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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.
Wedding
Policies |
• Historic Building Restrictions
• Time and Date Restrictions
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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.
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Download the Wedding
Request & Organizational Form
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Weddings at Grace United Methodist
Church |
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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
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. |
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