Weddings @ HUMC

A wedding in the church indicates the desire of a couple to establish a Christian Home. The ceremony is a worship service. Its deepest meaning if found when the Christian aspects of marriage are understood and accepted by the bride and groom. The church and its ministers have a particular responsibility to see that the service is carried out in a reverent, dignified manner, in harmony with God who instituted marriage. It is your wedding, but not yours alone. You are honored by the presence of your guests and eager that they share in this, the holiest and happiest moment of your life. This is the time when you, as bride and groom, exchange your vows of love and faithfulness, and when those in attendance can also renew their vows and give thanks in marriage. This means active participation of all those present. Couples should not be married in the church unless they maintain an active relationship in some church or intend to establish such a relationship. If the couple has a secular concept of marriage, it is appropriate that they be married by a Justice of the Peace.

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Our Process

Planning

Due to the size and nature of some weddings, and after consultation with the minister, it may be necessary to use the wedding coordinator. The wedding coordinator is a trained, paid person within the Church who is familiar with the wedding guidelines the building and its furnishings. She will direct your wedding and assist with the planning of the use of the church and its facilities for the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. She should be contacted as soon as possible after the Wedding date has been set. It is the policy that those having a wedding at Haygood UMC must use our wedding coordinator.

Rehearsal

A rehearsal is necessary for all weddings where there are more than five major participants (i.e. bride, groom, best man/maid/matron of honor and minister.) The rehearsal is usually held on the evening before the wedding and should be confined to one hour. The officiating minister shall be in charge of the wedding rehearsal. The time for the rehearsal should be set at the time of scheduling the wedding.

PROMPTNESS ON THE PART OF THE WEDDING PARTY AT THE REHEARSAL IS REQUESTED.

Ceremony

Members of the wedding party should arrive at the church one and one half hours before the wedding if dressing at the church. If dressing at home, one hour before he scheduled time for the wedding is sufficient. Rooms used for dressing must be clean before leaving the church. The Bride and Groom should designate individuals to ensure all item and trash are removed. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in any area of the building. Ushers should be present at least 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Ushers or acolytes should light candles at least 20 minutes before the hour. Ushers should seat all ladies from the center aisle. Ushers offer ladies their right arm.

Reception

If the reception is at the church, it may begin immediately after the wedding, while the wedding party is taking pictures. Guests may then greet the members of the wedding party at their convenience during the reception. This avoids the awkward waiting period while photographs are being taken and the long wait to go through the receiving line. Wedding party entrance into the reception is coordinated by the Wedding Coordinator with the DJ and Photographer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our wedding FAQ. We know planning a ceremony can feel overwhelming, and we’re honored you’re considering Haygood UMC for your special day. Below you’ll find clear, practical answers about ceremony logistics, music and worship elements, rehearsal and timing, and what to expect from our staff and facilities. Our goal is to make your ceremony meaningful, respectful of your traditions, and as simple and joyful as possible—so you can focus on each other. If you don’t see an answer here, please reach out and we’ll gladly walk you through the details.

  • Arrangements for all weddings will be made with the minister who shall officiate at all marriages in the church.  Under all circumstances, the minister shall solely determine any participation in the wedding service by any other minister. It is expected that the minister will be given ample notice of your intentions to be married.

  • In view of the fact that the wedding is a service of worship, only sacred music (songs which are in praise of God and based on scriptural text) appropriate for a worship service, will be used — no popular music or “Show tunes”  If secular or “pop” love songs are desired these selections may be used at the rehearsal party or reception.  The pianist will be glad to assist in the selection of appropriate music.  The family should contact the church pianist to play for the wedding.  If he/she is not available, the minister will supply the names of qualified pianists , the must be cleared through the minister and the regular church pianist. The pianists should start playing 20 minutes prior to the hour, or as soon as the guests start arriving.  If a wedding involves the use of a soloist there must be a rehearsal with the pianists prior to the date of the wedding. All music for such solos must be provided by the requesting party.

  • The church atmosphere must be maintained at all times.  Any decorations must be used only in that manner and quality which enhances the atmosphere of worship in the sanctuary.  The church will provide white paraments for the altar, pulpit, and lectern. All candles used in the sanctuary must supplied by the church with the exception of the unity (wedding) candle.  This includes window candles, candelabra, and two candles for lighting the unity candle.  Unity candles must be dripless quality and must be approved by the Wedding Coordinator or Worship Chair. Prices for the candles may be obtained by contacting the Administrative Assistant or through the Wedding Coordinator.

    No decorations are to be placed on the altar table other than the regular altar ornaments:  the cross, the candles, Bible and altar flowers.

    Please note that if your wedding is scheduled during a liturgical season such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, or Pentecost, the seasonal decorations in our worship spaces will remain in place as part of the church’s observance. We appreciate your understanding and hope these expressions of the season will add to the beauty of your celebration.

  • Florists should have the church completely decorated at least one hour before the time of the wedding.  Florists will be responsible. No decorations are to be placed so as to interfere with the participants of the wedding ceremony and afford a clear view of the wedding party. No church furniture or musical equipment is to be removed, and none moved except by permission of the minister.  Bouquets and boutonnieres, if fresh may be kept in the Church refrigerator.  They should be labeled (i.e. Bride’s Mother, Best Man, Favorite Aunt (by Name). Kindly note that only silk flower petals are to be used in the flower girls’ baskets. Fresh petals are not permitted as they stain the carpet.

  • Immediately after the wedding, the wedding party and family may return to the sanctuary/chapel to pose for pictures.  If desired, the minister will pose with the wedding party after the ceremony.  It is helpful to inform the pastor ahead of time. Video equipment may be used, but not in the chancel area, and it must be previewed at the rehearsal.  Movement up and down the aisle during the service, with video equipment or cameras, is not permitted.  The minister or church wedding coordinator has the right to refuse usage of video devices if it is disruptive to the worship ceremony.

    PHOTOGRAPHERS AND PERSONS BRINGING CAMERAS ARE TO REFRAIN FROM TAKING PICTURES IN THE SANCTUARY/CHAPEL FROM THE TIME THE MINISTER BEGINS THE CEREMONY UNTIL THE WEDDING PARTY IS DEPARTING. 

    Ushers are to watch for persons brining cameras and are to inform them of this regulation.  The Church considers any violation of this request as a breach of good taste.  The person planning the wedding photographs is asked not to request any modification of this regulation. 

  • The marriage license should be left with the minister or the church's Administrative Assistant no later than Thursday morning before the wedding.  After the wedding, the bride and groom will be presented with the signed marriage license and the certificate that accompanies it.  Arrangements should be made to have someone receive the document for safekeeping. The minister will be happy to discuss the addition to the ritual of Scriptures, congregational hymns, communion and other aids to worship with couples who desire to emphasize the worship aspect of their wedding.

    • Genesis 2:15-18, 21-24

    • 1 Corinthians 13

    • Ruth 1:15-18

    • Ephesians 5:22-23

    • John 15:9-17

    • 1 John 4:7-21, 19-21

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