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Trinity United Methodist Church- Weddings

Congratulations and best wishes upon your wedding plans. We want to help make your

wedding at Trinity Church in Savannah a blessing to you and all who participate in helping you celebrate. In that regard, please read carefully the information contained in this

packet. In addition to the “rules and regulations” regarding the use of our sanctuary and other spaces, you will find guidance in marking the beginning of your marriage with beauty and ease.

Trinity Church’s sanctuary is a beautiful and historic space that seats approximately 550

persons (including the wraparound balcony). A center aisle boasts a perfect setting for your momentous “walk down the aisle.” A classically decorated Bridal Room is also available to you as a special gathering space for your bridal party to dress and prepare for your event.

We also offer a nursery for your use.

You may book your wedding in our sanctuary up to 18 months in advance of your wedding date, with all fees remaining at the quoted rates for that year. We hope that the following information will guide you through your wedding plans. You will find a convenient checklist

at the end of this packet for your use as you complete each step of the planning process. If you still have questions after reading through these materials, feel free to call our wedding

scheduler, Fran Stanley, at (h) 912.352.1970 or (c) 804.337.2962, or email her at shamrock15@comcast.net.

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1) Fees

A. Total Amounts Due

Wedding & Rehearsal Fee* $1,600(not including reception) Church Custodian Fee $ 200

Church Hostess Fee $ 200 Total Fees $ 2,000

Trinity Church Pastor Fee (optional): $ 400

Total Fees w/ Rev. Gosden $2,400

*Church Member information: The Wedding and Rehearsal fee will be waived if either the bride or groom (or their parents) is a member of Trinity Church for at least one year prior to booking the wedding. Church members will be

entitled to use the Sanctuary, Parlor, Bridal Room and Nursery without charge. However, fees must still be paid to the Church Custodian and Church Hostess

as listed above. Please submit your Wedding Contract (included in this packet) as soon as possible to reserve your date as a member, and please indicate on the form that you are a member or son/daughter of a member.

**Wedding receptions, held within Trinity Church, are only available to church

members for an additional fee of $150.

B. Deposit: A $600 deposit (applied toward the $1600 Wedding and Rehearsal fee) AND

the signed Wedding Contract are due at the time of making the wedding reservation. A reservation will not be made without receiving both the deposit

and Wedding Contract. We will pencil in a date for 5 business days with your phone or email request and will then expect your deposit to arrive in the mail within 5 days of that contact. If the deposit is not received by that time, your

wedding date will not be guaranteed.

C. Remaining Fees:

The remaining fees must be in the church office no later than 30 days before the wedding rehearsal. The $1,000 balance ($1600 - $600 deposit) for the church is to be made payable to Trinity United Methodist Church. The required

Church Custodian fee of $200 should be made payable to (confirm with church), and the Church Hostess fee of $200 should be made payable to

(confirm with church). We ask that you mail these individual checks directly to the church. All checks should arrive at the church office no later than 30 days prior to your rehearsal date.

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D. Pastoral Fee: The Senior Pastor at Trinity Church as of June 15, 2016 is The Reverend Ben Gosden. Please notify Fran Stanley (the Wedding Scheduler) as soon as

possible, if you are interested in scheduling an appointment to discuss using him as your officiant. The fee for his service is $400, and a separate check

should be made payable to The Reverend Ben Gosden and mailed to the church with the other fees. We also maintain a listing of other local United Methodist ministers who have agreed to perform weddings as he/she is available. We

can offer suggestions and fee information if you desire this information.

E. Refund Policy:

50% of the deposit is refundable if the event is cancelled at least two months prior to the scheduled date of the wedding.

F. Other Financial Considerations:

You are responsible for any/all damages to or theft of church property by any of your wedding party or guests.

The Wedding and Rehearsal fee includes use of the Sanctuary, Parlor, Bridal Room, Nursery, Kitchen (for snacks) and rest rooms ONLY. The Social Hall

and all other rooms are only available to church members.

2) Church Access

A. During Rehearsal:

Rehearsals are limited to one hour. Please advise members of the wedding party, family members and friends to be prompt. The Church Custodian will

unlock the church 15 minutes before the rehearsal and it will remain unlocked no more than 15 minutes beyond the rehearsal hour. The church will be open

for a total time block of 1 and ½ hours for the rehearsal. Please plan accordingly.

We recommend starting rehearsals no earlier than 5:30 pm. This recommendation is made because after 5 pm it is not necessary to feed the

parking meters and parking generally becomes more readily available.

B. During Wedding: The Church Custodian and Wedding Hostess arrive at the church 3 hours before

the wedding. Please understand that the hour you designate for your wedding is the time you are expected to start your walk down the aisle. For example;

if you have designated 5 pm as your wedding time, please have your guests

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seated beforehand and be ready to walk at 5 pm. The church will be locked one hour after wedding is concluded.

3) Usage of Sanctuary/Worship Space

A. Decorations: Any decorating must be done on your actual wedding day, during the three

hours preceding the wedding, when the Church Custodian is here and the church is unlocked.

Any church program or promotion that is ongoing at the time of your event takes precedence over all other use of the building. This usage agreement

does not exempt that fact. Church banners, seasonal decorations, etc. that are in place on the day of your event will remain in place. Please do not ask that they be removed.

If pew markers are used, pews must be protected against scratching and/or

gouging by pew marker clamps.

No nails, tacks, or staples may be used to attach any decorations to church property.

Aisle runners are not permitted.

NOTHING is to be added to or taken away from the altar table. No furniture is to be moved from the altar, nor the pulpit area.

B. Floral Considerations: Only silk petals are to be used for the processional down the aisle. Real flower

petals are not permitted because they damage the carpet. However, real flower arrangements are permitted in bridal bouquets.

If there are floral arrangements in the windows at the time you decorate, you may remove them temporarily, but they must be put back following the

ceremony. We have a small round table (14”) for your use for a unity candle, if needed.

ONLY Paradise Candles are approved for use in candelabras.

When using candelabras, it is imperative to use Paradise Candles, as well as clear plastic underneath to protect the carpet in case of dripping. Should there

be wax damage to the carpet, beyond the scope of normal cleaning, an

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additional fee will be billed to the bridal couple. Paradise Candles can be ordered by your florist.

The air conditioner does interfere with candles in certain placements. This can

be checked during rehearsal or prior to the wedding. Candles are only to be used in the altar area and/or windows. No candles may be attached to or placed between the pews.

You are responsible for having all decorations/floral arrangements removed

IMMEDIATELY following the wedding in order for the Church Custodian to reset the Sanctuary. It is NOT the responsibility of the Church Custodian to remove them. No floral donations will be accepted by the church.

C. Photography: We require that there be NO flash photography during the wedding

ceremony; however, it is allowed before and after. Only stationary videography and non-flash photography from the balcony is permitted during the ceremony. Any other photography during the ceremony is prohibited.

We consider the altar to be a sacred space. Therefore, it will only be

permissible for the wedding party to assemble outside the altar railing. ONLY the minister and vocalists/readers are allowed inside the altar railing.

All pictures taken in the Sanctuary are to be done BEFORE leaving to take outside pictures, since the Church Custodian will need to clean the Sanctuary

as soon as possible after the ceremony concludes.

D. Entry Doors:

The front doors of the Sanctuary and the double glass doors in the center of

the building on President Street are the ONLY doors to be used. The door to the parlor on President Street is for emergency use only.

4) Music

A. Organ and Piano: A grand piano and a newly restored Moeller pipe organ are available for use in

the Sanctuary. Below is a list of organists who have been screened and approved to play our organ. Generally, the fee they charge is $250, which is

to be paid directly to them, not to the church. You are to make your own arrangements with the organist and then provide this information to us on your Wedding Contract. The approved organists are as follows:

Steve Branyon 912.660.8643

Tim Hall 912.232.0191

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Edie Hockspeier (c) 912.441.7494 Duke Miles 912.272.0933

Suzanne Woodrum 912.927.9395 or 912.658.6444

If none of the above are available for your wedding date or if there is someone else whom you prefer, please call our primary organist, Hubert Baker, (w) 912.927.1999 or (h) 912.898.4200 for approval of this request.

B. Sound System: The church’s sound system is available for your use in the Sanctuary. A lavalier

microphone will be provided by the Church Custodian for your minister and a standing microphone can also be available for use by any readers or vocalists you might have. Please be sure that the lavalier microphone is returned to the

Church Custodian after the service.

You may also use the sound system to play any CDs that you desire to use as a part of your wedding service. Special instructions for playing a CD are posted on the sound system, which is located at the rear of the Sanctuary. We have

found in using this system that commercial CDs always play well, but that self-recorded CDs are sometimes problematic. We advise, if you are planning to

use a CD, that you check the system during your rehearsal time. You will also need to have a specific person designated to turn the CDs on and off at the correct time. If you change any sound system settings it will then be VERY

IMPORTANT THAT YOU RETURN THE SYSTEM TO ORIGINAL SETTINGS AT THE END OF YOUR SERVICE.

5) Dressing Rooms and Nursery

Dressing Rooms for the Bridal Party: The Bridal Room on the 3rd floor is the designated space for the Bride and her Bridesmaids to dress and get ready prior to the ceremony. In addition, the women’s bathrooms (on the 1st and 3rd

floors only) are also available for use. Please note: If you leave clothing and/or valuables in the Bridal room, you do so at your own risk.

Dressing Rooms for the Groom’s Party: The Groom and his party may use the men’s room on the 1st floor for changing clothes. Once the Groom’s party is

dressed, they may wait in the Parlor on the 1st floor, just outside the sanctuary.

The Nursery: A separate nursery space is available that is appropriate for babies and/or young children. Staffing the nursery, however, is your responsibility.

6) Policies Regarding Smoking/Eating &

Drinking

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SMOKING AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED INSIDE THE ENTIRE BUILDING. If anyone wants to smoke, please have them move

away from the entry areas to do so. There is a square across from the church that is a suitable place for smoking. If anyone comes to the rehearsal or

wedding inebriated, they will be asked to leave. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE SANCTUARY, PARLOR

OR BRIDAL ROOM. The kitchen area on the first floor is available to store water, soft drinks, and snacks that you bring. Any food or drinks for you and

your wedding party prior to the wedding should be eaten in the kitchen area, or at the long table near the kitchen ONLY. You must clean up this area after use.

7) Parking

There is only metered parking around the church. Parking meters do not have to be fed after 5 pm, nor at all on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). We are

not allowed by the City of Savannah to reserve parking spaces. To do this, you must contact the city parking services to see what is required of you.

There is a city-owned parking deck, the Robbie Robinson Parking Garage (912.651.6478), adjacent to the church. This facility may be available, but be

sure to contact them regarding rates and hours of operation. Also, we are not responsible for any parking conflicts brought on by other

neighborhood activities (for example; on occasion, the Telfair Museum next door blocks off parking spaces/streets for special events).

8) Church Staff Roles

A. Church Custodian: The Church Custodian is responsible for opening and closing the church before

and after the rehearsal and wedding. He will open the church 15 minutes prior to rehearsal time and re-lock building 15 minutes after the designated hour for

the rehearsal. The Church Custodian will open the church 3 hours prior to the actual wedding time and re-lock building one hour after wedding is concluded. This is to allow for cleaning before regularly scheduled church services.

The Church Custodian is not responsible for moving floral arrangements or any

other decorations put out by the bridal party and/or florist.

B. Church Hostess: The Church Hostess is not a “wedding consultant”, but is a representative of

the church to help with questions regarding rules/regulations of Trinity Church.

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The Church Hostess can assist you with understanding rules about use of the altar area, floral arrangements, photography, etc.

The Church Hostess is not a “wedding director”. If you do not have a “wedding

director”, then you will need to designate someone to manage your wedding during the event. Some of the typical details that need to be managed are as follows: making sure that both the groomsmen and bridal party are dressed

and in their appropriate place and cuing the bride when it is time to “walk down the aisle”.

9) Church Contact Info.

In the event that you are unable to reach our Wedding Scheduler, Fran Stanley (h) 912.352.1970 or (c) 804.337.2962, you can call our church office at 912.233.4766. The church office hours are M, T, W and Th (noon – 5 pm).

You can also email the church office at trinityumcsav@bellsouth.net.

Please keep these guidelines handy as you plan your wedding. We realize that as you proceed with planning, questions may arise and changes may be necessary. Please contact Fran Stanley as needed and

notify her immediately of any significant changes. If you don’t have answers for some of the questions asked on the Wedding Contract

sheet at the time of your reservation (pastor, florist, organist, etc.), submit the form anyway and call her with the information as soon as it becomes available. Thank you and Congratulations!

Revised 08/2016

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Wedding Policies for the Florist

Trinity Church has developed the following guidelines to avoid damage to our

historic church property and furnishings and to also inform regarding our expectations in upholding the sanctity of our worship space. Please review

them carefully. If you wish to see the sanctuary prior to the wedding date, you may contact the church office at 912.233.4766; M-Th (8 am - 1 pm). If you have specific questions, please contact our Wedding Scheduler, Fran

Stanley, at (h) 912.352.1970, (c) 804.337.2962 or email: shamrock15@comcast.net.

Only silk flower petals may be used during the procession down the

aisle. Real flower petals are not permitted because they damage the carpet. However, real flower arrangements are permitted in bridal

bouquets.

If there are arrangements in the windows at the time you decorate, you

may remove them temporarily, but they must be put back following the

ceremony.

Church banners, seasonal decorations, etc. that are in place on the day

of the wedding will remain in place. Please do not ask that they be

removed.

Nothing is to be added or taken away from the altar table. The altar

table cannot be used to display flowers. Due to the sanctity of the altar

table, it can only be used for traditional elements of worship. The cross and candles must remain on the altar table. The altar table may not be moved from its central position.

Only Paradise Candles are approved for use in candelabras.

Candles are only to be used in the altar area and/or windows. No

candles may be attached to or placed between pews.

If you are planning to use a Unity Candle set, we have a small (14”)

round table that may be used for these candles. When placing candles or candelabras on the pulpit platform, you are placing them in a draft

of the heating/air system and the vents cannot be closed. All candelabras must be placed on clear plastic protective barriers, even when using the required Paradise Candles.

No nails, tacks, or staples may be used to attach any decorations to

church property.

If pew markers are used, pews must be protected against scratching

and/or gouging by clamps.

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Aisle runners are not permitted.

All decorations and equipment must be removed IMMEDIATELY after the ceremony. The church cannot be responsible for moving and/or

storing any equipment.

You are to use the front doors of the Sanctuary to bring in/take out your supplies and equipment.

The church will be open 3 hours prior to the wedding. Delivery and set-up must be within this

time frame.

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Wedding Policies for the Photographer

Trinity Church has developed the following guidelines to avoid damage to our historic church property and furnishings and to also inform regarding our expectations in upholding the sanctity of our worship space. Please review

them carefully. If you wish to see the sanctuary prior to the wedding date, you may contact the church office at 912.233.4766; M-Th (noon - 5 pm). If

you have specific questions, please contact our Wedding Scheduler, Fran Stanley, at (h) 912.352.1970, (c) 804.337.2962 or email: shamrock15@comcast.net.

We require that there be NO flash photography during the wedding

ceremony; however, it is allowed before and after. Only stationary videography and non-flash photography from the balcony is permitted

during the ceremony. Any other photography during the ceremony is prohibited.

All pictures taken in the Sanctuary are to be done BEFORE leaving to

take any outside pictures, since the Church Custodian will need to clean the Sanctuary as soon as possible after the ceremony concludes.

We consider the altar to be a sacred space. Therefore, it will only be

permissible for the wedding party to assemble outside the altar railing. ONLY the minister and vocalists/readers are allowed inside the altar

railing.

Church banners, seasonal decorations, etc. that are in place on the day

of the wedding will remain in place. Please do not ask that they be

removed.

Nothing must be added to or taken away from the altar table. Due to

the sanctity of the altar table, it can only be used for traditional

elements of worship. The cross and candles must remain on the altar table. The altar table may not be moved from its central position.

All decorations and equipment must be removed IMMEDIATELY after the

ceremony. The church cannot be responsible for moving and/or storing any equipment.

You are to use the front doors of the Sanctuary to bring in/take out your

supplies and equipment.

The church will be open 3 hours prior to the wedding. Delivery and set-up must be within this time frame.

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Trinity Church: 2016 Wedding Contract ______________________/_______________________

Bride’s Last Name Groom’s Last Name

Rehearsal date ____________ time _________ Wedding date _______________ time _________

Please complete this contract and mail with your $600 deposit to:

Trinity United Methodist Church, 225 W. President Street, Savannah, GA 31401

Bride’s Name _______________________________________________________________

Address

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Numbers (h) _________________________ (w) _________________________ (c) ______________________

E-mail _____________________________________________ Home Church ___________________________________

Groom’s Name ______________________________________________________________

Address

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Numbers (h) _______________________ (w) ___________________________ (c______________________

E-mail _______________________________________________ Home Church_____________________________

Name and church affiliation of Pastor performing wedding

_______________________________________________________

Name of Organist/Pianist ____________________________________________________________________

Total # of attendants: _____ Bride ________ Groom _______ How many are children? __________

Florist Name ____________________________________________ Phone _______________________________

Photographer Name ____________________________________ Phone _______________________________

Bridal Consultant Name_________________________________ Phone ____________________________

If bride and groom are not living in Savannah, please provide the name and phone number of a local contact person below.

Name ____________________________________ Relationship __________________________ Phone ______________________________

Deposit (due at time of booking wedding in order to reserve date)........................................................................$600* Remainder Due no later than 30 days before the wedding rehearsal:

Trinity United Methodist Church...........................................................................................$1,000*

Church Custodian (made payable to **TBD)………...................................................................$200*

Wedding Hostess (made payable to **TBD)………...........................................................................$200*

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Total fees for wedding and rehearsal (not including pastor and

organist).....................................................................................................................................................$2,000 *All of the above fees should be mailed directly to the church. If using the Trinity UMC pastor, Rev. Ben Gosden, an additional $500 Pastor’s Fee is due in the Church office no later than 30 days before the wedding rehearsal, made payable to the pastor. If using an alternate pastor, whose name we have provided, you must make all arrangements for payment directly with them. Arrangements for the Organist’s fee are to be made directly with the organist of your choice.

I HAVE READ THE TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT AND THE ENTIRE WEDDING PACKET AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THEM. ____________________________________________________________________ __________ Bride or Groom Signature Date Note: If you do not have all the information at the time of reserving your date, please call Fran

Stanley as soon as you have it. Revised 05/2016

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Trinity United Methodist Church

Wedding Checklist

(Please use this as your working copy to keep up with deadlines and

planning.)

_____ Call or email Fran Stanley, the church’s Wedding Scheduler, to check the

availability of the facilities for the date you desire; at (h)912.352.1970 or

(c)804.337.2962, or email her at shamrock15@comcast.net.

_______ Complete the “Wedding Contract” that is included in this packet and return it

to the church office as soon as possible with your deposit of $600.

“Wedding Contract” is to include the following:

_______ Name of Pastor (Officiant)

_______ Name of Organist/Pianist from approved list that is provided

_______ Name of Bridal Consultant (if using)

_______ Name of Florist and Florist advised of policies

_______ Name of Photographer and Photographer advised of policies

_______ Send remaining fees to the church office 30 days prior to the rehearsal.

_______ $1,000 payable to Trinity UMC

_______ $200 payable to -------------- (Church Custodian)

_______ $200 payable to -------------- (Wedding Hostess)

_______ $500 payable to Rev. Ben Gosden (Trinity Church Pastor), if he

will be officiating service

_______ Make arrangements and payment for your other wedding services.

_______ Pianist/Organist

_______ Florist

_______ Wedding Planner (if using)

_______ Others, as desired

_______ Picture of Bride and Groom in Sanctuary for our Trinity UMC Wedding Album

(optional but appreciated). Send to trinityumcsav@bellsouth.net.