We appreciate the interest of those who might consider being married in our church. Please feel free to call the church office of visit us any time. Marriage is a gift given to all humankind for the wellbeing of the entire human family. Those who pledge themselves each to the other in the sight of God can be confident of God’s help as they enter into the joys and duties of life together.
On this page you will find our Guidelines for a Church Wedding, a Wedding Confirmation form, a copy of the Building Use Policy, and a Building Use Application form. Please read everything carefully. Then, if you are willing to follow the Guidelines, fill in the Wedding Confirmation form and the Building Use Application form and return them to Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church. We will contact you to set up an initial consultation as soon as possible after receiving your information.
Forms to Download
GUIDELINES FOR CHURCH WEDDINGS
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the wellbeing 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 their lives of discipleship together before God. In a service of Christian marriage a couple makes a lifelong commitment to one another and it is publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.
Jesus Christ has blessed the relationship of marriage and throughout the life of the church it has been declared holy. Those who pledge themselves each to the other in the sight of God can be confident of God’s help as they enter into the joys and duties of life together. As their love for one another increases along with their love and commitment to God they are called upon to create with God’s help a home in which they and their children can grow in grace.
The Christian marriage ceremony is a service of worship before God normally conducted within the house of God. It will be expected that at least one of the partners being married is a professing Christian and that ordinarily both of them will share a common Christian faith. Reverence shall be expected on the part of all present and the service shall be under the sole direction of the minister. Others may be invited to participate as leaders in the service at the discretion of the pastor. Celebration of the Lord’s Supper during the marriage service requires the approval of the Session (board of elders) and the invitation to the Table must extend to all believers who are present.
The minister asked to marry a man and a woman participates with them in instruction and discussion of the privileges and obligations they will assume in Christian marriage. The couple should give satisfactory indication of being prepared to enter upon marriage with maturity and wisdom. If the minister is convinced that Christian commitment and responsibility are lacking and that the marriage is not one which offers promise of being blessed by God, the minister will not perform the ceremony.
The couple seeking to be married will make an appointment for counseling prior to the wedding date. At the initial session the pastor will discuss with them their intentions, desires, and expectations in marriage as well as the design of their wedding service. Arrangements for further sessions will be made at that time as needed.
Please remember that a wedding in this church is an act of public worship of this congregation, involving their permission and affirmation for your marriage. So your church wedding will call on you and your families and friends to show careful concern for the sanctity of the church and its worship. The following policies and regulations have been established by the Session of this church to accomplish this goal.
SCHEDULING
It is advisable to plan not less than 6 months in advance for the use of the church. The date of the wedding is set in consultation with the minister and the church calendar. Normally no weddings are scheduled on Sunday or during Holy Week, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.
FEES
Fees are due and payable one month in advance of the wedding date. The organist’s fee includes the wedding and one rehearsal. There is an additional fee for more than one rehearsal or for practicing and playing with a soloist. (For members only: there is no fee for use of the buildings or the minister’s time. An honorarium is appropriate, but not required.)
MARRIAGE LICENSE
You are required to obtain a valid marriage license. This may be obtained at any County Clerk’s office. Please give the license to the minister at the rehearsal.
OFFICIATING
The minister of this church will officiate and direct at all weddings. As your wedding is one of the most significant occasions of your life it requires counseling sessions with the minister before the event. If you desire another clergy person or priest to assist in the ceremony, discuss this with the minister of this church. The minister, with Sessions’ approval, will invite other clergy to participate.
WEDDING CONSULTANTS
Any wedding consultants that assist the bride are directly responsible to the minister, and may not assume direction of any part of the wedding rehearsal or service without the prior approval of the minister. In addition, this church assigns a wedding coordinator from our Women’s Association to work with all weddings in our building or on our grounds. This coordinator will contact you approximately 30 days prior to the wedding.
DECORATIONS
Your wedding takes place in our sanctuary, which will remain set up as you see it for our form of worship. A minimum of additional decoration is permitted, and should be kept dignified and respectful of this sacred space. You may choose to mark the pews with ribbon or flowers, but it is imperative that no permanent attachments, nails, or screws be used.
- Please schedule when flowers will be delivered.
- The church has one pair of floor candelabra, and a 3-pronged Unity Candelholder.
- The central aisle is about 49 feet long.
- There are 13 pews on either side.
- Maximum occupancy permitted in the Sanctuary is 229.
- Maximum occupancy permitted in the Fellowship Hall is 80 if tables and chairs or used, and 171 without use of tables and chairs.
PHOTOGRAPHS & VIDEOS
Photographs – During the wedding service, no one should be taking photographs other than the designated photographer, and flash photography is not permitted. Your ushers should explain this to anyone entering the building with a camera before the service.
Videos – Consult with the minister ahead of time about video cameras, for there maybe limitations, whether for a professional or for your family and guests. If cameras are to be set up and left unattended, they must be set up in an unobservable place, not blocking any aisles, in and in such a way that they can be turned on no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the service.
MUSIC
Music used during the service itself must be appropriate for Christian worship. The minister and organist will approve all music at least 2 weeks prior to the wedding. Please consult with the organist for help with selections. The bride and groom are responsible for providing the organist with printed editions of any music specially requested, at least 6 weeks in advance
RECEPTION IN CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL
If the church Fellowship Hall is desired for a reception, please reserve this space at least one month before the wedding, paying deposits and reservation fees according the schedule in our Building Use Policy for Weddings. Even if a caterer serves refreshments, the Bride’s family will be responsible for damage or breakage during use of the kitchen and equipment for food served at any reception in our Fellowship Hall. No alcoholic beverages are permitted anywhere in our buildings or grounds, even for a reception.
CONDUCT OF THE WEDDING PARTY
We expect that all members of the wedding party will conduct themselves at all times in a manner respectful of a worship setting. We ask that immediately prior to the rehearsal and the wedding itself all members of the wedding party refrain from excessive us of alcohol. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere in the church buildings. Arrange with the minister and PRP Wedding Coordinator if you wish to use bubbles, birdseed, or balloons outside.
Please arrange for someone in your wedding party to collect all you party’s personal items from all space used. You are advised not to leave valuables in the building unattended. The church is not responsible for any loss or damage to your personal belongings.
It is the obligation of the bride and the groom to make certain that your wedding party, family and friends abide by these regulations.
Building Use Policy for Weddings
We are happy that you have chosen Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church (PRP) for your wedding. We wish to help you make your event as joyful as possible. We ask that you study the following rules and charges, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. Arrangements must be made at least 30 days in advance and approved by Session to allow for proper scheduling. Please note that this document is for the use of the building only.
1) This building is a House of Worship. You must treat it appropriately.
2) Alcohol, illegal drugs, and firearms are expressly forbidden on church property.
3) If you or your guests must smoke, do not smoke inside the building or within twenty feet of any door. Do not leave cigarette butts on church grounds.
4) If a separate room is requested for children, at least one responsible adult must be present at all times. Use as a guideline, one adult for every 6 children. This person must be provided with contact and any pertinent medical information in case of emergency. PRP can provide a babysitter at extra cost.
5) It is your responsibility to clean the building and replace all furniture before you leave. All refuse must be placed in the garbage cans outside. All windows must be closed and all doors must be closed and locked.
6) No permanent type attachments, such as nails, or screws may be used for decorations. Only use removable adhesives that can be bought at any supply store.
7) The pre-school room on the lower level can be used as a dressing room. Please do not leave any valuables unattended.
8) For your wedding, the PRP minister will officiate and have final say in all matters. If you desire another clergy person to assist, you must discuss this with the minister and on his/her recommendation, this must be approved by Session.
9) If you plan to use the fellowship hall, unless otherwise requested all of the partitions will be open for maximum floor space.
10) Candles, if used, must be non-drip type.
11) Coffee urns, a punch bowl, dishes, and tablecloths are available for use in the fellowship hall only. You are responsible for cleaning them after you use them.
12) Charges. Those marked with an asterisk (*) may be waived by Session for members of PRP.
a) Cleaning/damage deposit for Sanctuary and/or fellowship hall rental. This will be refunded in whole or in part depending on the final condition of the building. $ 150.00*
b) For the rehearsal and wedding service:
Use of the Sanctuary & Pre-School Room and Sunday School Rooms … $ 100.00*
Sound Technician ……………………………….……………………….. $ 50.00*
c) Use of the fellowship hall ………………………………..……………….. $ 100.00*
d) Minister ………………………………………………………………..……….. $ 150.00*
e) Wedding coordinator ………………………………………………………. $ 100.00*
f) PRP Organist, if available ……………………………………….…………. $ 100.00
g) Bulletin/handout copy fee ………………………………………….……. $ 0.04 per pge side*
h) Candles, if provided by PRP ……………………………………………… at cost
i) Unity Candle if provided by PRP ………………………………………… at cost
j) Babysitting (from 1 to 6 children) ……………………………………… $ 50.00 per hour
The Wedding Coordinator will contact you approximately 30 days prior to the wedding, and will be available to meet the florist, supervise decorations, and work with the photographer. The coordinator will also have a list of babysitters.
13) Unless you make arrangements through PRP, you are responsible for procuring the following:
a) Organist/pianist: If PRP organist is not available, or if you have another preference, a list of organists is available.
b) Soloists(s) and other musicians
c) Photographer
d) Aisle Runner (PRP has a tool to place the runner)
e) Flowers and other decorations
f) Wedding cakes or other foods
g) Babysitter if necessary
14) If your group becomes unruly or abusive of the property, you may be asked to leave immediately with no refund of payment. In addition, you will be assessed for cleanup and repairs, if required.
15) Payments:
a) A minimum deposit of $25.00 will be required at the time the contract is signed.
b) Building use fees paid by check are to be made payable to Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church, and are due 30 days prior to the ceremony.
All other fees, such as minister, organist, etc. should be paid directly to the service provider, and are due at the time of rehearsal.
Please make checks payable to “Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church”
For: Deposit at time of contract
Cleaning/damage deposit
Use of Sanctuary
Use of Pre-School and/or Sunday School Room
Use of Fellowship Hall
Bulletins
Candles
Unity Candle
Please make checks payable to individual service providers for:
Sound Technician
Minister
Wedding Coordinator
Organist
Babysitter
Please note that your function is your responsibility. PRP, its agents or employees shall be held harmless from all liabilities, claims demands, damages, or other costs arising out of your use of the facilities and grounds, whether by your negligence or PRP.