WEDDINGS

Wedding Information 

First Christian Church

202 S. 6th Street

P. O. Box 626

Chickasha, OK 73023

405-224-6372

www.fccchick.org 

Staff

Minister   Rev. Michael A. Oberlender

Pianist/Organist  Dr. Jan Hanson

Custodian   Sharlene Morgan 

A note from the Pastor

I am delighted to share in the turning of this new chapter in your life. We at First Christian want to make this important step in your lives a positive experience so that you will have nothing but fond memories of your special day.  

I want your wedding to be unique and as individual as you two are. Often I tell couples that I will not be the one who is watching your wedding video or looking at your wedding pictures ten years from now. So, as long as we can put together a spirit filled worship experience I am open to what you have in mind to take place. Just do keep in mind that your wedding is a worship service with God as the center.  

For me to feel right about presiding as the minister of your wedding there are few things that must take place. Besides the mindset that it is a worship service it is paramount that we spend time in pre-marital counseling. The counseling will take place over a minimum of four sessions. I prefer to conduct them with a month apart between meetings. In those sessions we will look at your past, present and future together. Usually, the third session will be meeting with the wedding coordinator to work out the logistics of the ceremony.  

It goes without saying that your wedding day is important. In order to make sure all works as smoothly as possible a rehearsal will take place the day before your wedding, if we do it any sooner people tend to forget. The rehearsal is a time to make sure all that you hoped your wedding will be takes place. It is not at time to make changes to the wedding. Changes the night of the rehearsal lends itself to confusion and added length. That is why the staff and myself will do all we can to make sure that all the “i’s” are dotted and the “t’s” are crossed before the rehearsal.  

All said and done, all we wish is for your wedding to be as beautiful and as special as we can. I look forward to working with you.  

PLANNING YOUR WEDDING

Preface

The fact that you want to be married here at First Christian Church indicates that you recognize the sanctity of the institution of marriage and of the vows that you will take to begin your life together.

A wedding is a worship service filled with the joy of prayers, hymns, scripture and meditation. Within the framework of worship, we will do everything that we can to make your wedding one that will be memorable for you, as well as one that invokes the blessings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our staff will help you to make your plans and carry them out as smoothly as possible. The pastor will counsel with you as you seek to understand the meaning of the vows and explore together certain aspects of a Christian marriage. The wedding committee will be very helpful to you during the weeks to come, suggesting alternatives, giving guidance, being a resource, helping to make sure that things happen the way you plan.

Throughout this booklet, you will note that preference is given to church members. Church membership must predate your wedding by a period of six months.

Marriage Preparation

With a high rate of unhappiness in marriage as well as divorce, the elders and minister of First Christian Church concur in the absolute need for quality preparation. This includes a requirement for pre-marital counseling and that the counseling be completed before final approval for the service at FCC.

The couple will also meet with the mister and possibly a wedding coordinator for the planning of the marriage worship service. 

Arrangements

1. Date. Selecting a date for your wedding is the first step. Rehearsal and wedding dates need to be cleared with the church office as soon as possible. Because of special days and holy days, there are times when weddings cannot be scheduled. At this point, a wedding information form needs to be completed. While church members and events are given priority, once your date has been cleared and placed on the church calendar, it will be secure. This determination is made after your consultations with the pastor, organist, and wedding committee. When you are notified by the wedding coordinator that the wedding has been approved, a non-refundable deposit of $150.00 is payable.

Saturday evening weddings may not start after 6:00 pm and building must be vacated by 9 pm.  If you are holding your reception in a location other than the church please make arrangements for all of your belongings to be removed with in the hour of the conclusion of the ceremony. That way the staff can begin to clean up and prepare the worship space for the next day’s worship. 

2. Wedding Coordinator. The services of our wedding coordinator are required and that person will see that matters other than those involving the ministers and musicians are properly arranged. They will confer with the bride and groom regarding our facilities and procedures for weddings, and will also be available to answer any questions. In addition, they will assist the officiating minister during the rehearsal and the wedding.

After consultation with the pastor and the organist, the wedding coordinator will contact you and arrange a meeting to coordinate and oversee your wedding plans.

3. Decorations and Flowers. We ask your florist to be careful so that we may continue to be good stewards of this wonderful building and its furnishings. For instance, no tape may be used on any piece of furniture. No paint may be sprayed. Florists may set up two and ½ hours prior to the wedding. Florists will remove all their equipment immediately after the wedding.

4. Pictures. Photographers and videographers are to be unobtrusive. During the ceremony, pictures may not be taken from the front of the chapel or sanctuary or in the aisles. No flash pictures may be taken during the ceremony. Video recordings may be made from the balcony. 

5. Children. Children are welcome to participate in your wedding. Their individual level of development and maturity will affect their ability to take part. The Church does not provide a nursery for Weddings. 

6. Safety. Safety rules include: no rice, no smoking, no alcoholic beverages.

7. Music. All plans and arrangements for your wedding music are made in consultation with the staff organist. A meeting should be scheduled at least one month in advance of the wedding through the church office. At this meeting, the role of music in the wedding service will be discussed and a variety of selections will be played for you. Music chosen for the service should be both to your liking and appropriate for the occasion. The organist will offer you a choice of several selections for your processional and recessional and can provide suggestions for instrumental and vocal soloists. 

8. Reception. First Christian Church offers a fellowship hall for the reception.

9. Available facilities. The following areas are available:

Chapel Seating capacity approximately 30 

Sanctuary Seating capacity approximately 300

Fellowship Hall Seating capacity approximately 150 

Dressing areas are provided for the wedding party. Rooms will be available to you and your wedding party two and ½ hours prior to the wedding.

10. License. You are responsible for obtaining your marriage license and giving it to the pastor by Thursday (before a Saturday wedding) prior to the ceremony. A license should be procured at the courthouse.

11. Costs and fees. The wedding coordinator will consult with the bride to determine the services desired and the fees for those services. All fees must be paid in full to the church office on or before the rehearsal (or day before the wedding).

Wedding.

Sanctuary Weddings non-member $250.00

Member free

Other than Sanctuary Weddings non-member $150.00

Member free

Pastor non-member $200.00

Organist $150.00

Wedding Coordinator $75.00

Sound Technician $50.00

Custodian $100.00

Liability Deposit  $150.00

(deposit applies to total minuets loss of damaged goods) 

Reception.

Fees charged for a reception include room use, kitchen and custodial service. In addition to these services, the fee covers the use of plates, cups, silverware & silver serving pieces. 

Fellowship Hall non-member $200.00

Member $100.00

Custodian $100.00