The Wedding as A Service of Worship
The following guidelines for the marriage ceremony within the Presbyterian Church USA as set forth in the "Directory for Worship" are as follows:
"Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of Discipleship. In a service of Christian Marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.
a. In preparation for the marriage service the minister asked to lead the service shall provide for a discussion with the man and the woman concerning
(1) The nature of the Christian commitment, assuring that at least one is a professing Christian,
(2) the legal requirements of the state,
(3) the privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage,
(4) the nature and form of the marriage service,
(5) the vows and commitments they will be asked to make,
(6) the relationship of the commitment to their lives of Discipleship,
(7) The resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in fulfilling their marriage commitments.
This discussion is equally important in the case of a first marriage, a marriage after the death of a spouse, and a marriage following divorce.
b. If the minister is convinced after discussion with the couple that commitment, responsibility, maturity, or Christian understanding are so lacking that the marriage is unwise, the minister shall assure the couple of the Church’s continuing concern for them and not conduct the ceremony. In making this decision the minister may seek the counsel of the Session.
Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the minister and the supervision of the Session. The marriage ordinarily takes place in a special service which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God and as an expression of the Christian life.
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper at the marriage service requires the approval of the Session, and care shall be taken that the invitation to the Table is extended to all baptized present. The marriage service may take place during the Service for the Lord’s Day upon authorization by the Session. It should be placed in the order as a response to the proclamation of the Word. It may then be followed by the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.The service begins with scriptural sentences and a brief statement of purpose. The man and the woman shall declare their intention to enter into Christian marriage and shall exchange vows of love and faithfulness. The service includes appropriate passages of Scripture, which may be interpreted in various forms of proclamation. Prayers shall be offered for the couple, for the communities which support them in this new dimension of Discipleship, and for all who seek to live in faithfulness. In the name of the triune God the minister shall declare publicly that the woman and man are now joined in marriage. A charge may be given. Other actions common to the community and its cultures may appropriately be observed when these actions do not diminish the Christian understanding of marriage. The service concludes with a benediction.
Music suitable for the marriage service directs at God and expressed the faith of the church. The congregation may join in hymns and other musical praise and prayer. Flowers, decorations and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enlarging worshiper's consciousness of the reality of God and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life.
A service of worship recognizing a civil marriage by confirming it in the community of faith may be appropriately requested by the couple. The service will be similar to the marriage service except that the opening statement, the declaration of intention, the exchange of the vows by the husband and wife, and the public declaration by the minister reflect that the woman and man are already married to one another according to the laws of the state."
Making the Reservation- Members and Nonmembers
Please read over this entire brochure on the website. It is a good idea to print it for your records. An appointment to view the church or any other questions should be directed to our church’s Head Wedding Coordinator, Kathi Thomas at (wk. number) 288-6944. She is normally available to meet with you on Wednesdays after 6:30 or Sundays before or after church.
A reservation may be made with the Head Wedding Coordinator after she/he coordinates the wedding with the church calendar. Your pastor must be listed on your reservation sheet before the reservation will be confirmed. To make your reservation, please print out the reservation form, fill out and mail to the church to Kathi's attention with your $200 nonrefundable deposit, (if not an active member for one year prior to your wedding date.) If an active member for one year prior to your wedding date, there is no charge for the church itself, just send in the reservation form.
Weddings are not scheduled on religious holidays, nor on Sundays for nonmembers. (Please see listing of holidays when weddings are not scheduled).
Facilities Available for the Wedding and Reception
The sanctuary is used for the rehearsal and wedding. A bride's room is available for the bride and her attendants. It is located upstairs by the back balcony. The groom and his attendants usually meet in the library behind the Sanctuary. Smoot Fellowship Hall is available for receptions. Please see Receptions for more information on Smoot Hall.
Non-members may be married at Central Presbyterian. Non-member weddings will only be confirmed six months before the proposed date. Anyone who is not an active member of Central Presbyterian Church for one year prior to the wedding will pay non-member fees.
One of Central Presbyterian Church’s wedding directors is required for all non-member weddings. This wedding director is required to be at the rehearsal, should one take place in the church. (Please see fee schedule). We ask that all non-members treat our church with the respect that is due to God’s house.
If a guest pastor is desired, approval must be given by our pastor. Ministers of any Christian denomination are welcome to officiate the wedding (an Internet or mail-order ordination is not sufficient).
If one of CPC's pastors are officiating for your wedding, three conferences with the bride and groom are required. The dates should be arranged well in advance of the wedding date. These dates will be arranged with the pastor.
For those who are not active members for at least one year before the wedding, a fee is required if one of CPC's pastors officiates for your wedding. Please see the Schedule of Fees for the amount.
If organ music is desired, it is your responsibility to contact our organist, Nathan Quiring to check his availability for your wedding and rehearsal.
Our organist has the right of "first refusal", but if you've got a close friend or relative who is a professional organist, he is usually willing to allow them to play. It is entirely his decision. If another organist is allowed, he or she must contact Nathan. There is a fee of $25 you will owe to Nathan to cover his time to consult with your organist. Our organ requires some special treatment, and that is why it is essential that your organist consult with ours. Other instrumental music should be reviewed with the Central's Pastor or Head Wedding Coordinator, or, if using a guest pastor, with our Head Wedding Coordinator.
The reason for music at a church wedding is to facilitate the worship of God. In the wedding service, it is inappropriate to use love songs of a personal nature. (These songs may be more appropriate at the rehearsal dinner or reception). Any vocals during the wedding must be of sacred music. Any prelude music that is not sacred must be approved by our Head Wedding Coordinator (Kathi@SpecialWeddingFlowers.com) or (512) 288-6944.
If you have special music requests and our organist is playing, he must have the music no later than one month before the wedding to allow adequate time for rehearsal. If the music is not received by our organist by at least one month before the wedding, it is his right to refuse to play it at the wedding.
Prerecorded music may not be used.
The bride and groom should insure that all members of the wedding party are able to attend and are on time. It is important for all ushers to be at the rehearsal. Wedding rehearsals are scheduled for one hour, and may not begin before 5:30 PM.
For best results, it is suggested that children (ring bearers or flower girls) should be at least five years old.
If candles are to be lit by designated candle lighters, we suggest they be lit at least 15 to 20 minutes prior to the beginning of the service.
Wedding Director
Central Presbyterian Church will refer all wishing to make a reservation at CPC to our Head Wedding Director with whom arrangements may be made. Members may, at their discretion, have one of our Wedding Directors at the wedding, and one of CPC's Wedding Directors is required for all non members' weddings.
The Head Wedding Director, is available to help with coordinating the use of the facilities in accordance with these policies. Kathi Thomas is the head wedding director, and may be reached at (512) 288-6944 or Kathi@SpecialWeddingFlowers.com.
The Wedding Director's responsibilities at your rehearsal and wedding are as follows:
1. Hand out copies of rehearsal program (created from information you have given to the head director no later than 2 weeks before your wedding)
2. Facilitate getting people down and back up the aisle in the manner listed on the form.
3. Being sure that the church rules are following in all areas, including directing, photography and videography, and behavior (i.e. no alcohol on the premises, etc.)
These are not "Wedding Coordinators" who oversee all of your wedding, those should be hired separately. In all cases, when an Independent Wedding Coordinator is hired, they are welcome to attend the rehearsal, but they are there as a guest. CPC's Wedding Director will be the one in charge of the rehearsal, especially in the case of a guest pastor. At the wedding, the Independent Wedding Director is welcome as an assistant for the bride.
Our recently repainted Smoot Fellowship Hall is available for receptions. Tables and chairs are available for no additional fee. We have 12- 48" tables, which comfortably seat 6-7 people. Our chairs are not lovely, and you may wish to bring in rental chairs. We do not provide tablecloths, that is your responsibility. We also have 6 and 8 ft. tables which may be used for serving tables.
No alcoholic beverages are permitted anywhere on the premises. No smoking is permitted in the church building.
The caterer is responsible for kitchen cleanup.
Central Presbyterian Church cannot be held responsible for personal items, wedding gowns, coats, purses, silver or glassware brought to the church for use in the wedding, rehearsal, or reception, nor will the church be liable for such items. The church office, which is locked during church services, is available for securing valuables, but CPC is not liable in the event of loss.
