Ministers' Wedding Policy

 

We are often asked about our policy concerning weddings.  We are honored to be asked to participate in such a significant event. The particular details of the ceremony itself are up to the couple and we attempt to accommodate their wishes.

While a wedding lasts for thirty minutes, the marriage is intended to last a lifetime. Thus, we seek to be of genuine assistance to a couple by offering 5 sessions of premarital enrichment. These sessions are positive in nature, and are not judgmental.  They are intended to help the couple make preparations for all of the adjustments that marriage brings.  Since the sessions need to be scheduled over a period of several weeks, we need at least two months notice to ensure that we will be able to schedule them before the wedding.

As part of the premarital preparation sessions we use an inventory called PREPARE.  This is the best researched, and most widely used, premarital tool available.  It has been used by more than half a million couples to guide them in their preparation for married life and can identify relationship strengths and potential areas for growth. The couple takes the inventory online. PREPARE, in turn, sends via email with a personalized analysis to the counselor for his use in the premarital sessions. The company charges $30 for the inventory.

Couples who plan to use our facilities for a wedding need to contact Brenda in the church office as soon as possible to reserve our facilities. There is no charge for church members to use our Auditorium or Annex, but they are responsible for cleaning up (which includes vacuuming) after the wedding and putting everything back in place. Another option is to contact Phil Cochran (679-2054) who does our cleaning and pay him if he is available.

In addition, our sound system must be operated by one of the workers who are trained to use it, so the couple will need to contact our deacon in charge of the Audio-Visual Ministry, Floyd Grindstaff, and make appropriate arrangements. Couples have the option of arranging for live music, or providing their own taped music.
 
Steve Teel and Will Tucker