Wedding Service Information

The Marriage Service involves personal preferences concerning the worship style, dress, decorations and the use of the church property. These preferences should be discussed during the consultation with the Pastors.

Setting the Appointment

Contact the church Office Manager, at (724) 327-0061 to see if the date you are considering is available on the church calendar and to make an appointment for premarital counseling with the Pastor.

  • Coordination of the planning of your service and the setting of the day and time will proceed after premarital counseling sessions.


Planning your Wedding Service


When planning your wedding, please remember that some wedding details are "Required", some are "Optional", and some are "Not Permitted". These general categories are listed below with examples provided in each. Click on each example for greater detail. 


"Required" for your Wedding
  • Premarital counseling with the Pastor
  • Meetings (Wedding Planning) with the pastor
  • Wedding Rehearsal
  • Marriage License
  • Contact Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church Wedding Coordinator


"Optional" for your Wedding
  • Guest Clergy
  • Family/Friends as participants in your wedding
  • Communion
  • Flowers
  • Candles
  • Music
  • Crash or Aisle Runners
  • Pew Bows
  • Bulletins/Programs
  • Photographs (including photographs with the Pastor)
  • Videotaping
  • Audio Taping/Sound Technician
  • Celebration Following the Wedding Service
  • Reception on Site


"Not Permitted" for your Wedding
  • Flash Photography during the Wedding Service (See "Photographs" below)
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Smoking


Planning your Wedding Service – "Required" Procedures


Premarital Counseling with the Pastor
The Pastor of Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church must meet with the couple for premarital counseling before agreeing to perform the wedding service. [Couples should expect to meet a number of times,]

Meetings (Wedding Planning) with the Pastor
The Pastor will guide you in the details of your wedding service during planning meetings scheduled between the Pastor and the couple. 

Rehearsal

Your wedding service rehearsal is arranged/coordinated by the Pastor.

  • The rehearsal will take about an hour.
  • It is important that everyone in your wedding party arrive at the rehearsal on time.


Marriage License

The Pastor will need to have your marriage license before the Wedding Service, so the license should be given to the Pastor at the Rehearsal.

*If the bride, groom or both have been previously married and are divorced, a copy of their divorce papers will need to be seen by the Pastor before the service, preferably at a planning meeting.
 

Contact Wedding Coordinator

The Wedding Coordinator should be contacted through the church office 724-327-0061. The Wedding Coordinator and is available to assist you with details that may enhance your wedding service.


Planning your Wedding Service – "Optional" Considerations


Guest Clergy

Some couples prefer to have another minister officiate or participate at their wedding. Please discuss this with the Pastor at your initial appointment.

Any guest clergy must be invited with the permission of Session and the clergy of this church.


Family/Friends as participants in your wedding

Often family and friends serve as readers or acolytes during your wedding service. If this is your preference for your wedding service, please discuss this with the Pastor during the planning of your service.


Communion

You may wish to have communion served as part of your wedding service. Serving communion during a service involves logistical planning and the approval of the Session of this church.

 

Flowers

The Presbyterian Book of Order states that flowers are to "enhance worship and not be ostentatious."

  • Coordination of Peace Roses for the mothers (parents) may be planned with the Pastor as part of the service.
  • Flowers should be attached in such a way that they will not damage furniture/pew finishes or surfaces within and outside the facility.
  • Please discuss with the Wedding Coordinator or the Pastor, if the coordinator is not being used to confirm arrangements for having the church open for the florist's delivery on the day of the Wedding.


Candles

  • Candles add to a wedding service but, there are several considerations and cautions. Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church has brass candelabras and brass pew candle holders with globes that must be used, if candles are going to be used in the Wedding Service. The candles must be purchased through the church office manager.
  • Even candles that are advertised as being "drip less" may not be. Wax removal is very costly and the responsibility of the Bride and Groom.
  • The use of a unity candle in your service must be coordinated with the Pastor.
     

Music

Please make an initial contact with the Organist as soon as the date for the Wedding Service is set with the Pastor in order to set the date with them. During this consultation, details concerning the Organist, soloist and instrumentalists should be coordinated.

  • Early planning will help ensure that suitable music can be prepared.
  • A list of professional musicians and/or vocalists is available from the Organist.
  • In addition to the Wedding Service, the Organist is also present at the wedding rehearsal and as a consultant.
  • If a printed program is to be provided for the guests, the Organist will prepare a list of music, including composers.


Crash or Aisle Runners

  • The aisle in the sanctuary will need a 75 foot runner.
  • The woven paper variety or cloth is preferable to the plastic (there is a tendency to slip on plastic.)


Pew Bows

  • There are 28 pews in the sanctuary – 14 on each side.
  • Bows should not be attached with tape due to the possibility of damaging the finish of the pews.
  • Pew bows attach nicely by using ribbons or rubber band.


Bulletins/Programs

The Pastor can provide you with the order of your service if you choose to have bulletins (programs).

  • Families may produce their own bulletins or the church office can run camera ready bulletins if the family provides the covers/paper to the church Office Manager by the Wednesday prior to the wedding service.
  • Your camera ready pages will not be proof – read before printing, so please be sure you are satisfied with the text.


Photographs (including photographs with the Pastor)

Photos are a means to remember your wedding service. However, photography must not interfere with the worship experience. Through consultation with the Pastor you will understand personal preferences concerning the use of cameras during the service. You will need to advise your photographer of the preferences of the Pastor. Photo Considerations: no flash photos in the sanctuary during the service until the "kiss". Photos during the service may be taken from the back of the sanctuary without a flash.

  • Please arrange with the photographer to have the photos with the Pastor taken immediately after the service, so the pastor can change into his/her non-clerical attire.


Videotaping
Videos are a means to remember your wedding service. However, videotaping must not interfere with the worship experience. Through consultation with the Pastor you will understand personal preferences concerning the use of video equipment during the service. You will need to advise your video taper of the preferences of the Pastor.

Video Considerations: one stationary unattended video camera in the choir loft and/or one stationary video camera in the back of the sanctuary are/is permitted.


Audio Taping/Sound Technician
Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church has a very complicated sound system that may only be operated by a trained sound technician designated by the Pastor. Please specify your audio taping/sound technician needs during your meeting with the Pastor.Arrangements can be made with the sound technician to monitor the system in order for your guests to hear.

  • The sound technician must be present if any taped music is to be played during your Wedding Service.
  • An audio recording can be made of your Wedding Service.


Celebration Following the Wedding Service
The blowing of bubbles or ringing of bells are recommended methods for your guests to celebrate your marriage.Even though the tossing of rice, birdseed, flower petals (paper or real) or releasing of balloons may be traditional, they are discouraged for the following reasons:

  • Rice is harmful to birds.
  • Birdseed attracts birds and rodents.
  • Rice, birdseed, and flower petals can become a hazard for people walking and difficult to clean up.
  • The releasing of balloons is against a Murrysville ordinance.


Reception on Site
Please consult with the Pastor if you are considering hosting your wedding reception or rehearsal dinner at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church. Details can be discussed at that time.


Planning your Wedding Service – "Not Permitted" Items


Alcoholic Beverages
The Session of Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church does not permit the serving or drinking of alcoholic beverages on church property.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in the church facility.