WEDDINGS AT PINE STREET
YOUR WEDDING AT PINE STREET
Congratulations on your engagement! The staff at Pine Street understands these are exciting times as you prepare for this important day. We are delighted you have chosen our beautiful, historic church to exchange your vows and enter this holy covenant.
The Presbyterian Church (USA), our governing body, has definite ideas on how a wedding service proceeds. The Directory of Worship found in the Presbyterian Book of Order states the following concerning Christian Marriage:
"In Baptism, each Christian is claimed in the covenant of God's faithful love. Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well being of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people … to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community. In civil law, marriage is a contract that recognizes the rights and obligations of the married couple in society. In the Reformed tradition, marriage is also a covenant in which God has an active part, and which the community of faith publicly witnesses and acknowledges."
We look forward to working with you to make this special day a spiritual celebration!
PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
One year to 6 months before
Contact our Office Administrator at 717.238.9304 or office@pinestreet.org to schedule a visit/consultation with a Pine Street pastor. Weddings can only be scheduled after this meeting. Our Wedding Coordinator will contact you once your wedding is scheduled.
Six to 4 months before
Schedule counseling sessions with your Pine Street pastor.
Two months before
The final payment is due.
Schedule a meeting with the Minister of Music and Worship Schedule an appointment with the Office Administrator to plan the wedding program.
WEDDING
The Sanctuary is the primary space for weddings at Pine Street. It seats approximately 750. The church requires the use of the following:
A Pine Street pastor
A Pine Street organist (Minister of Music and Worship)
A Pine Street Wedding Coordinator
No weddings may be scheduled on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Holy Week, Memorial Day weekend, July 4 weekend, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, the week of Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.
Wedding programs will be prepared by the Office Administrator and must be approved by the pastor and Minister of Music and Worship.
REHEARSAL
All rehearsals are held on the evening before your wedding. The rehearsal time will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis before the mailing of the wedding agreement. Available rehearsal times are 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The wedding coordinator will conduct the rehearsal, with your Pine Street pastor in attendance. The Order of Worship, traditions of seating, placement of the attendants, instructions to the ushers and groomsmen, and bridesmaids will be covered at the rehearsal. The members of the wedding party should remember that they are in a holy place dedicated to the worship of God and conduct themselves accordingly. Pine Street allows 60 minutes for each rehearsal. Since there may be other rehearsals scheduled on the same evening, please know how important it is that the wedding party arrives on time to receive complete information and instruction. We suggest that everyone involved in the rehearsal arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Please bring your marriage certificate and your rings to the rehearsal.
PASTOR
The couple should contact a Pine Street pastor to invite them to officiate at their wedding and arrange for premarital counseling. Non Pine Street counseling may be used but must be approved by a Pine Street pastor. Pine Street Presbyterian Church requires all weddings to be presided over and officiated by a pastor on our staff. Since the format and style of a wedding should be consistent with the church's tradition of worship, our staff pastor will be most valuable in planning the Order of Worship for your service. If you would like a guest pastor to attend, please speak with your pastor about including them in the service. Usually, they can participate in the exchange of rings, reading of Scripture, or a prayer of blessing
MUSIC
We look forward to sharing an incredible worship experience with you on your wedding day! Before your wedding, you will meet with Pine Street's Minister of Music and Worship to select music for your ceremony. By Session action, the Minister of Music & Worship at Pine Street is responsible for the music at all weddings and has the final word on all selections. While considering vocal and instrumental selections for your wedding, please keep in mind all must be sacred and in keeping with the worship traditions of Pine Street. Should you wish to have a vocalist or instrumentalist (in addition to the organist) at your wedding, the Minister of Music and Worship can recommend musicians superior in their craft. Guest vocalists and instrumentalists may be invited to participate in the wedding but must be approved by the Minister of Music and Worship. Texts of vocal solos are to be limited to Scripture and sacred poetry. Soloists and instrumentalists may rehearse one hour before the ceremony and provide their music in the proper key in advance of the rehearsal. Pine Street does not allow taped accompaniments during a wedding ceremony.
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR WEDDINGS AT PINE STREET
THE PRELUDE THE CALL TO WORSHIP
THE PROCESSION OF THE ATTENDANTS
Musical Selection:
THE PROCESSION OF THE BRIDE
Musical Selection:
THE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND OPENING PRAYER
THE DECLARATION OF INTENT
THE SCRIPTURE READING
THE HOMILY
THE EXCHANGE OF MARRIAGE VOWS AND RINGS
THE PRAYER OF BLESSING
THE PROCLAMATION OF MARRIAGE
THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
THE PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
THE RECESSIONAL
Musical Selection:
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Because a wedding is a worship service, Pine Street Presbyterian Church does not allow flash photography during the ceremony. This policy includes professional photographers, family, friends, and guests. Please be sure that they are informed to respect the sacredness of our worship space and service. We provide approved areas for professional photographers, and we do not permit the movement or positioning of the photographer during the service. During the retiring procession, the photographer may take pictures of the wedding party from the back of the church at the double doors. Flash is permissible during the retiring procession only. All professional photography may begin no more than two hours before the ceremony. Any pictures taken before the ceremony must be completed 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Any photos taken after the ceremony must be completed within 45 minutes after the ceremony ends. The officiating pastor and musicians will be delighted to participate in pictures taken immediately after the ceremony. Videographers may assume a fixed position in the back balcony of the Sanctuary. Photographers, videographers, and their assistants must wear appropriate attire for a wedding ceremony. They must not inhibit the job of our wedding coordinator, pastor, or organist, particularly regarding the timing and sacredness of the ceremony.
FLOWERS
The wedding ceremony in our tradition may be characterized as one of simple dignity. "Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance worshipers' consciousness of the reality of God, and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life" (Directory of Worship).
The wedding participants may engage a florist. At most, arrangements should include the flowers carried by the wedding participants or their attendants, corsages, and boutonnieres. Two arrangements may be placed on the flower stands in front of the Lectern and Pulpit, no taller than 36". Floral arrangements or bows on elastic bands are appropriate for designating reserved seating for the wedding party's family. Nothing may be attached to the pews that might scratch the wood. Flowers or other items may not be placed on the communion table. Seasonal decorations (Advent, Lent, Easter, etc.) may be present and will remain in the sanctuary during certain times of the year.
CANDLELIGHT SERVICES
Candelabras are available from the church and candle stands for use down the center aisle. If used, the cost of candles will be added to the fees for church usage. "Unity candles" are not a part of a Presbyterian wedding service but may be used if supplied by the couple. If a unity candle is to be used, it must be brought to the rehearsal.
AISLE RUNNER
If the couple desires a white aisle runner, the florist may secure it. The length of the sanctuary aisle is eighty (80) feet.
PARKING
Street parking and the South Street Garage are available for both the wedding rehearsal and the ceremony.
BUILDING
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the church premises. At the discretion of the pastor and wedding coordinator, a rehearsal or wedding ceremony may not proceed if any member of the wedding party is intoxicated. Smoking is not permitted on the church premises. Use of rice, birdseed, confetti, artificial or natural rose petals, or potpourri is not allowed on church premises. The church is an open building, and while every effort is made to maintain security, Pine Street Presbyterian Church cannot be held responsible for valuables left in the building. Purses and valuables should not be left unattended. Please check before bringing food or beverages into the Bride's Room. The church is not available to host dinners or receptions for weddings.
WEDDING FEES:
For non member weddings. Once the church approves your wedding, please submit a reservation fee of $500.00.
The remaining fees are payable two months before the wedding. Your pastor or office administrator will give you the total amount due and each check's payee names and amounts.
Wedding Fees
Sanctuary and Supported Services: $1000 Minister’s Fee: $750 ($500 w/o counseling)
Minister of Music and Worship: $500 Wedding Coordinator: $150 Soloist: $125 $200
Instrumentalists: $150 $200
Static Video Recording: No fee
Live Stream Recording: $200
Candelabras/center aisle candles: $100
Member Rates*
Sancuary and Supported Services: $250
Minister’s Fee: $600 ($400 w/o counseling)
Minister of Music and Worship: $400 Wedding Coordinator: $150 Soloist: $125 $200
Instrumentalists: $150 $200
Static Video Recording: No fee
Live Stream Recording: $200
Candelabras/center aisle candles: $100
* To be considered a contributing member of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, a person has committed their prayers, presence, gifts, and services to the church for at least one year. Exceptions can be made by Session, upon advice of the pastor.
YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
It is the couple's responsibility to obtain a marriage license before the wedding. The marriage license should be given to the officiating minister or wedding coordinator no later than the rehearsal date. No wedding can be performed without a license.
Photographer Ade Oshodi via www.adeandgina.com