The wedding service is the worship of God and all that is said and done should be pleasing to Him. In this spirit, Asbury UMC provides the following policy for celebrating weddings in its church. The primary officiates shall be asenior pastor of a United Methodist minister or licensed clergy to do weddings in the state of Louisiana and approved by the senior pastor . Here are just a few of guidelines you will be asked to respect and follow:

• Respect for the church and its facilities and grounds must be shown at all times.
• Under no circumstances are members of the wedding party to come to the rehearsal or wedding under the influence of alcohol or drugs. No drugs or alcohol are allowed.
• No food/drinks are allowed in the sanctuary.
• Altar furnishings in the Sanctuary may not be moved
• All music equipment, etc. on the Sanctuary stage are many not be moved
  
• No smoking is allowed in the church.
• Nothing will be thrown inside or outside the church building for reasons of safety
• All personal belongings must be removed from the church facility immediately following the wedding. Asbury cannot be responsibele for articles left unattended.
  

Reservations– Dates for both the wedding and rehearsal must be cleared in advance on the church calendar with the church office, senior minister and wedding director. Wedding rehearsals or receptions will not be scheduled on holiday weekend, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving. During the special seaons of the church year, dates must be approved by the senior pastor. Seasonal decorations may not be disturbed.

Consultations– The minister requires two consultations with the bridal couple before any marriage ceremony can be performed. Our Wedding Director will oversee all weddings at Asbury. Her guidance is mandatory. She will contact you about readings, music, photography, and floral arrangements, as well as direct your rehearsal, wedding ceremony and reception (if held at the church).

Fees and Payment schedule– Wedding Reservation Fee is necessary to secure your date on the church calendar. Final payment is due thirty days prior to wedding. Should your wedding need to be cancelled, a refund will be given up to two weeks prior to wedding date. All directors, sound and church fees should be paid directly to each of them. These fees include consultations, as well as directing the rehearsal and wedding ceremony. Large weddings may require additional custodial fees and special music may require additional musical/sound fee.

Members

Wedding Reservation Fee- $200

Sanctuary Fee- $0

Directors- $200

Sound- $75

Custodian-$75

Total: $550

Non-members

Wedding Reservation Fee- $300

Sanctuary Fee-$150

Directors- $200

Sound- $75

Custodian-$75

Total: $800

Reception and Rehearsals (members only)- Fellowship Hall charge is $50 for the room and use of Kitchen (for clean up fees). Members set-up the tables, take down tables. Fellowship Hall needs to be left the way it was found (exception for garbage). Members may purchase set-up/take-down fee (table/chairs only) for an additional $35. If the reception is to be catered, the caterer shall discuss the arrangements with the Wedding Director in advance.

Prayer Garden Rates– Members- $100 reservation booking fee plus $50 directors fee. Members Reservation booking fee will be refunded if prayer garden is cleaned up and left as found. Non-Members- $200 and directors fee $50. $100 reservation booking fee will be refunded if prayer garden is cleaned up and left as found. No furnishings will moved from the church to the prayer garden. In the event dressing rooms are needed, there will be an additional $50 clean-up fee.

Dressing Room– Dressing rooms for sanctuary weddings will be in the choir room and seekers room. Dressing rooms for prayer garden weddings will be in the seekers class room and friendship class room. The rooms must be exactly left as they were found.

Music– Music chosen for wedding must be in keeping with sacred atmosphere of the service. You must consult the Wedding Director concerning music selections no later than 60 days prior to the wedding.

Wedding Day– The church will be unlocked no earlier than three hours prior to wedding. Any photographs taken in the church before the ceremony must be completed forty five minutes before the time of the wedding. As well as forty five minutes after the wedding.

Florist– We recommend simple decorations which will emphasize the natural beauty of the sanctuary. In keeping with this, no flowers or other decorations shall be placed on the alter rails. All arrangements should be discussed 30 days in advance with the wedding director. The florist will be given a list of guidelines to review and sign.

Photographer- Since the wedding ceremony is a religious service, all photographers are asked to show reverence for the ceremony and the place. The photographer will be given a list of guidelines to review and sign. There is a charge of $35 for a slide show presentation which is due two weeks prior to the wedding.

For complete wedding guidelines please contact the church office at (318) 746-5349.

Wedding Application– A wedding application must be filled and returned to the church office within two weeks of contacting Wedding Director. Along with the application you must include your deposit in order to reserve your date on the church calendar.

For more information contact Wedding Directors:

Marilyn Rech at 746-2588 or via email Marilyn or Joan Strickland at 747-0353