Weddings at Knox
Welcome!
We share your joy at this exciting time in your life! We hope that you will find the following policies and guidelines helpful as you make plans for your wedding in the months ahead. It is our desire to provide you with not only a beautiful setting for the ceremony, but also with invaluable preparation as you enter into this life-long commitment.
Pre-Wedding
Initial Contact
Your first contact with the church regarding your wedding will be with a member of our pastoral staff. He will schedule an initial premarital interview with you. Afterwards you will be contacted by a member of our administrative staff to go over facilities scheduling, any applicable fees, contacting our wedding coordinators, and scheduling premarital mentoring (see next section). Please note that we do not schedule weddings on Sunday, holiday weekends or the week before Christmas.
Premarital Mentoring
We are pleased to be able to offer you husband/wife mentors who have received specific training in the area of premarital mentoring. They bring a male/female perspective and years of experience to the process, as well as a strong desire to get you both off to the best start possible in your new life together.
The mentoring sessions are designed to assist you in looking at heart issues and mastering the skills necessary for resolution of conflict, (yes, you will have it) and establishing a healthy marriage relationship. Remember that it is very true that love is a feeling, marriage is a commitment and relationships take work.
Please Note: We do share your joy at this exciting time in your life, but we also take seriously the commitment of a marriage. Because of that, please know that entering into the premarital mentoring program and making arrangements for a wedding does not guarantee that the wedding will be performed by our staff. We are not looking for reasons NOT to do a wedding. However, if the pastor / mentors believe that there are strong conditions or reasons indicating that the couple is not ready in some way for marriage, we will give counsel to postpone the wedding.
We require a minimum of six premarital mentoring sessions which will take on average 12 to 16 weeks to complete (please be sure this part of the process is completed at least one month before the wedding), and two post-marital mentor sessions (at 6 months and 12 months after the wedding) These sessions will address the following areas:
Communication/Conflict Resolution: using various tools, your mentors will help identify strengths and weaknesses in the way you communicate
Relationships: connecting with each other, family, in-laws and children
Roles: clarify what it means to be husband and wife; sharing responsibilities
Sexuality: initiating intimacy, sensitivity to each others’ needs, addressing specific questions
Finances: budgeting, communicating of lifestyle expectations
Spirituality: relating with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, both individually and as a couple.
Wedding Coordinator
Our Wedding Coordinators are eager to assist you in the planning of your wedding. Many of your questions and requests can be handled directly by a Knox Wedding Coordinator. The Coordinator will acquaint you with the church facilities and available furnishings. She will also inform you of your responsibilities while using the church facilities.
A Knox Wedding Coordinator will be at your rehearsal, and will be with you and the wedding party on the day of your wedding. Her job is to see that everything goes as smoothly as possible. You may contact her anytime after booking your wedding if you have questions or concerns. All brides should meet with a Knox Wedding Coordinator at six to eight weeks prior to the wedding day. The meeting will last approximately 1 hour, depending upon the type and length of the wedding. She will provide you with a “Wedding Inventory” which should be completed prior to the first meeting in order for the Coordinator to have as much information as possible.
Special Note: For the wedding day, you will need to assign a friend or family member not involved in the wedding to act as a “runner” with your Coordinator to help her in ensuring a smooth flow in your wedding program.
Musicians
A wedding is considered a Worship Service, therefore, the music played and sung should be honoring and glorifying to God. Musical selections are subject to the approval of the officiating pastor.
Technicians
Due to the complexity of our sound system, the presence of a Knox sound technician will be necessary at the rehearsal and wedding.
Wedding Weekend
Rehearsal
The officiating pastor will preside at the walk-through of the wedding program, with the assistance of your Wedding Coordinator. It is of utmost importance that all members of the wedding party participate in the rehearsal, and that they arrive promptly. The rehearsal is typically held the evening before the wedding. A specific time will be determined by your Wedding Coordinator. Rehearsals typically last between 1 - 1.5 hours.
Ceremony
The church building will be opened as needed prior to the wedding and 1-1.5 hours after the completion of the ceremony.
Dressing rooms are available for use by the wedding party. The bride and her attendants may use the Music Room. The groom and his attendants may use the Toddler II & III Rooms.
At this time, Knox church provides certain decorations such as candelabras, kneeling bench, etc. Your Wedding Coordinator can discuss available items with you. If you plan on having rose petals, please use artificial ones. It is important to note that decorations that alter the structure of the church building in any way are not allowed (i.e., tacks, nails, screws, etc.). The Wedding Coordinator is happy to advise and assist you in the selection of wedding decorations.
Flash photography is allowed only until the wedding party is in place at the chancel steps and the ceremony has begun. In order not to detract from the solemnity of the occasion, we ask the photographer and/or videographer use utmost discretion during the service, and at no time should he/she be blocking the view of the congregation. Flash pictures of the processional and recessional are allowed.
All rooms used must be left in the condition in which they were originally found. If rooms are not left in the condition in which they were found, your damage deposit will be forfeited.
Wedding Reception
If you choose to have your reception in Knox Hall, you will be responsible for catering and decorations. Knox church will provide tables and chairs to seat up to 300 people. Set-up and tear-down is to be done by the wedding party, and the hall must be left in “Sunday Worship ready” condition.
Please note—Knox now has a commercial kitchen. Please have your caterer contact the Knox Church Office as soon as possible. We will put them in touch with our Kitchen Manager so that they can review our kitchen procedures. This will help your caterer understand what menu is possible for your event.
General Rules of Conduct
Please, no drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking, or use of illicit drugs in the church building or on church property.
Compensation for damage to grounds, facilities, furniture or equipment will be the responsibility of the wedding party.
No rice, birdseed or confetti may be thrown inside or outside the church building. Bubbles and balloons may be used.
Dancing is allowed in Knox Hall. However, please use discretion in the choice of music and style of dance.
Schedule of fees
(Invoices for fees will be sent to the bride.)
Terms & Conditions
“Building Use” includes fees for use of the facility on the day of the rehearsal and the wedding, as well as cleaning fees.
“Members” includes children of members who live at home.
“Damage Deposit” is refundable if no damage is incurred. Your Damage Deposit must be on file in order for your date to be considered confirmed.
Building Use Fees are payable 30 days prior to your wedding date.
The Pre-marital Counseling fee is payable as soon as counseling begins.
Fees for the Sound Technician will be $75 for events of three hours or less in duration and an additional $15 for each 1/2 hour over three hours.
All other fees must be paid no later than your rehearsal date and may be given to your Wedding Coordinator. These checks should be made out to the individuals performing the services (names will be provided by your Wedding Coordinator.)
Please make all checks payable to Knox Presbyterian Church.