Music

It is important to consult early (at least 2-3 months) with the minister, wedding director and organist, since valuable information and assistance are available through them. The organist of this church is available for your wedding, however, other organists may be used if approved. Because the wedding ceremony is a sacred and holy service of the church, appropriate music for a wedding service should be selected according to standards for church worship. The church organist or minister must approve any secular music. Outside musicians are permitted to play for weddings only when approved by the wedding director in consultation with the minister and organist. Choir robes are available if requested.

Decorations

Almost all florists and floral specialists prefer moderation and simplicity in their treatment of wedding decorations. Bethesda supports this practice. It is in keeping with the atmosphere of sanctity already created in the sanctuary.

The following rules governing decorations are necessary for maintaining the sanctuary as a suitable place of public worship.

The pulpit, communion table and baptismal font are not to be moved except by approval of the Minister.
Hymnals and Bibles are not to be removed from pew racks and must be left in order after ceremony is over.
The use of nails, thumbtacks, screws and tape is forbidden. This includes use of hardware or tape for securing pew ribbon markers. The use of felt is recommended to prevent scratching the pews.
Protective covering must be placed on the carpeting to catch liquid wax from candles. (There are no completely dripless candles!).
Floral/greenery decorations with candles may be used in the sanctuary windows; however, the candles must be shielded by hurricane lamp-type glass shades, as a fire safety precaution and these candles should be in proportion to the height of the lamps or shorter. We have 6 hurricane lamps available for use.
Do not place anything on top of the grand piano in the sanctuary. If it must be moved, do so slowly and very carefully.
Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed on church premises.
Smoking is not permitted in church buildings.
Only birdseed may be thrown or bubbles may be used.
The wedding party should remove all decorations following the wedding unless previously arranged by the bride for flowers to be left on the altar for the Sunday Service.
During the Christmas season and Holy Week, weddings (including rehearsals and receptions) will have to be scheduled around special church functions taking place during those times. Decorations already in place in the sanctuary during those seasons may not be moved.

It is expected that members of the wedding party will honor the church as the House of God and will conduct themselves in a manner of respect for this place of worship. We sincerely hope that your wedding day will be a special one and that God will fill your future with many blessings.

Photography

The bride is responsible for contacting the photographer to make arrangements for her specific wishes. As a wedding is a sacred worship service, photographs may NOT be taken during the ceremony in either the sanctuary or the chapel, nor flash pictures during the processional and recessional. Video tapes may be taken from the balcony or from the choir area, if prior arrangements have been made with the minister and the director.

The cameras must be set up no later than 45 minutes prior to the service and remain stationary.

Every effort will be made to cooperate fully with the bridal party and the photographer(s) BEFORE the service and AFTER the benediction. However, the ceremony should not be delayed due to picture taking of any of the wedding party. Plenty of time should be alloted to take the pictures that the bride has requested so as not to interfere with the ceremony and the reception to follow. No photos after 30 minutes before the service begins.

The photographer is encouraged to attend the rehearsal if unfamiliar with the sanctuary.