Wedding Policies and Fees

Salem likes weddings! We hope that we can work with you so that you can have the best wedding possible. There are just a few items of which you need to be aware:

At least three sessions of premarital counseling by the pastor are required. These will be scheduled with the pastor in consultation with the future bride and groom. Also, the current church musicians may not be available to play the organ. Accompaniment with keyboard and flute, guitar or soprano saxophone is offered. Guest organists are welcome, with permission of the pastor and/or music director. The musicians shall be able to exercise their prerogative to decline their services if they feel that they cannot meet the needs or desires of the wedding party.

The sanctuary seats a maximum of 99 persons, according to fire regulations. Up to 99 additional persons may be seated in the educational area to the right of the sanctuary, although visibility and comfort may be limited in this area. Up to 99 persons may use the Nehouse Hall downstairs at any given time.

No use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco will be permitted on church premises. Use of bird seed or rice is prohibited on church grounds. There will be no flash pictures permitted during the service, from the time the bride arrives at the altar until the final blessing. (Pictures of the processional and the kiss are encouraged!)

Every effort will be made to accommodate full members of Salem who wish to be married in our church and/or by our pastor. We do not charge a set fee to members for building use or pastor, as it is assumed that members are already supporting the ministry of the church by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service. However, both members and non-members will be asked to pay for the services of our musicians and sexton.

Non-members of Salem will be accommodated when possible, although the pastor reserves the right to not perform a non-member wedding if he or she believes it to interfere with other church activities or priorities.

Schedule of Suggested Donations (* indicates minimum suggested)

	Non-Member		Member
Use of Church for Wedding	$100.00*		Donation
Pastor	$50.00*		Donation
Musicians at service (includes 15 min. prelude, processional, recessional and one solo)	$100.00		$100.00
Musicians per rehearsal	$25.00		$25.00
Sexton to clean church	$25.00*		$25.00*
Use of Nehouse Hall for Reception	$100.00		Donation
Sexton to clean Nehouse Hall for Reception	$25.00		$25.00

These policies were approved by Salem's Administrative Board. For more information, please click here to e-mail our pastor or call the church at 301-972-1804.