Wedding Policies and Procedures
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. We are happy for you and know these next few weeks of planning and preparation will be packed with excitement.
We want your wedding to be perfect in every way. To help accomplish this, we have appointed a Wedding Coordinator who is knowledgeable in wedding etiquette to help with weddings at First Baptist Church. Her experience and know-how will assist you with the details necessary for a successful wedding. Please call her once your wedding date is confirmed.
We are pleased you’ve chosen First Baptist for your wedding. These are some of the people who will be working with you to help make your wedding the beautiful and meaningful event you want it to be:
To schedule your wedding date on the church calendar
John Ross, FBC Receptionist
664-6000
664-6003, fax
To schedule the date if the Pastor is conducting your wedding, and for appointments with the Pastor
Kim Hester, Pastor’s Administrative Assistant
Assists in planning and directing the wedding
Katie Adcox, Wedding Coordinator
Assists in choosing wedding music
Mark Edwards, Minister of Music
Steps in Scheduling Your Wedding at First Baptist Nashville
Carefully read through this material and mark any items about which you have questions. Feel free to call our wedding coordinator who will be happy to try to supply the answers you need. She is there to help you with your plans. Every wedding must have a Church Wedding Coordinator present even if the couple uses their own director.
Contact our receptionist as soon as you have set your tentative date. He will contact you as soon as the date is confirmed. If you would like the Pastor to perform the wedding, contact his administrative assistant, Kim Hester, as soon as possible. If there is a conflict with the date you have chosen, she will contact the receptionist.
No dates should be announced until confirmed to you. Now is the time to secure your wedding date on the church calendar with the required deposit (see Policy Agreement). The balance of fees will be due one month prior to your chosen date.
The wedding facilities are provided at no charge. Fees are charged for required staff such as the wedding coordinator, sound technician, custodial care, security guards, etc. See our wedding fee structure for details.
The services of our wedding coordinator are a part of every wedding at First Baptist Church. Contact her as soon as your date is confirmed on the church calendar. She will provide answers to questions concerning facilities, procedures, rehearsals, decorations, and custodial services. If you are having your reception at the church, she will help you with plans and information concerning the use of the facilities.
Weddings in our sanctuary require the use of a sound technician. He will provide you an audio tape after the service and adjust light levels to your desires. The wedding coordinator handles the arrangements for the sound technician.
You will select the florist, photographer, and caterer of your choice. You are responsible for going over the church’s guidelines with each of them. It is very important that they all sign the form agreeing to the guidelines and return it to the wedding coordinator or the church receptionist at least four weeks prior to the ceremony.
PASTORAL COUNSELING
If the Pastor is performing your wedding, you should make an appointment with him several weeks before your wedding to discuss the details of the ceremony.
Weddings involving any of the First Baptist Church ministerial staff require that the bride and groom must complete a minimum of four sessions of premarital counseling. A reduced marriage license fee can be acquired by attending counseling that addresses conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, and children and parenting responsibilities. Our counselors can provide this service or you may choose any other psychologist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, clinical pastoral therapist, psychological examiner, or official representative of a religious institution
VIDEO
Camera and video technicians must remain stationary during the ceremony. No movement at or near the altar area is permitted. Spotlights may not be used during the ceremony. Decorations already in place must not be moved to accommodate them. Individuals may video the ceremony under the direction of the wedding coordinator.
ROOM CAPACITY
Sanctuary main floor......................accommodates 700
Chapel............................................accommodates 125
These facilities are subject to prior reservations and scheduled church meetings.
WHERE DO WE DRESS?
Dressing rooms for the bride, groom and attendants are provided at no charge for two hours prior to the wedding. Our bride’s room is equipped with 3 full-length mirrors and a private restroom. The groom and his attendants will dress in the choir robing rooms, which have private bathrooms and a full-length mirror.
THE REHEARSAL
The bride and groom should insist that all members of the wedding party be as prompt for the rehearsal as for the wedding. Strict observance of the following rules is required:
1. No smoking within the church buildings.
2. No member of the wedding party under the influence of alcohol will be permitted to participate in the rehearsal.
The following suggestions will help you prepare for your rehearsal:
1. The officiating minister may not be present, but places the First Baptist Church wedding coordinator in charge of the rehearsal.
2. The rehearsal will require approximately one hour; this must be scheduled BEFORE the rehearsal dinner.
3. Both sets of parents should be present for the rehearsal.
4. The organist and other musicians will NOT be present at the rehearsal. They will consult with the wedding coordinator about any variations from a typical ceremony.
5. If you have one, the wedding coordinator should be provided with a copy of the ceremony and a printed program.
PERSONAL VALUABLES
The church will not be responsible for personal items such as wedding dresses, wraps, purses and gifts brought to the church for use in a wedding, and are not liable if such items are lost, stolen or damaged. However, every reasonable effort will be made to assist the wedding party in protecting such property.
The church and related rooms for the wedding will be open three hours prior to the wedding.
MUSIC REHEARSAL
The organist and the soloist will need to coordinate a time to practice during hours that the church is open. The sound technician will conduct a sound check one hour before the wedding. The soloist, organist, and any other musicians should be in place at that time.
Your wedding day is very special to you, and to us. We are here to serve you and work with you in every way possible. Happy Planning!
WEDDING MUSIC
The Christian wedding is a worship service. Choose music that will point people to God and show evidence of your Christian commitment. There is room for personal taste, of course, but all music should lend itself to this principle. That means that all music must be of the highest standards and all words are distinctly Christian.
DECORATIONS AND GIFT FAVORS
Seasonal decorations, when present, cannot be moved for the wedding. These decorations may be present around Palm Sunday/Easter, and during Fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The decorations will be limited to the ledges in front of the piano and organ and not on the steps or platform.
Rose petals, bubbles or birdseed may be used as the bride and groom leaving the church. These should only be distributed and used outside the building. Excessive cleanup inside the building may result in forfeiture of deposit. Rice and helium filled balloons are not permitted.
In planning your wedding at First Baptist Church, it is necessary:
1. For the bride to discuss plans for wedding music with the minister of music at least ONE MONTH prior to the wedding. The minister of music should approve the vocal music and instrumental music for the ceremony.
2. For organists other than the church organist to be approved by the minister of music.
3. For the bride to arrange a meeting of soloist(s) and the organist.
4. That any music used for the reception be approved by the Minister of Music. (Dancing is NOT permitted in the church.)
5. Communion is not to be a part of the wedding ceremony. The Lord’s Supper is considered a church ordinance of worship and not a personal observance.
