Wedding Planner

Catlin Church of Christ 715 West Vermilion Street, Catlin, Illinois 61817 217-427-2166

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Scheduling Catlin Church performs ceremonies for its members and regular attenders. Once you have read our Wedding Policy, completed the request form and a minister has confirmed your date, you can begin scheduling vendors, or subsequent commitments. Please plan to bring the $200 deposit to the church within 10 days of confirmation. This deposit will confirm your plan and reserve your date on the church calendar.

Ceremonies at Catlin Church will primarily be held in our Worship Center. An alternate option includes our Chapel (30 people or less). Since Saturday is the most common day for weddings, we ask that all weddings start no later than 4:00 p.m. and all related activities be concluded by 7:00 p.m.

Friday evenings between 3:00 to 7:00 are reserved for your ceremony rehearsal. Be sure to complete the Rehearsal section of the planner worksheet to designate your preferred time.

Receptions & Other Parties If you are interested in hosting your , , or other parties in our Church Fellowship Hall, please contact the church office with those dates. Our Fellowship Hall is 52’x 34’ and seats a maximum of 105-120 guests using all 15 round tables with 7-8 people at each table. Feel free to use the kitchen appliances and utensils. We only ask that you be responsible for cleaning up and returning all utensils to their proper place. Round and rectangle tables and chairs are available for you to set up. Again, you will be responsible for cleanup and putting everything back in its proper place. You can learn more about our Building Usage Policy on page 13.

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Fees The total cost of having a wedding at Catlin Church is $600. This fee covers building use, pre-marital counseling sessions, and services of church personnel for rehearsals and ceremonies. A $200 deposit should be made within 10 days of confirming your date with our minister. Deposit is non-refundable for cancellations made 4 months or less before the wedding date.

The remaining $400 is due at the first pre-marital counseling session.

Minister Contact information Chris Lawler: [email protected] Mike Strunga: [email protected] Office hours: Monday –Thursday 8:00 to 4:30, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 Phone: 217-427-2166 Fax 217-427-2167

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Premarital Counseling It is our belief that preparation for provides a solid foundation on which the marital relationship can be built. Therefore, premarital counseling is required prior to any ceremony being performed. This will take place at least 2 to 3 months before the wedding. The minister will set up these sessions (normally about 3) to discuss the following topics:

• Finances • Children • Biblical foundations of Marriage • Communication in marriage • Key values in your marriage

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Ceremony Preparations During one of your meetings with the minister, he will review and help Ceremony Sample Order you plan the ceremony of your BIG day. Some of the things he will discuss Prelude review are; ceremony order, music, rehearsal time and all other aspects Processional of the wedding. The minister reserves the right to use his discretion and Welcome & Opening Prayer advisement if necessary. Giving of the Scripture reading Let take a few minutes to think about your wedding party. A typical Wedding Message/Challenge wedding includes ushers that seat your guests, grandparents, parents, maid of honor, best man, , groomsmen ring bearer, flower Exchange of Rings girl. Your minister will discuss the processional and seating order of all Lighting of Pronouncement of Marriage these people. First Kiss Some other Ceremony elements you might consider: Introduction of Introduction of the Couple Recessional couple (their story), unity rope, poetry, special music, signing of , Communion, Giving of flowers to parents, video, etc.

See pages 10 and 11 for a planning sheet for your wedding.

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Wedding Rehearsal The Rehearsal is typically held the evening before the wedding and will take about one hour. The rehearsal finalizes the Wedding Ceremony with a walk-through of the entire wedding. Responsibilities, staging and timing details are explained and practiced by participants.

Attendees at the rehearsal are:

• Bride & Groom • Best Man & Maid/Matron of Honor • All attendants • & Ring Bearer • Musicians and readers • Ushers • Parents of the bride & groom • Grandparents of the bride & groom

Punctuality Punctuality is critical to the success of the rehearsal and wedding. Please encourage all participants to be on time for the rehearsal and wedding. The Wedding Ceremony will also start on time unless there is a medical emergency.

Ceremony Music The sound tech, scheduled by the church staff, is included in the fees. The honorarium is the responsibility of the bride/groom for instrumentalists, vocalists, and wedding coordinator. Payments to these participants are to be made to them personally.

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Obtaining your Marriage Licenses A Marriage License can be obtained from: Vermilion County Clerk, the office of Cathy Jenkins Vermilion County Administration building 201 North Vermilion (first floor), Danville, Illinois (217) 554-1900 https://www.vercounty.org/coclerk_vital_marriage.htm

General Information: • Both Bride and Groom MUST be present to obtain a license • A valid driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport is required for identification. • You need to know your Social Security number or bring your card • Licenses are available from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. • Anyone obtaining a marriage license in Vermilion County may use the license only in Vermilion County. • The license must be obtained at least one day prior to being used and is void 60 days after its effective date. • The marriage must be recognized under the laws of the state in which the couple resides. • The fee for a marriage license is $50.00. • The age requirement for a marriage license without parental consent is 18 years old. Parental consent for 16 and 17-year olds wishing to be married must be given by both natural parents. In the case of divorce, both parents must still sign, regardless of which parent has legal custody. If one parent is deceased, a death certificate must be shown. No one, under any circumstances, may be married under the age of sixteen (16). • Non-residents cannot obtain a marriage license if the marriage would be void in their home state. • The marriage license must be returned to the County Clerk's office by the officiant of the ceremony within ten (10) days after the date of the marriage.

Note • The bride will need a certified copy of the marriage license to change her name on her Social Security card, Drivers License, and possibly several other places.

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Wedding Day Details The entire wedding party, photographer and florist should arrive at the church at least 60 minutes prior to the ceremony, depending on your pre- session. Please do not have flowers or rented items delivered before you plan to arrive or have someone there to meet the delivery. You must be sure that your order has been satisfactorily delivered. All personal items and rental property must be removed for the church promptly following the ceremony. We do not have refrigeration storage space for flowers or food. We do not have extra storage space available to keep your personal or rented items on-site following the ceremony. Please encourage all participants to be on time for the wedding. The Wedding Ceremony will start on time unless there is a medical emergency.

Photography Flash photography is permitted during the ceremony as directed by you. You may wish to remind guests not to use flash photography that may disrupt your photographers’ photos. Photography time for you “First Look” and family pictures may take place anywhere on our campus and may take place in the Worship Center during your scheduled time.

Ceremony Set-Up The Worship Center seats approximately 300-336 guests. Set-up and decorating can begin on Friday before your wedding. No decoration should be used that will deface or damage our church furnishings. Please ask permission prior to moving any items or furniture in our church.

Staging & Decorations We offer a few things to help decorate for your wedding. Our Building Supervisor will get these items out of storage for you. Please indicate the items on page 12. You are welcome to use any combination of the following: • Silver-tone candelabras with 9 candles * • Gold-tone candelabras with 7 candles * • Gold-tone Unity Candle stand * • Communion Table • Guest book podium or table Note* The ONLY candles to be used are the provided mechanical/dripless candles.

Tear Down All decorating items must be removed immediately following the wedding ceremony and cannot be stored overnight following the wedding. Also, replace any furniture to its proper location.

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Getting ready rooms Two rooms are provided—we primarily use room #301 for the bride and bridesmaids and room #104 for the groom and groomsmen. Please check with the minister or custodian if you need to use any other rooms. Food and beverages are allowed in each room. You will have access to these spaces starting at your rehearsal.

Ceremony Elements Communion: if you choose communion during your service, we provide standard Sunday morning communion elements for you. You may provide an alternative element if desired.

Food and Beverages These items are allowed in the rooms you get ready in. All food and drink along with personal property should be removed from all rooms immediately following your ceremony. Please remember that smoking, alcoholic beverages, and illicit drugs are NOT permitted on church property.

Other Facility Policies Please encourage your guests to respect your church home. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building. Alcohol and nonprescription drugs are not allowed on the church property.

Other Celebrations and Parties We offer our building for use for other celebrations and parties, such as Bridal showers, receptions and rehearsal dinners. Please refer to pages 12 and 13 for details and how to make these arrangements.

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Ceremony Planner Bride’s Name: ______Groom’s Name: ______Rehearsal Date: ______Time: ______Wedding Date: ______Time: ______Walk down aisle the following family members Groom’s grandparents: ______(optional) Bride’s grandparents: ______(optional) Groom’s Parents: ______Bride’s parents: ______Bridal Party Maid of Honor: ______Best Man: ______Bride Maids: ______Groomsmen: ______Bride Maids: ______Groomsmen: ______Bride Maids: ______Groomsmen: ______Bride Maids: ______Groomsmen: ______Bride escort: ______Ushers: ______Ushers: ______Ushers: ______Ushers: ______Guest book attendant: ______Flower Girl: ______Ring bearer: ______

Ceremony Element Music: ❑ track, ❑ Live ______Prayer by: ❑ minister, ❑ family, ❑ other ______Giving of bride wordage: ❑ her mother and I, ❑ we do, ❑ other: ______Gift to mothers: ______Vows: ❑ traditional, ❑ contemporary, ❑ personal Unity element: ❑ candle, ❑ sand, ❑ rope, ❑other: ______Scripture reading: ❑ no, ❑ yes verse: ______Poetry reading: ❑ no, ❑ yes Communion: ❑ no, ❑ yes How do you want to be introduced? ______Dismissal style: ❑ ushers, ❑ minister, ❑ couple, ❑other: ______Do you any announcement following the ceremony? (reception, other) ______Greet line: ❑ ramp, ❑ foyer, ❑ other: ______Drive away/celebration throwing: ❑ flowers, ❑rice, ❑ bubbles, ❑ other: ______Additional elements: ______Cleanup by: ______

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Order of Ceremony

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Ceremony Floor Planner

DECORATION & PLACEMENTS

❑ Stage and placement of candles ❑ Aisle decoration ❑ Window decoration ❑ Candelabra placement ❑ Unity and Communion placement ❑ Reader placement ❑ Musician placement ❑ Entrance decoration ❑ Guest book table/podium decoration and placement ❑ Other: ______

FREE RESOURCES check the items you will need: ❑ Silver tone Candelabras set ❑ Gold tone Candelabras set ❑ Gold tone Unity Candle stand ❑ Communion Table ❑ Guest book podium / or table

Note: the only candles to be used are the provided mechanical/dripless candles.

MUSIC, AUDIO, VISUAL Check what will be used ❑ Piano ❑ Organ ❑ Prepared slide show (mp4 or .mov format) ❑ music files Note: all digital files must be available for our tech personnel one week prior Note: pews seat 315-336 to the wedding. We have 24 small arched windows along

the wall of the worship center and 2 12 large viewing windows in the rear.

Church Building Usage Policy The church’s facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of church members. The church desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and always to God’s glory. We allow our active members and attenders to use our facility for parties and celebrations at no cost with the understanding of the below guidelines. Scheduling The usage of the facility will be scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis. All scheduling must be coordinated with the church office personnel and scheduled on the church calendar. The church staff retains the right to ask any group/ individuals to move to a different location within the building or to cancel the use of the building. General Instructions • No individual may use the church facility for a commercial business purpose. • The church reserves the right to schedule multiple events throughout the building. • Respect for other programs using the building and its grounds are expected. (i.e. small groups, practices, etc.) • Use of church equipment, i.e., DVD player, projector, screen, and sound equipment; tables and chairs, is subject to availability and approval. These items may not be taken off church property. Please consult church staff on the operation instructions. • Use of decorations is subject to the approval of church staff. • No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products are permitted on church property. • Youth groups and young children must always have adult supervision. • No children are allowed on the stage in the Worship Center or elsewhere in the church without supervision. • Individuals or groups are expected to remain in or near the room(s) reserved. • Groups must adhere to the time schedule in the application. • The church will not be held responsible for personal property left in the building. • If there is damage to church property during an event, the person or organization using the building may be assessed damages fees. Set-up • A discussion (meeting or phone call) with the custodian should be held at least one week prior to the event to go over details and expectations. • To obtain a key to the building, contact the office staff a few days prior to your event. This staff member will instruct you on how to unlock and re-lock the doors. This key must be returned during office hours, within 4 business days after the event. • The set-up and arrangement of tables and other equipment are the responsibility of those using the facility. We recommend taking a photo of the room before making any changes, then you can refer to said photo for proper placement. • Available furniture: 21ct 60” round tables, 9ct 8’ rectangle tables, 84 white plastic chairs, 20+ brown metal chairs. The maximum table to fill the room is 15 with 7 chairs each for a total of 105 guests. • The Fellowship Hall dimensions are 52’ X 34’ Facility Clean-up • Basic clean-up of the area used is required (including dishwashing, decoration removal, replacement of all furniture and equipment to its proper place) • All trash bags must be placed in the outside dumpster • A vacuum is provided and can be found in the closet located between the first-floor restrooms. • All lights must be turned off and doors locked upon departure.

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715 West Vermilion Street | Catlin, IL 61817 www.catlinchurch.com | 217-427-2166

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