Your Wedding at

The First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights 302 North Dunton

Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004 847-255-5900 www.fpcah.org

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm;

For love is strong as death, . . . Many waters cannot quench love,

Neither can floods drown it.”

— Song of Solomon 8:6, 7 Revised Standard Version

Our UnderstandingOur UnderstandingOur UnderstandingOur Understanding

of Marriageof Marriageof Marriageof Marriage

You are about to enter into one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences of life — Christian marriage. Instinctively you have turned to the Lord and the church as the setting for your wedding. You desire God’s blessing on this adventure of love and faith. We believe that marriage “is instituted of God, regulated by God’s commandments, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be held in honor among all people.” The church through the years has been careful to affirm and nurture the bond of marriage. When two people exchange vows in the presence of God and before witnesses representing society at large, the church places its seal upon such a union and is authorized by the State to declare the couple husband and wife. Christian 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, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith. We promise you our cooperation and wish you every success and happiness in your married life.

Planning Your WeddingPlanning Your WeddingPlanning Your WeddingPlanning Your Wedding

These guidelines have been prepared with the approval of the Session of First Presbyterian Church, which sets policy regarding the conduct of weddings performed here. The careful reading of these guidelines will enable you to make your arrangements more efficiently and in accord with our policies. It should be noted that where the term “Pastor” is used in this booklet, it refers to a Pastor of First Presbyterian Church. The First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights seeks to serve the community. To those who desire a Christian setting and meaning for their marriage (members and non-members alike) and will use the building reverently and with good taste, the church is glad to make its facilities available under the direction of the official board and the church staff. The Church Sanctuary, Chapel, Fellowship Hall, and Parlor, and Gardens are available for use. At the conducting Pastor’s discretion, weddings may be conducted in a home or any place where the arrangements may conform to such practices as are in accord with Christian custom.

The PastorThe PastorThe PastorThe Pastor

The Pastor’s main concern with the wedding service is in its spiritual significance. This means that the Pastor’s central responsibility is in nurturing the bride and groom’s understanding of the service and in giving whatever personal counsel may be of need and benefit to them. The Presbyterian Church makes certain suggestions as to whom its Pastors shall marry, and the individual Pastor will also be concerned with the preparation that the couple has made for this important step. It is the Pastor’s responsibility to determine whether or not a marriage shall be conducted in this church.

Couples wishing to be married shall make an appointment with the officiating Pastor prior to making arrangements. The Pastor is available for consultation, by appointment, to assist you in your plans. The Pastor will be available for the rehearsal prior to the wedding, when mutually convenient for the Pastor and the wedding party. The organist is also available for a fee if needed for the rehearsal.

PrePrePrePre----Marital CounselingMarital CounselingMarital CounselingMarital Counseling

Counseling together before marriage is one of the most important ways a couple can prepare for a satisfying and life-long marriage. At least once a year, First Presbyterian Church coordinates a premarital seminar for couples planning to be married at the church. The seminar is conducted by counselors with expertise in marriage and family relationships, and is typically scheduled on a Saturday from early morning until mid-afternoon. The seminar covers topics like your relationship history, relationships with extended families, marital expectations, personal values, communication, conflict resolution, finances, intimacy, and spirituality.

The seminar may require advance completion of an instrument that clarifies both the strengths and growing opportunities of your relationship. There is a fee for the seminar. Couples desiring to be married at First Presbyterian Church but unable to participate in the premarital seminar will be required to arrange, at their own expense, premarital counseling with a counselor approved by the Pastor designated to officiate at the wedding. Please contact the church office for more information about the premarital seminars.

MusicMusicMusicMusic

Music must direct attention to God, who sanctifies marriage, and special care should be taken to ensure that it is suitable and reverent. You should consult with the church organist before any definite plans are made regarding the music. The officiating Pastor, in consultation with the organist, should make the final decision as to the appropriateness of the music. If music is desired, the church organist will be engaged or will arrange for a substitute. The organist will play, approve, and oversee all the music for the wedding.

Only music which is suitable for worship is proper for the wedding. More popular secular favorites which excel in recalling and emphasizing sentimental personal associations have no

place in a service for the worship of God, though such music may be appropriate and desirable at the reception. All solos must be sacred in content, so as to be appropriate for the wedding service. If you desire a soloist but have no particular person in mind, the organist can furnish the names of accomplished singers. The couple is responsible for the purchase of music or arrangements not presently in the church music library. If the couple desires their own soloist, the soloist must provide his or her own music in the correct key. If desired, the congregation may be invited to join in the singing of hymns.

The bride and groom shall contact the organist and make arrangements for the music well ahead of the wedding date.

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two stand back-to-back and con-quer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

— Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New Living Translation

DecorationsDecorationsDecorationsDecorations FLOWERS: 1. The services of a local florist

are recommended. The church decorations and flowers should be completed and in place one hour prior to the wedding service.

2. No flowers, or decorations of any kind, may be placed on the communion table, the pulpit, or the lectern.

3. Flowers or greens placed on the floor must have protection under them to keep water and dampness from staining the floor.

4. Decorations must be removed immediately following the wedding, since the Sanctuary may be used again shortly after the wedding for another service.

5. No fresh greens may be wrapped around the hurricane lamps. Only silk or fireproof material is allowed.

CANDLES:

1. The candelabras used during the wedding service will be supplied by the church.

2. Additionally, six pairs of hurricane lamps, which are attached to the ends of the pews in the Sanctuary, may be used, if desired. An additional maintenance fee is required for their use.

3. If a unity candle is desired, the unity candle plus two 10” tapers shall be provided by the wedding couple.

4. By the time of the rehearsal, the person(s) you wish to be responsible for lighting the candles for the service shall be designated.

5. All use of candles in the church building must comply with fire code regulations.

AISLE RUNNER: If you wish to use one, a white aisle runner may be obtained from the florist. The length of the runner needed is 86 feet. Ask your florist to fasten the runner firmly at the Chancel steps with special pins. The use of nails, screws and wire is strictly prohibited. No pews are to be moved or removed from the Sanctuary for a wedding.

PhotographyPhotographyPhotographyPhotography

The wedding service is a service of worship, and reverence should be maintained throughout. Therefore, no flash pictures are permitted in the Sanctuary or Chapel during the service — either by the professional photographer or guests. The Pastor or a member of the Wedding Guild will meet with the photographer prior to the service to explain the policy involved with photography. Photos of the wedding service itself may be taken unobtrusively from the back of the Sanctuary (under the balcony) or the Chapel, or from the Sanctuary balcony. Arrangements can be made to pose for pictures of any part of the service following the actual service. Photos are permitted in the hallways, Narthex, Parlor and other areas of the church so long as it doesn’t impede the start of the wedding. Ushers are urged to advise guests with cameras that photographs during the service are prohibited. RECORDING — VIDEO AND AUDIO Videotaping of the wedding service is permitted only from the balcony or that part of the Sanctuary under the balcony, and must be done unobtrusively. Videotaping in any other part of the Chancel or Sanctuary is strictly forbidden. An audio recording may made if desired. This recording may be made only if the machine is located where it is not seen by the guests and where it will not interfere with wedding procedures. It must be used independently of the church amplifying system and the church staff.

The RehearsalThe RehearsalThe RehearsalThe Rehearsal

Whenever possible, the rehearsal for a wedding will be held the evening before the wedding. This will be determined by the particular circumstances of the bridal party, the organist if applicable, and the Pastor’s schedule. In consideration of the time and other responsibilities of the Pastor, organist if applicable, and custodian, it is important that a rehearsal take no longer than an hour. All persons immediately connected with the wedding party should be present for the rehearsal on time. It is recommended that only the bridal party and parents attend the rehearsal, as this will facilitate its conduct. The marriage license must be brought to the rehearsal unless it is already in the hands of the Pastor. The fees for the custodian, organist, Pastor, and any optional services are received at the rehearsal. Prior to the rehearsal the couple should determine: 1. The person(s) who will light

the candles; 2. The number of pews to be

reserved for family members, and who will seat them;

3. The order of entry and positioning of the bridal party;

4. If a receiving line will be used immediately following the service, location and order of individuals included.

The Wedding GuildThe Wedding GuildThe Wedding GuildThe Wedding Guild

The Wedding Guild is a group of volunteers who work in pairs and attend the rehearsal and the wedding, arriving at the church one hour prior to the service. Their purpose is to give assistance to the bridal party and the Pastor with last minute details and any task they can do to assure that the wedding starts on time and runs smoothly. The Wedding Guild is available to help with such things as flowers for the wedding party and families, giving assistance in the bride’s room, and helping the attendants get started down the aisle, etc. They also supply emergency essentials. The Wedding Guild may be consulted, if needed, on matters of etiquette during the weeks prior to the wedding. There is no fee or obligation for this service.

The Marriage LicenseThe Marriage LicenseThe Marriage LicenseThe Marriage License

A Cook County Marriage License, available from the Clerk of the Court at any Cook County Courthouse, is required for a wedding. The marriage license must be in the hands of the Pastor by the time of the rehearsal. No wedding service will be performed unless the Pastor has the license in hand. The license is returned to the County Clerk’s office by the Pastor after the wedding service.

Custodial ServicesCustodial ServicesCustodial ServicesCustodial Services

Services of a custodian at the church will be required. The custodial fee, listed on the Wedding Policies and Fees sheet, includes the custodian’s presence at the rehearsal and four hours on the day of the wedding. If more time is required, including the time required for the custodian to clean up after the wedding, there will be an additional custodial fee for each additional hour.

Church PoliciesChurch PoliciesChurch PoliciesChurch Policies • At the time of application,

membership of a year is required in order for member fees to apply.

• Non-member reservations will

not be accepted more than eleven months in advance.

• Cancellations prior to six

months before the reserved date will incur a 50% forfeiture of the facility fee. Cancellations within six months of the date will incur full forfeiture of the facility fees.

• A Pastor must meet with all non-

members before final approval of their application is received. However, the date will be held until Pastor approval is received.

• All special requests must be

approved in advance by the Pastor performing the ceremony.

MiscellaneousMiscellaneousMiscellaneousMiscellaneous

First Presbyterian Church of Arlington HeightsFirst Presbyterian Church of Arlington HeightsFirst Presbyterian Church of Arlington HeightsFirst Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights

• Please contact the church office at 847-255-5900 to make

arrangements for use of the church.

• The rehearsal and wedding will be conducted in the Christian spirit and with dignity. Immediately prior to both the rehearsal and the wedding, it is

expected that members of the wedding party will refrain from consumption of alcoholic beverages. • No alcoholic beverages or

smoking are allowed either in the building or on the grounds at any time.

• In addition to the main church lot, parking is available in the lot across Dunton Avenue from the church.

• Celebrations which involve

blowing bubbles, throwing rice, birdseed, streamers, and such should be reserved for your reception. They are not permitted at the church.

The SanctuaryThe SanctuaryThe SanctuaryThe Sanctuary

The Wedding ReceptionThe Wedding ReceptionThe Wedding ReceptionThe Wedding Reception

If the Parlor or Fellowship Hall of the church is desired for the wedding reception, full particulars of its availability and use can be discussed with the Pastor at the time the wedding date is discussed and agreed upon.

Fees Fees Fees Fees (updated 6/17/11)

MemberMemberMemberMember NonNonNonNon----MemberMemberMemberMember

Sanctuary 0 $640

Chapel/Parlor/Gardens 0 $320

Pastor Honorarium $300

Organist (for the wedding service only) $250 $250 Organist (for the wedding rehearsal) $ 50 $ 50

Soloist Fees (if arranged by the church) $150 $150

Custodian $150 $150 Custodian (if using the hurricane lamps) $175 $175

Hurricane lamp candles $ 15 $ 15

Pre-Marital Workshop held at the church $150 $250 (Pre-Marital Workshop if done privately) Fees are set by the Counselor Cancellations prior to six months of the reserved date will incur a 50% forfeiture of the facility fees. Cancellations within less than six months of the reserved date will incur full forfeiture of the facility fees.

You May Kiss the Bride !

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence be-cause we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

— I John 4:16-19

New Living Translation

“Love is patient and kind,

Love is not jealous or boastful;

It is not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its own way;

It is not irritable or resentful;

It does not rejoice at wrong,

But rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things,

Believes all things,

Hopes all things,

Endures all things—

Love never ends.”

— I Corinthians 13:4-8

Revised Standard Version