MarriageWedding

PreparationGuide

A FAMILY MINISTRY OF FIRST CHURCH

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able of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3

Preparing For Marriage............................................................................................................ 4

Planning For Your Wedding .................................................................................................... 6

Pastor and Wedding Personnel ............................................................................................... 7

First Church Facilities .............................................................................................................. 8

Couple Checklist ...................................................................................................................... 9

Wedding Information Form ................................................................................................... 10

Wedding and Reception Fees Worksheet ..............................................................................11

Order of Ceremony ................................................................................................................ 12

First Church of ChristMarriage & Wedding

PreParation guide

revised June 2012

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The minisTry Team aT FirsT ChurCh wants your wedding day to be a wonderful and memorable event. Even more, we want to help you establish a lifelong relationship with God and with one another. This Marriage and Wedding Preparation Guide has been created to acquaint you with the wedding process, help you plan your wedding day, and prepare you for married life.

First Church of ChristHomePoint Family Ministry6080 Camp Ernst RoadP.O. Box 880Burlington, KY 41005859.586.4673 ext. 111www.1stchurchofchrist.org

Preparation GuideFirst Church

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PreParing for Marriage

CongraTulaTions! You are approaching an exciting and important milestone in your life-Marriage! We have put together the following information to help guide you in your next steps at First Church. Please read through this guide before you complete the forms at the back.

Two Marriage Prerequisites

1. PreMarital CounselingbeCause of our dediCation to help couples build a strong foundation for this lifetime commitment, marriage preparation is a requirement for all couples planning to be married through First Church. In order to get the most from the required marriage preparation, we recommend you begin this process at least six months before your wedding to allow the remaining months for finalizing wedding plans.

FirsT ChurCh

marriage PreParaTion Course

ComPleTion oF a marriage PreParaTion Course or counseling is required for all couples seeking to be married through First Church. To help you complete the required marriage preparation, First Church offers a course called Marriage ONENESS several times each year. We strongly encourage couples considering marriage, engaged to be married, or already married to take this course. There is a $30 fee per couple which covers the Couple Checkup inventory.

For inFormaTion about the next Marriage ONENESS course, go online to our website at www.1stchurchofchrist.org, contact our HomePoint Family Ministry office at 859.586. 4673 ext. 111 or email Toni at tdolwick@1stchurchofchrist.org.

Other Marriage Preparation Optionsin addiTion to the Marriage ONENESS course, other options for completing marriage preparation are listed below. Other options must provide an experience equivalent to the Marriage ONENESS course and be discussed with our HomePoint Family Pastor.

• sessions with one of our licensed Counselors (there is a fee for these sessions that is worked out between the couple and the counselor)

• marriage PreParaTion courses offered by other churches

• sessions with a pastor or family life educator

2. seParate living arrangeMentsWhile iT is Common today for couples to live together prior to marriage, the Bible teaches that couples honor God’s intentions for the best marriage possible by living apart and remaining sexually abstinent until marriage (Hebrews 13:4). When a couple chooses to live together before marriage they are putting their relationship at risk. In reality, cohabitation actually increases a couple’s chances of being divorced someday. With marriage, commitment and permanence are more likely to happen. Therefore, to be married through First Church, couples must have separate living arrangements and not be living together. To discuss these two marriage prerequisites, contact our HomePoint Family Pastor.

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Marriage ONENESS (continued)

DivorceiF you have been Through a divorCe, we recommend that at least one year pass from the date of your legal divorce before considering remarriage. Being in counseling or participating in a recovery program is also strongly recommended. At First Church we offer Christian counseling and a DivorceCare recovery support group.

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Planning for Your Wedding

noW ThaT you’ve sTarTed laying the foundation for a successful marriage, you are ready to begin planning for your wedding day. We recommend you allow up to a year, and no less than four months, for planning your wedding.

Wedding services described here are available to couples where at least one is an active member of First Church or has been attending First Church regularly during the previous six months. In general, regular attendance refers to attending half of the services in any given time period. Couples who do not attend First Church, but whose parents or grandparents are active members, should contact the HomePoint Family Ministry office to discuss their interest in being married at First Church.

Reviewing Booklet and Completing FormsaFTer you have read through this booklet and discussed it as a couple, fill out and sign the Information Form and Fees Worksheet included at the back and return them to the Family Ministry office. Receipt of these completed forms is considered the start of the wedding planning process with First Church and will tentatively hold your wedding date, if available.

Meeting with the Family PastoraFTer reTurning the Information and Fees forms, the wedding couple should contact the HomePoint Family Ministry office to set up an orientation meeting with the HomePoint Family Pastor. During this initial meeting, our Pastor will review the First Church marriage and wedding prerequisites and discuss with you the overall process leading up to your wedding. Once you have met with the Pastor and submitted your deposit, then your wedding date and time will be confirmed.

Working with our Wedding Teamour Wedding direCTor will send you a letter to confirm the details for your wedding plans. This confirmation letter will also contain a Wedding Ceremony Worksheet (see sample on page 12) that you will need to complete and return. After your Wedding Ceremony Worksheet is received, a Wedding Coordinator is assigned and will contact you. From that point forward the coordinator will be your primary connection with First Church personnel and resources as you plan your wedding. The Wedding Coordinator will support and guide you through the entire wedding process at First Church. Below is a glimpse of the support you will receive from your coordinator:

• have an initial introduction meeting with you• give you a tour of facilities (if requested)• revieW wedding ceremony and venue logistics• ansWer your wedding questions pertaining to First Church resources• disCuss event setup and cleanup times and advise you of your responsibilities• aCT as liaison with your professional wedding planner if you have one• Convey your wedding ceremony needs to the First Church staff members who

are assisting with your wedding• reCeive checks for fees incurred and distribute to appropriate personnel• CoordinaTe your wedding rehearsal• oversee your wedding ceremony at First Church

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Pastor and Wedding Personnel

FirsT ChurCh has a Team of pastors and staff available to assist with your wedding (see the list of First Church pastors and wedding personnel below). You may request a specific pastor and other staff for your wedding or have the Wedding Director select the people for you. Make your preferences known when you meet with your Wedding Coordinator. If you have a preferred Wedding Coordinator, inform the HomePoint Family Pastor at your orientation meeting.

Off-Site WeddingsmosT oF our PasTors are willing to officiate at a location other than First Church. You will need to contact a pastor to talk through and confirm any off-site arrangements. Off-site weddings are planned through the officiating pastor rather than the HomePoint Family Ministry office.

Non-First Church PastorsPasTors noT ConneCTed with First Church are welcome to officiate at weddings here. Let your wedding coordinator know if you plan to have a pastor that is not from First Church officiate at your wedding.

First Church Wedding Coordinators

Contact Person Position Phone859.586.4673

Email Address

Cissy BirkheadWedding DirectorWedding Coordinator

Ext. 148 cbirkhead@1stchurchofchrist.org

Hannah Hunt Wedding Coordinator 859.525.2416 hannahhunt@fuse.net

Diana Tripp Wedding Coordinator 513.898.0885 dianaeric@mac.com

First Church Pastors and Staff

Contact Person Position Phone859.586.4673

Email Address

Tommy Baker Executive Pastor Ext. 114 tbaker@1stchurchofchrist.org

Josh Brown R3VOLUTION Worship Pastor Ext. 183 jbrown@1stchurchofchrist.org

Garry Clark Middle School Pastor Ext. 116 gclark@1stchurchofchrist.org

Toni Dolwick HomePoint Family Assistant Ext. 111 tdolwick@1stchurchofchrist.org

Phil Haas HomePoint Family Pastor Ext. 113 phaas@1stchurchofchrist.org

Brian Heckber Outreach Pastor Ext. 140 bheckber@1stchurchofchrist.org

Guy Jones Children’s Pastor Ext. 180 gjones@1stchurchofchrist.org

Leigh-Garrett Lance High School Pastor Ext. 132 lglance@1stchurchofchrist.org

Rick Lowry Spiritual Growth Pastor Ext. 153 kfisher@1stchurchofchrist.org

Darin Mirante Serving Pastor Ext. 123 dmirante@1stchurchofchrist.org

Greg Marksberry Senior Pastor Ext. 121 cgallagher@1stchurchofchrist.org

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First ChurCh faCilities

WeddingsThe WorshiP CenTer on the Burlington Campus is utilized for weddings based on availability. The Worship Center seats up to 900 people.

ReceptionsThe graCe Family liFe CenTer is utilized for receptions based on availability and for an additional fee. There are adjacent and limited kitchen facilities as well as tables and chairs that may be used.

SchedulingWeddings MaY be sCheduled up to 12 months in advance of the wedding date. Weddings, rehearsals, and receptions are planned around the church calendar. Due to worship schedules, no weddings are scheduled on Saturdays between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Weddings on Sundays must be scheduled between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. In addition to these restrictions, there are periodic “black out” dates around special programming at First Church. When scheduling these events, keep in mind that you have four hours access to the reserved facilities for your wedding ceremony. Rehearsals generally last an hour. Three additional hours are allotted for receptions following weddings. We allow one hour after the ceremony for picture taking. Please plan to have everyone out of the church building no later than 11:00 p.m.

Additional Supplies Available Upon Request• Twowhiteorsilver,seven-lightcandelabrastands• Atabletopunitycandleholderandsidecandleholders• Communionsuppliesforbrideandgroom

iF you have quesTions on availability of our facilities, contact Toni Dolwick, HomePoint Family Ministry Assistant. To view the facilities prior to making your decision, please contact Cissy Birkhead, Wedding Director.

FeesreFer to the Wedding Fees Worksheet on page 11.

Thank You for Taking Caring of the Church Facilities• Haveyourfloristprotectthecarpetunderanyplants• OnlysilkflowerpetalsmaybedroppedintheWorshipCenter• Pleaserefrainfromthrowingriceorbirdseedinsideoroutsidethebuilding.Werecommend

bubbles—outside only• Nofoodordrinkispermittedonanycarpetedarea• Youandyourweddingpartyareresponsibleforleavingthefacilityasyoufoundit.• Wecannotguaranteethatanythingleftinthebuildingwillbefoundandreturned.Ifanythingis

found, attempts will be made to contact you.

General GuidelinesPlease resPeCT our directives regarding “no smoking” and “no alcoholic beverages” permitted in all First Church buildings and on all First Church property.

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CouPle CheCklist

here’s a CheCklisT below to help you track your progress with your wedding plans at First Church.

read through the Marriage and Wedding Preparation Guide and discuss with your partner

regisTer for the Marriage ONENESS Course or make other approved arrangements

ComPleTe the Wedding Information Form and Fees Worksheet

submiT completed forms to the HomePoint Family Ministry office

make an appointment with the HomePoint Family Pastor for the orientation session

submiT deposit check payable to “First Church of Christ” to the HomePoint Family Ministry office at the orientation meeting

reCeive confirmation of wedding dates and facilities along with an Order of Ceremony form

reTurn completed Order of Ceremony form to Wedding Director

ComPleTe marriage preparation

meeT with the Wedding Coordinator as needed

meeT with the officiating pastor as needed

rehearsal

Wedding day

ConTinue investing in your marriage by attending a marriage getaway once a year

We are exCiTed For you in this season of your life and are ready to come alongside to help you build a foundation for your marriage that will last a lifetime.

First Church of ChristHomePoint Family Ministry6080 Camp Ernst RoadP.O. Box 880Burlington, KY 41005859.586.4673 ext. 111www.1stchurchofchrist.org

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BRIDE ___________________________________ Address __________________________________ City, State, ZIP ____________________________ Primary Phone ____________________________ Home ________________ Cell _______________ Email ____________________________________ Are you a member of First Church? [ ] Yes [ ] No If no, do you have family who is a member? [ ] Yes, Relationship _________________ [ ] No Attend First Church regularly? [ ] Yes [ ] No Have you been married before? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please complete below: Date married __________ Date ended _________ Do you have children? [ ] Yes [ ] No Name _________________________ Age ______ Name _________________________ Age ______ Name _________________________ Age ______

GROOM _________________________________ Address __________________________________ City, State, ZIP ____________________________ Primary Phone ____________________________ Home ________________ Cell _______________ Email ____________________________________ Are you a member of First Church? [ ] Yes [ ] No If no, do you have family who is a member? [ ] Yes, Relationship _________________ [ ] No Attend First Church regularly? [ ] Yes [ ] No Have you been married before? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please complete below: Date married __________ Date ended _________ Do you have children? [ ] Yes [ ] No Name _________________________ Age ______ Name _________________________ Age ______ Name _________________________ Age ______

WEDDING INFORMATION Location Date Time (Start and Finish) Rehearsal _________________________ __________________ __________________________ Ceremony _________________________ __________________ __________________________ Reception _________________________ __________________ __________________________ Pastor you’ve [ ] contacted or [ ] would like to officiate your wedding ____________________________ Plans for completing marriage preparation __________________________________________________ Please complete and submit this form to the HomePoint Family Ministry office. Upon receipt of (1) this Wedding Information Form and (2) the Wedding and Reception Fees Worksheet the requested dates will be tentatively reserved if available. Final approval of your wedding at First Church will be made after your scheduled appointment with the HomePoint Family Pastor. If for any reason, your wedding is not held at First Church all payments will be refunded. All of the above information provided is complete and correct, and we have read the Marriage and Wedding Guide in its entirety and agree to comply with its guidelines. Bride’s Signature ________________________________________ Date __________________________ Groom’s Signature_______________________________________ Date __________________________ Family Pastor’s Signature__________________________________Date __________________________ Please complete this form and return to: First Church of Christ HomePoint Family Ministry Office P.O. Box 880 Burlington, KY 41005

Wedding inforMation forMPersonal Information

Wedding Information

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Wedding and reCePtion fees Worksheet

BRIDE ___________________ GROOM ___________________ WEDDING DATE ____________

WEDDING Facilities Fee Totals First Church Worship Center (Seats 900) $250 (waived for members) $____________ Services Wedding Coordinator $150 $150 Sound/Light Technician $100 $100 Custodian $100 $100 FCC Pastor $150 $____________ FCC Musician/Vocalist $100 (per musician/vocalist) $____________ IMAG & Wedding Video $350 (optional) $____________

RECEPTION Facilities Grace Family Life Center (Seats 500) $150 $____________ Services On-site Personnel for Reception $25/hr. $____________ Tech Assistance for Reception $25/hr. $____________

OTHER FEES Marriage ONENESS Course $30 (materials fee) $____________ TOTAL ESTIMATED FEES $____________ Payment is due in full at least 30 days prior to scheduled event. Deposit for Wedding $100 (required to reserve) $100 Deposit for Reception $100 (required to reserve) $____________ A deposit of $100 per event is required when scheduling a wedding or reception. The deposit is in addition to the total estimated fees and will be refunded within 2 weeks after the wedding has occurred. To tentatively hold your requested facilities please submit (1) this Fees Worksheet and (2) the Wedding Information Form to the HomePoint Family Ministry office. Confirmation of your request will be made after your scheduled appointment with the HomePoint Family Pastor at which time you will be asked to submit the appropriate deposit (check or money order) payable to “First Church of Christ.” The above selections reflect the needs we have for our wedding at this current time. We understand that any fees in addition to these will be open to adjustments by us and by First Church of Christ based on actual needs and services as agreed upon by both us and First Church. Bride’s Signature _____________________________________ Date ____________________________

Groom’s Signature ____________________________________ Date ____________________________

Family Pastor’s Signature _______________________________ Date ____________________________ Please complete this form and return to: First Church of Christ HomePoint Family Ministry Office P.O. Box 880 Burlington, KY 41005

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First ChurCh of ChristSuggested Order of Ceremony

Bride: ____________________________________ Groom: ___________________________________

Prelude Music: (20-30 minutes – usually 6-8 songs)

1 – _______________________________________ 5 – ______________________________________

2 – _______________________________________ 6 – ______________________________________

3 – _______________________________________ 7 – ______________________________________

4 – _______________________________________ 8 – ______________________________________

Song for Lighting Candelabras: __________________________________________________________

Candle Lighters: _________________________________ __________________________________

Isle Runner: YES NO

Isle runner will be pulled down by (candle lighters)___________________________________________

Song for seating of Grandparents: _______________________________________________________

Seating of Grandparents: (Bride’s family left side/Groom’s family right side)

Parents will be seated in row 1 or row 2. Grandparents may sit in same row as parents or row behind.

Grandparents: ________________________ Row: __________ Seated by: ________________________

Grandparents: ________________________ Row: __________ Seated by: ________________________

Grandparents: ________________________ Row: __________ Seated by: ________________________

Grandparents: ________________________ Row: __________ Seated by: ________________________

Other: _______________________________________________________________________________

Song for lighting Unity Candle by Mothers: ________________________________________________

Groom’s Mother: ____________________________ Escorted By: _______________________________

Bride’s Mother: _____________________________ Escorted By: _______________________________

Procession Begins

Song: ______________________________________________________________________________

Minister, Groom and Best Man Enter

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Bridal attendants with Groomsmen: (Please check one)

Groomsmen will escort bridesmaids from the back door Groomsmen will enter from side door with groom and escort bridesmaids up the stairs Groomsmen will walk in from side door and go to spots on stage

Bridesmaids- #1 being furthest away from you on stage but first to walk in.Maid of Honor, flower girl or junior bridesmaid will be right before you

1 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

2 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

4 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

5 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

6 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

7 – ________________________________________ ________________________________________

8 – Maid of Honor: ___________________________ Best Man: ________________________________ Junior Bridesmaid: ___________________________ Junior Groom: ____________________________

Flower Girl: __________________________________________________________________________

Ring Bearer: __________________________________________________________________________

Brides Entrance Song: _________________________________________________________________

– Bride (& Father) Enter

– Words of greeting and prayer

Pledges

Father Gives Bride Away When the Minister asks; “Who gives this women to be married to this man?” Father kisses Bride, puts Bride’s hand in Groom’s hand, then goes to seat.

Bride, Groom and Minister move to upper stage for vows

Message, exchange of vows, Blessing of rings/exchange of rings

Song: ______________________________________________________________________________ (This may be sung and or played during unity candle, communion and flowers to Parents)

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Unity Candle: Bride and Groom take candles lit by mothers and light center candle

Communion: YES NO

Presenting Flowers to Parents: YES NO

Readings: YES NO

If yes: Reading: ___________________________________ By: ________________________________

Blessing, Prayer and Marriage Kiss

Introduction: Mr. and Mrs.

Recessional - Song: ___________________________________________________________________

Wedding Party: (Please check one for each)

Parents: Stay seated and be dismissed with guests Escorted out Follow wedding party

Grandparents: Stay seated and be dismissed with guests Escorted out Follow wedding party Dismissal of guests (?) What process_______________________________________________________

Announcement – from Minister if wanted regarding exit or reception ____________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Receiving Line: YES NO

NOTES:

Please complete these forms and return to: First Church of Christ Attn: Cissy Birkhead P.O. Box 880 Burlington, KY 41005