Wedding Policies and Procedures Introductions It is the desire of the staff and the entire church family to make every wedding ceremony a beautiful and worshipful event, and to that end these rules and policies are designed. After you have completed the wedding request form, our Wedding Coordinator, Stephanie Czerwinski will contact you to begin the process of scheduling your wedding. You may also call in your request to our Wedding Coordinator at (843) 856-3222 Ext. 2901. If you have any other questions or need general information that is not provided online, do not hesitate to call or email Stephanie Czerwinski (
[email protected]). Once you are contacted by the Wedding Coordinator, she will walk you through the next steps. Please be prepared to provide the following information: 1.
Both of your full names with contact info
2.
The date and time of your wedding
3.
The pastor you desire to perform the ceremony
4.
A tentative time for your rehearsal the day before
Upon your initial consultation with the Wedding Coordinator, we can schedule your wedding on our master calendar. Please note: your wedding will not be confirmed until this consultation has occurred. Please note: Your wedding will not be confirmed until written notification is received. At the time your wedding is booked onto our master calendar, we ask for a $200 deposit made payable to East Cooper Baptist Church. The liability release form, along with a check for your balance of $600, needs to be turned in to the Wedding Coordinator no later than two weeks prior to your wedding. This form tells us that you have read and agree to all of our regulations regarding church usage (provided online). This form also requires detailed information on your wedding party and any outside vendors (florists, etc.), which is necessary for the Wedding Coordinator in order to direct your rehearsal and ceremony. You will need to print the form, fill it out, and either fax it or drop it off at the church. Please put to the attention: WEDDING COORDINATOR. Fax: (843) 856-1136.
Basic Standards The following are the basic standards which have been enacted by the congregation to govern the use of the church for weddings: We will not as a church marry a couple that is unequally yoked; (i.e., believer and unbeliever).
East Cooper Baptist Church | eastcooperbaptist.com | 10/4/2012
We may not, as a church, marry a couple when one party or both have been divorced and reconciliation to the first spouse is still open. (Each case is unique and is reviewed for special circumstances and considerations). We will not, as a church, marry a couple when a previous divorce situation gives the Elders reasonable doubt that this marriage is of God. We may not as a church marry a couple if they have maintained an impure or morally lax relationship; or have, in the immediate past, a lifestyle which does not represent Biblical purity. We may not, as a church, marry a couple if this marriage is radically opposed by their family members and/or friends--unique circumstances are considered. (Each case is unique and is reviewed for special circumstances). We will not, as a church, marry a couple if they do not satisfactorily complete the premarital course requirements. Please note the following restrictions: No Sunday weddings No weddings allowed Easter and Thanksgiving weekends and the month of December Only members, their children, and those in the joining process may be married at ECBC Couple is required to complete and sign the LIABILITY RELEASE WAIVER that outlines all property use regulations. Please see all regulations under PROPERTY USE REGULATIONS.
Wedding Pictures Pictures may be made with certain limitations. We require these policies to maintain the sacredness of the ceremony: There may be no flash photography during the actual ceremony. The wedding party may assemble again in the sanctuary after the wedding for further pictures. Pictures may be taken prior to the wedding. The pastor must be consulted regarding any exceptions to these wedding picture policies. A video may be taken from the rear of the sanctuary. A video may be taken also from the front of the sanctuary provided adequate foliage is provided, keeping the camera out of sight from the congregation.
Property Use Regulations All decorations and decorative equipment must be furnished by the wedding party or the florist. Care must be taken to protect the church property against damage. The following must be observed: No nails, tacks, staples, or tape may be used to attach decorations or equipment to the walls, woodwork, furniture or floors. Childcare or use of the nursery rooms is not allowed during weddings. Children are not allowed during setups, decorating or cleaning. East Cooper Baptist Church | eastcooperbaptist.com | 10/4/2012
If printed bulletins are desired, it is the couple’s responsibility to provide them. The office staff does not print wedding bulletins. ONLY DRIPLESS CANDLES MAY BE USED. Some non-flammable materials should be placed under the candles to protect the floor and woodwork. The florist or decorator shall be held responsible for cleaning of wax from the floor, furniture and woodwork or equipment, and shall be required to insure that the church premises are clean following the wedding. He/She will also be required to pay for any damages to the church floors, furniture, woodwork, and equipment. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND may be served or consumed on the church premises. Drinking of alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated at either the wedding or the rehearsal. No smoking is permitted on the church property. No rice is permitted on the church premises. Bird seed may be used only outside the buildings. Rice creates not only a cleaning problem, but also a safety hazard. Our hymn books are not to be used as props. The sound equipment is delicate and expensive. Therefore, NO ONE from the wedding party is permitted to operate the sound system. If damage is done to the equipment, the wedding party is responsible for the cost of repair. IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO MAKE SURE ALL RULES ARE MADE KNOWN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING PARTY, RELATIVES, FRIENDS, FLORISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, ETC.
Floral Arrangements Wedding floral arrangements can be left in place for Sunday morning services if appropriate. An announcement in honor of your wedding will be placed in the worship bulletin, coordinated by the Wedding coordinator. The removal of any and all decorations will be coordinated with the facilities manager and your florist. If you wish to leave your wedding floral arrangement for Sunday morning, please notify Leah Melchers, Worship Associate, so a floral arrangement will not be made for that Sunday. The ECBC floral guild cannot provide floral arrangements for your wedding.
Wedding Fees The fee for your wedding onsite at East Cooper Baptist Church is $800. The wedding fees directly support the staff members required to assist in your wedding. For a church our size, it is imperative that knowledgeable staff be available for your wedding in order for the day of your union to be as stress-free as possible. The following is included in your fee: A Wedding Coordinator/Director - liaison for all of your questions about getting married at ECBC; available for consultation for all aspects of your wedding onsite; directs your rehearsal the day before your wedding; directs all wedding activities for you on your wedding day. (We require that you use ECBC's designated wedding coordinator.) Facilities/Janitorial - Onsite at rehearsal and wedding day. Assists in arranging equipment in sanctuary; provides cleanup before and after your wedding. Audio Specialist - Onsite at rehearsal and wedding day. Provides all sounds support for sanctuary. Includes 1 hour for rehearsal and 1 hour for wedding. Additional charges will be billed if rehearsal goes long. ($125 per hour over - 1 hour minimum). East Cooper Baptist Church | eastcooperbaptist.com | 10/4/2012
Payment schedule is as follows (checks made payable to East Cooper Baptist Church): $200 deposit is due at the time you book your wedding/reserve your date. $600 balance, along with your liability/release form, is due no later than 2 weeks prior to your wedding date.
Video/Media/Music We also offer video recording onsite. The video media fees are in addition to the wedding fees. Please let the Wedding Coordinator know if you are interested in a video shoot. You will be responsible for providing payment directly to the person who shoots the video, as arranged for you by the Coordinator. Video Pricing: $350 for 1-camera shoot and $500 for a 2-camera shoot. (All weddings) Includes 1 or 2 high definition cameras with two operators in different angles. The raw footage tapes will be delivered to the wedding party after the wedding. DVD dubs will not be provided. It is the wedding party’s responsibility to have the tapes edited by a video company. If you would like a full package production (shoot and edit) please call Marc Collins at (843) 343-8704 for pricing. Music: Any instrumental or vocal music is the responsibility of the bride and groom. The wedding coordinator is available to assist with contact information for church musicians. Within the ECBC Worship Arts ministry, we have, (but are not limited to) the following musicians, available for weddings: Traditional Vocalists, Contemporary Vocalists, Guitar, Keyboard/Piano, Organ, Trumpet/Brass, Strings/Violin/Cello, and Flute. Your audio specialist will be available for all sound support for musicians. You will arrange payment for musical services directly with the musicians. Please let the Wedding Coordinator know if you need assistance with musical selections and/or musicians and she will provide appropriate contact information.
Pastors You must fill out the WEDDING INTEREST FORM under Forms and Agreements page in order to let us know the pastor of your choice. You can see a list of our pastors at http://www.eastcooperbaptist.com/about-us/who-we-are/pastors-staff/ In addition to filling out the form, please contact the pastor directly for his availability. *Please note that if you would like Pastor Brown to perform your ceremony, you will contact his Executive Assistant, LeAnne Rowland ext. 2006 or
[email protected].
East Cooper Baptist Church | eastcooperbaptist.com | 10/4/2012
