Cokesbury United
Methodist Church is happy that you are having your wedding in our church.
We 
hope for your every happiness. The
church should be made as festive and
beautiful as it is possible to make it, but it should keep the atmosphere of a
church, a house of worship. It should be remembered that a church
wedding is a service of worship and consecration, a religious ceremony.
The bride-to-be has a wide range of choices as to the kind of wedding she will have. It may be a civil ceremony, or she may plan a home wedding with a sacred and impressive service, or she may choose to be married in a garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers. But if she chooses to be married at the altar of the church, then certainly no attempt should be made to change the church into a garden scene, or to move the furniture out to make room for an elaborate florist display. For this type of display, the outdoors is suggested.
Questions are often asked concerning the arrangement of the church for weddings. The minister, Administrative Council and Worship Team have worked out a procedure for this particular church, which we are giving you to follow. We request you follow these policies in making arrangements for your wedding.
1. Upon request, a member of the Worship Team will be glad to be at the church to give needed assistance in making decisions regarding use of our church.
2. Permission for use of the church should be obtained from the minister so the church calendar can be cleared. This includes use of other facilities as well. We ask that the following requests be followed without deviation.
3. There will be no smoking anywhere in the church building.
4. Rice is not to be thrown in the buildings or on the property. Birdseed may be thrown outside of the buildings. However, consider the use of bubbles as a clean, safe option.
5. No alcoholic beverages of any kind may be served on the church premises.
6. Counseling must be set up with the minister prior to the wedding. Six to eight scheduled appointments are the minimum required. The pastor determines schedules of the counseling sessions. These are spread out over a three- to four-month period, and consideration of that period should be a priority before the date of the wedding is established. Couples are expected to complete all the counseling materials and sessions.
7. If a guest minister is asked to perform the wedding, this should be cleared with the minister of this church, who will then issue a written invitation to the guest minister. The guest minister becomes responsible for counseling and seeing that the policies of this church are followed by the members of the wedding party.
8. Decorations
The flowers, palms, greenery and candelabras are to be placed so as not to hide the altar, pulpit, cross, etc. None of the official appointments of the chancel area (communion rail, pulpit, communion table, baptistry, etc.) are to be moved without permission of the pastor. All these areas are meaningful to any Christian and especially in the United Methodist Church. If approval is given for moving any of the appointments, then they must be placed back in proper position following the ceremony.
Scotch tape, thumb tacks, staples or anything that will mar the furnishings or building should not be used.
Bouquets on pews should be weighted with sand bags or tape that will not pull off the varnish.
Candles: A plastic covering (large enough to cover the area beneath the candle) must be placed on the floor to prevent candles from dripping wax on the carpet or floor. Of course electric candles do not need this attention. Candles should be snuffed out with the candle extinguisher -- not blown out.
Persons requesting use of the sanctuary are responsible for instructing the person decorating concerning these requests. This person will also be held responsible for any damage done to the furniture, cleaning candle wax from the floor, etc.
The florist or a
member of the wedding party is responsible for removing all decorations and
debris immediately after the wedding. If flowers are to be left in the
sanctuary for the use of the congregation, inform the pastor.
Where rooms are used for dressing, please be careful about pins, etc., being left on the floor, as small children may be playing there.
9. Fees
Members of the church who support the church with their tithes, offerings, prayers and presence and their immediate families are not charged to use the sanctuary or Fellowship Hall, but all other fees are to be paid by all wedding parties. The fees are:
Janitor -- $100
Minister -- $200 (if using Cokesbury's minister)
Organist or pianist -- $50
Sound technician -- $50
All others, non-members, those outside the church family and members not participating in the support of the church are charged the following:
Sanctuary -- $250
Fellowship Hall -- $150
Janitor -- $100
Minister -- $200 (if using Cokesbury's minister)
Organist or pianist -- $50
Sound technician -- $50
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required at the time of date approval. All other fees are due at the time of the rehearsal.
10. Receptions
If you plan to use the Fellowship Hall for a reception, please be sure the date is clear of any regular church activities.
If refreshments or a meal are served, the bride's family must be responsible for the use of the equipment in case of damage. Facilities used should be left clean and in order as they were found.
11. Closing the church
In the event the minister is not available to close the church for you, arrangements should be made in advance through him for closing and locking the church.
12. Music
If the church
organist/pianist is desired, please make arrangements through the church
minister. We 
request that music not conducive to a
Christian
wedding not
be used. A wedding is a sacred affair and should not be abominated by the
use of secular music.
We want your wedding to be one that you will remember with pride and respect for years to come. If any more information or assistance is desired, call (706) 798-2954, and we will be glad to serve you.
Every couple contemplating marriage should discuss the seriousness and sacredness of this relationship with their minister. Consequently, it is advisable that several interviews of at least one hour each be held with the minister prior to the wedding. These can be arranged by the couple directly with the minister. Please plan ahead so that such interviews do not conflict with wedding plans.
13. Photography and videotaping
Absolutely no flash photography during the ceremony. Arrangements must be made with the minister in charge for all photography and videotaping. Please inform your photographer and guests of this policy.
A copy of this policy should be given to your florist.
(Effective 4/15/05)
