Weddings
Your wedding will be one of the most important events of your life! We will do everything we can to assist you in making your wedding beautiful, meaningful, and sacred.
The church’s Wedding Coordinator will help you schedule your special day. There should be about a 6-month lead to allow for the scheduling. Our pastor is available for weddings; other ministers are permitted to officiate for those not affiliated with our church.
The wedding must be on a Saturday, any time during the day or evening. The rehearsal will be on Friday evening. No wedding will be scheduled on certain holidays or associated weekends: Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
We have spacious rooms for the bride, the groom, and all their attendants to dress for the wedding.
Reception Hall – The capacity of the Reception Hall is approximately 100 people. The kitchen has an oven, refrigerator, and microwave available for food preparation and serving. All food and kitchen clean up are the responsibility of the party arranging the wedding. The facilities must be cleaned and rearranged for Sunday by our custodian; see the fee below. No alcoholic beverages are permitted anywhere on the church property.
License and Premarital Counseling – Two weeks prior to the wedding date, the pastor must be given the marriage license and proof of premarital counseling, which is required by the United Methodist Church. Marriage license fees are reduced when you complete a Florida licensed premarital course. We recommend the Sanlando Christian Counseling Center (407-339-5324) at 1890 W. State Rd. 434, Longwood, Florida 32750. There are also several certified counseling centers in the Lake Mary area.
Rehearsal – The pastor conducts the rehearsal. Any wedding consultant(s) are in an advisory capacity only. The rehearsal is extremely important since it will allow the wedding ceremony to go smoothly with all participants knowing exactly what to do or say. The organist, sound technician, and the church’s Wedding Coordinator will attend the rehearsal to ensure that all aspects of the ceremony are ready for the wedding. The rehearsal should take about one hour.
Decorations – The church has a lovely cross, Bible, and candles on the altar, which must not be removed. However, flowers and candles may be added to the altar. During the Christmas season there are additional decorations and greenery that may not be removed. Nothing that may damage the church woodwork and furnishings can be used.
Flowers in vases may be placed anywhere within the church. An aisle runner is required if fresh flower petals are to be used by your flower girl. The facilities must be cleaned and rearranged for Sunday worship services which our custodian will do.
Candles and Candelabra Stands
All candles must have appropriate stands so that dripping wax does not fall onto the altar or carpets. Candelabra stands are available for rent from a florist and must be removed immediately following the wedding.
Organist and Sound Technician – Our organist will provide music during your wedding and while guests are arriving. Wedding music should be discussed with the organist at least two months prior to the wedding date. Our sound technician will provide the microphones and sound equipment to ensure that everyone can hear all of the ceremony. Headphones are available for the hearing-impaired.
Smoking and Alcoholic Beverages – Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the building, including the restrooms. No alcohol may be served or consumed on the church property.
Rice, Confetti, Bubbles, or Bird Seed
Bird seed or bubbles may be used outside the church building. Confetti or rice may not be used.
Photography and Recordings
Photographs and video recordings are permitted during the wedding. However, no flash photography or flood lights may be used during the ceremony.
The wedding ceremony may not be disrupted by intrusive photographers. The church sanctuary is available for one hour following the ceremony for additional photographs.
FEES
A non-refundable fee of $100.00 is required when the church is reserved. All fees are due two weeks prior to the ceremony.
Organist - $125.00, Sound Technician - $75.00, Custodian - $125.00, Wedding Coordinator - $250.00,
Active Members (Active members are those who are participating in the life of the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.)
Pastor - $200.00, Sanctuary - $200.00, Reception Hall - $200.00
Others
Pastor - $250.00, Sanctuary - $400.00, Reception Hall - $350.00
For further information and cost, please contact Mary Holtzapple at gumclake@gmail.com or 407-322-1472.