Your Wedding at Central United Methodist Church
Welcome
Central wishes to extend every possible courtesy to you, your family, and other members of your wedding party during this very special occasion. In order to provide consistency both in the ceremony and use of our church facilities, we have established guidelines in this publication. We ask your cooperation as you make your plans. This will ensure that your ceremony is relaxed and uncomplicated.
Marriage in the Context of Christian Worship
Because marriage is a covenant that reflects God's covenant with the Church, we regard the marriage ceremony as a service of worship. In this context, we give thanks to God and celebrate your love for and committment to each other. We use the United Methodist ritual for this service, which may be found in the United Methodist hymnal. Any additional readings such as Scripture or poetry should be discussed with the pastor performing the ceremony.
The Church Cares Aboout You
Our purpose at Central Church is to help you celebrate marriage. We are pleased to provide pastoral care, staff, and fine facilities to assist you. Know that our care continues after the wedding. We encourage you to make church an important part your marriage and family life. Call on us if we can be of help in the future.
The Pastors and Staff
Pastor: Rev. Amy Gearhart Sage
Assistant Wedding Pastor: Rev. Dustin Cooper
Director of Worship and Music: Dr. Barry Wenger
Church Telephone: (816) 753-1844
Church Fax: (816) 756-1553
Website: www.centralcares.comThe Pastor
All weddings at Central United Methodist Church are under the direction of one of the church pastors. Where the assistance of another pastor is desired, guest clergy may assist with the approval of the Central UMC pastor. The wedding, however, remains under the director of the Central pastor, and the normal fee will be paid.
Specific details of the ceremony must be worked out directly with the pastor who will officiate at the service. This will be done at a Wedding Worship and at least one additional premarital meeting.
Scheduling Your Wedding
Weddings may be tentatively scheduled. However, because of the priority of the church in the scheduling of events, a definite reservation on the church calendar cannot be confirmed earlier than nine months in advance. Weddings may be scheduled in person by the bride, groom, or parents by completing a Wedding Request Form (available on the Wedding forms page) and securing a deposit to the church office.
NOTE: A FIRM RESERVATION CANNOT BE MADE FOR A WEDDING UNTIL THE PASTOR HAS AGREED TO THE DATE AND TIME AND A DEPOSIT HAS BEEN MADE.
The church will reserve four hours of time for a wedding, which should include any time for use of the church before and/or after the ceremony. Two or more weddings may be scheduled on the same date, and it will, in that event, be necessary for each wedding party to accomodate the schedule of the other.
Weddings must be scheduled to start no later than 7:00 p.m. Evening weddings and photographs must be finished by 8:30 p.m. Weddings are scheduled in four hour blocks of time: morning, early afternoon, later afternoon, or early evening, and at least three hours apart, if two or more weddings are scheduled on the same date.
When a date is set and scheduled, the requisite deposit must be made in order to reserve the date. Refund of deposit will be made on request until two weeks prior to the scheduled wedding date.
Candles
Central Church can provide a pair of seven branch, brass, standing candelabra. The ivory candles are supplied by the church and will be in place the day of the wedding. If desired, the candelabra may be decorated with bows or greenery. The church will provide candle lighting devices.
If the bride and groom desire a Unity Candle, they will provide it as well as two taper candles for the lighting. This should be discussed with the pastor at the Wedding Worship/Videography before the wedding date.
Photographs
The church recognizes the value of wedding photographs and videos as lasting remembrances of this most special occasion. We encourage the use of a professional photographer and ask that any wedding photographers and/or videographers will respect and abide by the following:
Because your wedding is a service of worship, no photographs are permitted following the processional, and the photographer will not be permitted in the chancel and pew areas during the ceremony. To take photographs of the processional, the photographer should be positioned in the wheelchar inset on the center aisle, not at the front of the church. All photographs taken prior to the wedding will be finished 30 minutes before the wedding ceremony is to begin, without exception.
Ushers are expected to remind any wedding guests with cameras that the taking of photographs is not allowed during the ceremony.
We strongly recommend, out of consideration for your guests, that all photographs be taken prior to the wedding service. The photographer and/or videographer needs to work within these guidelines. The officiating pastor has final discretion regarding photography and/or videography.
Your wedding fees will include a sound technician fee. Microphones that are provided by the church will not be provided for or used by the bride and groom or members of the wedding party.
Security
THE CHURCH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PERSONAL ARTICLES OR POSSESSIONS OF THE WEDDING PARTY OR GUESTS.
All rooms within the church will be locked except for those involved in the actual wedding ceremony and reception. The west entrance to the church will be locked, except to allow initial entry to the wedding party.
Fees
The cost of reserving the Sanctuary is $1,300.00. The cost of reserving Barrows Chapel is $1,000.00. A reservation deposit of $600.00 is required at the time of scheduling. This deposit is refundable until two weeks prior to the wedding. The balance of all other fees is paid two weeks prior to the wedding date. If this payment is not made by cash, money order, or cashier's check, the return of a personal check for insufficient funds will automatically result in cancellation of the wedding reservation on the church calendar.
General Information
A VALID MISSOURI STATE MARRIAGE LICENSE is required before a pastor can officiate a marriage. Please deliver the license to the church office ONE WEEK BEFORE the wedding date so that it can be properly completed for signatures the day of the wedding.
Furniture may not be moved without the consent and presence of a member of the church staff.
Be sure to designate someone to watch wedding gifts during the ceremony and to remove them from the church following the ceremony. Also, do not leave money, jewelry, and other valuables unattended in the dressing rooms, restrooms, etc. Central United Methodist Church cannot be responsible for gifts and personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
It is church policy that no rice, birdseed, flowers (real or silk) or confetti are to be thrown inside or outside the building.
When a dozen or less persons are in attendance for a wedding ceremony and when the services of an organist, soloist, or the custodian is not required, special financial considerations are made in consultation with the pastor.
No weddings will be scheduled during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, during Holy Week, or on other holidays.
Wedding Coordinator
The wedding coordinator represents the church in coordinating the many details of the wedding and rehearsal. She will be in attendance at these events to see that all runs smoothly. The wedding coordinator will also assist the bride and the pastor with the processional and recessional. A wedding facilitator hired from a department store or bridal shop will not replace the responsibilities of the church's coordinator. Our wedding coordinator is responsible for the many details as they relate to the church and its facility as well as to the wedding party. No direction by any coordinator supersedes the direction of the pastor at the rehearsal or wedding.
Wedding Music
Our church organist has the responsibility for music at wedding services at Central United Methodist Church. All arrangements for music must be made in consultation with the organist. The bride and groom should plan an early discussion with the organist about the music to be played for the processional and recessional, as well as music used before and during the ceremony.
Because any wedding conducted in the church is to be a religious service, guidelines exist for selection of appropriate music. Our organist will provide suggestions of appropriate music for your choosing. If there are additional selections that the couple prefers, these should be brought to the early attention of the organist for approval.
It is the responsibility of the couple to see that any soloist contacts the organist at least one month prior to the wedding to have the solo selections approved and to set a time for rehearsal. There should be a separate copy of the solo music for the organist and it should be in the correct key. It should not be a photocopy. The Central Church oganist will assist the couple in arranging for a soloist if requested.
If the couple wishes to bring in outside instrumentalists or use the church's piano, the instruments shall be placed on the sanctuary carpeting or tile, not on the marble floor of the chancel, the communion rail, or the kneelers. These arrangements also need to be made with prior approval of the pastor and in consultation with the organist.
The Rehearsal
The wedding rehearsal is usually held the day before the wedding. The time scheduled will be determined with your CUMC officiate. The rehearsal is limited to approximately 60 minutes in length and begins promptly at the appointed time. It is the responsibility of the wedding party members to be prompt in attendance.
Please remind members of the wedding party that, throughout the entire rehearsal, they are in a holy place dedicated to the worship of God. Rehearsal will be directed by the pastor and must proceed in a dignified manner. A representative of the wedding party must be responsible for children in the party.
Flowers and Decorations
There is no need for elaborate floral decorations in the sanctuary. In arranging for your wedding, it should be remembered that you are arranging for a service of worship and consecration in the Church, not "hiring a hall." The beauty of the church architecture lies in its simplicity and the loveliest settings are those that use a minimum of floral display.
The couple provides altar flowers. Your florist provides vase liners. No other decorations may be placed on the altar or in the chancel area, except for the church candelabra, without permission from the pastor, wedding coordinator, or administrative secretary.
Decorations of any kind may not be attached to the pews or other furniture by pinning, gluing, nailing, or taping. The florist selected by the couple should consult with Central's wedding coordinator about the way decorations may be placed on the ends of the pews along the center aisle.
The flower girl, if one is used, should be provided silk flower petals in consideration of the Sanctuary or chapel carpeting. No live flower petals are allowed inside or outside of the church. Flowers or ribbons may be placed on the outside Sanctuary doors. There are nails provided for this. There should be no use of aisle runners. No candles may be used in any traffic area or aisles of the Sanctuary.
The wedding party is expected to remove decorations immediately following the ceremony, leaving the Sanctuary in its original condition. If the flowers are to be left for the worship services on Sunday, please let the church office know a week prior to the wedding. We request the use of common sense, courtesy, and consideration in the use and placement of decoration.
The Dressing Room
The bride and her party may dress at the church in the ladies' lounge. It is not customary for the groom's party to dress at the church. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to arrange for the care of the property of the wedding party before, during, and after the wedding as well as the removal of such items immediately following the service.
SMOKING AND THE USE OF ALCOHOL
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN OR ON THE CHURCH PROPERTY, INCLUDING DRESSING ROOMS, RESTROOMS, AND PARKING LOTS. SMOKING IS PROHIBITED IN THE CHURCH BUILDING. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO INFORM GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING PARTY ABOUT THESE RESTRICTIONS AND TO SEE THAT THEY ARE HONORED. THE WEDDING WILL NOT PROCEED IF THESE RESTRICTION ARE NOT HONORED.
