Eusebia Presbyterian Church (EPC)
Wedding Policy
Introduction
We are very pleased that you are interested in having your wedding at EPC. EPC is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and, as a member, must comply with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order. The following are requirements of the Book of Order in regard to weddings.
Marriage
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage, a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed, and acknowledged by the community of faith. (Book of Order W-4.9001)
In preparation for the marriage service, the Pastor shall provide for a discussion with the man and the woman concerning:
1. The nature of their Christian commitment assuring that at least one is a professing Christian.
2. The legal requirements of the State of Tennessee.
3. The privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage.
4. The nature and form of the marriage service.
5. The vows and commitments they will be asked to make.
6. The relationship of these commitments to their lives of discipleship.
7. The resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in fulfilling their marriage commitments. This discussion is equally important in the case of a first marriage, a marriage after the death of a spouse, or a marriage following divorce. (Book of Order W-4.9002)
If the Pastor is convinced after discussion with the couple that commitment, responsibility, maturity, or Christian understanding are so lacking that the marriage is unwise, the Pastor shall assure the couple of the Church’s continuing concern for them and not conduct the ceremony. In making this decision, the Pastor may seek the counsel of the Session. (Book of Order W-4.9002)
Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the Pastor and the supervision of the Session. The marriage ordinarily takes place in a special service which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God and as an expression of Christian life. Others may be invited to participate as leaders of the service at the discretion of the Pastor. (Book of Order W-4.9003)
The service begins with scriptural sentences and a brief statement of purpose. The man and the woman shall declare their vows of love and faithfulness. The service includes appropriate passages of scripture, which may be interpreted in various forms of proclamation. Prayers shall be offered for the couple, for the communities which support them in this new dimension of discipleship, and for all who seek to live in faithfulness. In the name of the Triune God, the Pastor shall declare publicly that the woman and the man are now joined in marriage. A charge may be given. Other actions common to the community and its cultures may appropriately be observed when these actions do not diminish the Christian understanding of marriage. The service concludes with a benediction. (Book of Order W-4.9004)
Music suitable for the marriage service should direct attention to God and express the faith of the church. The congregation may join in hymns and other musical forms of praise and prayer. Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance the worshipers’ consciousness of the reality of God, and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life. (Book of Order W-4.9005)
Pastor
It would be expected that the Pastor of EPC would officiate at all weddings conducted at EPC. However, if a Pastor other than the EPC Pastor is desired, the EPC Pastor shall be contacted first. The EPC Pastor will then contact the proposed Pastor and explain the Book of Order requirements for the wedding. If the EPC Pastor is confident in the proposed Pastor, s/he will bring a request to the EPC Session for their approval. If approval is granted, the EPC Pastor will extend an invitation to the guest Pastor. S/he will also advise the guest Pastor of EPC’s Wedding Policy and will provide the guest Pastor with a copy of this document.
Wedding Liaison (Liaison)
To ensure that every wedding conducted at EPC is properly planned and carried out in accordance with church policies, we provide the services of a Liaison. Upon receipt of the completed EPC Wedding Information Packet found on our website, the Liaison will contact the Bride and Groom to set up an initial appointment. At this meeting, the Liaison will discuss plans, clarify policies and procedures, discuss options, and resolve any questions about the wedding and rehearsal. Deposits are to be paid at this meeting with the Liaison. Dates cannot be calendared until deposits are paid. Balance payment for all EPC fees must be received by the Liaison two weeks prior to the wedding date.
Our Liaison’s duties include:
1. Meet with the Bride and Groom to go over this wedding policy and discuss plans.
2. Tour the facility and discuss its use with the Bride and Groom.
3. Schedule meeting between the EPC Pastor and the Bride and Groom.
4. Review and approve planned decorations, audio, photography, music, etc.
5. Unlock and lock the building for rehearsal, wedding, and reception (if applicable).
6. Coordinate with the florist, caterer, Wedding Planner, and photographer on facility arrangements and policies. (If there is a Wedding Planner or other individuals involved in planning the wedding, they must understand that they operate under the authority of the EPC Wedding Liaison.)
7. Scheduling the facility, Pastor, and Custodian.
8. The EPC Liaison is not a Wedding Planner.
The wedding party is responsible for securing soloists and any additional instrumentalists and forward contact information for each of these to the Liaison as soon as possible. The EPC Pastor retains final authority over all wedding activities held on the property of EPC.
Wedding Service
A wedding service at EPC is an act of worship. Thus, the wedding service will be conducted according to the Book of Order and the EPC Wedding Policy. The EPC Pastor will review the order of service and appropriate options with the couple, and, if necessary, with the guest Pastor.
Music
Since the wedding ceremony is a sacred service, the music should be appropriate for the occasion and glorify God. The EPC Pastor will be responsible for approving all music and it will be reviewed with the Liaison and guest Pastor in advance. Should be EPC pianist/organist be asked to provide services for the wedding, the date and time must be cleared with them at the time the Church is reserved. If a guest musician is to be used in the wedding service, they are required to meet with the Liaison prior to wedding date.
Sanctuary
The sanctuary was designed and is furnished as a place of worship. Therefore all parts of the wedding ceremony should reflect a spirit of worship.
The piano and organ may not be moved. If it is necessary to move the pulpit and/or altar table, it will be the responsibility of the family to move these items in consultation with the Liaison. It is also the responsibility of the family to put these items back into place within two hours after the wedding concludes (or reception is over, if held at EPC). No food or beverage except water is allowed in the Sanctuary.
Flowers/Decorations
The couple may use the florist of their choice. All decorations must be appropriate for a place of worship. The timing for floral decorations and deliveries should be scheduled for the day of the wedding. Refrigeration for flowers is not available.
No tape, wire, or nails may be used, nor anything that will mar the pews, walls, or furnishings. Leaf shine may not be sprayed inside the Church. Only metal encased candles or dripless pillar candles may be used. No hand-held, votive, or oil candles may be used. If candle wax drips on the carpet or furnishings, cleanup for such spills will be billed as an extra charge.
No alteration of church property or landscaping will be allowed.
All floral decorations must be removed from the Church within two hours after the wedding concludes (or reception is over, if held at EPC). If the florist is unable to pick up items, the couple must make arrangements for removal. Any items that remain at EPC will be removed and destroyed. If the couple wishes to leave a floral arrangement for display in the Sanctuary for Sunday worship, contact the Liaison beforehand, and this donation will be noted in the EPC Sunday bulletin.
Photography and Videography
Weddings are meant to be a worship service and are to be conducted with reverence and dignity. Photography should not distract from the couple’s expression of commitment to one another. Therefore, no flash photographs are allowed during the ceremony. This includes the photographer and guests at the wedding. The photographer may discreetly take pictures of the wedding party as they come up the aisle and as they recess, but may not be on the floor during the ceremony once the music begins.
Photographs taken before the wedding must conclude one hour before the wedding time.
Videotaping of the wedding is allowed, but must follow the same guidelines as for photography. During the ceremony, a stationary camera may be placed at a place behind the rear pews. The videographer is not allowed to cause distraction during the service.
Photographers and videographers must obtain approval for their camera locations from the Liaison.
The wedding couple is responsible for providing the photographer, the videographer, and guests with notice of these guidelines.
Rehearsals
The wedding rehearsal must be scheduled at the same time that the wedding is scheduled, so that it can be put on the EPC calendar. Typically, one hour is allowed for rehearsal.
Kitchen and Fellowship Hall
1. EPC has a fellowship hall and kitchen available for wedding receptions.
2. No red dye is allowed in beverages or food served at EPC.
3. No rice, birdseed, confetti, or bubbles are allowed inside the building.
4. Rice, birdseed, and bubbles may be used outside the building, and should be distributed to wedding guests outdoors.
5. The use of tobacco products or alcohol is strictly prohibited on EPC property.
6. Cabinets and drawers are labeled to show their contents. Return clean or unused items to their proper storage place.
7. Always wipe tables in the fellowship hall, and clean all kitchen counters and other surfaces.
8. Any spills on the floor should be cleaned.
9. Do not use the outdoor grill.
10. Do not use the dishwasher.
11. The paper products stored in the EPC kitchen are for Church functions only. The couple or caterer must provide any required paper products for use at the reception.
12. All reception items, including linens, china, and decorations are to be provided by the couple or caterer.
13. The couple or caterer is required to remove all trash from EPC property. EPC does not have trash pickup service.
14. Clean-up and removal of all food, decorations, rentals, etc. should be completed within two hours after the conclusion of the reception.
Wedding Policy
Introduction
We are very pleased that you are interested in having your wedding at EPC. EPC is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and, as a member, must comply with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order. The following are requirements of the Book of Order in regard to weddings.
Marriage
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage, a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed, and acknowledged by the community of faith. (Book of Order W-4.9001)
In preparation for the marriage service, the Pastor shall provide for a discussion with the man and the woman concerning:
1. The nature of their Christian commitment assuring that at least one is a professing Christian.
2. The legal requirements of the State of Tennessee.
3. The privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage.
4. The nature and form of the marriage service.
5. The vows and commitments they will be asked to make.
6. The relationship of these commitments to their lives of discipleship.
7. The resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in fulfilling their marriage commitments. This discussion is equally important in the case of a first marriage, a marriage after the death of a spouse, or a marriage following divorce. (Book of Order W-4.9002)
If the Pastor is convinced after discussion with the couple that commitment, responsibility, maturity, or Christian understanding are so lacking that the marriage is unwise, the Pastor shall assure the couple of the Church’s continuing concern for them and not conduct the ceremony. In making this decision, the Pastor may seek the counsel of the Session. (Book of Order W-4.9002)
Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the Pastor and the supervision of the Session. The marriage ordinarily takes place in a special service which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God and as an expression of Christian life. Others may be invited to participate as leaders of the service at the discretion of the Pastor. (Book of Order W-4.9003)
The service begins with scriptural sentences and a brief statement of purpose. The man and the woman shall declare their vows of love and faithfulness. The service includes appropriate passages of scripture, which may be interpreted in various forms of proclamation. Prayers shall be offered for the couple, for the communities which support them in this new dimension of discipleship, and for all who seek to live in faithfulness. In the name of the Triune God, the Pastor shall declare publicly that the woman and the man are now joined in marriage. A charge may be given. Other actions common to the community and its cultures may appropriately be observed when these actions do not diminish the Christian understanding of marriage. The service concludes with a benediction. (Book of Order W-4.9004)
Music suitable for the marriage service should direct attention to God and express the faith of the church. The congregation may join in hymns and other musical forms of praise and prayer. Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance the worshipers’ consciousness of the reality of God, and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life. (Book of Order W-4.9005)
Pastor
It would be expected that the Pastor of EPC would officiate at all weddings conducted at EPC. However, if a Pastor other than the EPC Pastor is desired, the EPC Pastor shall be contacted first. The EPC Pastor will then contact the proposed Pastor and explain the Book of Order requirements for the wedding. If the EPC Pastor is confident in the proposed Pastor, s/he will bring a request to the EPC Session for their approval. If approval is granted, the EPC Pastor will extend an invitation to the guest Pastor. S/he will also advise the guest Pastor of EPC’s Wedding Policy and will provide the guest Pastor with a copy of this document.
Wedding Liaison (Liaison)
To ensure that every wedding conducted at EPC is properly planned and carried out in accordance with church policies, we provide the services of a Liaison. Upon receipt of the completed EPC Wedding Information Packet found on our website, the Liaison will contact the Bride and Groom to set up an initial appointment. At this meeting, the Liaison will discuss plans, clarify policies and procedures, discuss options, and resolve any questions about the wedding and rehearsal. Deposits are to be paid at this meeting with the Liaison. Dates cannot be calendared until deposits are paid. Balance payment for all EPC fees must be received by the Liaison two weeks prior to the wedding date.
Our Liaison’s duties include:
1. Meet with the Bride and Groom to go over this wedding policy and discuss plans.
2. Tour the facility and discuss its use with the Bride and Groom.
3. Schedule meeting between the EPC Pastor and the Bride and Groom.
4. Review and approve planned decorations, audio, photography, music, etc.
5. Unlock and lock the building for rehearsal, wedding, and reception (if applicable).
6. Coordinate with the florist, caterer, Wedding Planner, and photographer on facility arrangements and policies. (If there is a Wedding Planner or other individuals involved in planning the wedding, they must understand that they operate under the authority of the EPC Wedding Liaison.)
7. Scheduling the facility, Pastor, and Custodian.
8. The EPC Liaison is not a Wedding Planner.
The wedding party is responsible for securing soloists and any additional instrumentalists and forward contact information for each of these to the Liaison as soon as possible. The EPC Pastor retains final authority over all wedding activities held on the property of EPC.
Wedding Service
A wedding service at EPC is an act of worship. Thus, the wedding service will be conducted according to the Book of Order and the EPC Wedding Policy. The EPC Pastor will review the order of service and appropriate options with the couple, and, if necessary, with the guest Pastor.
Music
Since the wedding ceremony is a sacred service, the music should be appropriate for the occasion and glorify God. The EPC Pastor will be responsible for approving all music and it will be reviewed with the Liaison and guest Pastor in advance. Should be EPC pianist/organist be asked to provide services for the wedding, the date and time must be cleared with them at the time the Church is reserved. If a guest musician is to be used in the wedding service, they are required to meet with the Liaison prior to wedding date.
Sanctuary
The sanctuary was designed and is furnished as a place of worship. Therefore all parts of the wedding ceremony should reflect a spirit of worship.
The piano and organ may not be moved. If it is necessary to move the pulpit and/or altar table, it will be the responsibility of the family to move these items in consultation with the Liaison. It is also the responsibility of the family to put these items back into place within two hours after the wedding concludes (or reception is over, if held at EPC). No food or beverage except water is allowed in the Sanctuary.
Flowers/Decorations
The couple may use the florist of their choice. All decorations must be appropriate for a place of worship. The timing for floral decorations and deliveries should be scheduled for the day of the wedding. Refrigeration for flowers is not available.
No tape, wire, or nails may be used, nor anything that will mar the pews, walls, or furnishings. Leaf shine may not be sprayed inside the Church. Only metal encased candles or dripless pillar candles may be used. No hand-held, votive, or oil candles may be used. If candle wax drips on the carpet or furnishings, cleanup for such spills will be billed as an extra charge.
No alteration of church property or landscaping will be allowed.
All floral decorations must be removed from the Church within two hours after the wedding concludes (or reception is over, if held at EPC). If the florist is unable to pick up items, the couple must make arrangements for removal. Any items that remain at EPC will be removed and destroyed. If the couple wishes to leave a floral arrangement for display in the Sanctuary for Sunday worship, contact the Liaison beforehand, and this donation will be noted in the EPC Sunday bulletin.
Photography and Videography
Weddings are meant to be a worship service and are to be conducted with reverence and dignity. Photography should not distract from the couple’s expression of commitment to one another. Therefore, no flash photographs are allowed during the ceremony. This includes the photographer and guests at the wedding. The photographer may discreetly take pictures of the wedding party as they come up the aisle and as they recess, but may not be on the floor during the ceremony once the music begins.
Photographs taken before the wedding must conclude one hour before the wedding time.
Videotaping of the wedding is allowed, but must follow the same guidelines as for photography. During the ceremony, a stationary camera may be placed at a place behind the rear pews. The videographer is not allowed to cause distraction during the service.
Photographers and videographers must obtain approval for their camera locations from the Liaison.
The wedding couple is responsible for providing the photographer, the videographer, and guests with notice of these guidelines.
Rehearsals
The wedding rehearsal must be scheduled at the same time that the wedding is scheduled, so that it can be put on the EPC calendar. Typically, one hour is allowed for rehearsal.
Kitchen and Fellowship Hall
1. EPC has a fellowship hall and kitchen available for wedding receptions.
2. No red dye is allowed in beverages or food served at EPC.
3. No rice, birdseed, confetti, or bubbles are allowed inside the building.
4. Rice, birdseed, and bubbles may be used outside the building, and should be distributed to wedding guests outdoors.
5. The use of tobacco products or alcohol is strictly prohibited on EPC property.
6. Cabinets and drawers are labeled to show their contents. Return clean or unused items to their proper storage place.
7. Always wipe tables in the fellowship hall, and clean all kitchen counters and other surfaces.
8. Any spills on the floor should be cleaned.
9. Do not use the outdoor grill.
10. Do not use the dishwasher.
11. The paper products stored in the EPC kitchen are for Church functions only. The couple or caterer must provide any required paper products for use at the reception.
12. All reception items, including linens, china, and decorations are to be provided by the couple or caterer.
13. The couple or caterer is required to remove all trash from EPC property. EPC does not have trash pickup service.
14. Clean-up and removal of all food, decorations, rentals, etc. should be completed within two hours after the conclusion of the reception.