding party including candelabras.
  • Dripless candles are required. The floor and furnishings around the candles must be thoroughly protected with candles being placed at least one foot from any woodwork or furniture. Special precautions should be taken to prevent candles from igniting adjacent foliage or paraments.
  • Decorations shall not be fastened to the pews, woodwork, or other furnishings in a manner that would mar the surface. Nails, screws, tape, glue, and tacks are prohibited.
  • Decorations shall not be placed on the organ console or piano, or placed in such a manner as to obstruct the musicians’ view of the wedding party.
  • Candles may be placed in the windows if they are covered by glass shades.
  • All decorations, flowers, plants, and equipment must be removed from the church building immediately following the service. The church will not be responsible for anything that is left following the ceremony. The church must be completely vacated no later than 9:00 pm.
  • Arrangements for flowers to be used by the church on Sunday should be made in advance with the Administrative Assistant.
  • The dropping or throwing of real flower petals is prohibited in the sanctuary. No rice, birdseed, confetti, sparklers, bubbles, etc may be used or thrown inside or outside the facilities including sidewalks.

Music

A church wedding is a service of worship. The same standards of musical and theological integrity applied to Sunday morning worship also apply to wedding ceremonies at First United Methodist Church. Music used before and during the wedding ceremony should be chosen with attention paid to the sacred nature of the covenant made before God. It is important to discuss musical selections with the Minister of Music and Worship Arts early in the planning process to avoid any misunderstandings. No less than one month prior to the wedding date, the Minister of Music and Worship Arts must have been consulted and have approved all musical selections used before and during the ceremony and at receptions held on church property. In addition, a list of all participants needing audio equipment is required at the time of the consultation with the Minister of Music and Worship Arts.

Vocal music with sacred texts and sacred instrumental music is most appropriate. Standard classical repertoire is appropriate, as well. Non-sacred music may be allowed with or without lyrics at the discretion of the Minister of Music and Worship Arts.

No recorded music will be allowed before or during ceremonies held in the Sanctuary.

Services of the church Organist are included in the wedding fee. If the Organist is not available, the Minister of Music and Worship Arts will arrange for a substitute organist that is familiar with the instrument.

The bride will purchase sheet music that is not owned by the Organist and has been approved for use in the wedding. If a piece is non-classical in style, such as pop, jazz or contemporary Christian, a recoding will also be purchased and given to the organist. No less than two weeks before the wedding date, the bride will deliver to the organist any necessary sheet music and recordings.

Piano may be used, and instrumental ensembles are allowed when approved by the Minister of Music and Worship Arts.

If a soloist is performing, it is the bride’s responsibility to ensure that arrangements are made for the soloist and organist to rehearse prior to the wedding rehearsal.

Sound and Lighting
  • FUMC reserves the right to deny the use of any projected material or music deemed inappropriate for a church setting.
  • A church technician will set all microphones and control all sound and lighting for wedding ceremonies. Video projection and audio services are available for receptions in Clayton Hall. An additional fee will be assessed for a trained technician from FUMC. Neither audio nor video capabilities are available for use without a trained technician from FUMC.
  • Materials for projection, such as photographs, videos, or computer presentations, and audio requirements, such as the number of microphones needed, scheduled music groups or instrumentalists, or background music from a CD must be submitted to FUMC no less than thirty days before the event. Items for projection must be submitted on a CD, portable USB drive or other digital format with clear instructions and descriptions of their desired use.

Photography / Videography

The church will be open three hours prior to the wedding for photographs. Because a wedding is a Service of Worship before God, every effort is made to maintain an atmosphere of reverence.
  • Once the music begins, no flash photography will be allowed by family, guests, or commercial photographers. Video taping of the ceremony must be unobtrusive.
  • All photographs or videos must be made from the balcony or from the back of the room once the ceremony has begun.
  • If photographs are being made prior to the ceremony, all photography must be completed at least 30 minutes before the music begins.
  • FUMC video equipment is not available for use by outside videographers.
The photographer and/or videographer must agree to the terms of this policy in writing at least two months prior to the wedding.

Marriage License

The couple is responsible for obtaining the marriage license, bringing it to the rehearsal, and leaving it with the pastor. Requirements for a license in the state of Tennessee are:
  • Bride and groom appear together at the County Courthouse
  • Documents required for each individual include:
    • Driver’s License, state ID, or passport
    • Social Security numbers
    • For aliens, Birth Certificate (translated into English), visa, green card or passport
    • Information regarding the parents: full names (including mother’s maiden name) and state born in
    • Date of divorce or spouse’s death if either party has been married before
  • Cost is $34 with Certificate of Completion for Premarital Preparation Course and $94 without certification
  • There is no waiting period if both parties are over the age of 18
  • No blood tests are required
  • License is good for 30 days and may be used anywhere in the state of Tennessee
For further information, contact the licensing authority at the County Courthouse.

Other Information

This policy and associated fees are subject to change at the discretion of the pastor and church administrator.