Wedding Policy and Information
Beulah Presbyterian Church
(Updated September 2005)

Introduction
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out their lives together before God. 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. (Book of Order, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.)

We believe that all who come to this church will recognize the marriage ceremony as a service of worship. The conduct of the ceremony should therefore be in accord with the best known practices and principles of the Presbyterian Church and the Reformed tradition. We request that all who participate in a wedding service regard this as a service of worship, and that their conduct reflect this understanding.

It is the position of the officers of this congregation that all couples who come desiring a Christian marriage ceremony have already indicated their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and are committed to some particular Christian fellowship. Those who desire to use the facilities of Beulah Presbyterian Church for their wedding service may do so, providing they fulfill all the requirements for the respectful and reverent use of the facilities, under the direction of the pastor and staff.

Normally, the pastor of Beulah Presbyterian Church will conduct all weddings at the Church. Exceptions to this normal policy can be made at the discretion of the pastor.

Preparation
Any fitting ceremony requires time and effort to be properly conducted. Early planning is essential to assure the availability of the facilities and to be confident that the time of the minister and staff are available. Couples are requested to meet four to six times with the pastor for premarital counseling and service planning. The pastor also requests that couples participate in the worship life of Beulah Presbyterian Church, if they are not active in another Christian fellowship.

The premarital counseling consists of couples participating in a Premarital Inventory process called “Prepare and Enrich,” published and scored by Life Innovations, Inc. This inventory helps a couple discover both strengths and growth areas of the couple relationship. This inventory is then reviewed with the pastor and the couple. The current cost to the couple for this inventory and scoring is $35.00.

Other topics typically in premarital counseling include a discussion on the nature of the couple's Christian commitment; the legal requirements of the commonwealth of Kentucky; the privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage; the relationship of their commitments to their lives of discipleship; and the resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in fulfilling their marriage commitments; and the nature and form of the marriage service itself. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion or Eucharist can be included in the service, as long as the Table is open to the entire worshipping congregation. Please check early with the pastor if this is desired, as approval of the Session (local church governing body) is required.

Facilities
The following church facilities are available for use:  

Decorations
Decorations in the Sanctuary can be as simple or as elaborate as the couple desires. It is hoped that all decorations shall be with simplicity and will compliment the architectural beauty of the church. No chancel furniture can be moved, and none of the focal points of the chancel can be hidden. Only mechanical (encased) candles are permitted in the sanctuary, with the exception of the Unity Candle (if desired). Unity candles and unity candle stands are the sole responsibility of the wedding couple; these can be rented from most florists. The cleaning of any wax drippings or any other unusual litter is the responsibility of the florist or decorator. If candle stands are placed on any of the carpeting, clear plastic sheets or Plexiglas must be used to prevent wax dripping on the carpeting. The use of tape must be without damage to the finish or the fixtures. The florist, or those responsible for decorating, shall remove all decorations immediately after the wedding.

The pastor ordinarily uses the Lord's Table in the Chancel for a portion of the wedding service liturgy, usually the exchange of vows and rings, prayers, announcement of marriage and benediction. So, if floral arrangements are to be placed on the Table, there should be two such arrangements, placed at the ends of the Table, so the center area is open and available for use during the service.

Photographers
Couples are encouraged to secure the services of a photographer. There are some restrictions for professional photographers, as well as for amateurs, in keeping with the wedding as a service of worship. No flash pictures may be taken during the actual ceremony. Professional photographers are limited to flash pictures as the wedding party enters and leaves the sanctuary. Non-flash and time exposures may be taken from the balcony during the ceremony. Other pictures of the ceremony can be "staged" after the wedding service is over.

The use of video cameras is permitted from a stationary point. Please speak with officiating pastor regarding an appropriate location for the video camera.

Rehearsals
Except for very small weddings, rehearsals are essential. The time of rehearsal can be set at the first conference with the pastor. A typical wedding rehearsal lasts one hour. Consideration will be given to other church functions and other wedding festivities in setting the time of rehearsal. All participants, including parents of the couple, are encouraged to be on time for the rehearsal. The couple should bring the Wedding License to the rehearsal so that it may be properly completed and mailed to the county clerk.

Music
A wedding service is an act of worship. All music selected for this service must be chosen in consultation with the organist and/or the pastor. The music selected should direct attention to God, who gives us the gift of love and marriage. It should prepare the congregation for worship and the celebration of marriage. Some styles of musical expression may be more appropriate for the wedding reception rather than the service. The final approval of all music shall rest with the organist and the pastor.

The Church Organist shall play at all weddings, and shall approve any other organist in any case wherein the Church Organist is not available. Please consult the enclosed Wedding Fee and Honoraria Schedule for these and other costs.

Reservations
Specific dates for the wedding and rehearsal can be confirmed only after the couple has consulted with the church secretary and the pastor, and the church has received the deposit. Please consult the attached Wedding Fee and Honoraria Schedule.

Restrictions
Rice, confetti or birdseed is not permitted in any building on church property. Birdseed may be used in the parking lot area only. Smoking is not permitted inside any building. No alcoholic beverages are allowed anywhere on the church property, including the church parking lots.

Church Address, Telephone numbers, Email, Web Page and Staff Information

Beulah Presbyterian Church
6704 Bardstown Road (At the corner of Bardstown and Beulah Church Roads)
P. O. Box 91072
Louisville, Kentucky 40291

Church Office: 502-239-3231
Fax: 502-239-3233

Email: office@beulahpresbyterian.com
Web page: www.beulahpresbyterian.com

Pastor Ken Hockenberry 239-3231 ken@beulahpresbyterian.com

Organist Leon Harrell. Web page: LeonHarrell.com

Secretary Carol Daugherty 239-3231 carol@beulahpresbyterian.com
Wedding Fees and Honoraria Schedule - Beulah Presbyterian Church
(As approved by the Session: February 4, 2001)

Facilities Usage
There is no charge for any of the facilities if one of the couple is an active member of the Church, active in both the work and worship of the church, over a reasonable period of time. Inactive members have a 50% reduction in the following fees. The rental charges for those who are not church members are as follows:

Sanctuary: $375.00 for 4 hours. Additional time $75.00 per hour.

Fireside Room / Memorial Room / Kitchen (Ramsey Building): $55.00 for 4 hours. Additional time $18.00 per hour.

Ramsey Gym with kitchen (Ramsey Building): $165.00 for 4 hours. Additional time $45.00 per hour.

Damage Deposit: $150.00

Those who use the kitchen in the Ramsey Building are responsible for cleaning it and all utensils and leaving it in proper order.

Janitorial Services
Janitorial services are required for all facilities. The following charges are for all users, including church members, non-members, and church staff.

Sanctuary: $75.00
If paying by check, please make it payable to our custodian, Jerry Patterson.

*Fireside Room/Memorial Room: $50.00/each room
If paying by check, please make it payable to our custodian, Jim Barbour.

*Ramsey Gym: $100.00
If paying by check, please make it payable to our custodian, Jim Barbour.

Church members may opt to open, set up, clean up, and close any Ramsey Building Room at no charge for janitorial services. All members, non-members and staff are required to pay for janitorial services for the Sanctuary.

Payments for Facilities Usage and Janitorial Services
Payment must be received no later than the day of the wedding rehearsal. Please bring these checks with you and give them to the officiating pastor. You may mail your check, payable to Beulah Presbyterian Church, to the Church office: P.O. Box 91072 Louisville, KY 40291.

Honoraria for Church Organists and Pastor
The honorarium for the organist is scheduled according to the size and complexity of the wedding. If paying by check, please make it payable to the organist, Leon Harrell.

For a wedding and rehearsal        $100.00
For a wedding and rehearsal with a soloist     $125.00

The honorarium for a pastor is an expression of appreciation for her or his participation and time given in premarital counseling, the rehearsal, and the day of the wedding. A minimum honorarium for the pastor officiating at the ceremony is given below. If paying by check, please make it payable to Kenneth Hockenberry.

For non-church members:     $200.00
For church members:     at the discretion of the church member.

Additional Important Information
Please bring the Wedding License, Facilities Usage and Janitorial Services Fees, Organist Fee, and Pastor's Honoraria to the Wedding Rehearsal, using separate checks as appropriate. Please give these checks to the officiating pastor before the Wedding Rehearsal begins.

In the case of financial hardship, please speak with the pastor about the above fees and honoraria.

If using a pastor who is not on the staff of Beulah Presbyterian Church
For a wedding when the couple desires to have an outside pastor perform the ceremony, there is an additional charge for the services of a Building and Wedding Coordinator, who will open the building for the rehearsal and the wedding, run the sound system, and offer other assistance to the officiating guest pastor and family as needed. If paying by check, please make the check out to the name of this person as supplied to you by the church secretary or the pastor of Beulah Presbyterian Church.

Building and Wedding Coordinator: $150.00