GUIDELINES FOR WEDDINGS
AT
The Downtown Presbyterian
Church
Nashville, Tennessee
(For Members)
These guidelines have been
thoughtfully written and designed to assist the couple in
planning the most important day of their lives. Please read
carefully and if there are any questions, you may contact any
member of the DPC Staff listed at the end of this booklet.
THE WEDDING SERVICE
The wedding is a corporate worship
service of God. In the Presbyterian Church, the wedding
service indicates what we believe about God and marriage.
Therefore, we take responsibility for establishing policies for
these services. Your wedding will mean more to you, your
families and friends when there is careful concern for all
aspects of this occasion. These policies have been
established by the Session and will assist the bride and groom
and their families in answering questions regarding the wedding
ceremony at The Downtown Presbyterian Church.
SCHEDULING THE WEDDING
The scheduling of all weddings is done
through the church office. The pastor and the Session must
approve all requests made. There are many requests made for
weddings to take place at this church because of it’s unique
and rich history. Weddings of members will take priority
over requests of non-members. A deposit of $200.00 must be paid within 30 days of confirmation from the church office. This is
not refundable if the wedding is cancelled within 60 days of
the date scheduled. The wedding consultant (listed at the
end of this brochure) will be your primary contact with this
church.
No sanctuary weddings will be scheduled
on Sundays or during Holy Week, Christmas Eve or Day, or on New
Years Eve or Day.
THE ROLE OF THE MINISTER
Weddings in our church facilities will be
officiated by the pastor of the Downtown Presbyterian Church
unless a visiting minister is requested by the bridal couple.
If this individual is approved, the pastor will extend an
invitation to the visiting minister.
Pre-marital counseling is a prerequisite
for all weddings performed at the Downtown Church. The
counseling is performed either by the DPC pastor, visiting
pastor, or by a certified marriage counselor (at the couple’s
personal expense). These sessions are usually held during
the three months prior to the marriage and are seen as an
integral part of the wedding ceremony.
THE ROLE OF THE WEDDING CONSULTANT
The Downtown Presbyterian Church provides
a wedding consultant to the couple who wish to be married in our
church. This option is non-negotiable.
When a contract has been signed by both the church and the
couple, the consultant should then be contacted by
the bridal couple to discuss wedding plans and to study these
guidelines together. The consultant is an integral
and important part of the wedding planning and should be
contacted as soon as possible. She is the chief
contact between the church and the bridal couple, and will
be available to direct the wedding rehearsal and the wedding .
All payments as agreed upon will be given
to the consultant the week before the wedding. At the
appropriate time the consultant will give the payments to those
designated people.
HONORARIA & FEES
Our church does not rent its facilities
for weddings. The fees listed below are meant to cover
certain costs incurred by the use of the facility. Checks
are to be made out to individual parties (see below) and given to
the consultant one week prior to the wedding.
1. Sanctuary/Chapel: No fee.
2. Consultant: As agreed upon between
consultant and bridal couple.
4. Reception: No fee
5. Custodian: $15.00/hr This item to be
discussed with bridal couple and consultant. Custodian is
required to open and close church both for rehearsal and for
wedding and is responsible for leaving church clean.
6. Minister: As agreed upon between
consultant and bridal couple.
7. Organist: $200.00 (suggested) Includes
consult with the couple, rehearsal and wedding.
NOTE: Prices are subject to change
and are reviewed annually. The price cannot be guaranteed
for a wedding booked for the next calendar year.
THE WEDDING MUSIC
The organist of the Downtown Presbyterian
Church will play for all weddings unless unavailable.
If a guest organist is requested by the
couple, he/she must be approved by the DPC organist.
Other musicians may assist in the ceremony, and should choose
music that will enhance the worship aspect of the ceremony.
The couple is responsible for contacting the
organist for an appointment at least one month before the wedding.
Selection of the music for the ceremony will be made in
consultation and approval with the church organist.
THE DECORATIONS AND USE OF
SANCTUARY EQUIPMENT
The pulpit is to remain in place for the
wedding. No candles may be used in the two main isles of
the sanctuary or in the organ area. If candles are desired,
it must be discussed with the consultant. Carpet and
furniture should be protected from stain or dripping of any
candles used (dripless candles must be used). Saucers
should be used with all potted plants. Floral
decorations should be arranged without the need to anchor or
fasten them to any furniture. If large arrangements are
used in front of the organ, they must be put in tall vase so as
not to impair the view of the organist.
If the couple wishes to leave floral
arrangements for the church to use during the Sunday Service, the
church will be happy to accept either a single or double
arrangement. It is the responsibility of the florist to
remove all candles, ribbons, etc., that are used, as well as any
flowers not being used by the church the following day.
If the communion table is moved, the couple
is responsible for returning it to its proper location after the
ceremony is over. No other church furniture should be moved.
The thermostat is set for the season and
therefore, cannot be changed.
The computerized lighting system is highly
technical and must be set by either a member of the staff or the
consultant.
Our current sound system is available for
your use. It must be checked during rehearsal if it is to
be used for the wedding. If there is a visiting minister,
it is advised that he/she bring a lapel mike and check to make
sure it is compatible with our system.
WEDDING PICTURES AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Pictures are not to be taken during
the ceremony in either the Sanctuary or the Chapel.
The wedding service is a service of worship and therefore, the
only pictures that are allowed during the service are those taken
without the aid of a flash from the balcony of either the
Sanctuary or the Chapel. All equipment including hand-held/mobile
photography must be used in the balcony.
Photographs may be taken prior to the
service or recreated at the conclusion of the ceremony.
MISCELLANEOUS
•Parties enjoying our facilities will
be held responsible for any damage to the building or furniture.
•Alcoholic beverages are not to be served on the premises.
•Rice and birdseed may not be used inside or outside the
buildings. •Rose petals may be carried but not dropped onto
the carpet. •Parking is available in lots surrounding
the church. This will be at your expense. •Caterers,
florists, etc., may unload in the small church parking lot on the
east-back side of the church. It is recommended the east-back
door be used for rehearsal and pre-wedding. The sanctuary
doors may be unlocked as agreed upon with the consultant.
It is very important that the staff,bridal party and guests be PROMPT for the rehearsal and the
wedding activities.
DOWNTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF
Ken Locke, Senior Pastor 254-7584
Gerald Arthur, Music Director 383-2889
Mary Gilbert, Organist 833-5590
Angela Shawell, Secretary, 254-7584
Paulino Jarquin, Property Manager 254-7584
Betty Harkness, Wedding Consultant 383-7027
Tony Doling, Wedding Custodian 332-8553
After you have read these Guidelines,
please print, sign and fax the agreement to the Church
Office along with your application and deposit. A letter of
approval, and a copy of the application and agreement will then
be mailed to Betty Harkness, your wedding consultant. You
should contact her as soon as this is accomplished at 383-7027.
Click here for the Wedding Application
© 2003 The Downtown
Presbyterian Church All Rights Reserved