weddings
at grace st. mark's
presbyterian church
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the wellbeing of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community.
—Book of Order W-4.9001 The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
We are pleased that you desire to be married in the beautiful sanctuary of Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church and provide this policy as a means of insuring that your wedding ceremony will be one that reflects the best of our Christian tradition. Please carefully read the policy, so that you may know from the beginning what is expected of you and what you can expect from our staff.
All aspects of your wedding service at Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church will reflect the religious nature of Christian marriage. The Pastor will schedule pre-martial counseling and will officiate at your service. The Pastor is responsible for the wedding and will plan the service in consultation with the bride and groom, organist and Wedding Coordinator.
Rehearsal
One hour is allotted for rehearsal. Rehearsals are scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before your wedding (or Thursday if your wedding is scheduled for Friday). Rehearsals begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.; therefore, we would like brides and grooms to emphasize to the other participants that everyone needs to be on time for the rehearsal. We suggest that all participants arrive at the church at 4:45 p.m. You should bring your marriage license, unity candle and stand (if using one) and programs to the rehearsal.
Music Guidelines
Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church has a long tradition of quality organ music. The Pastor will present the bride and groom with appropriate music available for the wedding service. Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church. The Pastor has final approval of all music performed before and during the service.
Grace St. Mark’s regular church organist or a designated substitute shall play for all weddings. Additional instrumentalists or soloists may be contracted by the bride and groom with approval from the officiating minister. Please note these musicians shall be under the direction of the organist of Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church. Extra fees with the organist may be incurred to cover rehearsal times with instrumentalists or soloists.
Wedding Decorations
The primary use of the Sanctuary is for congregational worship. The principal service is on Sunday morning. Liturgical decorations that may be in place at the time of your wedding will remain in place.
For safety reasons, runners, candelabra and wagons are not allowed. Any other wedding accessories, i.e. unity candle and stand etc., must be obtained by the bridal couple and cleared in advance with the Wedding Coordinator.
Flower arrangements are permitted. Arrangements must be tasteful and no larger than standard “altar” arrangements. Floral arrangements should be prepared by the florist before being brought to the church.
The baptismal font may not be obscured from full view of the congregation. The font may not be used for decorations.
The pulpit area shall not be decorated or obscured from full view of the congregation. They may be used for the reading of the Bible and the proclamation of the Word of God.
Bows and such denoting reserved seating for special guests may be tied to the pews. No other decorations may be affixed to any of the church furnishings including doors.
Photography
The environment of the wedding service is one of worship. For this reason, pre-service photos such as staged photography and videotaping in the Sanctuary and on church grounds must conclude no later than thirty minutes prior to the service to allow the bride and groom and their wedding party adequate time to prepare for the service.
No additional lighting may be used during the service. In no way may a photographer and/or videographer disrupt the service.
Professional photographers and/or videographers are required to consult with the Wedding Coordinator regarding placement during the worship service.
Flash photography is not permitted during the service. Every effort should be made to let wedding guests know that picture taking and filming is limited to the professionals hired by the bride and groom.
Church Facilities Access
The Sanctuary will seat 777 people. The Sanctuary will be open for your guests’ arrival 30 minutes before the start time of your wedding.
The dressing room(s) will be available to you two hours before the time of your wedding and no more than one hour following the conclusion of the wedding service.
When arranged through the Grace St. Mark’s Wedding Coordinator:
Time will be provided on rehearsal day to decorate the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary will be available to the wedding party’s vendors, such as the florist, photographer, and videographer, before the ceremony begins.
Purpose
Our church facilities are for the worship of God through the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by functions which encourage those ideals. The facilities of the church belong to the congregation which encourages those ideals which have placed them under the care of the session. These facilities may be made available to approved non-church functions/not for profit organization as an expression of our Christian faith and involvement in support of community activities.
The following policies have been established in order that we may have an orderly and clean environment in which to worship, pray, fellowship, and meet.
For more information, including fees and official request forms,
please contact the office:
[email protected]
Questions for Rev. Lori Lynn Wolford can be directed to:
[email protected]
—Book of Order W-4.9001 The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
We are pleased that you desire to be married in the beautiful sanctuary of Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church and provide this policy as a means of insuring that your wedding ceremony will be one that reflects the best of our Christian tradition. Please carefully read the policy, so that you may know from the beginning what is expected of you and what you can expect from our staff.
All aspects of your wedding service at Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church will reflect the religious nature of Christian marriage. The Pastor will schedule pre-martial counseling and will officiate at your service. The Pastor is responsible for the wedding and will plan the service in consultation with the bride and groom, organist and Wedding Coordinator.
Rehearsal
One hour is allotted for rehearsal. Rehearsals are scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before your wedding (or Thursday if your wedding is scheduled for Friday). Rehearsals begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.; therefore, we would like brides and grooms to emphasize to the other participants that everyone needs to be on time for the rehearsal. We suggest that all participants arrive at the church at 4:45 p.m. You should bring your marriage license, unity candle and stand (if using one) and programs to the rehearsal.
Music Guidelines
Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church has a long tradition of quality organ music. The Pastor will present the bride and groom with appropriate music available for the wedding service. Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church. The Pastor has final approval of all music performed before and during the service.
Grace St. Mark’s regular church organist or a designated substitute shall play for all weddings. Additional instrumentalists or soloists may be contracted by the bride and groom with approval from the officiating minister. Please note these musicians shall be under the direction of the organist of Grace St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church. Extra fees with the organist may be incurred to cover rehearsal times with instrumentalists or soloists.
Wedding Decorations
The primary use of the Sanctuary is for congregational worship. The principal service is on Sunday morning. Liturgical decorations that may be in place at the time of your wedding will remain in place.
For safety reasons, runners, candelabra and wagons are not allowed. Any other wedding accessories, i.e. unity candle and stand etc., must be obtained by the bridal couple and cleared in advance with the Wedding Coordinator.
Flower arrangements are permitted. Arrangements must be tasteful and no larger than standard “altar” arrangements. Floral arrangements should be prepared by the florist before being brought to the church.
The baptismal font may not be obscured from full view of the congregation. The font may not be used for decorations.
The pulpit area shall not be decorated or obscured from full view of the congregation. They may be used for the reading of the Bible and the proclamation of the Word of God.
Bows and such denoting reserved seating for special guests may be tied to the pews. No other decorations may be affixed to any of the church furnishings including doors.
Photography
The environment of the wedding service is one of worship. For this reason, pre-service photos such as staged photography and videotaping in the Sanctuary and on church grounds must conclude no later than thirty minutes prior to the service to allow the bride and groom and their wedding party adequate time to prepare for the service.
No additional lighting may be used during the service. In no way may a photographer and/or videographer disrupt the service.
Professional photographers and/or videographers are required to consult with the Wedding Coordinator regarding placement during the worship service.
Flash photography is not permitted during the service. Every effort should be made to let wedding guests know that picture taking and filming is limited to the professionals hired by the bride and groom.
Church Facilities Access
The Sanctuary will seat 777 people. The Sanctuary will be open for your guests’ arrival 30 minutes before the start time of your wedding.
The dressing room(s) will be available to you two hours before the time of your wedding and no more than one hour following the conclusion of the wedding service.
When arranged through the Grace St. Mark’s Wedding Coordinator:
Time will be provided on rehearsal day to decorate the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary will be available to the wedding party’s vendors, such as the florist, photographer, and videographer, before the ceremony begins.
Purpose
Our church facilities are for the worship of God through the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by functions which encourage those ideals. The facilities of the church belong to the congregation which encourages those ideals which have placed them under the care of the session. These facilities may be made available to approved non-church functions/not for profit organization as an expression of our Christian faith and involvement in support of community activities.
The following policies have been established in order that we may have an orderly and clean environment in which to worship, pray, fellowship, and meet.
For more information, including fees and official request forms,
please contact the office:
[email protected]
Questions for Rev. Lori Lynn Wolford can be directed to:
[email protected]
