our Wedding policy 

In Baptism, each Christian is claimed in the covenant of God’s faithful love. Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community. In civil law, marriage is a contract that recognizes the rights and obligations of the married couple in society. In the Reformed tradition, marriage is also a covenant in which God has an active part, and which the community of faith publicly witnesses and acknowledges. (W-4.0601) 

The marriage ceremony is a service of worship, and should be so planned as to glorify God and to be a truly significant day in the life of the couple getting married. The policies outlined here have been established by the Session of the Orange Presbyterian Church to guide you in making your wedding both worshipful and meaningful.
1. ARRANGEMENTS AND RESERVATIONS 
  • As soon as you have decided on the date of your wedding, you should contact the Pastor of the church. Because of the demands on the church staff and facilities, it is requested that weddings not be scheduled during Holy Week (palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas Day.
  •  After the date has been confirmed by the Pastor, the Organist, and the Wedding Coordinator, the Session (the governing body of the church) will be asked to approve the use of the facility for that day, and the date will be placed on the church calendar.
 2. THE PASTOR AND PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING 
  • Each couple married at OPC is required to participate in a pre-marital counseling program, as outlined by the Pastor. Generally counseling begins three to six months prior to the wedding.
  •  The Pastor of the church ordinarily presides at all weddings in the church. Another minister may be invited to assist, but such a request must be cleared in advance with the Pastor and the Worship and Music Committee.
3. WEDDING FACILITATOR 
  • Orange Presbyterian Church has a Wedding Facilitator who will assist with the rehearsal and wedding ceremony at the church.
  •  The Pastor will notify the Facilitator as soon as a tentative date has been set. After a definite date and time have been agreed upon, the couple, the Pastor, and the Wedding Facilitator will meet together to discuss the arrangements for the wedding.
  • A description of the Wedding Facilitator’s role can be found at the end of this document. All Inactive and Non-Members are required to use the services of the Facilitator. It is strongly recommended that Members use the Facilitator as well. The Facilitator will handle many of the detail items particularly at the rehearsal and wedding service.
 4. MUSIC 
  • The church’s organist shall ordinarily play for all weddings conducted at the Orange Presbyterian Church. In the event that another musician is desired (organist or pianist), the request must be approved by the organist and the Worship and Music Committee Chair.
  •  Music in the church wedding is an expression of worship. Whether instrumental or vocal, it should be consistent with the Christian nature of the marriage ceremony. The use of music in the ceremony should be considered in consultation with the Pastor and Organist. The Organist will meet with the couple at least one month before the ceremony.
 5. DECORATIONS 
  • The sanctuary of the Orange Presbyterian Church does not require elaborate decorations. It is suggested that simplicity of decorations be followed. Hence, the following policies are to be observed:
  1. The Communion Table may be moved to another part of the sanctuary for the wedding. The pulpit shall not be moved.
  2. Rice, birdseed, and confetti are not to be thrown inside the church. Rice and confetti are not to be thrown outside the church.
  3. Care must be taken to see that floors and carpets are not disfigured. Please use dripless candles and place something underneath them to protect the carpet.
  4. Nails, tacks, screws, and gum are not to be used in fastening decorations to the floor, pews, or any other furnishings.
  5. The sanctuary does not have a center aisle and so an aisle runner for the bride is discouraged.
  6. During the time when the sanctuary is decorated for the Advent/Christmas season, no decorations shall be removed.
 6. REHEARSAL 
  • It is advisable, even in a very simple wedding, to have a rehearsal the day before the wedding. The time of rehearsal should be set in consultation with the Pastor, Organist, and Wedding Facilitator.
  •  The Pastor will direct the rehearsal with the Wedding Facilitator’s assistance.
  •  It is important that all members of the wedding party arrive promptly at the designated rehearsal time. It will take approximately one hour.
 7. PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOTAPING 
  • Photographs with flash are not to be taken during the wedding service. Photographers and videographers should not intrude into the immediate area where the service is taking place nor interfere with the sanctity of the ceremony.
  •  For those who desire to videotape the ceremony, a video camera on a tripod can be placed in the choir loft and remain stationary. Only available light videotaping is allowed.
 8. DRESSING ROOMS 
  • The Leland Lord Library or Fellowship Hall is available to the bride and her attendants as a dressing room. Restrooms are available.
  •  The groom and the men in the wedding party generally dress elsewhere, but arrangements can be made to accommodate them, if necessary. The men can wait in the East Room (across from the sanctuary) until the time for the ceremony.
 9. PARKING 
  • Parking is very limited at Orange Presbyterian Church.  A parking attendant will be required if more than 100 guests are expected.
10. RECEPTIONSThe church Fellowship Hall is available for receptions for up to 150 persons.
  •  No alcoholic beverages are to be served.
  •  The bride and groom will assume full responsibility for decorating, setting up tables, providing and serving refreshments, cleaning up, and restoring the facilities to their previous condition.
  •  The Wedding Facilitator will assist you in making these arrangements.
 11. FEES 
  • For Active Members:
  1. Facilities - no charge
  2. Organist - A suggested honorarium of at least $200 is recommended.
  3. Pastor - An honorarium is encouraged.
  4. Wedding Facilitator - $150
  5. Fellowship Hall - no charge
  •  For Inactive and Non-Members:
  1. Facilities - $200
  2. Organist - A suggested honorarium of at least $200 is recommended.
  3. Pastor - A suggested honorarium of at least $200 is recommended.
  4. Wedding Facilitator - $150
  5. Fellowship Hall - $150 + $50 for cleaning
  •  All fees are due at the time of the rehearsal. You may hand all fees and the marriage license to the Wedding Facilitator.

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