Marriage Preparation

1.  Weddings in the Houghton Wesleyan Church are primarily intended for members of the church, the Houghton community, and the Houghton College/Houghton Academy community. The officiating minister must be a member of the pastoral staff or of the community unless other arrangements are made with the Senior Pastor.

2.  It is expected that the couples being married under the auspices of the local church will participate in the program of marriage preparation. This includes:

a.  An engaged couples’ retreat in the winter/spring;

b.  Private counseling sessions with the officiating minister. When circumstances make these requirements impossible, other premarital preparation may be arranged with the officiating minister.

The Service

The marriage service is to be planned with the officiating pastor. It is not a private ceremony or a spectacle but a corporate worship service. Meaningful creativity in the elements of the service is encouraged, but the service is subject to the pastor’s approval. Since we believe that Holy Communion is a public event, if it is included in the service, it must be made available to all who are believers, not just the bride and groom.

The Music

The music of the service should primarily point toward God and offer praise to Him or offer prayer for the couple. It will be the responsibility of the bride and groom to arrange for the musicians and to work with them in selecting appropriate music, and to convey information to the church office for the sound technician on the Wedding Sound Questionnaire at least four weeks before the rehearsal/wedding.

The Photography

Photography should be done in good taste to avoid disruption in the worshipful atmosphere of the ceremony. Flash photography is not to be used during the ceremony and all video equipment must be in place well in advance and operated as unobtrusively as possible.

Other Expectations

1.  Arrangements regarding date, musicians, and counseling should be made as early as possible;

2.  Wedding programs are the responsibility of the bride and groom. If an announcement is to be placed in the church bulletin allow 2 to 3 weeks advance notice; announcements for the monthly newsletter are due the 18^th day of the previous month.

3.  Minimum appropriate honorarium for the organist is $150 but the fee may be more depending on the amount of music performed and necessary extra rehearsals (such as with soloists, separate from the regular wedding rehearsal).

4.  A similar honorarium is appropriate for the officiating minister.

Buildings: Policies Governing the Use of the Facilities of Houghton Wesleyan Church for Weddings

1. Applications for use of the church facilities must be filed with the church office.  A deposit of ½ the total fee must accompany the application when it is returned to the church office.  The church does not profit from the use of its buildings, but disburses fees to those rendering a service.  Only upon receipt of the application and deposit can the date for use be confirmed.  Fees for weddings are:

a)  $200.00 for use of the Sanctuary (includes $100.00 for the sound technician in the Sanctuary and $100.00 for custodial care).

b)  $100.00 use of the Community Room;

c)  If sound set up is needed in the Community Room, add an additional $25.  

2. The contact person must be named on the application with phone number, email etc.
3. Furniture may be carefully moved as needed and must be returned to its original location.  Please pick up—not drag—the furniture.  The sanctuary piano may not be moved.
4. No tape of any kind may be used to hang decorations on the church sanctuary furniture (pews etc.)  Masking tape or sticky tack may be used to hang decorations on walls but must be removed after event.  Nothing on the Communion table or pulpit should be moved without permission of one of the Houghton Wesleyan Church pastors.
5. Birdseed or bubbles, in lieu of rice or confetti, is preferred for wedding celebrations and then only used outdoors.  These items are to be distributed as guests leave the building.
6. If candles are used, they must be purchased from the church office as the current cost to the church.  The church governs the type of candles used.  No oil lamps are allowed.  Candle holders available are:

a) Two 7-candelabra, adjustable for full horizontal, slat, or inverted-V formations;

b) Two single-candle holders on the communion table;

c) Sixteen single-candle holders, @ 5 feet tall, that fit into brackets on the pew middle aisle sides (alternating pews) These must be used with the drip catcher disks and, as all decorations, must be removed before Sunday services.  Note: ceiling fans will accelerate the burning of the aisle candles.

d) Two brass candle lighters.

7. It is suggested that the bride and her attendants use one of the rooms below the sanctuary, while the groom and his attendants use one of the rooms in the Christian Educational building.
8. Qualified musicians may play the sanctuary piano and/or the pipe organ.  Practice times should be arranged through the church office.  It is requested that guest organists please contact the church organist for instructions on use of the instrument.  Please name the organist on the application form giving contact information.
9. No floral arrangements or other decorations are to be placed on the piano, organ or pipe casework.  Floral arrangements may be left for Sunday services if desired and are greatly appreciated.  However, all candles, pew decorations aisle runner, and other decorations must be removed.

Thank you for helping us to be good stewards of our facilities!

Sound Coordinator Information

A Wedding Sound Questionnaire, returned to the Sound Coordinator at least four weeks before the wedding,  lists Rehearsal Time, Wedding Time, a contact person from the wedding party, and information about microphones, tape soundtrack, piano and organ.