Mount Vernon Place
United Methodist Church

YOUR WEDDING AT MOUNT VERNON PLACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Weddings are a wondrous, special and sacred occasion. A wedding ceremony conducted in the church is not just a social occasion performed within the walls of the church - it is a service of worship. It will be most meaningful to you, your family and your friends when it is carefully planned.

The clergy of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church fully accept the responsibility of counseling with all persons desiring to be married at the church and to determine that it is the sincere expectation of such persons to enter into the lifelong commitment of marriage.
Interfaith weddings are consistent with the United Methodist understanding of marriage.
Clergy other than those appointed to Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church may be used. However, approval by the pastor of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church is required.

Application For Service

In order to confirm a wedding date, a written and signed application and a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 must be submitted to the Director of Operations at Mount Vernon Place UMC. No plans for the church should be made without receiving a signed, approved application back from the Director of Operations at Mount Vernon Place UMC.

Setting the Date & Premarital Counseling

Wedding ceremonies will be performed by the clergy of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church (unless the couple has received approval for an outside clergy to preside) in the Historic Sanctuary of the church. At the request of the couple, other clergy may be invited by the Mount Vernon Place pastor to participate in the wedding ceremony. However, in most cases, the Mount Vernon Place pastor is the legal officiant of the ceremony.
Premarital counseling is required for every couple wishing to be married at Mount Vernon Place. The counseling program consists of three to four sessions with the pastor. The pastor is to be paid $50.00 per counseling session and $300.00 to conduct the wedding ceremony. These fees are waived if the prospective bride or groom is an active member of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church.

General Information

1. Our sanctuary holds 499 people.
2. The Sanctuary and bride’s room are available for 90 minutes prior to the wedding ceremony and 60 minutes following the wedding ceremony for those participating in the ceremony.
3. The production of wedding programs is the responsibility of each bride and groom.
4. Smoking and the use of alcohol are prohibited on all church premises.
5. Parking for up to 50 cars in an attached, underground garage can be requested and is subject to availability. A fee is also associated with a confirmed reservation.

Music

Music for the ceremony will be arranged through the church’s organist, David Yoder. He will be happy to discuss possible selections with you. The wedding is a worship service. The church’s policy is to allow only music appropriate for a worship service; other music should be used for the reception. The use of pre-recorded music is discouraged and may only be used as approved by the Mount Vernon Place clergy.
The fee for the organist is $300.00 which includes one consultation and the service. This fee is to be paid directly to the organist at the consultation. It is the couples’ responsibility to make contact with the church’s organist at least four weeks prior to the wedding.

Photography / Video Recordings

No one but the professional photographer is permitted to take pictures during the ceremony. The only flash pictures permitted during the ceremony are those of the bride and her attendants entering during the processional and the bride and groom leaving during the recessional.

NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS PERMITTED DURING THE CEREMONY
The above statement is to appear on any programs / bulletins that are used for your ceremony.

Videotaping is permitted during the wedding with the permission of the pastor. The videographer will remain at a pre-determined fixed position during the ceremony.
Professional photographers may wish to tour the sanctuary prior to the wedding. To schedule a tour, please contact the church office.

Decoration of the Church

Arrangements for floral decorations should be made through the florist of your choice, who will supply the flowers and the containers. Because of the scale of our sanctuary, we recommend that your florist visit the church so that they may make appropriate recommendations to you for your consideration.

Care must be taken at all times to see that the floors, walls and furnishings are not disfigured in the placing of flowers or other decorations. Protection must be placed under all pots, vases or plants so that no dampness seeps through. The use of candles is restricted to the chancel area and is limited to the standard Unity Candle set up. Tape on the wall is not permitted nor is it permissible to put nails, tape or tacks into the woodwork or in the pews. All decorations must be removed immediately after the ceremony.

The use of an aisle runner is not permitted.

Throwing rice, confetti or birdseed is not permitted inside or outside the building. Other celebrative objects such as bubbles are only permitted outside the church building.

The Rehearsal

The wedding ceremony will be planned in advance by the couple in consultation with the pastor. All members of the wedding party should participate in the rehearsal, including the bride and groom, parents of the couple, best man, maid/matron of honor, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, ushers, etc.
Please plan for one full hour for the rehearsal.
The rehearsal will be conducted by the minister and the wedding coordinator.
The marriage license should be delivered to the pastor at the rehearsal.

Punctuality

We require that both the rehearsal and the wedding start promptly at the times agreed upon. The church reserves the right to cancel any rehearsal or wedding that is more than thirty minutes late. If a rehearsal is cancelled then the wedding will also be cancelled. All fees paid prior to the wedding will be forfeited.

Summary of Wedding Fees

• All couples, both members of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church and non-members pay a $500 non-refundable deposit for the use of the church sanctuary.
• Non-members pay an additional $1000 for the use of the sanctuary.
• Organist fee: $300.00
• Wedding coordinator fee: $200.00
• Clergy fee: $300 (non-members)
• Premarital Counseling fee: $50 per session (non-members)
• Parking Garage Fee (upon approval): $40/hour

Any damage done to the church sanctuary by wedding participants and guests will be paid for by the bride and groom.