Wedding and Receptions

First Baptist Church has been a sacred place where many couples have expressed their wedding vows.  It is our desire that those requesting a wedding in our church be given this opportunity.  To schedule or inquire about a wedding:

Step 1: Contact Jennie Harper - Church Secretary who maintains our facilities schedule
Step 2: Carefully review our Wedding Policy (see below)
Step 3: REQUIRED - Schedule a meeting with our Wedding Committee Chairman, Dawn Atha. You may contact her at 770-786-0545




Statement of Policy:

The family at First Baptist Church believes that a wedding ceremony should be a beautiful occasion and Christ-centered.  A wedding is a celebration of two people God has brought together.  The wedding and its preparation shall be done in a way that will bring honor and glory to God.

After reading the following policies, it is REQUIRED that you meet with the Wedding Committee Chairman, Dawn Atha.  You may contact her at 770-786-0545.

Procedures:

A.  COUNSELING

1. All engaged couples being married at First Baptist Church are required to have at least four counseling sessions with a counselor on our staff.  The counseling must be completed one month prior to the wedding.  There is a fee associated with counseling for those that are non-members.  It is the couple's responsibility to complete the four sessions.  If the couple fails to do this, the wedding will be canceled.  The Church believes that these counseling sessions are essential in providing a Christ-centered wedding.  The Pastor must approve counseling from an outside counselor.

B.  MAKING RESERVATIONS

1. Applications for use of First Baptist Church facilities will be made with the Church Secretary by completing the Wedding Request Form
   
   
2. The Wedding Request Form will include:
   
   a. Dates for rehearsal, wedding and reception
   b. First Baptist Church facilities desired
   c. Names of florists, decorators, photographers, etc.
   d. Name of party to be responsible in event of damage
   e. Other pertinent information
   
   
3. Weddings are scheduled through the Church Secretary.  A $200 damage deposit will be required at the time of scheduling a wedding.  The damage deposit will be returned to the bride after the wedding if there is no damage to the facilities by the caterer, florist or guests.  In addition to the deposit, it is necessary for a wedding contract to be signed and returned to the Church Secretary before the wedding will be put on the Church calendar.
   
   
4. All weddings at First Baptist Church must be conducted by one of the ministers on staff or a former minister of First Baptist Church.  A minister of another Church may assist in a wedding upon approval from First Baptist Church ministers.  The Pastor must approve any other person performing the wedding ceremony.

C.  MUSIC

1. Since a wedding is a worship service, the music must promote worship.  All music must be either sacred, contemporary Christian or classical.  The Minister of Music must approve all music.  Any exceptions to this procedure will be reviewed and approved by the Minister of Music.  His judgment will be based on the word content of the song.  All music shall be approved at least two weeks before the wedding. 
   
   
2. The Bride will be responsible for contacting organists, pianists, soloists and any other musician that she wishes to play/sing for her wedding.  If the organ in the sanctuary is to be used, a First Baptist Church organist must be used unless otherwise approved by the Minister of Music.

D.  DECORATIONS

1.  No furnishings may be moved from other parts of the building.  Facilities staff will remove any furnishings not customary for weddings.
   
   
2.  Nails, tacks, staples, screws, pins, tape, or anything that will mar the woodwork, pews and wall finishes may not be used.
   
   
3. Clear plastic must be used under all candelabras to protect the carpet.
   
   
4. Do not place any flower arrangements on either the organ or piano because of  possibility of water damage to the instruments.
   
   
5.  The florist will be held responsible for cleaning any wax from carpet or furniture that may have resulted from wedding decorations.
   
   
6.  The Church properties must be left in the condition in which they were found, otherwise the damage deposit will not be refunded.

E.  DRESSES AND VALUABLES

1. The bride is strongly urged not to leave her wedding dress or bridesmaids dresses in the bride's room on Friday night.  The Church will in no way be responsible or liable for personal items such as dresses, wraps, purses, silver, glassware or cameras brought to the Church for use in a wedding or reception.

F.  CHILD CARE

1.  Due to insurance liabilities, no child care may be provided at First Baptist Church for weddings.

G.  OTHER IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

1.  No alcoholic beverages may be served at the reception or allowed on Church premises.
   
   
2.  No smoking is allowed in any of the Church facilities.
   
   
3.  No unsightly or inappropriate materials shall be used to decorate the wedding car (beer cans for example).
   
   
4.  No rice shall be thrown.  Bird seed may be used but must be thrown outside the buildings.
   
   
5.  No red punch may be used at receptions, as it stains the carpet.

H.  FEES FOR CHURCH MEMBERS

CHURCH MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF FIRST BAPTIST AT LEAST NINE MONTHS.  ALSO, CHURCH MEMBERS AND THEIR CHILDREN USE THE CHURCH WITHOUT CHARGE (EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS).  THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE GRANDCHILDREN OR OTHER RELATIVES.

ALL APPLICABLE FEES MUST BE PAID TO THE CHURCH OFFICE ONE MONTH PRIOR TO WEDDING DATE.  EVERYONE MUST USE THE JANITOR AND THE FEE(S) WILL BE CHARGED TO EVERYONE.  

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JANITOR:

           Removal and replacement of pulpit furniture and microphones in the Sanctuary
                Vacuuming  carpet in Sanctuary and cleaning choir loft
                Placing table in foyer for guest book, if desired
                Cleaning all bathrooms used
                Cleaning up all rooms designated to be used for dressing
                Cleaning front porch and steps before and after wedding
                Moving table in and out of bride’s room, if desired
                Turning on heat or air conditioning
                Checking whole building to make sure it is clean of any items left behind by wedding party
                Turning off lights, locking doors, turning off heat/air conditioning

        IF FELLOWSHIP HALL IS USED, ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
            Mopping kitchen floor  
                Returning tables and chairs to their proper place

 
I.  FEES FOR NON-CHURCH MEMBERS

ALL APPLICABLE FEES MUST BE PAID TO THE CHURCH OFFICE ONE MONTH PRIOR TO WEDDING DATE.  EVERYONE MUST USE THE JANITOR AND THE FEE (FEES) WILL BE CHARGED TO EVERYONE.