Thank you for your interest in having your wedding at Christ Community Church.  Your wedding day is a very significant event in your lives and an important aspect of ministry of this church.

Christ Community is an inviting and diverse congregation with newer air-conditioned church building, comfortably seating up to 250 people.  We are pleased to offer Christian services for members and non-members alike, and would be pleased to talk with you about celebrating your marriage vows at our church.

The Wedding Fees are listed at the bottom of this page.  Your $150 deposit and information form must be received in order to reserve a date.  Deposits are non-refundable.

It is expected that the building and grounds will be used and treated with respect and care appropriate for God's house.  Therefore, we request that the following policies be adhered to:

• Our building and grounds are smoke and alcohol free.
• There will be no confetti or like product (including rice and bird seed) thrown inside or outside at the entrance of the church.
• Christ Community will not accept responsibility for wedding gifts brought to or displayed at the church or for other valuables you bring.
• The bride and groom will be responsible for any damage to church property or equipment caused by your wedding party or guests.

Reasons your wedding would not happen at Christ Community are as follows:

• Your wedding license and Scripture selections are not brought to the church secretary or minister five days prior to the wedding.
• Your fees are not paid five days prior to the wedding.
• The bride or groom does not show up.

The Pastoral Meetings

This time affords the bride and groom and the minister an opportunity to discuss the details of the ceremony and the nature of a Christian marriage.  A wedding date is only confirmed when the couple has consulted with the officiating pastor.

A minister of Christ Community will officiate at your wedding.  We are open to inviting other clergy persons to share in the service.  Arrangements may be discussed at your first meeting with the pastor, who will issue the invitation.

Christ Community affirms the Greater Grand Rapids Community Marriage Policy.  Couples married at Christ Community Church normally participate in the Premarital Workshop or the Remarriage/Step Family Workshop sponsored by the churches of the Community Marriage Policy and the Pine Rest Family Institute.

The Music

Music is a beautiful and important part of the wedding service.  We suggest you make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss and select the music you wish to use with our church music director.  All music must be approved by the music director and be fitting for a Christian service of worship.

If a visiting musician is used, the music must be approved by our music director and our director will receive the customary fee for coordinating music with the bride and guest musician(s).  If a soloist is used, he/she should consult with the Christ Community Music Director four weeks before the wedding rehearsal to review the music.

The Rehearsal

Wedding rehearsals are schedule to last a maximum of one hour.  Therefore, it is important that the bride and groom impress upon all those participating in the service the necessity of arriving promptly.  Frequently more than one wedding is scheduled in a weekend, and if you are to have adequate time for your rehearsal before another is scheduled, it is essential to begin the rehearsal on time.  There should also be an attitude of respect and reverence adopted by all present at the church.

On the Wedding Day

Typically the bride will arrive one hour before the wedding time when she is dressing at the church.  The groom and groomsmen should be ready 30 minutes before the service in the room assigned, unless the groomsmen are serving as ushers.  The ushers should be ready to assume their duties 45 minutes before the service.

If the invitation announces the wedding for 3:00, the prelude music will conclude then and all participants should be ready to process at that time.

The wedding party may use the church facility for an hour after the announced time of the wedding.  Weddings generally last from 25-35 minutes.

Dressing at Church

Women in the bridal party may dress in the lower level of the church where there is easy access to a ladies' rest room.  Men may assemble upstairs in the library.

The Procession and Recession

Traditionally the groom and groomsmen enter from the side.  The mother of the bride is seated last, preceded immediately by the mother and father of the groom.  The bride's attendants enter down the aisle.  The men stand on the groom's side and the women to the left of the bride.  The bride enters last on the arm of her escort.

At the close of the service, the bride and groom are followed by the bride's attendants paired with the groomsmen.  The bride's parents are then ushered to the back, followed by the groom's parents and grandparents.

Receiving Your Guests

In our less formal wedding services, the bride and groom often return to the sanctuary following their recessional to greet friends and dismiss them.  In more formal weddings, the groomsmen will dismiss the guests.

The bride and groom should decide whether they wish to:

1. Dismiss the guests themselves, greeting each one personally.
2. Have ushers dismiss guests, allowing the bride and groom to leave immediately for the reception.
   a.  You may then have the receiving line at the reception or
   b.  Greet guests informally at the tables.
3. Have ushers dismiss guests and have receiving line with parents at church.

A beautiful sanctuary for worship requires only simple decorations; therefore, flowers and decorations must be in keeping with the dignity of this church.  Excessive expense and ostentation should be avoided.

It will be the responsibility of the bride and groom to make sure that the florist provides proper protection for furniture and carpet under the candles and other decorations.  If an aisle runner is desired, it should be provided by the florist and be 65' (and preferably not plastic).  It may be pinned to the carpeting, but never taped.

The bride and groom should decide what is to be done with the flowers after the service.  They may be left for use in the church on Sunday and will be taken to persons who are sick or homebound after the service.

Arrangements should be made with your photographer to take pictures before and after the service in the sanctuary and in the rooms where you are preparing for the wedding according to the policies noted in "To the Professional Photographer" letter in your packet.

The policies of the church regarding the taking of pictures are as follows:

• Pictures may be taken in the rooms where the bridal party is waiting.
• Time exposures or video may be taken from behind congregational seating when the wedding is in the sanctuary.
• Group pictures may be taken in the foyer and/or sanctuary for reenactment of the ceremony after the service.
• No flashes or other special lighting may be used during the service.

Please note that these regulations do not permit pictures being taken in the sanctuary for the seating of the guests and/or entrance of the bridal party.

We are honored that you have chosen Christ Community to celebrate this most important day in your life and faith, and we pray that God will richly bless you as you plan for your wedding.  Please feel free to call us should you have any questions.  God bless you as you prepare for your wedding and the establishment of your Christian home.

Christ Community Church Wedding Fees / Member Contributions

Non-Refundable Reservation Fee -
Friends: $150; Active Contributing Members: $150
The Reservation Fee is not included in the total listed below.

All fees listed below are due the Monday before the wedding.  Please make checks payable to the persons indicated, with the utilities/building fund check payable to the church.

Pastor: Dr. John Tobian or Reverend Lynne Kammeraad-
Friends: $200; Active Contributing Members: No Charge

Music Director: Mrs. Pat Herold -
Friends: $150; Active Contributing Members: $150

Christ Community Host: Mr. Lewis Richards -
Friends: $100; Active Contributing Members: $100

Utilities, Building Usage-
Friends: $300; Active Contributing Members: No Charge

Total:
Friends: $750; Active Contributing Members: $250
(Reminder: The $150 Reservation fee is not included in this total.)

Receptions at Church

Sit-Down Meal:

Under 100 People
Friends: $200; Active Contributing Members: $100

100-200 People
Friends: $300; Active Contributing Members: $150

Stand-Up Reception with Cake Table Provided:

Friends: $100; Active Contributing Members: $50

Bring to the Church Office by Monday of your wedding week:

• License
• Scripture Selections
• Bulletin Information
• Payments Due
• Reception Fees, if any