Weddings

First Presbyterian Church

Britton, SD WEDDING AND RECEPTION POLICIES

Best wishes for your upcoming wedding This is a very special time in your life. When you chose to have your wedding in this church, it is assumed that you are planning a sacred service of worship. The Pastor will assist you in every way possible to make your wedding a meaningful and personal experience, and one that includes praise to God and the message of the Gospel. Music can be chosen from either religious or secular compositions as long as it is in good taste and worshipful in nature. Please consult with the Pastor and Church Organist about your choices. The order of the worship service will be decided by the Pastor with your input.

We want to do everything we can to help you be faithful to your wedding vows. Therefore, pre-marriage counseling of three (3) meetings beyond the initial meeting with the Pastor is required. These sessions will cover such topics as: expectations in marriage, communication, family, faith and religion, and responsibilities.  One further session will cover the plans for your wedding service (Scripture selection, music, etc.)

SCHEDULING AND PREPARATIONS

The first step in preparing for your wedding service is contacting the Pastor (or Officiant) to arrange for an initial meeting at least ten (10) weeks prior to your desired wedding date.  The purpose of this meeting is to determine that it is appropriate for the Pastor to conduct your wedding in this church and to get the date on the church’s calendar.  Weddings in First Presbyterian are officiated by our Pastor unless other arrangements are made. If you are not a member of our church, the wedding is subject to prior approval by the Church Session and their meetings are only held monthly.

After setting the date with the Pastor, the next step is contacting and meeting with the church’s Wedding Coordinators who will help you with the details of both the service and the reception, if it is to be held at the church.  The Wedding Coordinators are:

  • Carol Anderson – (605)448-2706 or (605) 228-0786
  • Marcey Jones – (605)448-5901 or (605)448-8305

If you are not familiar with the facilities, the coordinators will give you a tour and help you with your questions and concerns.

In planning a church wedding it is helpful to know these things:

  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages or the use of tobacco in any form is not permitted on or around the church premises. Please make sure that all in your wedding party are aware of this.
  • Pictures and video should be taken in such a way as to not disturb or distract from the service.  The service may be videoed from the balcony or at a stationary position in the sanctuary not to impede traffic flow.  The photographer and videographer should check their locations beforehand to ensure a good view.
  • Seating capacity in the Sanctuary, the overflow room, and the balcony is 300. Seating capacity in the Fellowship Hall and stage is 200. It is possible to have a screen set up in the basement to accommodate a larger crowd for the service.
  • Rice, bird seed or confetti is not to be thrown inside or outside of the church.  If this should take place, there is an additional $25 charge for clean-up.
  • Bulletins can be created by the Church Secretary.  Most of them cost about $10.00/hundred and printing is available at $0.10/copy for black and white or $0.13/copy for colored. Please contact the Church Secretary for more information (605-448-2460).
  • Fresh flowers or live plants can be used in the altar area or on flower stands flanking the altar.  Bridal flowers and non-altar flowers can be of silk. If you plan to leave the altar flowers for Sunday services, it is asked that they be fresh flowers or live plants.
  • To dress and make preparations for the ceremony, the bride and her attendants may use the ladies’ room at the rear of the church, and the groom and his attendants may use the coat room and restroom in the basement.
  • Two (2) floor-based candelabras are available for use with each holding 14 candles. Two (2) altar candelabras, each holding 5 candles, may also be used. Because only beeswax candles may be used, candles for either candelabra must be purchased through our church to ensure a proper fit in the candelabras and create fewer wax issues. Candles cost $2.75 each.
  • Altar vestments must remain the color of the season so may not be changed.
  • The marriage service liturgy shall be agreed upon by the Pastor (Officiant) and the wedding couple.
  • Music used for the wedding ceremony is to be previewed by the Pastor (Officiant) since each piece should be appropriate for a wedding service in the church.  The Church Organist is to be contacted regarding the music whether asked to perform at the ceremony or not.  Should the couple desire someone else to use the church’s organ/electronic piano for their music, that person should meet beforehand with the Church Organist to acquaint themself with the instruments and arrange a practice time at the church.
  • Particularly if the wedding reception is to be held in our church, a table prayer may be added to the end of the service so that food service may begin as guests come to the reception.  Or arrangements may be made in advance with the Pastor (Officiant) for a prayer to be given at the reception if the couple so desires.
  • If the reception is to be held at the church, family members of the wedding couple will be responsible for setting up the tables and chairs in the arrangement that they prefer. They may also decorate and set the tables at that time. The tables and chairs must also be taken down by the family and stored as they were originally found.
  • Speak to the Wedding Coordinators about use of the ecru or white tablecloths we have available for your use.  If they are used, they are to be

taken to the cleaners to be laundered at your expense. They should be returned to the church as soon as possible when cleaned. 

  • Our church has the following items that may be used for a reception at the

church: coffee pots and servers, crystal punch bowl with ladle, silverware, 2 silver service sets, Fostoria service plates, mint/nut serving dishes, candle holders, and white Corelle dishes. (If paper products are used, it is the responsibility of the family to provide them.)

  • The PW (Presbyterian Women’s) group will work all receptions held at the church.  All of the food must be purchased or prepared by the family, unless other arrangements are made. The work group will make coffee and/ or punch etc. however no red punch/juice may be used).  Sandwiches will be assembled if all ingredients are there and ready. The family must request this ahead of time. (If the reception is to be held outside of the church the PW may be requested to serve it. The Wedding Coordinator will check with PW to determine if this is possible.)

FEES FOR CHURCH WEDDINGS

  1. There is no fee for use of the church.
  2. The Pastor/Officiant fee is $300.
  3. The Church Organist fee is $300 if asked to provide the music. Otherwise, $25 is charged to assist the person who will be using the church’s instruments.
  4. The PA system operator fee is $50.
  5. The drop screen operator fee is $50, if it is used.
  6. The Janitor’s fee is $200 for clean-up following the wedding and reception.
  7. If the PW is asked to work the reception, their fee is $200.

The services used are to be paid by personal check made out to the individual providing the service. The check for the serving group should be made out to PW (Presbyterian Women). The check for bulletins and use of candelabras should be made out to First Presbyterian Church. They should be given to a Wedding Coordinator the day before the wedding, and she will see that the checks are given to the appropriate persons.

FPC Wedding Policies.doc

Revised & Approved 6.21.22