Wedding Guidelines:
Welcome to First United Methodist Church. We are pleased that you are considering solemnizing your marriage in this church, seeking the blessing of God as you begin your life together. It is assumed that persons approaching the pastor(s) for a wedding are requesting that their marriage ceremony be a "Christian Covenant." A Christian Covenant is a life-long covenant formed between two persons before God - a promise you make in God's presence.

United Methodists believe that marriage is a holy institution, given to us by God as a blessing and a responsibility. In a Christian wedding, a couple seeks God's grace and blessing on their marriage and the new family it creates.
Pastor's Right and Obligation:
Every United Methodist Pastor is charged with the responsibility to perform the marriage ceremony after due counsel with the parties involved, providing guidance and spiritual counsel to them as they seek to prepare emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. The decision to perform the ceremony shall be the "right and responsibility of the pastor." (UMC Book of Discipline) That decision shall be made by the Pastor on the basis of pre-marital counseling which is designed to strengthen the couple's relationship, and demonstrate a knowledge of covenant.
Marriage for members of the local United Methodist Church are part of the responsibility of the pastor(s) for which he or she is often given an honorarium. The church building is available to members and regular participants in the life of the church free of charge.
Photograph by Jon's Darkroom
Code of Conduct:
  • The pastor(s) of the local United Methodist Church shall perform or participate in all weddings held in the building. Exceptions may be made as a pastoral consideration for other clergy to officiate.
  • The Church Organist shall play for all weddings or approve any musician that shall play the organ or piano.
  • All couples shall participate in pre-marital couseling by meeting with the pastor at least three times. [The pastor may require UMC marriage manual or other appropriate literature was well as evaluation instruments.]
  • Wedding dates, rehearsals and counseling will be scheduled with the Pastor in advance.
  • Couples shall pay all fees at the time of the rehearsal.
  • Couples shall present the Marriage License to the Pastor at the rehearsal .
  • Photography is not allowed during the wedding ceremony. Phorographs may be taken before or after the ceremony. The Pastor will be available, if the couple wishes, for photographs following the ceremony.
  • Video taping is allowed only in consultation with and by prior approval of the Pastor.
  • No wedding will be performed where it is evident that members of the wedding party have been indulging in drugs or alcohol prior to the wedding or rehearsal; nor is alcohol allowed on church property at any time before, during or after the wedding.


Click to download an application
for a wedding in the church
Fees:
  • The church organist shall be paid a minimum fee of $125.00
  • The church custodian shall be paid a minimum fee of $75.00
  • Use of the Sanctuary, when neither principal is a member of First UMC, shall be $350.00
  • Pastoral services for non-members (including pre-marital counseling, rehearsal and wedding) shall be $200.00