Weddings at Calvary
Whether you are a member of Calvary Baptist Church or not, we would be happy to host your wedding and/or reception in our building. No matter the case, please respect it as the House of God. No smoking, no alcoholic beverages and no throwing of rice, confetti or birdseed are permitted in any part of the building or on our grounds by you, members of your wedding party, or your guests. Likewise, there is to be no food or drink carried into or consumed in the Sanctuary. Here is the policy to be followed:
FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH
1. Arrangements for the use of the church must be made at least two months in advance of the wedding date. Such arrangements must be made through either the Associate Pastor or the Church Administrative Assistant, who will clear the date on the church calendar. There is a $125.00 fee for use of the church, which includes a fee for the custodian. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 must be paid at the time a date is reserved. This deposit will be applied to all applicable fees.
2. An additional charge of $100.00 is required if the church is to be used for a reception. You or the caterer must provide any and all items used for the preparation, serving and consumption of food during the reception.
3. Any damage incurred to the church or property thereof by the party renting these facilities is to be paid for to the church. The amount of compensation due will be determined by the church Trustees Committee. Kitchen facilities must be left as clean as you found them.
4. The Associate Pastor has a charge of $200.00. This includes the time with the couple for planning, premarital counseling, rehearsal and wedding day.
5. The Associate Pastor is required to hold pre-marital counseling sessions with the couple, with dates and times mutually agreeable to the Associate Pastor and the couple.
6. Calvary Baptist Church provides the services of a Wedding Coordinator, who will assist the bride and groom in their preparations. However, the final determination of what will transpire during the wedding and/or reception (if the reception is held in the church) shall be made by the Associate Pastor.
7. Should you wish a candlelight wedding, the church has its own candelabra. The church will provide candles, which must be smokeless and dripless. The wedding party will be assessed an additional charge, which will be the same as the cost of the candles for the church.
8. If your plans include using the church keyboard and/or piano, you are required to use the church accompanist. His/her fee will be $100.00. If the church accompanist is unavailable then a personal accompanist may be secured by the wedding party with the approval of the Trustees Committee.
9. Only sacred or classical music may be used during the ceremony. However, other selections may be used before and/or after the ceremony, with the prior approval of the Associate Pastor. You must provide sheet music for any selections the church accompanist does not have in his/her possession.
10. If you desire a soloist to perform, a just and separate compensation should be paid by the wedding party. the soloist must rehearse with the church accompanist on the day of the wedding rehearsal, or at another time mutually agreeable.
11. If you desire someone to use the church's sound system, you are required to use our church sound system operator. The cost is $75.00.
12. A licensed or ordained minister affiliated with a recognized Protestant church or denomination may perform the wedding service if so desired by the wedding party upon approval of the Associate Pastor. This would result in the waiver of the Associate Pastor's fee. The minister must provide proof that premarital counseling sessions have been held with the couple prior to the rehearsal. Arrangements must be made with the Associate Pastor to provide access to the building at the desired times.
13. Saturday weddings and receptions must be completed and the building must be vacated by 10:00 p.m., local time, in order to prepare the Sanctuary for worship services on Sunday morning. Preparations for Sunday weddings may not begin until 2:00 p.m., local time.
14. Should the bride and/or groom cancel the wedding less than two weeks before the reserved date, all fees agreed to at the time the church was reserved shall still be held due and must be paid. Fees will be waived and/or refunded only by agreement of the Associate Pastor.
15. One-half of the fees due must be paid to the church four weeks prior to the day of the rehearsal. The remaining fees must be paid the day of the rehearsal. If there is no rehearsal, the due date becomes the day before the wedding. If the fees are not paid on time, the church will not be available. An addition fee of $50.00 will be assessed for any checks returned because of insufficient funds. If the couple will not make good on the returned checks or have not paid applicable fees, Calvary Baptist Church will pursue the fees in Warren Township Small Claims Court.
16. The center aisle is 31 feet long from the pulpit to the main doors. The couple must provide a white runner for kneeling bench, if desired. All decorating must be completed one hour prior to the wedding service. Any photography must be completed 30 minutes prior to the wedding service, but may be resumed afterward. Any rearrangement of the church furniture for the wedding or reception must be approved by the Associate Pastor. The furniture must be restored to its original location and/or position prior to the wedding party vacating the building.
17. Except were specifically stated, exceptions to any or all of these regulations must be approved by the Trustees Committee.
May your wedding bring you much happiness and joy in Christ Jesus,l as you plan and begin your life together.