Weddings at Concord Church
Policy
We’re so glad that you’ve chosen to worship God through your wedding here at Concord, and we extend every good wish for a Christ-centered marriage. To anticipate arrangements for the wedding service, we have prepared a checklist for the Rehearsal, Music, Facilities, and available equipment.
Coordinator
Each wedding performed at Concord must use the official Wedding Coordinator or someone who has been assigned by the senior staff. The Coordinator will help you after your wedding has been approved. The Coordinator will supervise the rehearsal and wedding and will be your resource and contact for any and all questions regarding your wedding and receptions held at the church. The primary responsibility is to take unneeded pressure off the Bride and Groom and their families. As the Coordinator, I am here to answer any additional questions you may have regarding your wedding plans. If you have questions about the ceremony itself, discuss your concerns with the officiating pastor during one of your meetings with him.
Wedding Day Coordinator Responsibilities
- The Coordinator will assist you in planning the details of your wedding, will coordinate with the church staff.
- The Coordinator will arrive at the church prior to the wedding party to check the room setup, turn on lights and assist as needed.
- The coordinator will guide the wedding party to their changing rooms
- The Coordinator will orient the photographer to the area and rooms
- The Coordinator assists the florist if needed.
- The Coordinator will help the wedding party with any last-minute details and will line up the grandparents, parents, and wedding party to ensure a timely start.
- Line Order
- At rehearsal, the coordinator secures and disburses checks for church-related fees, communicates with the sound technicians, and secures the kitchen supervisor for rehearsal dinner or reception (if applicable).
Outline for the ceremony service order [General Guide – edit accordingly]:
- Pre-Service
- Processional
- Intro
- Vows / Rings
- Other
- Prayer of Blessing /Announcement
- Recessional
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE INVOLVED
Officiating Pastor
The officiating pastor meets with the Bride and Groom and arranges a counseling schedule. He also discusses the wedding ceremony and performs the wedding.
PLANNING THE WEDDING DAY
General Policies
- Wedding dates will not be available any weekend in December or the weekends of Easter and Thanksgiving; other times will be scheduled as the church ministries permit. Weddings scheduled on Saturdays must be between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted in church buildings or on-premises.
- No food or drink in the auditorium.
- No smoking is permitted in the church building.
- Glitter and confetti is not permitted.
- Throwing of rice, bird seed, and other substances is not permitted on the premises (bubbles may be used).
It is your responsibility to communicate these policies to your wedding party and to whomever else will need to know.
Music
You are responsible for selecting the music for your wedding and for securing a pianist and other musicians as desired. Questions regarding selection can be directed to the Coordinator. The music should be selected prior to your appointment with your Coordinator when you plan the wedding. If you plan to print the text of songs in your program, please provide the information to the Coordinator so appropriate copyright filing can be secured. Please note that all musicians need to arrive one hour prior to the ceremony for a sound check.
Scripture
Any Biblical passage can be chosen. We recommend you select 2-3 passages that you wish to be reflective of your marriage and your lives as followers of Jesus Christ. Most often, these are read after the couple has moved up onto the platform. Your officiating pastor may use your selections in addressing you during the ceremony.
Listed are a few passages appropriate for a wedding ceremony:
Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Philippians 2:1-11; 1 John 4:1-12;
Song of Songs 8:5b-7; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:12-17
Exchanging Vows and Rings
If desired, you can choose to write your own vows or use those suggested by the officiating pastor. If you choose to write your own vows, have them written out to give to your officiating pastor when you meet with him to plan your ceremony.
Unity Candle or Sand
The unity candle or sand is an optional part of the ceremony. When incorporated into the service, it represents the uniting of your lives together from two different families. If you choose to include this, you are responsible for acquiring the necessary candles and equipment.
Receiving Line
You will also need to decide how you want to greet your guests. You may choose to greet them outside, in the Atrium, or at the reception. In these cases, the ushers will need to dismiss guests. The Bride and Groom may also choose to re-enter the auditorium and dismiss and greet guests personally.
Rehearsal
A rehearsal is required for all formal weddings and is customarily scheduled for the day before the wedding, but other arrangements can be discussed with the Coordinator. All participants should be present and on time, including the Bride/Groom, attendants, flower girl/ring bearer, ushers, Scripture readers, candle lighters, parents, and grandparents of the Bride and Groom. Musicians are required to attend the rehearsal and will also arrive an hour before the ceremony for a sound check. It is the obligation of the Bride and Groom to have the wedding participants ready to begin the rehearsal as scheduled. Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled rehearsal time. An hour is usually sufficient for a complete rehearsal.
Rehearsal Dinners
Your Coordinator will help in securing the church for rehearsal dinners. For catering suggestions, available equipment, and other information, please discuss with the Coordinator. Rehearsal dinners must end by 9 pm. Please note: Rehearsal dinners are considered separate events and require an Event Request to be filled out and submitted apart from the wedding request; separate fees apply, and a kitchen supervisor is required.
Receptions
The Coordinator can provide three or four various setup ideas for a reception and you may discuss any ideas you have with them. Please note: Receptions are considered separate events and require an Event Request to be filled out and submitted apart from the wedding request; Catering is recommended, separate fees apply, and a kitchen supervisor is required.
Facilities
Auditorium seating capacity: 1,002
Aisle (double entry doors to platform steps): 85’ long
Atrium seating capacity (ceremony, rehearsal dinner, or reception): 240
Choir [Reception] Room: 100
Room 221 or 228 seating capacity (rehearsal dinner): 60
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF THE WEDDING DAY
License
You are responsible for acquiring your marriage license. Please give the license along with the return envelope to the Coordinator at your final meeting or to the pastor on the day of your rehearsal. The pastor and witnesses sign the license immediately after the ceremony and drop it in the mail. You may want to fill out the copy for your files with script lettering. Please advise to whom your copy of the license is given after the wedding.
Photography and Videography
It is your responsibility to secure a photographer and/or a videographer and discuss your expectations with them and make sure the Coordinator is aware of these details.
Sound Technician
A sound technician will be assigned to your wedding to provide a basic setup and run the sound and lights during your wedding. The basic setup includes a microphone for the pastor and a microphone at a podium for solos or readings.
Florist
The Coordinator may assist in the selection of a florist and will provide information to your selected florist on what is available to use at Concord. Flowers need to be delivered in a timely manner to accommodate pictures scheduled prior to the ceremony. Your Wedding Coordinator will be at the church to greet the florist. The florist or another designated person should be appointed to distribute and/or pin corsages, boutonnieres, and bouquets.
Other Policies and Information
The Bride’s room for dressing is located in Room 221. Gowns may be stored and locked overnight if prior arrangements are made with the Coordinator. The Groom’s room is located in Room 231. The Worship Center needs a 100’ aisle runner. Aisle cloth is not provided by Concord. Your Coordinator will explain the kinds of decorations permissible on the seats.