Our Wedding Policy
A WEDDING AT HEIMTAL MORAVIAN CHURCH
The Purpose of a Church Wedding
It is the belief of the Moravian Church that the solemnization of marriage is a service of worship where God converts the love the couple has for each other into the holy and sacred estate of marriage. It is the belief of the church that couples must make their marriage vows with sincerity and with the intent of faithfulness. Therefore, above all, this is a service of worship to God who is the source of all true love, binding two people to each other.
Wedding Preparations
Who may be married at Heimtal Moravian Church? Couples when either the bride or groom are members of this church. For couples who are non-members, the church board may, at its discretion, make the church available.
Premarital Counselling:
The counselling sessions are designed to express candid feelings, assessing the personality and values of the couple, finding similarities and differences, as well as beginning the formation of a Christian family. It is the belief of the Pastor that counselling sessions will help build a better foundation for marriage. Therefore, it is suggested that the couple meet with the pastor for at least 3 hours of counselling Counselling should begin as early as possible. Counselling can be declined, but it comes at a financial cost.
Additionally, if the couple are not members of the congregation, they are asked to come to at least two worship services prior to their wedding in the church.
The Rehearsal
The Rehearsal lasting about 60 minutes usually takes place on the evening prior to the wedding service. The bride and groom will meet with the Pastor prior to the rehearsal to work out the details of the service and will acquaint all participants in the service with their roles. All participants are encouraged to be in attendance at the scheduled time of the rehearsal.
Ceremony
A Moravian Wedding is a service of worship and follows the liturgies of the Church. The Moravian marriage service is simple and straight-forward. And the details of the ceremony should be arranged to reflect these qualities. The pastor will familiarize the couple with the order of service prior to the wedding.
The wedding ceremony and the rehearsal are conducted by the pastor. If the couple has a wedding director, they are asked to work in conjunction with the pastor. While all efforts will be made to accommodate the wedding director, with regards to the wedding ceremony, the Pastor has final say.
Where it is the wish of the couple to invite another minister to assist or officiate, they should make this known to the pastor, who will then extend the invitation to the guest minister to assist or officiate, pending approval by the Church Board.
Music
Music during a wedding at Heimtal follows the standards for music in a public worship. The quality of music should be appropriate to Christian worship. The couple is encouraged to express their desires and individuality within this standard. Final approval of music rests with the person playing music. It is acceptable for the couple to use an iPod or other musical device to play music in lieu of a hired musician. It is the responsibility of the couple to bring a speaker system.
Flowers and Decorations
Decorations should be kept simple. Much thought has been spent to make the church worshipful and to maintain a simple dignity. Flowers, candles, and greenery may be used within reason. No type of decoration may be fastened to any part of the sanctuary with tacks, scotch tape, adhesive tape, nails, or wires. Ribbons may be secured to the pews by means of rubber bands. The communion table may be moved at the discretion of the Pastor. We also ask that the large box in the balcony which holds our Advent Star not be moved and that no wall hangings be taken down.
Photographs
At NO TIME during the course of the ceremony will flash pictures be permitted. The discreet taking of candid, available light photographs or videotapes IS permitted during the ceremony, provided the photographer uses a camera that is silent.
Confetti, Rice or Bird Seed
In consideration of the church staff and in order to best care for the environment, we kindly ask that NO confetti, rice, or bird seed is thrown inside the Church OR outside on church property. Soap Bubbles are permitted outside.
Church Bell
The church bell may be rung at the beginning and/or end of the ceremony. Make sure the person ringing it has been shown how to do it properly. It is not difficult, but it can be tricky.
Fees Required (to be paid prior to rehearsal)
Pastor: $200 with 3 counseling sessions and ceremony preparation.
$300 for ceremony preparation only.
Musician: Wedding couple is asked to find their own musicians for the service. Or bring their own iPod
and speakers.
Facility rental: $350 for use of the Church
All Fees must be paid on the evening of the wedding rehearsal.
The Purpose of a Church Wedding
It is the belief of the Moravian Church that the solemnization of marriage is a service of worship where God converts the love the couple has for each other into the holy and sacred estate of marriage. It is the belief of the church that couples must make their marriage vows with sincerity and with the intent of faithfulness. Therefore, above all, this is a service of worship to God who is the source of all true love, binding two people to each other.
Wedding Preparations
Who may be married at Heimtal Moravian Church? Couples when either the bride or groom are members of this church. For couples who are non-members, the church board may, at its discretion, make the church available.
Premarital Counselling:
The counselling sessions are designed to express candid feelings, assessing the personality and values of the couple, finding similarities and differences, as well as beginning the formation of a Christian family. It is the belief of the Pastor that counselling sessions will help build a better foundation for marriage. Therefore, it is suggested that the couple meet with the pastor for at least 3 hours of counselling Counselling should begin as early as possible. Counselling can be declined, but it comes at a financial cost.
Additionally, if the couple are not members of the congregation, they are asked to come to at least two worship services prior to their wedding in the church.
The Rehearsal
The Rehearsal lasting about 60 minutes usually takes place on the evening prior to the wedding service. The bride and groom will meet with the Pastor prior to the rehearsal to work out the details of the service and will acquaint all participants in the service with their roles. All participants are encouraged to be in attendance at the scheduled time of the rehearsal.
Ceremony
A Moravian Wedding is a service of worship and follows the liturgies of the Church. The Moravian marriage service is simple and straight-forward. And the details of the ceremony should be arranged to reflect these qualities. The pastor will familiarize the couple with the order of service prior to the wedding.
The wedding ceremony and the rehearsal are conducted by the pastor. If the couple has a wedding director, they are asked to work in conjunction with the pastor. While all efforts will be made to accommodate the wedding director, with regards to the wedding ceremony, the Pastor has final say.
Where it is the wish of the couple to invite another minister to assist or officiate, they should make this known to the pastor, who will then extend the invitation to the guest minister to assist or officiate, pending approval by the Church Board.
Music
Music during a wedding at Heimtal follows the standards for music in a public worship. The quality of music should be appropriate to Christian worship. The couple is encouraged to express their desires and individuality within this standard. Final approval of music rests with the person playing music. It is acceptable for the couple to use an iPod or other musical device to play music in lieu of a hired musician. It is the responsibility of the couple to bring a speaker system.
Flowers and Decorations
Decorations should be kept simple. Much thought has been spent to make the church worshipful and to maintain a simple dignity. Flowers, candles, and greenery may be used within reason. No type of decoration may be fastened to any part of the sanctuary with tacks, scotch tape, adhesive tape, nails, or wires. Ribbons may be secured to the pews by means of rubber bands. The communion table may be moved at the discretion of the Pastor. We also ask that the large box in the balcony which holds our Advent Star not be moved and that no wall hangings be taken down.
Photographs
At NO TIME during the course of the ceremony will flash pictures be permitted. The discreet taking of candid, available light photographs or videotapes IS permitted during the ceremony, provided the photographer uses a camera that is silent.
Confetti, Rice or Bird Seed
In consideration of the church staff and in order to best care for the environment, we kindly ask that NO confetti, rice, or bird seed is thrown inside the Church OR outside on church property. Soap Bubbles are permitted outside.
Church Bell
The church bell may be rung at the beginning and/or end of the ceremony. Make sure the person ringing it has been shown how to do it properly. It is not difficult, but it can be tricky.
Fees Required (to be paid prior to rehearsal)
Pastor: $200 with 3 counseling sessions and ceremony preparation.
$300 for ceremony preparation only.
Musician: Wedding couple is asked to find their own musicians for the service. Or bring their own iPod
and speakers.
Facility rental: $350 for use of the Church
All Fees must be paid on the evening of the wedding rehearsal.
