Planning Your Wedding at UUMC

1120 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, Michigan 48823

(517) 351-7030, fax 853-1308, www.uumc-msu.org

Information for Members of UUMC

Pastor John Ross Thompson                   Pastor Kennetha Bigham-Tsai

Wesley Foundation Pastor Tim Tuthill

Congratulations on your decision to get married! The members and friends of University United Methodist Church wish you joy and happiness as you prepare to share your lives with one another on the journey of marriage.

The following information is offered to assist you as you prepare for the wedding service. Please read this carefully and follow the procedures.

Date and Time

We encourage you to contact the pastor and the church office as soon as possible to make arrangements for your wedding. The church calendar is kept in the church by the Church Secretary and Pastors, and "building-use" reservations must be made through the church office. Receipt of the $200 deposit and confirmation from the church office will then guarantee the use of the church facilities.

Clergy

The pastors of University Church or the Wesley Foundation are expected to officiate at, and assist in planning your worship service. If you desire another clergy person to assist with your service, the invitation must be extended from the pastor of University United Methodist Church.

Pre-marital interviews with the pastor are a necessary component of the preparation process. Content of the sessions will focus on issues related to marriage and designing an appropriate order of worship for the marriage ceremony.  A pre-marital inventory Prepare/Enrich is used by our pastors to help you build your marriage.  There is a $35 processing, payable to Life Innovations.

Rehearsal

Date and time for the rehearsal be scheduled when the wedding is scheduled. Everyone who has a part in the service should plan to attend the rehearsal, including: the wedding couple, the attendants (including flower girl and ring bearer), the ushers, the parents (and children if they are to be included in the service), and anyone having official duties at the wedding service. Soloists are welcome but not required. The couple is responsible for informing the wedding party of the time of the rehearsal.

Music

Notify the organist of University United Methodist Church as to the date and time of your wedding, as soon as you have set the date. Weddings must use the church organist if there will be organ or piano music.  You should meet with her no later than one month before the wedding. Contact organist Connie Gamage at (517) 337-3234 or conniegamage@hotmail.com.  Soloists are also available from within the membership of University United Methodist Church.  It is important to remember that the music of the wedding service, like the music at all worship services, should contribute to a reverent spirit of worship and be consistent with the teachings of the Christian faith.  Weddings at UUMC must be Christian or interfaith and must respect both the bride and groom as equal partners in the marriage.

License

Application for the marriage license is the responsibility of the bride and groom, and should be obtained from the County Clerk's office where you reside. Bring your license to the rehearsal and give It to the pastor at that time

Flowers and Decorations

If your florist will be delivering flowers to the church, please direct them to call the church office during business hours (8am-5:00pm Mon.-Fri.) several days before the ceremony to arrange for the building to be open for delivery. We prefer that the florist try to deliver the flowers two hours before the wedding.

Photographs

Flash photographs and movie flood lights are not allowed during the wedding ceremony. Please instruct those who intend to take pictures, using available light that such pictures are only allowed during the processional and recessional from the back of the sanctuary. The wedding party can pose for photographs before or after the service is completed.

Reception

University United Methodist Church has no facilities to house a reception. There is, however, a Fellowship Hall and a Lounge in the adjoining Wesley Foundation building. The Wesley Foundation secretary can make arrangements for rental of these facilities. Call her at 332-0861.

Other Considerations:

• No smoking is permitted on church property

• No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the church property, including the parking lot.

• No rice, confetti, or substitute may be thrown in or near the building. Birdseed or bubbles may be used outside only.

• The pastor in charge must give permission for placement of a videographer during the wedding service.

• Any damage occurring to the building will be charged to members of the wedding party and the refundable deposit will not be refunded.

• A $200 deposit is required to secure your choice of wedding date. The remainder of fees must be paid to all other parties assisting with the wedding at the wedding rehearsal.

• Aisle length for the aisle runner is 75 feet

• Candelabra are available (hold 14 candles total). The church can provide the candles for a fee of $30.  All candles must be dripless.

• Tape is not allowed on pews. There are 16 rows of pews per side.

• Nails, tacks, pins, and tape are not permitted on the wooden furniture, such as pews or on the walls.

• The church will be open two hours prior to the wedding and up to two hours after the wedding.

• Permanent/attached furniture and musical instruments (Lord's Table, Lectern, Pews, Piano, etc.) are not to be moved or relocated.

• The sanctuary and chancel area have accessible seating for persons with special needs. There are also parking spaces for the handicapped behind the building.

• Ample parking is available behind the sanctuary.

• A  sound technician from the church is necessary if you plan to use any amplification.  Contact the church office for details.

• The center aisle length is 75 feet.

About the Finances

Cost for Members of UUMC:

Refundable Damage Deposit:               $200

Wedding Coordinator                          $150

Organist                                          $200

Custodian                                        $150

Total Cost                                        $700 (including deposit)

To qualify for the Church member rate, individual must have been a member of University UMC, in good standing for at least one year (12 months)

The total wedding payment is due to all individuals no later than the wedding rehearsal. If everything is left the way you found it (no damages), you will receive your $200 deposit within 30 days after your wedding. Excessive clean up will be charged to the wedding party at the rate of $10 per hour.

All fees (including soloist, bulletin preparation, etc.) are also due to these individuals at the wedding rehearsal, if you chose to use these options.

There is a chapel suitable for smaller wedding parties:

Tennant Chapel seats 15

Custodian will: have the lights turned on for rehearsal and wedding

have building open for rehearsal and wedding

have building temperature regulated

have walks clear in the winter

have sanctuary and restrooms clean

Consultant will: have candelabra set up as needed

have kneeler and paraments in place

assist florist as needed

assist pastor during wedding and rehearsal

will arrive 2 hours before the wedding to open

the building, if needed earlier an additional $20 fee applies

Organist will:    meet with wedding party to select music

suggest soloist if requested be present at rehearsal

play music 20 minutes before the wedding

music after the wedding

While these are the normal charges associated with the use of University Church, the pastor has the option of performing a chapel service without charge for persons desiring a religious service and not having the resources for a larger service. There will be no music provided and clean-up is the responsibility of the wedding party.

Revised August 2009