Roseland Park Baptist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
A Church That Cares in Picayune, Mississippi

Wedding Info

REQUIREMENTS FOR MARRIAGE AT ROSELAND PARK BAPTIST CHURCH
 
            Usage of the church buildings is regulated according to the terms and provisions of the church by-laws which state that the utilization of the church facilities for weddings, funerals, or other rites of a religious nature shall be restricted to the membership, their families (immediate family members), and in certain exceptional cases, fellow Christians, if circumstances prevent use of their home church.
 
            Our church desires to render every possible service at this important and sacred time. We earnestly desire to be of the greatest assistance possible. For that reason, the following instructions are offered. Please feel free to consult with the pastor or staff at any time.
 
WHAT CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IS
 
            Marriage is the union of two people into "one flesh."  It is a state which is to be entered into soberly with the understanding that it is a union dissolvable only by death. Also, marriage is a vow of faithfulness given by each partner to the other that so long as they both live they will have no other partners who would destroy the intimacy and sanctity of the relationship.
 
            The Christian marriage ceremony is to be understood as being different than a civil ceremony in at least two ways. First, the relationship must be a reflection of the love Christ had for His church. He loved the church (called the "Bride of Christ") so much that He gave His life for her. This type of sacrificial love is a far cry from the modern idea that "if it doesn't work out, we'll get a divorce."
 
            Secondly, Christian marriage is a covenant or agreement made between two people and God. The purpose of the ceremony is to seal that agreement. The two who ask for God's blessings do so on their promise to remain faithful to God and true to one another. They further promise to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; to see that they are properly brought to church and ultimately led to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
 
 
ARRANGEMENTS
 
            Arrangements for the use of the buildings and facilities will be made through our church secretary. Please note that the primary purpose of the church is worship. Because of this, weddings on Saturday should be over at a reasonable hour to give the custodians time to clean and arrange the church facilities for worship on Sunday morning.
 
            Couples planning a wedding at Roseland Park should make arrangements as far in advance of the wedding date as possible because of the active church calendar. Please pay the appropriate fee and file the "Application For Scheduling Wedding" sheet with the church office as early as possible. Should the wedding be canceled or the date changed, the church should be notified immediately. The deposit will be returned.
           
            The couple shall meet with the pastor (or other qualified counselor) for a minimum of two sessions for the purpose of counseling. Appointments can be made through the church secretary.
 
            Semi-private weddings may be conducted in the pastor's office. 
 
            The use of other rooms for dressing will be scheduled for the wedding party as requested.
 
CEREMONY
 
            Planning of the ceremony, including music, etc., shall be submitted to the pastor prior to the rehearsal. Generally speaking, the couple should plan, or have someone plan, the wedding and not leave it to the pastor to do on rehearsal night. In this way, all parties will be more satisfied with the outcome.
 
            Ministers of other churches are welcome to perform the ceremony if the bridal party so wishes, with proper notification being given to the pastor.
 
MUSIC
 
            Music used in connection with the ceremony should be in keeping with the sacredness of the Christian wedding service and approved by the Minister of Music.
 
            Any use of the church sound system and equipment (microphones, etc.) must be arranged through the church office and must be operated only by a church approved operator secured through the church office. A fee of $25 will be charged for the operator.
 
            Please be advised that it is customary to give the organist and pianist an honorarium. The amount to be paid will be left to your discretion.
 
DECORATIONS
           
                        Even though the custodians will clean up after the wedding, the couple must realize that the building is their responsibility. The couple will instruct the florist to use drip-proof candles or candle cups to prevent drippings on the floor or carpet. As an extra precaution, it is suggested that mats be placed beneath the candelabras. Candles should not be placed where drippings could fall on woodwork, cushions or carpet. In the event of drippings, please be sure you or the florist removes all wax from soiled places.
 
            Extreme care should be given when decorations need to be attached to the building or furniture. Tape should be used sparingly on the wooden end of the pews. Certain furniture in the sanctuary may be moved with the supervision of the church custodian.
 
            Decorations need to be removed immediately following the ceremony unless other arrangements have been made in the church office.
 
            If you would like to decorate any sooner than the day before the wedding, you should check with the church office.
 
RECEPTION
 
            Couples desiring to have a reception in the Fellowship Hall following the ceremony may do so. Arrangements should be made through the church office.
 
            The same floral decoration policies, where applicable, apply to the Fellowship Hall as to the Sanctuary.
 
            Punch bowl, cups, plates and tablecloths are available for use in the Fellowship Hall. Following the reception, remove all decorations but leave the tablecloths on the tables. The church custodians will be responsible for cleaning the tablecloths. 
 
            Receptions should conclude at a reasonable hour to allow the custodians time to clean and arrange the Fellowship Hall for services that follow on Sunday. Receptions may be held in the Fellowship Hall any day of the week, but must not interfere with regularly scheduled activities of the church (allow ample time for cleaning, etc.)
 
            We will always keep in mind the holiness and sanctity of God's House. With that in mind, it is requested that there be no smoking, drinking or desecration of the buildings. Also, the throwing of bird seed will be delayed until the bridal party has left the buildings.
 
EXPENSES
 
            The following expenses will be incurred with a wedding at Roseland Park Baptist Church. To avoid any delay or confusion, we ask that all expenses be paid when the reservation is made. Fees will be refunded if wedding is cancelled.
 
            The fees below are for custodial services only.
 
Wedding in sanctuary                         $ 75.00
Wedding in pastor's office                  No charge
 
Use of Fellowship Hall                        $ 75.00
Sound operator                                 $ 25.00
 
            The facilities will be clean upon arrival. The bridal party will be responsible for positioning tables, etc., for rehearsal dinner and/or wedding reception.
 
            If the rehearsal dinner is held in the Fellowship Hall, the bridal party is responsible for setting up and dismantling tables, etc., and re-arranging for the reception the following day. After the reception, the custodians will clean and arrange the building for Sunday services.