Jefferson's First United Methodist Church is an ideal place to proclaim your marriage vows before God. Our beautiful, historic edifice is a house of worship as well as a picturesque sanctuary.

WEDDING POLICY

A wedding is a religious worship service. All weddings conducted under the auspices of the First United Methodist Church will be conducted consistent with the theology, customs, usage, and social principles of the United Methodist Church Discipline, customary usage, and building us policies established by our Trustees. The pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Jefferson shall decide such proper "religious and other usage" questions as directed by the Discipline, whether or not the pastor is conducting the wedding. All persons participating, conducting, or attending at a wedding held at or under the auspices of the First United Methodist Church express by their presence an implied agreement with this policy.

BOOKING PROCEDURE

The church secretary will check the official church calendar to see if the proposed date is open, and if so, will tentatively book the church for that date. No wedding is confirmed at First United Methodist Church, Jefferson, Texas until the Wedding Confirmation Sheet has been completed by the bride and groom and signed by the pastor of the same First United Methodist Church. Signature of the current pastor is required regardless of who will conduct the ceremony. The tentative date will be honored for two weeks only to give the bride and groom time to return the Wedding Confirmation Sheet.

PHOTOGRAPHS

While photographs of the wedding and wedding party are important to the couple and their families, the solemnity of the ceremony should not be marred by indiscriminate picture taking. Reverence for the sanctuary and the wedding ceremony is therefore in order. The photographer is not permitted to take either flash or time exposures during the ceremony. Pictures as the bride enters the Sanctuary before she reaches the altar area and upon the bride and groom leaving the Sanctuary is permitted.  Video taping of the ceremony is permitted; however placement of video equipment should be cleared with the officiating pastor prior to the service.

FLORAL DECORATIONS

Floral arrangements for weddings at First United Methodist Church should be limited because of the beauty and significance of the sanctuary. We assume that couples wishing to marry in our sanctuary believe in the Christian concept of marriage. All decorations therefore will leave visible the symbols of the church. Only votive or tube candles may be used.  An in-house florist is available for your entire wedding needs or we can provide you with contact information for a number of excellent florists within the Jefferson community.  All financial arrangements with these florists are the responsibility of the Bride and Groom.

MUSIC

The music selected should meet the guidelines for a worship service. The church office can give you a referral list of several organists and/or pianist are the responsibility of the Bridal couple; however, all outside wedding participants, contractual or volunteer, must agree and follow the wedding policies of Jefferson First United Methodist Church.  In addition, the church may have a referral list of vocal musicians available.  All vocalists would have to meet the same standards as an organist/pianist.  A small baby grand piano and organ are available to enhance the music for the ceremony. The church has a sound system that includes a CD and tape player that is available.

STATEMENT OF FEES

When the Bride and/or Groom are CHURCH MEMBERS:

-Use of Sanctuary for a wedding........................................................................$ 75.00
-Use of fellowship hall and/or kitchen for wedding reception...............................$ 50.00
-Fee for Pastor (an honorarium is customary)

When neither the Bride nor the Groom are MEMBERS:

-Use of the Sanctuary for a wedding................................................................$ 200.00
-Use of fellowship hall and/or kitchen for wedding reception.............................$ 100.00
-Fee for Pastor (an honorarium is customary)

All fees are payable through the church secretary two weeks prior to rehearsal for the wedding. Failure to pay by the deadline releases the church staff and facilities from the contact.

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