Wedding Guidelines Revised January 2019
A Message for the Bride and Groom Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church is honored to host your wedding and we pray God’s richest blessings upon your marriage! The wedding ceremony is first and foremost a worship service that sanctifies marriage in the sight of God and these Wedding Guidelines are designed to assist you in planning a Christian wedding.
Reserving Dates on the Church Calendar Reservations for the Sanctuary may be placed on the church calendar by contacting the Church Administrator at 770-382-4772. Weddings are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Tentative dates may be checked on the telephone; however, a deposit is required to reserve a date. Once the deposit is received, the Church Administrator will email the bride a Wedding Information Form that needs to be completed and submitted to the church as soon as possible.
Sanctuary The beautiful and historic Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church sanctuary seats up to 320 people.
The sanctuary is a holy place set apart for the worship of God. All chancel furniture and furnishings are to remain in place, including the lectern, pulpit, Bible, baptismal font, altar table, cross, flower pedestals, chancel chairs, choir loft chairs, and flags. The Altar Guild will place white paraments on the lectern, pulpit, and altar table. The Bibles, hymnals, offering envelopes, et cetera should also remain in the pews.
Seasonal decorations and banners will remain in place during a wedding. During Christmas, decorations include the Chrismon tree, Advent Candle Wreath, wreaths on the doors, et cetera. Different decorations may adorn the church during other seasons.
Ministers Officiating at the Wedding When completing their Wedding Information Form, the couple must indicate who they would like to officiate their wedding. The church recommends the use of one of the ordained ministers on staff. If the couple would like a visiting minister to officiate, they should note this on the Wedding Information form. According to ministerial protocol, the Sam Jones UMC senior minister will then issue an invitation for the guest minister to participate in the service. Only ordained ministers in recognized churches are allowed to perform a wedding ceremony in the United Methodist Church.
Premarital Counseling After reserving the church, the couple should immediately contact the minister officiating at the wedding about his or her policy of premarital counseling. The church can also provide a list of Christian counselors in the area.
Wedding Director The church provides a Wedding Director for all weddings. The director is trained in church policies and wedding direction. She will meet with the couple prior to the wedding to discuss their wishes for the ceremony. She will direct both the rehearsal and wedding service in accordance with the plans that they have made. Please notify the Wedding Director of any changes in the ceremony as they are made, and please provide a final draft of the order of ceremony or wedding program two weeks before the wedding. We understand and appreciate that many brides use an outside wedding consultant to help coordinate their special day, however the wedding director from Sam Jones UMC will coordinate the activities of the rehearsal and the ceremony.
Music Weddings are worship services, only sacred music is appropriate. Secular music, popular music, and taped music are allowed only after consultation with the Wedding Director. If you would like to use the church organ or piano, Sam Jones UMC musicians should be used. If other musicians are to be used, please do so under consultation with the Wedding Director. If the organist is not available, a request to use a different musician must be approved. The couple should contact the church organist concerning musical selections and musicians. Our organist, Brian McLeod, may be contacted at [email protected].
Sound Technician The church requires and provides a trained sound technician for the rehearsal and wedding.
Decorations The reverence of the sanctuary or chapel provides a beautiful setting for the wedding. Any additional decorations should be simple and in good taste.
The florist may decorate the sanctuary 4 hours prior to the ceremony on the day of the wedding.
The two candles on the altar table should be lighted first. No other candles or other decorations should be placed on the altar table. All candelabras and unity candles must have protective covers underneath to protect the carpet and furniture. Dripless candles are required.
Please do not use any nails, thumb tacks, glue, or tape on any wood surface, including the pews. Flowers and ribbons can be used on the end of the pew provided the wood is fully protected from any scratches and moisture. Due to fire hazards, lighted candles cannot be used on the pews. Glitter may not be used on any decorations, flowers or clothing.
Floral arrangements or greenery can be placed on the two pedestals. Please do not use any berries or other greenery that might fall and stain the carpet.
The couple may choose to use either the brass or silver cross and candleholder for their ceremony. Any flowers next to the altar table should be lower than the top of the cross. The maximum height for the brass cross is 37” and silver cross is 31”.
Decorations of greenery or flowers are allowed in the windows. Candles may be placed in the windows if they have a glass globe and protection underneath.
Sam Jones Memorial UMC | 100 W. Church Street, Cartersville, GA 30120 | 770-382-4772 | samjonesumc.org
If a flower girl is part of the ceremony, silk petals must be used. Live flower petals are not allowed.
The family or florist is responsible for removing all decorations and candelabras immediately after the wedding.
If the bride and groom would like to use their pedestal flowers for the church service the following Sunday, they should indicate this on their Wedding Information form. The Church Administrator will contact the Sam Jones Alter Guild to see if this is possible. Sunday flower arrangements are sometimes reserved months in advance. If the flowers are used, a note will be placed in the Sunday bulletin noting the following: “The flower are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name], who were married on [date].
Please do not use rice or birdseed when the couple leaves the church. These materials are slippery and hazardous on the steps.
The bride and groom are responsible for sharing these guidelines with the florist and informing the church of the name, address and phone number of the florist or party responsible for decorating the sanctuary.
Photography and Videography In keeping with the reverence of the worship service, no flash photography is allowed during the wedding service. This includes professional photographers and guests. The service for this purpose lasts from the time the bride arrives at the altar until the couple is presented to the congregation and the recessional begins. Photographers should remain in the back of the sanctuary or chapel. No movement is allowed during the service.
Video cameras may be used in the back of the sanctuary and chapel. Only fixed or remote cameras may be placed in an inconspicuous place in the choir loft. Videographers should remain in the back of the sanctuary. No movement is allowed during the service.
The bride and groom are responsible for sharing these guidelines with the photographer and videographer and informing the church of the name, address and phone number of both the photographer and the videographer.
Receptions The Fellowship Hall or Family Life Center can be reserved for the wedding reception on a limited basis, if available. Contact the Church Administrator for information, guidelines, and fees.
Bridal Parlor and Groom’s Room A Bridal Parlor is available for the bride’s use along with her attendants. The warming kitchen nearby can be used for refreshments. All personal items should be removed from the room one hour after the wedding.
The groom and his groomsmen will also be assigned a room to wait until the time of the wedding. The wedding party must remove all of their personal belongings from these rooms as soon as the ceremony is over. The church cannot be responsible for any personal items or clothing that may be lost, stolen or damaged.
Sam Jones Memorial UMC | 100 W. Church Street, Cartersville, GA 30120 | 770-382-4772 | samjonesumc.org Rehearsal Rehearsals are held the night before the wedding. The bride and groom will meet with the Wedding Director prior to the rehearsal. If all the wedding party arrives on time, a rehearsal generally lasts about one hour. The minister will begin the rehearsal with prayer. Then the director will put the wedding members in their proper place. The minister will go through the service. Finally, the party will practice the processional and recessional.
Wedding License The couple is responsible for obtaining a valid wedding license before the wedding. The minister is legally required to have the license prior to performing the ceremony. The couple should bring the license to the rehearsal. After the wedding is completed, the church will mail the wedding license to the appropriate county office.
Doors A set of keys is available for the couple to check out prior to their ceremony. These keys are for the Bridal Parlor and the Bridal Parlor closet. The couple may also check out a set of keys for their florist. The couple is responsible for making arrangements to pick up the church keys no later than the church office’s closing time on the Thursday prior to the wedding. All personal items and floral arrangements should be removed within an hour after the wedding. The keys must be returned to the Wedding Director following the wedding.
General Rules No alcohol or tobacco of any kind is allowed on the church site. Anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed to participate in the service.
In the United Methodist tradition, the church observes “open communion,” which means that all believers present are invited to the Lord’s Table. It is not appropriate for the bride and groom alone to receive communion during the wedding service. The ministers will be glad to explore other alternatives with the couple.
The ordained ministers of the church staff have the final authority in all decisions and policies.
Fee Schedule A fee schedule is attached. Contact the church office with questions.
Conclusion Our church staff is here to help make your wedding a Christian service of worship that celebrates God’s love in our lives. If you have any questions about the policies or guidelines, then please contact either the Church Administrator or one of the ordained ministers. May God bless your marriage as you establish a new home together.
Approved by Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church Administrative Board May 9, 2005.
Sam Jones Memorial UMC | 100 W. Church Street, Cartersville, GA 30120 | 770-382-4772 | samjonesumc.org
Member Wedding Fee Schedule Revised January 2019
Reserving the Church Tentative dates may be checked on the telephone; however, a deposit is required to reserve dates for the rehearsal and the wedding. The reservation fee is $250 which is applied towards the Wedding Fee.
Wedding Fee The wedding fee for members (along with members’ children or parents) is $725. This includes the services of the church’s Wedding Director, Sound Technician, Organist and housekeeping services.
Receptions The Family Life Center is available for receptions on a limited basis. A copy of the Family Life Center’s guidelines and fee schedule is available upon request.
Deadlines Final payment of all wedding fees are required at the church office two weeks prior to the wedding date.
Fees are subject to change.
Approved by Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church Administrative Board
Sam Jones Memorial UMC | 100 W. Church Street, Cartersville, GA 30120 | 770-382-4772 | samjonesumc.org logo here
Nonmember Wedding Fee Schedule Revised January 2019
Reserving the Church Tentative dates may be checked on the telephone; however, a deposit is required to reserve dates for the rehearsal and the wedding. The reservation fee is $250 which is applied towards the Wedding Fee.
Wedding Fee The wedding fee for nonmembers is $2,000. This includes the services of the church’s Wedding Director, Sound Technician, Organist and housekeeping services.
Minister The suggested minimum for officiating ministers is $250. The fee should be paid directly to the minister.
Receptions The Family Life Center is available for receptions on a limited basis. A copy of the Family Life Center’s guidelines and fee schedule is available upon request.
Deadlines Final payment of all wedding fees are required at the church office two weeks prior to the wedding date.
Fees are subject to change.
Approved by Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church Administrative Board
Sam Jones Memorial UMC | 100 W. Church Street, Cartersville, GA 30120 | 770-382-4772 | samjonesumc.org