Concerning Christian Weddings

We are glad you are seeking Cameron Church to participate in your wedding. There will be a number of people in the congregation who welcome the opportunity to work with you as you plan, prepare, and celebrate your holy union. We will listen and guide you through the process so that on your wedding day, you may celebrate a holy Christian marriage covenant service.

• Requirements and expectations
• Services Cameron Church provides
• Roles of Cameron participants
• Timeline
• Contributions toward supplies and services

Planning guides and worksheets for the following are also provided:

• Wedding Bulletin Guide (suggested wording in keeping with the traditional order of worship)
• Financial Worksheet (checklist for payment of church fees and gratuities)
• Wedding Party Worksheet (to be filled out in consultation with pastor and wedding coordinator)

Requirements and Expectations

Marriage License:

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a couple seeking marriage must obtain a marriage license, issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The license is valid for 60 calendar days for marriages officiated in the state of Virginia. A valid marriage license must be presented to the pastor at the rehearsal.

Fairfax Circuit Court is located in the Fairfax County Judicial Center, Third Floor, Public Service Counter, 4110 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax.

Alexandria Circuit Court is located in Room 307 at 520 King Street, Alexandria.

Schedule:

Be sure to consult with the pastor before announcing the date of your wedding. In view of the sacredness and importance of the event, he/she will schedule several sessions to meet with the couple prior to the ceremony. It is important to set date, time, and place as more than one wedding may be scheduled for the same day. The secretary cannot reserve the date for your wedding until after your consultation with the pastor.

Clergy:

It is assumed that the clergy serving Cameron Church will conduct the (wedding) worship services held in the church. If you desire to have a pastor different than a pastor of Cameron Church participate in your wedding, it is proper that you first consult with a Cameron Church pastor. To invite other clergy to assist the Cameron clergy in conducting the ceremony is at the discretion of the Cameron pastor.

Order of Worship:

The hymnal liturgy (order of worship) for A Service of Christian Marriage parallels in its structure the Sunday service, which includes the proclamation of the Word with prayer and praise. Both words and actions consistently reflect the belief that husband and wife are equal partners in Christian marriage and that they are choosing to enter into the marriage by their free will. The ceremony provides for both the bride’s family and groom’s family to affirm the marrying couple. Those present are understood to be part of an active congregation rather than simply a passive witness. They give their blessing to the couple and to the marriage, and they join in prayer and praise.

The use of hymns is encouraged but not required. The pastor will assist in selecting appropriate hymns for a marriage covenant service.

Ask the pastor if you are interested in looking at other wedding liturgy possibilities. The use or composition of alternative wording usually involves a study of wedding liturgy by the couple, with additional consultations with the pastor. If the ceremony is desired to be at a location other than in the church building, special arrangements must be made with the pastor. Whenever the service is observed elsewhere, some thought and planning must be given to providing specific visible reminders for the congregation (invited guests) regarding the Christian context in which the wedding is being celebrated.

Many of the comments below pertain only to ceremonies held in the sanctuary.

Creativity:

The liturgy is flexible enough to allow for options that can personalize this holy event. The use of any additions will be evaluated on the basis of whether they enhance the intended process of "making" a marriage covenant. Some options you may desire for your wedding ceremony may be one or more of the following: Holy Communion, vocal solos, church bulletins, unity candle, candelabra, or presentation of roses to the parents. Remember that all options need to be planned with the pastor to preserve the worship context of the experience. More information concerning most of these options can be found elsewhere in this guide.

Music Criteria:

Solos or ensembles should be chosen so as to be appropriate for worship. The style may be traditional, popular, country, jazz, or other but the content must contribute to the covenant ceremony. The selection of music for the service will, therefore, be made in consultation with the church organist or the pastor. The pastor may require that you provide a copy of the text of each selection for evaluation. The possibilities are endless and so the church organist is ready to assist you in your selection.

• The Lord’s Prayer should not be sung as a solo but should be spoken or sung by the couple and the congregation together.
• Other music, such as romantic favorites, may be considered for use at the reception.
• Ensembles should be located in the choir loft. Any instrumental power requirements or amplification should be cleared with the pastor and wedding coordinator no later than at the detail planning session. Solos may be presented from the choir loft or the pulpit.

Planning:

All arrangements, design, and procedures for the wedding ceremony will be finalized prior to rehearsal, in consultation with the pastor and the wedding coordinator not later than one week prior to the wedding day. All fees should be paid at this time.

The minister is glad to give ample time for the rehearsal. However, it is requested that all members of the wedding party be at the place of the rehearsal promptly at the hour designated. Normally the rehearsal should require not more than one hour. Those to attend the rehearsal are the bride and groom, ushers, groomsmen, bridal attendants, ring bearer, flower girl, and wedding coordinator. Parents of the bride and groom are welcome. A personal wedding coordinator is welcome but only to assist the pastor and church wedding coordinator.

The facilities are entrusted to this congregation for worship and to provide ministry to the community. It is not "rented" to you. The church expects the property to be cared for and left in good condition following the ceremony. We recommend the use of bird seed or bubbles, rather than rice or confetti outside. There will be no smoking in the building (including rest rooms) and no alcoholic beverages or illegal use of drugs on the premises (in the building or on the surrounding property). The phone should be used only for an emergency. Ladies usually use the Bridal Room for changing. It is equipped for that purpose. Men usually arrive dressed and ready or use the choir room on the lower level. The use of other rooms should be reserved through the wedding coordinator.

Use of the facilities requires utilities, maintenance, and cleaning. Therefore, contributions are expected to help defray the cost. When either the bride or groom are members of the church, the facility contributions are excused. Contributions for personnel and supplies, however, apply to everyone.

The people who will have a special role in your wedding should be chosen carefully to enhance the covenant making ceremony. Ring bearers and flower girls should not be under five years of age. Children younger than five often act out their excitement and, though often cute, focus attention of congregation (invited guests) away from the holy celebration. You may want to consider involving people younger than five years of age with special recognition at the reception.

Attendants are expected to model worshipful attitude for all invited guests. Groomsmen, ushers, and bridal attendants who are intoxicated or impaired by any substance will be excluded from their role in the worship service.

Similarly, if the bride or the groom is impaired by any substance, the ceremony must be rescheduled and repayment of all gratuities must be made.

Well before the wedding date, the bride and groom are encouraged to share with the photographer lists of desired poses to minimize the amount of time needed for photography. Pictures may be taken before and after the ceremony.

The only pictures to be taken in the sanctuary during the wedding ceremony (beginning with the first organ music) are to be by the designated photographer and are limited to the following:

1. Non flash (timed) exposure(s) from the rear of the sanctuary.
2. A picture of the bride and groom as they leave the sanctuary.

There should be no other flash during the ceremony, from the beginning when the music begins until the last member of the wedding party has exited the sanctuary.

If close-ups at the altar are desired, the bridal party may return to the sanctuary as soon as the guests have departed. Pictures may also be taken before the service with the understanding that the photographer is clear of the sanctuary/narthex area 40 minutes prior to the announced service time. Taking pictures in the narthex blocks guests from access to the sanctuary and restrooms.

Invited guests may take pictures following the service with the designated photographer but should respect the designated photographer’s arrangements and efforts to expedite the taking of pictures.

Video taping of the ceremony is permitted if the videographer remains behind the congregation and/or the video recorder is mounted on a tripod and placed to the extreme side of the choir loft. Any placement of microphones or cords must be coordinated with the pastor.

Services Cameron Church provides

Communion:

The Sacrament of Holy Communion can add great Christian focus to the wedding ceremony. Holy Communion may or may not be celebrated. If it is, it is most important that its significance be made clear. Specifically: (1) The marriage rite is included in a Service of Word and Table. (2) Not only the husband and wife but the whole congregation are to be invited to receive Communion. It is our tradition to invite all Christians to the Lord's table. (3) There should be no pressure that would embarrass those who for whatever reason do not choose to receive Communion. So that adequate preparation may be made, an estimate of the number of expected guests should be provided to the wedding coordinator.

The church organist should play for all weddings in the sanctuary. The couple should dialog directly with the organist who is willing to make suggestions and assist in selecting appropriate music. It is expected that music only in keeping with a sacred service will be used. The musician(s) providing processional and recessional music are expected to attend the rehearsal. The involvement of someone else at the organ console is at the discretion of the church organist.

The wedding reception may be held in Skelton Hall, the church fellowship hall.  No alcoholic beverages or behavior modifying substances are permitted on church property. The kitchen connected to the fellowship hall is also available, subject to guidelines by the church kitchen committee. Having the reception in the church involves additional contribution to the church. There is a reception committee that can cater an attractive reception. Use of a non Cameron Church caterer must be coordinated through the church kitchen committee.   It is desirable to schedule such use of Church facilities early with the assistance of the Wedding Coordinator. The maximum number that can be seated comfortably is 180 people.

Flowers:   The bride may choose her own florist for decorating the sanctuary appropriate to a worship setting. Often, paired arrangements are used on the flower shelves on either side of the altar or a single arrangement is used on the altar. The Chancel Bible may be placed on the altar, on a stand, or on the Baptismal Font. Floral delivery must be coordinated with the wedding coordinator. When arrangements have been made with the church secretary to leave the flowers for the Sunday service, acknowledgment will be made in the Sunday bulletin.

Candles:

1. The altar candle holders use special candles and will be provided by the church.
2. A pair of candelabra are available. When used, the church will provide the 14 candles (see diagram at left). Any floral/greenery/bows attached to candelabra must be done with chenille pipe cleaners so that no damage will be done to the metal finish.
3. The church also has two styles of unity candle holders. One uses three standard candles, the other uses one large and two standard candles. You may supply your own Unity candles but all candles used in the sanctuary must be drip-less.
4. There are also 12 votive candle globes which can be scheduled for use in the windows.

Kneeling bench and a unity candle stand are available for use as part of the ceremony.

All candelabra, unity candles, and potted plants must have plastic placed under them to protect the carpet. The paraments, worship aids, and Chancel furniture in the sanctuary should not be changed or moved without prior consultation with the pastor. The use of thumb tacks, nails, and adhesive tapes are prohibited anywhere in the sanctuary. For those considering using an aisle runner, the aisle (from doorway to the communion rail) is 62 feet.

Nursery:

If a nursery for children Kindergarten and younger is desired during the wedding ceremony, it must be by prior arrangement and dependent upon the availability of two adult attendants. At least one attendant must be church staff. A gratuity is expected for each attendant.

Roles of Cameron participants

Clergy:

(Required) The clergy are pleased to assist you in arranging and planning your wedding. They will provide premarital counseling, guide you in designing your wedding ceremony, lead the rehearsal, and officiate the wedding service.

Wedding Coordinator:

(Required) All weddings held in the sanctuary shall use one of the Cameron church wedding coordinators. She will be present at the rehearsal and wedding. She prepares for and welcomes the wedding party, assisting them through the rehearsal and the ceremony. She helps coordinate the Altar Guild, clergy, and other Cameron participants for your wedding. She reviews the supplies needed for the service. She will set up candles, attach pew bows, and assist with corsages and boutonnieres as needed. All placement of candles and flowers by the florist or family should be done under the guidance of the wedding coordinator. She is ready to assist your photographer in understanding permitted procedures. The coordinator will help guide ushers in their duties and time entries of the wedding party. The coordinator is always available to answer your questions concerning your wedding.

Altar Guild:

(Required for weddings in the church building) A member of the Altar Guild clears the Sanctuary and Narthex (entrance foyer) of all items not directly associated with the wedding event. They will then prepare the chancel area for the wedding ceremony by placing the kneeling bench, candelabra, carpet protectors, unity candle holders, and other items as pre-arranged. If communion is desired, they prepare the elements. The Altar guild will assist the clergy and wedding coordinator as necessary. After the wedding ceremony, they restore the worship area for the next scheduled service.

Organist:

(Normally required for sanctuary weddings) Couples are expected to use the Church organist when the church organ is used for the ceremony. The organist will provide musical suggestions and guidance on selecting appropriate music. He is ready to accompany your soloist as you desire.

(Optional) Attendants provide proper and safe child care during the wedding ceremony. Check with the wedding coordinator to schedule this service.

(Required for receptions held at the church) A member of the church will be scheduled to be present for the decorating, observance, and clean up of Skelton Hall (fellowship hall). They will answer questions concerning the use of the facilities and will help monitor the event. The wedding coordinator will assist in scheduling the reception hostess.

(Optional) Provides caterer service for receptions in the church fellowship hall. Check with the wedding coordinator to determine availability and to schedule this service. Cost is to be negotiated dependent upon the menu.

Church Organist: Mr Dwayne Blair, 703-243-8170

Wedding Coordinator: Mrs. Carol Malzahn, 703-971-7957

Pastors: John A. Siegle, 703-960-9505

               Liane Ray, 703-960-9505

               Young H. Kim, 703-491-3043