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First of all, Wilmington First United Methodist Church welcomes you! We are available for weddings, funerals, memorial service, banquets, luncheons, and other special occasions.
Weddings It is our hope that every aspect of your wedding day be beautiful and holy, and will serve as a joyful remembrance of your blessed union throughout the years to come. The First United Methodist Church of Wilmington is maintained by its members and friends to serve our community and beyond in the spirit of love and goodwill. Our sanctuary is dedicated to the glory of God, and is to be used as a place of inspiration, instruction, and dedication. This means that any couple that wants to get married at our church must look at the actual wedding ceremony as an act of Christian worship, and that it must be looked at with the utmost of reverence. Please understand too, that as a United Methodist Church, we are obligated to abide by the disciplines and policies of the denomination. In our Book of Discipline, it states that, as a United Methodist Church, we are not allowed to perform ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions, nor are we allowed to conduct these unions in our church buildings (The Book of Discipline of the UMC, 2000 edition, paragraph 332, section 6, page 220. To assist you in your planning we suggest the following: 1. Arrange your wedding date. Your first step is to contact the minister of the Church. He or she will arrange a time for consultation with both bride and groom. At this meeting he or she will determine with you the best day and time for the wedding, and plan for future consultation and counseling. It will be assumed that the wedding will take place at the Church sanctuary (which will seat 200 people) unless another venue is requested. It is our policy that the appointed pastor will officiate all weddings or other activities held at our church. If the couple wishes to have another minister to participate in the wedding they need to tell the pastor during the very first meeting regarding this. Only after the pastor has met with the other minister, that he or she can extend the invitation to the other clergyperson to assist. 2. The next step is to contact the wedding hostess. He or she will arrange a time to discuss with you the various aspects of the wedding, the arrangement of the rooms in the church, and practical matters such as candles, flowers, and decorations. You will also have to tell the hostess whether you wish to have your reception at the church or at another location. 3. The rehearsal. The wedding rehearsal gives the entire group an opportunity to know what is required of everyone involved in the wedding party. Even though it is rehearsal, like the actual wedding, it has to be approached with reverence and dignity. Therefore, no alcoholic beverages are to be brought nor consumed within the church premises. Any signs of intoxication from the couple, the wedding party, the guests, either during the rehearsal or the actual wedding day, will result in the cancellation of the entire ceremony. Before leaving the church, the couple should clear all details with the wedding hostess, and present the marriage license to the pastor at the time of the rehearsal. 4. Music. It is expected that our church accompanist will play for all weddings and other functions at the church. If the church accompanist is not available, a substitute will be arranged. In terms of the type of music, you can always ask our wedding director. Only music that is appropriate for Christian service may be used in the wedding ceremony. Other types music must be discussed with the pastor and church accompanist. Please note also that other forms of music (like cassette or disc) are acceptable as long as the wedding party will provide it. Such will be coordinated with the wedding hostess during the planning phase of the wedding. 5. Decorations.All decorations used should be in keeping with Christian faith and tradition. The couples are to make arrangements for the flowers and candles, in consultation with the wedding hostess. The church furnishes the candelabras. If a white runner is desired, the couple should provide it. No decorations are to be fastened to the pews in such a manner as to ruin the woodwork, nor may lighted candles be placed in such a way as to violate existing fire laws. 6. Photographs. The appropriate time for taking wedding pictures is either before or immediately after the wedding ceremony itself and during the reception. No flash bulb photography is permitted once the ceremony has started. Any special arrangements that deviate from this rule should be discussed in advance with the pastor. 7. Rice and Confetti. though it is a popular custom, should not be thrown within any part of the church building. 8. Dressing Rooms. A large room is available for use to the bride and her attendants. A small room just off the sanctuary is provided for the groom and his party. There are rest rooms available on both first and second floors of the church building. 9. The Wedding Reception. Please note that our Fellowship Hall is available for average-size receptions, that is, up to 200 persons. It is important, however, that arrangements be made early with the wedding hostess, so as to consider in detail the cost of services and refreshments, and any extra decorations. The ladies of the church will do the serving at the reception. Any exception to this rule must be cleared with the pastor and the wedding hostess early in the planning process. Silverware, linen and dishes can be provided, as well as a minimum amount of decoration. There are adequate facilities for the preparation and serving of coffee, tea, or punch. If alcoholic beverages are deemed essential for the occasion, we ask that the reception be held elsewhere. No food or drink is to be taken into the sanctuary. Smoking also is not permitted within the church premises. Also, the church will not be responsible for personal items lost or stolen. In consideration to the custodian of the church, we ask that no reception be scheduled later than 5:00 pm, Saturday, and all activities must conclude no later than 8:00 pm. 10. Expenses for the Wedding. There are certain basic expenses for all weddings that are unavoidable. Any local church is maintained by the contributions of its members and friends. It is expected that that all others who use this facility should make a contribution as well. A service charge is also necessary for custodial care, and the services of those on the church staff who will be assisting you. All fees connected with the wedding or reception are payable in full five days before the set wedding date, and should be given to the wedding hostess. If payment is made by personal check, it should be made out to the Wilmington First United Methodist Church. Please note also, that, the fee of the minister is separate from that of the church.
Facilities fee and minister's fee will not be applied if the bride or the groom, or their parents are active members of the church or are in good standing with the church. In these situations a gift or honorarium will be asked and should be given to the church or to the pastor. Payment for all services should be placed in individual envelopes and should be given to the wedding hostess. Use of Tables and Chairs Away from the Facilities:
If you are interested to use our church facility for any function or occasion you are welcome to contact us:
Wilmington First United Methodist Church
Rev. Neil Platon, Pastor
Trini Yadao, Wedding Hostess and Music Accompanist
Neva Johnson, Church Secretary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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