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Wedding
Planning Information
Theological
Preface
One of the most profound occasions
in the lives of two people is their wedding -- an act of worship in which
the couple covenants with one another to live in faithfulness and obedience
before God.
We
believe that marriage is a gift of God, that the vows a man and a woman
make to love and
 serve
one another mirror the faithfulness of God to all God's children. Our
church considers the wedding ceremony to be a spiritual and sacred act,
since it is "instituted of God, regulated by God's commandments,
and blessed by our Lord, Jesus Christ."
It
is our desire to join in making your wedding an experience that you will
be able to draw on in the days to come, and that it will sustain you in
the difficult times as well as the good.
We
are pleased to offer our services and the facilities of Brownson Memorial
Presbyterian Church to all its members and to others in accordance with
the policies and regulations approved by the Session and cited in this
information.
It
is important that you set a date and reserve our facilities as early as
possible for the wedding and the wedding rehearsal. It is also suggested
that, since many people are involved (ministers, organist, attendants,
wedding director, sexton, and decorators) dates and hours be strictly
followed.
 Counseling
Counseling
is considered by our church to be an important factor in the establishment
of a Christian home. Therefore, it is necessary that you make arrangements
with a Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church Minister for a period of
counseling prior to the wedding date.
Arrangements
After
you have decided upon the date or appropriate dates, you should inform
the Administrative Assistant of the dates and times for the rehearsal
and the wedding or by completing the Wedding
Information Form. If you are not a member
of our church, your Wedding Information form will be presented to the
next scheduled Session meeting for Session approval. After this process,
the wedding dates, etc., will be confirmed with you. We will contact one
of our own Wedding Directors who will call you to work out a time for
a planning meeting.
If
your plans include a guest minister, you must obtain prior approval from
the Session of BMPC. If your plans include guest musicians, approval of
the Music Committee must be obtained through the Director of Music Ministries.
You
are free to have your own wedding planner, but Brownson's designated Wedding
Director must be present and compensated for her work planning, at the
rehearsal, and at the wedding.
Should it be
necessary that the date and time be changed, the concurrence of the
above groups must be obtained through our Administrative Assistant.
Rehearsals
We recommend, even in the simplest weddings, that you arrange
for a rehearsal. If there are several attendants, a rehearsal is required. Date and time of the rehearsal should be pre-approved with the church
office. This information should also be placed on your Wedding Information
form. Typically, a rehearsal takes approximately one hour.
Music
You will no doubt want to have music for your wedding. Not only is this traditional, it is a means of expression and worship. A wedding is no exception. In compliance with The Book of Order, only
music suitable for a worship occasion should be considered. The
Director of Music Ministries will be consulted concerning music to be used.
The
Director of Music Ministries, Michael S. Howe, also has a list of soloists
and other musicians and their fees for your consideration.
Decorations
The furnishings and symbols of the Sanctuary make it a
place of dignity with a sacred atmosphere. We feel it cannot be enhanced
by elaborate decorations. We ask that you consider the following:
- We
recommend simplicity of decorations.
- No
pews or other furniture may be moved.
- No
symbols or paraments may be removed or covered.
- The
piano may not be removed from the Sanctuary.
- The
florist/wedding party should remove all decorations immediately following
the wedding unless arrangements have been made through the church office
to leave the chancel flowers for the Sunday service.
- If
candles are used, extreme care should be taken to protect the floor
and furnishings from dripping wax.
- No
rose petals or any other flower petals may be scattered on the floor.
Any
variations in these policies must be approved by the Session.
The
following are available for your use through the church:
- A
variety of candlesticks and candelabra. The Wedding Director will be
able to show them to you and discuss candles and their costs.
- Pew
end candles and hurricane lamps.
- A
white aisle runner, if available, for a $40 fee. (Fees may be charged
for breakage.)
- Additional
items such as unity candle holder, kneeling bench, etc., may be secured
through a florist.
Reception
Depending upon the wedding date, the following facilities
may be available if a reception at Brownson is desired:
Fellowship Hall and/or the Atrium. Use of these facilities
must be arranged at the time of approval of the wedding.
Additional fees to cover operating expenses and clean up will be
agreed upon in advance for the use of facilities.
Please note that
the above facilities may not be available for receptions due to
regular church functions.
Availability of Rooms
When a wedding date is approved, it is
customary that spaces also are made available for the wedding party to
dress. This needs to be discussed with the Wedding Director and/or Administrative
Assistant in order that appropriate space be reserved.
Miscellaneous
Rules and Regulations
- Photographic
equipment is not to be used in the Sanctuary during the processional,
ceremony, or the recessional. Photos may be taken in the Narthex. Video
and time exposure photography is allowed from the balcony only and with
no lights.
- No
rice is permissible. Bird seed is allowed outside.
- No
alcoholic beverages can be served on the church premises at any time.
Immediately prior to both the rehearsal and the wedding, it is expected
that the members of the wedding party will refrain from the use of alcoholic
beverages.
- Smoking
is not permitted inside any church facilities.
- No food or drink are permitted inside the Sanctuary.
- The
Church Office does not prepare wedding programs (bulletins).
We
wish you much happiness in planning your special day. Please do not hesitate
to call with any questions or if you should need assistance.
Fee
Schedule
Minister(s):
Members - Provided the bride or the groom is a member of Brownson (or the
child of a member), no fee or honorarium is necessary.
Non-Members -
A
fee of $250.00 is charged. This includes counseling, rehearsal, and wedding.
Brownson
Organist, Michael S. Howe: $250.00 - Includes a planning meeting,
rehearsal, and wedding. Practice with soloist or other musicians may entail
additional fees agreed upon in advance.
Brownson
Wedding Director, Jennifer Berk: $175.00 - Includes a planning meeting,
rehearsal, and wedding (arrival two hours prior to ceremony). Additional
time or services provided by the Director may entail additional fees agreed
upon in advance.
Church Sexton, Michael Blue: Sanctuary $150.00 - Includes set up
for rehearsal and clean up after wedding (not including florist items). This fee does not include a reception.
Rental
of Church: Members - No Fee. Non-Members: Sanctuary - $750.00
Payment
is made at the rehearsal by check made payable to each individual. With the checks in separate envelopes, the Wedding Director will be
happy to disburse the checks for you.
Rental
fee for Reception in the Atrium and/or Fellowship Hall will be agreed
upon and paid prior to wedding.
Wedding
Reservation and Application Form
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