FACILITIES, TIMES AND DATES

• The Sanctuary may be used for large or small wedding ceremonies up to 420 guests.
  
  
• Adjacent to the front of the sanctuary is a room reserved for the Wedding Party. The Parlor, located off the Narthex, is also reserved for use by the Wedding Party. These rooms will be available to the Wedding Party no more than two hours prior to the wedding.
  
  
• The Chapel is available only for small weddings up to 40 guests. Up to two classrooms adjacent to the Chapel may be used by the Wedding Party.
• The Wedding Couple has access to the reserved spaces within the church up to two hours prior to the wedding. No arrangements should be made to decorate, take pictures or receive vendors earlier than 2 hours prior to the wedding.
  
  
• Hair and make-up should be done prior to arriving at the Church. Touch-ups may be done on the premises.
  
  
• Weddings will not be scheduled at the Church on Sundays or on the following days:
  ○ New Year’s Day
  ○ Holy Week (beginning on the Saturday before Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday)
  ○ Independence Day
  ○ Thanksgiving Day
  ○ Christmas Eve
  ○ Christmas day
  
  
• You are responsible for the safekeeping of your personal items. The church will not be liable for items lost, stolen or damaged.
  
  
• Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any church buildings or on the church campus.
  
  WEDDING MUSIC
  
  
• The Director of Music, has the authority to make decisions in the selection of wedding music. High standards of musical excellence and theological integrity apply to all music chosen for services at SMPC.
  
  
• The Director of Music, or a musician approved by the Director of Music, shall play for all weddings.
  
  
• A collection of wedding selections can be found on the website here: Please review these selections prior to your meeting with the Director of Music.
• The Director of Music must approve all other musicians. Do not invite any guest soloists or instrumentalists to participate in your wedding until you have consulted with the Director of Music. If desired, the Director of Music can assist you in engaging additional musicians. Fees for the SMPC Director of Music are included in the base fee to reserve space. All other approved musicians will be paid by you directly.
  
  
• Music for a church wedding typically consists of:
  o Instrumental prelude – played approximately 20 minutes before the hour of the service.
  o Processional music – played during entrance of the clergy and the wedding party.
  o Hymns – sung by the congregation during the service.
  o Recessional music – played as the wedding party exits the ceremony, approximately five to seven minutes (two to four minutes for smaller weddings).
  
  
• A collection of wedding selections can be found on the website here: Please review these selections prior to your meeting with the Director of Music.
  
  
  PHOTOGRAPHY AND RECORDINGS
• Camera lights and flash bulbs are not allowed during the wedding; NO flash photography should occur during the wedding ceremony.
  
  
• No photography other than available light photos from the Sanctuary balcony or from behind the last pew on the floor will take place in the Sanctuary or Chapel during the ceremony.
  
  
• Time exposure photographs may be made only from the rear of the sanctuary or chapel.
  
  
• Video recording of the ceremony is only permitted via a stationary camera located in the rear of the Sanctuary, balcony or Chapel. The Wedding Director may ask any photographer or videographer who fails to abide by the policy, to leave the wedding ceremony.
  
  
• Photos of the wedding party may be taken prior to or following the service. However, it is suggested that this time be limited to thirty minutes.
  
  
• It is your responsibility to communicate these guidelines to your photographer, videographer and guests 

REHEARSAL

• When scheduling your wedding, the date and hour of your rehearsal must be set in order to avoid a scheduling conflict. Weddings and rehearsals are scheduled on the church calendar and, if a change is requested after the Acknowledgement Form has been signed, a request must be sent to the Wedding Director in writing.
  
  
• The wedding rehearsal should begin promptly at the scheduled time and proceed in a dignified and reverent manner. One hour allotted for rehearsal time.
  
  
• The officiating Minister, the Wedding Director, the Director of Music and a Sound Technician will be present at the rehearsal. They are responsible for guiding you through the rehearsal and interpreting SMPC policies, as needed. While a wedding is a joyous occasion, the service takes place in a building dedicated to the worship of God. No rehearsal will be conducted when any wedding participant is clearly under the influence of any intoxicating substance.
• Bring the Marriage License to the rehearsal.
  
  
• Bring all wedding programs and other decorations to the rehearsal. The Wedding Director will ensure proper placement of any decorations prior to the ceremony.

FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS

• Flowers and other decorations are not permitted on the Communion Table; all  furniture shall remain as is including the communion table and baptismal font. The minister chairs and small tables may be removed upon request to the Wedding Director 
  
  
• Arrangements for the church to receive deliveries of flowers, etc. must be made through the Wedding Director and should occur no more than two hours prior to the wedding ceremony.
  
  
• All flowers and decorations shall be removed from the building following the wedding ceremony unless special permission is given to postpone removal and cleaning to the following day.
  
  
• The building must be left in the same condition in which it was found and suitable for the next planned church function. Any cleaning charges incurred by the church as a result of the wedding will be billed to the wedding couple.
  
  
• If the wedding couple wishes to have their floral arrangement used the next day for Sunday worship services, they should notify the Wedding Director as soon as possible for acknowledgment in the Sunday service bulletin. If the date is available on the SMPC Flower Calendar, the floral arrangement will be used in the sanctuary.
  
  
• No tape, tacks, pins, nails or glue can be used to fasten any decorations on pews, furniture or to the building. The couple is responsible for any damage done to the furniture and building that require repair or replacing.
  
  
• For liability purposes, if real candles are used during the wedding ceremony, the candles must be enclosed in glass. Candles may not be placed in the aisles, walkways or high traffic areas. The Wedding Director has the final say in the placement of all candles in the sanctuary and chapel.
  
  
• All furniture and floors must be protected against damage from water, wax, etc. Repair of any damage to the furniture and floors will be the responsibility of the florist or the wedding couple.
  
  
• For safety reasons, the use of an aisle runner or rose petals is not permitted. Only bubbles or sparklers may be used outside; please refrain from using rice, birdseed or confetti anywhere on the church property.

WEDDING PROGRAMS

• The church does not print wedding bulletins/programs.
  
  
• Final copies of the wedding bulletins/programs should be provided to the Wedding Director at the time of the Wedding Rehearsal.