Wedding Policy for Morning Star Community Church

Marriage is an institution established by God the Father and honored by His Son, Jesus. Christ's presence made a difference in a wedding at Cana, as He makes a difference in a wedding at the Morning Star Community Church. To make a wedding Christian, Jesus Christ Himself must attend and be in evidence. Whether your wedding is large or small, elegant or simple, public or private, it can only be Christian if the hearts and lives of the people involved have been transformed by the presence of Christ. You do not need flowers, music, or formal attire to make a wedding memorable: prayer and counseling with your Pastor with a sweet and sacred ceremony are the essentials. Every effort will be made to preserve the sacred ceremony of marriage. We ask you to read this brochure carefully so that your wedding will be a happy and hallowed occasion. The Pastor and the membership wish for you a very happy wedding day and a glorious life together.

ALTERNATE SITE

Those who wish to have the church as an alternate site may do so for a fee of $50. This must be arranged and the fee received at least four months in advance. In the event the church is used, all other aspects and fees included in this wedding policy will apply. There is no fee for members and regular worshippers.

FELLOWSHIP HALL USE

MEMBERS AND REGULAR WORSHIPERS: There is no charge for the use of the Church Fellowship Hall (except the regular custodial fee of $50). This recognizes the fact that members and regular worshipers already contribute to the maintenance of the church facilities. Members and regular worshipers can have the fee waived if they clean the facilities themselves.

NON-ATTENDERS: There is a custodial fee of $50 and a fee of $100 for use of the Fellowship Hall for non-attendees.

NOTE: Alcoholic beverages may not be used at any reception held at the church and smoking, dancing or gambling is not permitted in the church facilities and grounds.

FLOWERS AND CANDLES

The wedding party will select their own florist and arrange for the placing of flowers and candles. Because of the danger of staining, real flower petals may not be strewn—paper petals, however, are acceptable. If candles are placed in appropriate holders, only DRIPLESS CANDLES may be used. The furnishing of all candles is the responsibility of the wedding party. Ribbons and flowers may be attached to the ends of the pews—provided only masking tape or non-staining adhesive is used.

MUSIC

Music in the wedding ceremony is to be in good taste, and in the spirit of a religious wedding service. The music is subject to the approval of the Pastor. The church organist/pianist may be engaged for a fee of $50 apiece to provide the music or you may wish to secure another qualified organist, provided arrangements for that person to play are made with the Administrative Assistant well in advance. Soloists, if any, are usually the choice of the wedding party. The fee for a soloist from our church is $50. The minister must also approve all vocal selections. Arrangements to use the sound system must be made well in advance. Only someone from Morning Star Community Church can operate the sound system. A fee of $25 will be required for operation of the sound system.

OUTSIDE MINISTERS

We feel that weddings are a part of the ministry of Morning Star Community Church. The use of our facility by an outside minister is not part of our ministry. Therefore, we will not allow outside ministers to perform weddings in our facility, unless the outside minister agrees with out Statement of Faith and is approved by the Senior Pastor and the Board of Elders.

PHOTOGRAPHS

The taking of photographs during the service detracts from the dignity and beauty of the service. The professional photographer may not take flash pictures nor be moving from place to place taking pictures once the bride has come down the aisle and until the ceremony is complete and the bride and groom have been presented to the congregation; then a photographer is free to take flash or other pictures as desired. The photographer, without flash, may take pictures from a discreet stationary position throughout the service if desired. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUPLE BEING MARRIED TO PASS THIS INFORMATI0N ON TO THEIR PHOTOGRAPHER.

Guests are asked not to take flash pictures during the actual ceremony. At the time of seating, the ushers will be responsible for asking guests not to take pictures during the actual ceremony up front. If photographs are taken before the service, all equipment must be removed from the sanctuary at least one-half hour before the time set for the wedding.

PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING

Pre-marital counseling, consisting of at least five two-hour sessions, is required for your benefit. To allow for adequate time for these sessions, your wedding must be booked at least four months in advance. You cannot be married in Morning Star Community Church without meeting these pre-marital counseling requirements. If significant problems surface during these sessions, the pastor reserves the right to recommend a postponement or cancellation of the wedding.

Exceptions: A couple can also arrange with the Pastor for other pre-marital counseling. The Pastor must approve this pre-marital counseling.

RECEPTIONS AT CHURCH

Under the supervision of the Deaconesses, the Fellowship Hall may be used for receptions provided the necessary reservation has been made through the Administrative Assistant. Again, alcoholic beverages may not be used at any reception held at the church and smoking, dancing or gambling is not permitted in the church facility or on the grounds.

THE CHURCH FURNISHES:

1. Banquet style tables and chairs.

2. Coffee maker

3. Some supplies may be used for a small fee, i.e. table cloths, candle holders, etc. This must be arranged in advance with the wedding coordinator.

BRIDAL PARTY FURNISHES:

1. Cake, coffee (drip grind), tea bags, cream, sugar, nuts, mints, punch ingredients, ice, napkins, paper plates, cups and silverware.

2. Flowers and dripless candles for serving table, if desired

3. Table cloths and decorations.

4. Work of setting up, making coffee, tea, punch, replenishing food, etc., and final clean up of personal belongings.

REHEARSAL AND LICENSE

The rehearsal as well as the wedding itself must be scheduled with the minister. It is of great importance that all participants in the wedding be present for the rehearsal, to ensure a smooth running ceremony. The marriage license should be brought to the church at this time. No wedding will occur without a marriage license.

RESERVATIONS

Requests for reservations for wedding, reception and rehearsal dates must be made with the Administrative Assistant of the Morning Star Community Church. The minister must approve the wedding and dates before sending invitations and newspaper announcements. Again, your wedding must be booked at least four months in advance to allow time for pre-marital counseling.

If a reception is to be held at the church following the wedding ceremony, the Deaconesses must be contacted. This can be arranged through the Administrative Assistant.

SCHEDULE OF FEES

The Damage Deposit will be paid at the time of application to reserve the facility. All fees must be paid no later than two weeks before your wedding. (You may wish to secure your own organist/pianist and/or soloist from outside the church and as such should consult them personally for their fees). The Damage Deposit is refundable but is in addition to other fees.

$75.00 Minister if outside pre-marital counseling is conducted

$200.00 Minister with pre-marital counseling

$50.00 Church used as alternate site

$50.00 Wedding Coordinator

$50.00 Organist/Pianist (from the church)

$50.00 Soloist (from the church)

$50.00 Custodial Per Level

$25.00 Sound System Operator

$100.00 Fellowship Hall (for receptions for non-attendees)

$100.00 Use of Sanctuary (non-attendees)

$200.00 Damage Deposit Any cost of repairing, replacing or cleaning of damaged or destroyed church property is the responsibility of the wedding party.

USHERS

At least two ushers are needed to seat one hundred guests. Three or four are desirable for larger weddings. Ushers must attend the wedding rehearsal and be on duty 30 to 45 minutes before the time of the wedding.

VIDEO

Video may be taken throughout the service provided the camera is positioned at the side or back of the sanctuary in a stationary position during the actual ceremony. Under no circumstances is the camera person to be moving from place to place during the actual ceremony. Any special needs for video must be cleared with the sound operator at least two weeks in advance.

WEDDING COORDINATOR

The church provides a mandatory wedding coordinator for a fee of $50. The coordinator will help you with the various details of your wedding.

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS

1. Flowers and cake should be in place at least two hours before the ceremony. Have the telephone number of the florist and baker available in case of necessity.

2. We ask that birdseed be substituted and rice not be used. We also ask that the birdseed, bubbles or any other celebratory item not be used inside the church as it is dangerous and is difficult to clean up. It is suggested that someone in the wedding party be asked to take care of distributing the birdseed to guests as they exit and encourage them to throw it outside only.

3. If a guest book "registration" is used, the book should be closed at the time of the ceremony and reopened during the reception.

4. Check with the Wedding Coordinator as to the location of banquet tables and folding chairs you will need for the reception set-up if using the Fellowship Hall for your reception.

5. Dressing rooms are available for the bride and her attendants, and the groom and his attendants.

6. Be sure the ushers know of all special arrangements.

7. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK IS PERMITTED OUT OF THE FELLOWSHIP HALL OR IN ANY OTHER PART OF THE BUILDING UPSTAIRS!

8. Care of personal property is of great concern to our church, but the church cannot be held responsible for any loss. Do not leave valuables unattended.

9. The church sanctuary can seat approximately 220 people; the foyer overflow can seat an approximate additional 50 people.

WEDDING CEREMONY APPLICATION

For Weddings Held at Morning Star Community Church

23628 Red Feather Lakes Road

Red Feather Lakes

GROOM:

PHONE

BRIDE:

PHONE

ADDRESS:

Date of Application

(Must be received 4 months prior to wedding with Damage Deposit)

Date of Ceremony

Time of Ceremony

Date of Rehearsal

Time of Rehearsal

Aspect of Wedding Needed	Yes	No	Fee	Total
Sanctuary			$100
Alternate site			$ 50
Custodial for Sanctuary			$ 50
Sound System Operator			$ 25
Wedding Coordinator			$ 50
Minister (Outside counseling)			$ 75
Minister (Includes counseling)			$ 200
Organist			$ 50
Pianist			$ 50
Soloist			$ 50
Fellowship Hall Rehearsal Dinner			$100
Custodial for Rehearsal Dinner			$ 50
Fellowship Hall Reception			$100
Custodial for Reception			$ 50
Damage Deposit (to be refunded)			$200

Total Due 2 Weeks before

	We have read the Wedding Policy Handbook and agree to all its stipulations.
	GROOM
	BRIDE
	DATE

Please mail to: Pastor Mike Shields, Morning Star Community Church, P.O. Box 530, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545

For Office Use Only

AMT. PAID_________________________ DATE___________________________

COORDINATOR________________________________PHONE________________