Planning a wedding

It sounds like Decator First is more interested in cermony and rules about what wedding coordinator can or can not be used, rather than creating Christ centered marriages.

You have to arrange with the "keyboard person" two months in advance, but no such restrictions are placed on using their "clergy". One would think the clergy would want to counsel and meet with the prospective bride and groom and make sure that it will a marriage that honors Christ. Doesn't seem so at Decator First.

 

I don't know that it's so bad. I've seen worse. I can understand why they want their own church organist to play instead of a stranger. When I played organ, other organists would change all my settings, etc. and some musicians just don't take care of instruments properly. It can be frustrating to the main player.

With their rules and regulations, I'm surprised they didn't include a dress code for the wedding party. I know of places that don't want backless, strapless, low-cut, etc. wedding attire, and the songs must be approved by the church music director beforehand.

 

It's their church and their rules. If I didn't like the rules I'd find another church. My church recently became more strict about wedding because of abuse.

 

I agree with you, sag. We've had lots of people who want a "church wedding" but they never want to step foot in church for any other reason. These are the ones most likely to take advantage of the facilities, leave it a mess, not pay the janitor for clean-up, etc. Many churches I know don't even let outsiders use their facilities for weddings anymore, only for members or the member's children.

 

Salty, I do know that our church has a policy of no dancing and no alcohol on the premises. Tobacco is not allowed inside the building. Also, my dh will not perform a wedding unless the couple has agreed to come to him for premarital counseling beforehand. He also will not marry a believer to an unbeliever.

 

At one time, our prior church was very strict about weddings ---
* members only
* church organist (standard fee)
* church wedding planner (standard fee)
* minister within same denomination
* cleaning fee
* pre-marital counseling required
* no recorded music
* music selections approved
* no photos during ceremony
* videos allowed (but passive only)
* no alcohol allowed on premises

Over time, the policy changed to allow Christian non-members to be married. In addition, their own pastor could marry them and perform the counseling. This was offered primarily as a service to others whose own facilities were not comparable. Note - our sanctuary was beautiful and similar to 1st Methodist in the link.

However, opening up your church for weddings will create issues. Having very detailed guidelines up front - even if they are strict - will help lessen some of the pain.

 

I don't think I will get married there.

 

It's not the alcohol policy is it?? :laugh:

BTW, over time the rules have been relaxed quite a bit.

 

Bwahahahahaha.


Yeah.



ahahaha