Regarding Your Wedding Ceremony

at Trinity United Methodist Church

The wedding Ceremony is one of life's most significant occasions.   Therefore, unhurried, careful planning is essential.   This is true whether the couple anticipates a service with only a few relatives and friends in attendance, or a sanctuary service with several hundred guests.

We are happy to make our church available to members of the public as well as to the members of the church.

The Christian wedding is a sacred covenant and those coming to the church for marriage will recognize the covenantal character of this Christian act.   Those who cannot in good conscience agree to this understanding are encouraged to seek secular assistance for their marriage.

The information found on these pages is designed to help those who desire to be married in a Christian service at Trinity United Methodist Church.   Before making arrangements for a wedding at Trinity, please read all the information carefully.

THE DATE :   Request a wedding date as early as possible so that it may be placed on the church calendar without a possibility of a conflict.   When you call the church, and the date is approved by the pastor, we will pencil your date in on the calendar. When we receive the Wedding Information Form we will officially put your wedding date on the calendar.   Please call to make sure the Form arrived at the church and it was received.

THE WEDDING CONFERENCE :   The pastor will set up several interviews/sessions with both of you.   These sessions will cover the details involved in preparing for the wedding ceremony.

THE REHEARSAL :   In most cases a wedding rehearsal is desired.   This is usually the day before the wedding.   Rehearsals at Trinity UMC take about an hour.  

THE MUSIC :   You are responsible for contacting the organist ! The organ prelude, processional, and recessional are the natural part of the wedding itself.   Appropriate music enhances the occasion by helping to create a mood of reverence and beauty.   Not everything is appropriate for a religious service such as a wedding.   Please discuss your desires for music with the church organist.   She will help you to choose music which is both meaningful and appropriate.   The use of a soloist must be cleared in advance with the organist and rehearsal arrangements will be made.   The church organist will play for all weddings.   When a guest organist is desired, it is with permission of the pastor and organist.

FLOWERS :   Altar flowers supplied by the florist of your choice are an appropriate colorful addition to your wedding.   Deliveries to the church should be made at least an hour before the service.   Please do NOT use tape, tacks of any kind on the walls or furniture (pews) of the church.   Flowers may be left for the worship services the following Sunday, if you wish.

MARRIAGE LICENSE :   The LICENSE needs to be given to the pastor at the rehearsal, for our peace of mind on the day of the wedding. The license is required by law to be in the pastor's hands before the ceremony can begin.

An AISLE RUNNER is not available from the church.   Florists can generally provide the runner.   A runner is required if a flower girl is to scatter real flower petals before the bride.   Please note:   the grates can be difficult to see under the runners and certain florist provide covers for them.

The BASEMENT/TOP FLOOR of the church is provided for the bride and her attendants to dress in, or to make last minute adjustments to apparel.

PHOTOGRAPHERS , professional or amateur, are welcome to take pictures before and after the wedding.   General time is allowed after the services to pose and capture photographic momentos.   No flash pictures may be taken in the sanctuary during the service.   Video taping done in a quiet and professional manner is welcome.

PROMPTNESS of the wedding party and guests at both the rehearsal and wedding ceremony is appreciated.

A RECEIVING LINE customarily is formed at the back of the sanctuary or outside (on ramp) after the wedding to grant guests the opportunity to congratulate the bride and groom.

BIRD SEED or BUBBLES are welcome to shower the happy couple.   Please use nothing else and keep the birdseed outside the building.

PARKING in the church parking lot (next to church on E.4 th St.) is available for guests.  

CANDLES :   The church provides altar candles.   Use of the candelabra's are available but for an additional fee.  

Getting Married at Trinity UMC?

Here's some things that shouldn't have to be said:

Please remember this is a house of worship.   The wedding ceremony is an act of Christian worship.   You and your wedding party will treat this place with due respect.   A wedding is a joyous occasion.  

•  Please do not sit on, or lean against the communion rail.

•  Please arrive at the rehearsal and the wedding sober.   Intoxicated members of your wedding party will be excused by the minister.

•  Please have someone responsible to watch over any small children

•  Photographers and videographers are NOT to block the aisle so that members of the wedding party must walk around them.   The pastor will stop the service and ask that they move.

•  Please refrain from using foul language while a guest in our church.

•  Alcoholic beverages are forbidden on church property by our church law.   Please, do not bring any alcoholic beverages to the wedding.

•  Please no smoking on church property including parking lot.