A beautiful and memorable wedding at Grace United Methodist Church in St. Augustine will  leave a lasting impression on your guests and the beginning of your new life together.

Since the church is located in the historic district, parking near the church is in great demand, and the expense involved makes such provision by the church costly.  Parking is a significant factor you will need to plan for should you consider Grace Church, particularly if you plan a ceremony for a weekend.  If a Saturday wedding is planned, the church can only provide 10 spaces for bridal party/family.  3:30P.M. is the latest time available for “Saturday” ceremonies.  Be aware that streets (particularly Carrera) in St. Augustine are subject to “flooding” during and after rain storms. If your wedding is scheduled during the months of June 1st through November 1st  (hurricane season) our church staff reserves the right to cancel your ceremony, if need be.

Grace Church is a National Historic Building and as such significant limitations are placed on what may be done in the way of decorating for a wedding.  Furniture in the sanctuary may not be moved or rearranged.   Altar ware is not to be removed or obscured.   If the church is decorated for seasonal services (Christmas, Easter, etc.), these must not be removed or rearranged.  Elastic bands or plastic clips may be used to hold flowers or bows on pews, but no tacks, cellophane tape, masking tape, florist putty, or hot glue are to be used to attach anything to pews or sanctuary furniture. No floral arrangements may be placed in front of the cross or on musical instruments. 

 As Grace Church receives many more requests for weddings than can possibly be accommodated.  Furnishing these “Wedding Policies,” and return of the information form, is not binding on the church regarding the reserving of church facilities for a ceremony.  Only the pastor can make a commitment for the church as to a specific date on the church calendar.

It is best to consult with the pastor and the church calendar before committing yourself to “one particular” date.  About six months prior notice would facilitate the experience, but it is never “too early” to clear with the church’s calendar.  .

Presently, church staff is able to schedule only one wedding maximum per month.  Other restrictions than these outlined here may apply

Download the Wedding Request & Organizational Form
 

Wedding Requirements & Restrictions
• Alcohol & Smoking	• Bird Seed & Confetti	• Photography
• Aisle Runners	• Music & Custodial	• Flowers & Candles

Prohibited uses include alcohol.  No alcoholic beverages may be brought on church premises.  A minister may elect not to perform a rehearsal or ceremony at which members of the wedding party are inebriated or under the influence of drugs.  No smoking is permitted in church buildings. 

Throwing of rice, confetti, bird seed, etc. is not permitted on church property, or in front of the sanctuary (save it for when the wedding party leaves the reception). Aisle runners are unnecessary and prohibited.  

If an organist is required, the church’s must be used.  If unavailable, arrangements for a substitute must be made in consultation with the organist and/or pastor.  The church has no equipment for playing tapes or cds.  Music must be selected with sensitivity to where the ceremony is being performed, and the director of music/organist must approve selections in advance of the rehearsal.  Copies of music that are “special requests” not in the church’s music library must be provided by the couple.  A fee will be charged for the services of the organist, and may vary depending on whether there is a rehearsal or extra time needed to rehearse with soloists.  A piano is also available in the sanctuary, and other instrumentalists may be used as the bride and groom desire.

The church’s custodian must be involved with every wedding regardless of size, and a fee will be charged for his services.  It is the custodian’s responsibility to clean and prepare the sanctuary for use Sunday morning.  All floral arrangements, candles, etc., will be disposed of by the custodian immediately following the service unless prior arrangements are made by the couple and/or florist. 

If a bridal consultant/wedding coordinator is employed by the couple, a copy of these policies must be furnished the consultant by the bride and groom.  The consultant must understand that the pastor is “in charge” of the ceremony and that church policies take precedence over personal preferences of the coordinator.   Both wedding and rehearsal shall begin at the designated time agreed on with the pastor.  All persons who are to participate in the ceremony should be present at the rehearsal, which should be attended only by those who are actually participating in the ceremony.  No flash photography is permitted during the service (after the processional and before the recessional).  All other pictures may be taken before or immediately after the service.