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WEDDINGSYour Wedding At... Community Presbyterian Church of Clarendon Hills, IllinoisCommunity Presbyterian Church extends to you every good wish and blessing as you prepare for your marriage. We believe that marriage is a gift from God that enriches the entire human family. For Christians, marriage is much more than a social contract, or even an expression of human love. Marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other and marks the beginning of your holy commitment, witnessed and celebrated by your loved ones. We look forward to helping you have a meaningful wedding and a joyful marriage. First Steps All preliminary arrangements for weddings are made through the church's Administrative Assistant, who will contact the ministers and check the availability of the church. All wedding couples must have an appointment with the minister as soon as a wedding date has been tentatively set. No wedding is "booked" until the minister has approved it. Once the minister has given approval, an application form and initial deposit of $50 will reserve the date. Please make arrangements with our Administrative Assistant to set a convenient time when someone may show you the church facilities and items available for use on the day of your wedding. Pre-Marital Counseling A strong marriage is even more important than a beautiful wedding. We are committed to helping you get the very best start in your married life. Preparation for marriage at Community Presbyterian Church includes required participation in pre-marital counseling. Counseling covers key areas of marriage, such as communication, finances, sexuality, spirituality and family. Officiating Minister One of the ministers from Community Presbyterian Church will be in charge of your service and will help you plan a ceremony that is meaningful and special and that reflects the Christian faith we share. If you wish to have a minister from another church assist in the service, you should discuss this first with the officiating minister who will extend an invitation to the assisting pastor. In some circumstances, a visiting priest or minister of another church may assist or an interfaith marriage ceremony may be planned, if the officiating minister approves. Wedding Music Whenever music is used in the wedding ceremony, it is an integral part of our worship of God. As such, the music you choose serves to glorify God and express our faith. The Director of Music of Community Presbyterian Church will assist you in choosing appropriate music, including the processional and recessional, as well as any hymns or vocal music. (Some vocal music that may not be suitable for worship, such as popular or secular songs, may be perfect for your reception.) The Director of Music can help you make arrangements for vocalists and instrumentalists (such as trumpets, string quartets, etc.) No taped music is permitted. Couples should meet with the Director of Music at least three months before the wedding; music must be approved by the Director of Music before the programs are printed. Flowers & Decorations Many couples provide flowers for their wedding. It is fitting that any flowers and decorations reflect the integrity and simplicity of the Christian life, and not detract attention from the service itself. One arrangement (or the unity candle) may be placed on the communion table, or two arrangements may be placed on stands in the front of the chancel. Two candelabra are available and aisle candles may also be used. A kneeling bench is available for prayers. If you choose to bring an aisle runner, the length is 75'. Plastic runners are not permitted. Photography & Video Photography and recording arrangements, if any, should also be planned with the atmosphere of worship in mind. In order not to distract the congregation, only the official photographer and videographer are allowed to take pictures during the ceremony, and must remain behind the main section of pews. (A stationary video tripod may be set up next to the piano in the chancel.) Only natural lighting is permitted except during the processional and the recessional. Ushers seating guests with cameras should politely request them not to take pictures during the wedding. Arrangements may also be made for photographs to be taken up to half an hour prior to and/or after the ceremony. Audiotaping is also available with advance notice. The church office is happy to supply you with a packet with the rules for photography and flowers. Your florist and photographer/videographer will want to see them well in advance of the wedding. Rehearsal The wedding rehearsal is designed to help the wedding party become familiar with the ceremony and comfortable with their participation in the service. The hour-long rehearsal normally takes place the afternoon or evening prior to the wedding. The time of the rehearsal should be set with the minister. Please bring your marriage license and any unpaid fees to the rehearsal, so that you need not worry about them on your wedding day. It is important that the entire wedding party be on time for the rehearsal. The minister is in charge and is assisted by the church's wedding coordinator. To facilitate an orderly and enjoyable rehearsal, suggestions should be channeled to the minister through the bride and groom. Please note that the organist is not normally present at the rehearsal. Wedding Fees and Honoraria The Session of the church has set the following fees for wedding services. Please note that some of these fees are waived for members. In cases of financial need, fees may be reduced or waived at the discretion of the minister. If you ask, the Office Manager will provide you with a personalized fee list for your wedding. Deposit to Reserve Date $50 Counseling Fee $35 Minister Rehearsal and Ceremony (customary) $250 Additional ministers, if invited, should also be compensated Organist Wedding and Rehearsal $200 Wedding Only $150 Special Rehearsal with other Musicians $50 Additional musicians-rates vary Custodian Sanctuary Begins at $75 Garden Wedding Begins at $150 Use of Facilities* Sanctuary $500 Chapel $300 Garden $300 *Not applicable to members Reception Use of Fellowship Hall $150 (for catered luncheon or dinner) Use of Parlor, Garden or Fellowship Hall $75 (for catered cake and coffee) Kitchen Facilities $200 (if meal is prepared on site) Candles Candelabra $30 Aisle Candles $35 Programs (per 100 printed) $25 All honoraria and fees should be paid no later than the day of the rehearsal. Checks for honoraria should be made out to the individuals personally and the fees for the church to Community Presbyterian Church. The Day of the Wedding The sanctuary (or chapel or garden) will be available three hours prior to the wedding so that you can have ample time for flowers to be delivered and pictures to be taken. In addition, the parlor is set aside for the bride and her attendants to get ready, and the Fellowship Hall is available for the groom and his attendants to gather. For your security we recommend that you do not bring items of value. However, the parlor will be locked during the wedding (Fellowship Hall cannot be locked). Members of the wedding party should remain in the parlor and Fellowship Hall until the minister or wedding coordinator lets you know it is time for the wedding to begin. Please note that smoking is not allowed in the building, and alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere on the property. The wedding coordinators will be responsible for making sure that honor guests (grandparents, parents of the groom and mother of the bride) are escorted to their reserved pews at the proper time. They will also oversee the wedding party and bridal entrance, and coordinate timing with the minister and the organist. Please let them know if you are planning to have a receiving line at the church following the service. If you are making a ceremonial exit, please note that birdseed and rice are not allowed. Many couples choose to use bubbles instead. State Requirements Marriage Licenses are issued at the office of the DuPage County Clerk, 421 County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL, 630-682-7035. Office hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Photo I.D. and a cash fee are required; the license is good for 60 days. Wedding Contact Persons Rev. Dean Lindsey, 630-323-6522 Lee McGinty, Music Director and Organist, 630-963-8522 Administrative Assistant, Jan Harris 630-323-6522 jan.harris@chcpc.org |