"United Together As One"
The ministers and members of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), San Angelo, Texas have sought to provide worshipful ceremonies and beautiful facilities for those seeking to be united in Christian Marriage.
It is our Christian understanding that marriage is a sacred institution and therefore needs to be entered through prayer and reverence. Furthermore it is the church's privilege and responsibility to unite people in marriage. Therefore it is our view that a couple seeking marriage at the First Christian Church in San Angelo must be willing to abide by our policies and procedures.
We, the members of the First Christian Church, have called ordained ministers of the Gospel and give them the proper authority to enforce our policies. Moreover, we the members of the First Christian Church fully support our ministerial staff and give them the responsibility and authority to carry out this priestly duty in light of their understanding of the Gospel.
For information and convenience, we have compiled the following wedding guidelines. This was prepared with the hope to answer your questions and to share with you our policies and procedures. If you have any questions, please contact the office at (915) 653-4523. We will be happy to assist you in any way.
In Christ's Name,
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
What Do We Do First?
1. First you need to carefully read this wedding policy and fully understand it. If after reading, you still desire your wedding at our church you need to....
2. Set up an appointment with the senior or associate minister.
3. If the minister of the church is willing to unite you in marriage, you then need to reserve the date and facilities for your rehearsal and wedding. Reservations are placed on the master calendar and are made on a first come, first serve basis. A deposit paid must be paid in order to reserve a date on the master calendar. The deposit is for possible property damages but will be fully refunded if none occur.
Our Church Facility
These church facilities are available for both members and non-members. It is necessary that arrangements be made well in advance for sanctuary, chapel, court yard, fellowship hall or parlor. (See :What Do We Do First , # 3).
Decorations:
1. All decorations must be approved by the minister.
2. Under no conditions will tacks, nails, staples, or tape be permitted on pews, walls, or furniture.
3. Candles for the candelabra must be dripless and accompanied with a drop cloth on the floor.
4. Unity candles must be dripless or have a container that will catch the wax drippings. It must also have a drop cloth on the floor.
5. All candles must be on the chancel. According to fire and safety regulations, no candles may be placed in the aisles or on the ends of the pews.
6. All chancel furniture will remain on the chancel at all times. Rearranging furniture in any way must first be approved by the minister.
7. No decorations shall be placed outside the church facility except for a courtyard wedding and/or reception.
8. Confetti, rice, or bird seed is not to be distributed or thrown inside the building. If confetti or rice is used, additional custodial fees will be taken from the original deposit. The amount taken is determined by the amount thrown!
9. Neither fresh flowers nor petals are to be placed in the aisles because the oil will damage the carpet.
The Setting
This congregation offers three different spaces for weddings.
1. The Sanctuary with seating capacity of 600 
2. The Chapel with seating capacity of 60 
3. Courtyard
It is the current policy of the senior minister that sacred events need to be conducted in sacred spaces.
The Minister
1. The senior or associate minister is responsible for conducting the wedding ceremony. Therefore, the minister is in authority. All issues pertaining to the wedding and rehearsal must be discussed and approved in advance.
2. The senior or associate minister will determine the amount of time spent in premarital counseling. Failure to comply and participate in pre-martial counseling is grounds for dismissal of the wedding event even if announcements have been mailed.
3. The senior or associate minister have the right to refuse performing any wedding where conscience will not allow.
Guest Minister
The use of a guest minister will be permitted only under extreme circumstances. The request for a guest minister must be approved by the senior minister. The senior minister has the authority to deny the request. The invitation to the guest minister must be extended by the senior minister. If the invitation and acceptance is extended by someone other than the senior minister, the request will be denied. The wedding party and guest minister must also realize that the resident senior or associate minister is the officiating minister; the guest will assist.
The Music and Musician
1. All vocal music must be approved by the officiating minister.
2. Because this is a sacred service, we request the selection be the same. If you need assistance in making selections, please request. However, the senior or associate minister can approve secular music to be sung if the minister deems it to be appropriate.
3. The church musician is required for both member and non-member weddings. The musician will need to be contacted by the wedding party for the music arrangements. The musician will also be very willing to assist you in making musical selections for the service.
4. The fee for the church musician is paid independently from the wedding fees. However, their fee is to be turned into the financial office one week prior to the wedding. The fee is for members and non-members [See wedding fees].
5. When vocalists are selected, it is the responsibility of the wedding party and/or vocalists to contact the church musician to schedule rehearsal time(s).
6. Additional instruments and musicians are welcomed upon the approval of the resident minister(s) and church musician.
The Bridal Consultant:
At times the wedding party employs a bridal consultant to assist in the wedding celebration. Please know this service is welcome with the exception of the wedding service. The resident minister is responsible and in authority at this service.
The Wedding License
The wedding license must be obtained from a court house 72 hours before the wedding and is valid for only 30 days, This is Texas law. The license needs to be given to the minister before the wedding ceremony. After the ceremony, it will be signed by the minister and the church will mail it to the county clerk. The license will be returned to you after it has been processed by the county.
The Photographer
The photographer is an important part of the wedding event and celebration. We welcome this person as extended staff. Therefore it is necessary that the photographer abide by the policies of this church regarding photography. It is the wedding parties responsibility to share the policies. The resident minister will also remind the photographer before the wedding service.
1. Flash photography is prohibited during the wedding ceremony.
2. Photography is permitted for the processional and recessional. The place for the photographer will be indicated by the resident minister.
3. Video and audio recording is permitted in the balcony of the sanctuary.
The place for video recording in the chapel and court yard will be determined by the minister.
The Fees
There is a difference in fees for members of the congregation and non-members. To be exempt from non-member fees, one member of the wedding party must be a member of the church for six months.
Wedding Fees for Members and Non-Members
Members Non-Members
*Deposit $ 50.00 $ 50.00
Sanctuary no fee $300.00
Chapel no fee $150.00
Courtyard no fee $100.00
With chairs and/or tables
no fee $100.00
Fellowship Hall and/or Kitchen
no fee $150.00
Parlor and/or Kitchenette
no fee $100.00
Paradise Candles and Candelabra
$10.00 $10.00
Glass Ware (Punch bowl, cups and plates)
no fee $25.00
Silver (Punchbowl, trays, serving plates)
no fee $45.00
Tablecloths
Rectangular tables no fee $10.00 each
Round Tables no fee $2.00 each
Church Organist
Wedding and Rehearsal
$250.00 $250.00
and working with vocalists
$250.00 $250.00
Sound Technician $ 75.00 $75.00
Church Custodian
Sanctuary Wedding
$150.00 $150.00
Sanctuary Wedding with On-Site Reception
$200.00 $200.00
Chapel Wedding
$ 75.00 $ 75.00
Chapel Wedding with On-Site Reception
Courtyard Wedding
$150.00 $150.00
[The custodial charge reflects six hours obligation for the custodian. Any additional hours will be taken from the deposit at $10.00 per hour].
Nursery Attendant (optional)
$ 25.00 $ 25.00
Minister(s)
The ministers of this congregation do not have a fee. However it is appropriate for the wedding party to give an honorarium for their time, ability, and dedication.
*The deposit is returned in full provided there are no additional custodial costs or property damage. The deposit is required for members and non-members. All fees must be paid one week before the wedding. You are pay the organist, custodian, and nursery attendant (optional) separately.
Please read the following:
The First Christian Church prohibits any alcoholic beverage on the church premises. If alcohol is present at the rehearsal, ceremony, or reception, the minister has the authority and instruction to immediately dismiss the event.
This statement includes both wedding party and guests. There will be no exceptions.
We are also a non-smoking facility. | 