Wedding Guidelines

 

The following guidelines are designed to under gird the spiritual significance of a Christian wedding performed in First Baptist Church of Mableton. As such, they apply to all persons engaging a minister of this church to officiate at a wedding or engaging any of the church facilities for a wedding activity.

 

PERSPECTIVE: The ministers and the facilities of First Baptist Church are available only for the celebration of a Christian marriage. For this reason, it is expected that all aspects of the wedding shall be consistent with the faith of this church. This includes the music, content, and other features of the ceremony itself; the dress, deportment, and the attitude of the wedding party; and the openness of the bride and groom to receive guidance and counseling from the minister.


APPROVAL: All requests for weddings involving a First Baptist Church minister and/or facility shall be accompanied by a written application setting forth all information requested. These are available in the church office. Commitment of facilities will be confirmed only after a counseling session with the bride and groom. Wedding invitations should not be ordered until after this session. Arrangements indicated on the application may not be changed without prior approval of the minister authorizing the wedding.


ADMINISTRATION: The Wedding Ministry Coordinator should be contacted regarding the wedding application, scheduling on ministerial and church calendar, reservation and preparation of facilities and payment of fees. All fees must be paid one month prior to the wedding date.

WEDDING DIRECTOR: The wedding director chosen should have full knowledge of the procedures of our church and ministers with regard to a Christian wedding. (A copy of these policies will be mailed to the wedding director.


DECORATIONS: For the protection of our buildings, it is necessary to rigidly enforce the following restrictions: No nails or tacks are permitted in connection with decorations. Only our furnished, drip less candles may be used. No decorations can be placed in windows, in aisles, or fastened to the pews. The pews reserved for families of the bride and groom may be designated by ribbons and/or flowers. In the case, the ribbon, flowers, or both may be fastened to the pew with a bow clip made for this purpose. No tape may be used on the pews. The florist, together with the applicant engaging the facility, will be responsible for all damages. The florist selected should be familiar with our wedding policies and procedures. (A copy of these policies will be mailed to the florist.) Flowers, greenery, or decorations not being left in the Worship Center for the church's use, must be removed immediately after the wedding by the florist or the wedding party.

Guidelines for the use of the Fellowship Hall for rehearsal dinners/receptions: A wedding party using the Fellowship Hall should abide by the regulations set forth above as to nails, tape, etc. Tables, chairs, and any other equipment used should be left clean and ready for the next group to use. The kitchen must be clean and all dishes washed and put away. After rehearsal dinners, garbage should be bagged and carried to the dumpster. If there is any damage, the caterer and the person engaging the facility will be held responsible. (A copy of these policies will be mailed to the caterer.


MUSIC: The music used in the ceremony should be appropriate selections for a Christian wedding and must be approved by the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Mableton. The bridal party should negotiate directly with the organist, pianist, soloist or instrumentalists regarding availability, expectations, and honorariums. The church organist and pianist may be engaged to play for rehearsals and weddings. A list of names is available, but fees are to be negotiated directly with the individuals who provide the services.

WEDDING PICTURES: Photographers/video photographers should keep in mind that the ceremony is a religious service. Photographers/video photographers must remain in the rear of the Worship Center. (An unmanned, stationary video camera may be placed in the choir loft.) One picture may be taken as the bride starts down the aisle, and one as the bride and groom make their exit. Timed exposures may be taken (without flash) during the ceremony. No other pictures may be taken during the wedding ceremony by amateurs or professionals. (A copy of these policies will be mailed to the photographer/video photographer.)

CONDUCT: The wedding parties using any facilities (the Worship Center, Chapel, Fellowship Hall, etc.) of First Baptist Church of Mableton should keep in mind that conduct while using these facilities should be of the highest Christian standard. Smoking and intoxicants are not permitted in any form in any of the church facilities. The policies of First Baptist Church of Mableton do not allow secular music or dancing in the Fellowship Hall. Rice, confetti, or any other materials may not be thrown inside any of the church buildings. Only bird seed or bubbles are acceptable outside the buildings. To avoid embarrassment, it is requested that these restrictions be called to the attentions of all members of the wedding party.

TIME: Wedding dates will be scheduled in accordance with the church calendar. Dates are to be submitted and approved by church staff. Once approved the wedding will be placed on the church calendar. Weddings are not usually scheduled for Sunday, Wednesday, or holidays.

EQUIPMENT: The following equipment is available for the use of wedding parties. (All brass items are of the finest brass by George Kock & Son.) The brass items are used for weddings in the Worship Center and Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church of Mableton. No equipment may be removed from the church premises for any purpose.

  • Twin Kneeling Benches 15 Candle Arch Candelabra (1)

  • 3 Candle Unity Candelabra (1) 29 Candle Tree (2)

  • 2 Candle Lighters/Snuffers 15 Candle Spiral Candelabra (2)

EXPENSES: In an effort to provide Christian weddings for our members, the use of our facilities is provided free to members of First Baptist Church of Mableton. When the bride, groom, or either set of parents are not members of First Baptist Church of Mableton the cost to use the Worship Center is $500.00, the Chapel is $150.00 and the Fellowship Hall is $150.00. Use of the facilities by non-members must be approved by the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Mableton.

The following fees are to be paid by all wedding parties:

1. Custodian: These fees are for setting up and cleaning facilities used. The church custodian and helper are the only people authorized to perform these duties. Outside cleaning services and wedding party members cannot be used.

  • $100.00 for the Worship Center

  • $100.00 for the Fellowship Hall

  • $75.00 for the Chapel

  • $75.00 for the Custodian Helper

2. Removal of chairs from the choir loft: $50.00

3. Sound Technician/Multi Media Technician: A member of the tech team of First Baptist Church of Mableton will be required for all weddings and rehearsals using the sound system for music and microphones and/or multi media presentations. You will be provided with a contact person who will make the arrangements for your sound needs. Costs are: $50.00 for rehearsal and $50 for the wedding.

4. Church Organist/Church Pianist: If the church organist and/or church pianist are required, a list of names will be provided so that you may contact them. The bridal party should negotiate directly with the organist/pianist regarding availability and fees. These fees will be paid directly to the person who provides your services.

5. Candles: There is no cost to use the candelabras. However, there is a cost of $1.00 per candle for the inserts used in the drip less candles.

Fees for using the church by non-members, custodian fees, chair removal fees, sound technician fees, and candle fees are to be paid to the Wedding Ministry Coordinator when the wedding information sheets are returned. The information sheets must be returned to the Wedding Ministry Coordinator no later than three months prior to the wedding. Checks should be made payable to First Baptist Church of Mableton.

There are No Exceptions to the above-mentioned policies