Our church is available for your wedding!

GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING CHURCH WEDDINGS

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Paducah, Kentucky

The Book of Order, Presbyterian Church USA (Form of Government section, G-10.0102[o]) empowers the individual church’s Session to ”provide for the management of the property of the church, including determination of the appropriate use of church buildings and facilities . . .” The Session is especially directed to emphasize the provision of Chapter 4, Section 9, Directory for the Worship of God (W-4.9), as follows:

“Christian marriage should be celebrated in a place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the minister and the supervision of the Session.” “Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church. The congregation may join in hymns and other musical forms of praise and prayer. Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance the worshipers’ consciousness of the reality of God.”

SCHEDULING OF WEDDING

Since it is a service of worship, our minister is responsible for the scheduling of a Westminster wedding. Wedding plans should be made well in advance so that the use of the church space can be arranged without conflict. Our Wedding Information Sheet must be filled out completely and returned to the church office within ten (10) days of reserving the church for the wedding. For non-members, a Wedding Fee of $250.00 for use of the sanctuary is to be paid when reserving the church.

No weddings may be scheduled during the following holidays:

Lenten Sundays

Palm Sunday weekend

Easter weekend

Holy Week

Thanksgiving weekend

Weekend before Christmas

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

MEMBERS - Members may schedule a wedding at Westminster per the recognized policies of our church and in consultation with the minister. The member, or close family member if the member getting married lives out of town, will consult with the pastor with plans for who will officiate and any expected pre-marital counseling.

NON-MEMBERS - Non-members may request that a pastor other than Westminster’s officiate. However, that person’s name must be submitted to our pastor for approval before the wedding may be placed on the church calendar. All recognized policies then apply.

COUNSELING - If Westminster’s minister is officiating he/she will counsel with the bride and groom. They shall be responsible for arranging a series of conferences with our minister to include discussion concerning their relationship with each other and with their respective families.

LOGESTICS

RITUAL – When performed by our minister, the classical Presbyterian Church USA marriage service is used. Couples desiring an alteration of this service should make this desire known in the initial interview with the minister. Presbyterian ministers are required to abide by certain regulations of the church. It is, therefore, imperative that any changes being made are done so under strict guidance of the minister.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER - Sometimes the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated at the close of the wedding service. When this is done, Session approval is required. The couple should not receive the sacrament to the exclusion of others present.

MUSIC – The purpose of the music for a Christian wedding ceremony is to set the mood for worship. Our minister must approve any music selections whether or not he/she will officiate the ceremony.

ORGANIST - Westminster’s organist is available to play for weddings in the church. If a guest organist or pianist is desired, Westminster’s Minister of Music Ministries must give permission. If consulted, our organist can recommend appropriate music. The organist fee (for members or non-members) is to be negotiated directly with the organist/musician(s) and is to be paid directly to him or her.

SOUND SYSTEM - Church personnel who have been trained appropriately will run the sound system. Person(s) running the sound system will attend both the rehearsal and wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEO - Please remember that a wedding is a service of worship. There shall be no flash photography during the ceremony. However, wedding videos may be taken from the balcony.

DECORATIONS - Florists are required to consult and clear with the church office prior to any and all decorations being placed in the church building. Decorations may not be attached to any of the pews, furniture or other woodwork by tacks, pins, tape or nails. Pew markers must be padded so as to protect the pews. No flowers may be placed on musical instruments. The florist or other designated persons must remove all decorations immediately following the ceremony.

Absolutely no glitter, confetti, rice or birdseed may be used anywhere in the building. Artificial rose petals are acceptable inside the building. Birdseed and bubbles are to be used outside the building. Everything brought in for the wedding is to be removed from the church the day of the wedding.

Decorations in the sanctuary from December 1 through January 9 may not be moved.

Only oil-filled or metal dripless candles may be used in our sanctuary. Westminster has available four standing brass candelabra and two tabletop candlesticks. If candles are to be used in the church windows, you may purchase inserts for those dripless candles from the church. Church personnel will prepare the candles. Please let us know well in advance what candles you will use so they can be made ready.

CUSTODIAL - The custodian is responsible for opening the church, turning on lights, having heat or air conditioning set for the rehearsal and to tidy up after the rehearsal. On the day of the wedding, the custodian will open the church, turn on heating or air conditioning, and turn on lights. Following the service, the sanctuary, bathrooms and parlor will be cleaned.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

No alcoholic beverages may be served on the church premises at any time.

Immediately prior to both rehearsal and wedding, it is expected that the members of the wedding party will refrain from using alcoholic beverages.

A changing area will be designated for both female and male members of the wedding party. The Parlor and the ladies restroom may be used as an assembly point for female wedding party members and for changing clothes. However, no hair spray or make-up is allowed in the Parlor. Male members of the wedding party may use the Inquiry Room or basement rooms.

RECEPTION

Wedding receptions at the church are available only to members. Members must make arrangements for their reception through the Wedding Committee. Please call the church to make an appointment with one of the Wedding Committee members to meet with you at the church to orient you or your caterer to Bunce Hall and the kitchen. If you use your own caterer, they are responsible for washing the dishes that are used and putting everything back in its place. All trash is to be removed and placed in the outside receptacle.

Please see fee schedule attached.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

WEDDING FEES

NON-MEMBER FEES

$ 250.00 This fee is for the use of the church buildings and is payable upon reservation. Additionally, this fee covers the following:

- Optional use of our wedding coordinator

- Optional use of the church’s standing brass candelabra and/or tabletop candlesticks

Westminster candlelight services require 56 dripless candle inserts for the windows. The expense of these particular candle inserts is additional. Inserts may be purchased from the church.

$200.00 Minister’s honorarium

(premarital counseling, rehearsal, ceremony)

$100.00 Custodial fee

$100.00 Sound equipment and operator

Fees for organist, other musicians and vocalists shall be negotiated and paid directly with/to the musician(s).

NOTE: If wedding plans are cancelled, $200.00 will be refunded.

MEMBER FEES

Use of the building No fee.

Minister’s honorarium No set fee. (Honorarium is optional.)

Custodial fees- Upstairs areas $100

Bunce Hall $100

Sound System No set fee for sound tech.

Fees for organist, other musicians and vocalists shall be negotiated and paid directly with/to the musician(s)

Application