Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!We celebrate your joy with you.We will gladly work with you to plan and prepare for your wedding day and for the years to come.
We are happy to provide wedding services to those who are actively participating in the life and ministries of First Presbyterian Church.
Our Pastor, Musicians, Wedding Hostess, and other members of staff will provide the services required to make your day special.
Reservations
Reservations for your wedding and rehearsal should be made through the church office. After the dates have been confirmed, the church Office Manager will contact the Wedding Hostess & Musicians. Premarital Counseling Pastor Sue will wish to meet with you at least six times prior to your marriage ceremony. These sessions are designed to help you prepare not only for your wedding, but also for your new life together as a couple. Hostess Our wedding hostess is familiar with the proper ordering of the many details involved in the ceremony. The Hostess works with the bridal couple in planning and coordinating arrangements for decorations and welcoming guests. She supervises the use of candles, instructs ushers, assists in seating late guests, and helps in many other ways. She attends both the rehearsal and the wedding. Music Music is an important part of your wedding service. We can arrange to have an organist play or our Contemporary Worship Leader can accompany your wedding. Both will be happy to assist you in the selection of music. The church does not provide vocal soloists; however, if one is desired, the pastor can advise you. Guest artists should contact the musicians well in advance of the wedding to arrange for rehearsal and selection of music. Any other musical arrangements need to be approved by the pastor and/or wedding hostess. You are responsible for notifying the musicians of these arrangements. Children as Wedding Attendants We ask that children in the wedding party be at least three years of age, preferably five years old or older.
Wedding Fees Please contact the church office for the current fees.
Things you Should Know:
License You are required to obtain a Washington marriage license prior to the ceremony. The License is available at the Pierce County Auditor’s Office. For more information visit their website at www.co.pierce.wa.us/PC/abtus/ourorg/aud/marriage.htm There is a three day waiting period once you have obtain your license. Once a wedding license is obtained, it should be brought to the church office and left with the Office Manager. Please note:Witnesses that will sign the marriage license must be 18 years of age or older. Wedding Rehearsal The entire wedding party and the parents of the bride and groom should be present at the rehearsal if at all possible. It can be held several days before the wedding or the evening prior. The rehearsal usually lasts an hour. It is a good idea for the bridesmaids and the bride to wear the same shoes that will be worn at the service. Photographs Photographs may be taken before and/or after the wedding service. If photographs are taken before the service, the photographer should have all the equipment removed from the sanctuary at least 30 minutes before the service. One hour should be allowed for formal pictures before the service. Have a list for the photographer of what pictures you wish to have taken. Many couples elect to have some formal pictures done before the wedding day. No flash photographs are to be taken during the ceremony. Videotaping from the balcony is permitted by arrangement with the pastor. For more information concerning photographs and other equipment and its use, consult with the pastor and the wedding hostess.It is the responsibility of bride and groom to communicate these regulations to the photographer and videographer. Ushers At least two ushers are needed to seat 100 guests. Three or four ushers are desirable for larger weddings. Ushers should attend the rehearsal and be on duty at least 45 minutes before the wedding begins. Usually the Best Man stays with the groom but may be one of the ushers. Candles The Candles we use are oil burning candles. There are two candelabrasto use, if desired. The Hostess will be responsible for the setting up, lighting, and extinguishing. Flowers Flowers add the beauty of any wedding. Flowers from the wedding may be used at the reception. If you so desire, the flowers may be left for our Sunday worship services. Because of the danger of staining, we ask that flowers not be strewn on the carpet by the flower girl. Silk flowers are available from many stores. If you should desire ribbons, flowers, etc. be attached to the end of the pews, we have special pew hooks for you to use. Please check with the wedding hostess about the pew hooks. You and your florist are responsible for protecting the pews and carpet from spilled water. Wedding Program Many couples wish to have a wedding program for their guest.Our church Office Manager has several samples and resources for ordering special covers. Please remember that it is the responsibility of the bride & groom to produce the program and not the church staff members. Personal Property Care of personal property is a concern of all our staff but the church cannot be responsible for any loss. Keys to the bride’s room, the groom’s dressing area (church Library) and the back door of the church will be loaned to the couple by the Wedding Hostess. Gift Table We suggest gifts not be opened at the church. If desired, we will provide a table for guests to leave gifts on. It is helpful to have someone receive the gifts at the church and secure the cards with tape. Please keep the following church regulations in mind: Smoking is not permitted in the church building or within 25 feet of all entrances. No alcoholic beverages may be served in the church building. Throwing rice or confetti is not permitted. Bird seed is much better to use, less likely to get in someone’s eye, and the birds help clean it up.Bubbles are also a fun and new way to send off the bride and groom. Be Sure to . . . 1.Set up appointments with the pastor as soon as possible. 2.Contact the musicians concerning music 3.Contact the wedding hostess to help you with your weddingpreparations. 4.Set time of arrival of flowers and cake at the church. 5.Give specific assignments to your assistants: i.e. guest book at wedding and reception, gift table-who will handle/transport the gifts, who will transport the bride & groom’s personal items from the church.
First Presbyterian Church ~ 412 West Pioneer ~ Puyallup, WA 98371 253-848-7243 ~ firstpresoffice@fpcpuyallup.org
