PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WEDDING PLANNING AND POLICY GUIDE
202 North Clifton
Wichita, KS 67208
Tel: 316-684-0221; Fax: 316-684-0223
Website: www.plymouth-church.net
Senior Minister: The Rev. Dr. Donald Olsen
Associate Minister: The Rev. Lisa Dembkowski
Wedding Coordinator: Kitchel Woods
Administrative Assistant: Howard Webb
Wedding Custodian: William Berry

WEDDING POLICIES

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The Christian marriage ceremony is not just a civil ceremony; it is also a service of worship before God. Reverence will be expected on the part of all present.  Plymouth is available to members and non-members for weddings.

Facility

The sanctuary, including the balcony, accommodates 400 guests and family comfortably. Fresh or silk flower petals may be thrown in the sanctuary. Only fresh flower petals may be thrown outside. Birdseed, rice, confetti, or silk flower petals may not be used. All planning must be approved by the wedding coordinator.  Plymouth is handicap accessible.  Plymouth is an alcohol-free and smoke-free facility. Alcohol may not be consumed on church property; and there is a designated smoking area by the north parking lot entrance. All family, wedding party, and guests are asked to respect and abide by the policies established by the church governance.

Fees

The base cost of having a wedding is $1,800. This includes the services of our minister, wedding coordinator, organist, wedding custodian, use of the sanctuary, Commons, two dressing rooms, a Wedding Planning Notebook, keepsake marriage license, and gift from the church. Available for rent are two pairs of branch candelabra and 14 aisle stem candelabra. All fees to the church and personnel are due thirty (30) days before the wedding date.

Scheduling the Date

The church must be reserved for a particular date by contacting the church office. The Wedding Coordinator will make a follow-up contact to coordinate the date and officiating minister. Reservations are scheduled on a “first-come” basis. A tentative clearance may be given by phone only after consultation with the officiating minister and wedding coordinator. No outside arrangements should be made until final confirmation has been made with the church. Once confirmation has been made, a final reservation is secured with a $300.00 deposit. Only when the deposit is received is the date set on the church’s master calendar. The deposit will
be returned within sixty (60) days following the wedding. The deposit will not be returned if the wedding has been canceled or the facility misused or damaged by the host families, wedding party, or guests. After reserving the date, the couple should schedule the initial consultation with the wedding coordinator.

Minister

A minister of Plymouth is required and responsible for officiating at all weddings. If a couple would like to include another minister, he/she can participate with the understanding that the Plymouth minister performs the marriage ceremony (vows, ring vows and The Declaration of Marriage) and signs the marriage license.  After the initial meeting with the wedding coordinator, the couple is responsible for scheduling a meeting to become acquainted with ourminister and learn about his/her counseling.

Wedding Coordinator

The church wedding coordinator has priority in planning all weddings at Plymouth. Preliminary arrangements for the ceremony, and all other church related arrangements for the wedding, will be discussed and planned with the wedding coordinator. Her responsibilities include: planning the ceremony with the couple, coordinating all vendors secured by the couple (i.e. organist, vocalists/ musicians, photographer, videographer, florist), handling the finances, assisting in conducting the rehearsal, and facilitating the wedding day activities at the church. Each wedding is unique; therefore she meets with each couple as often as needed to help plan a ceremony and wedding day that is well organized.

Marriage License

A marriage license from the state of Kansas is required. It is to be delivered to the wedding coordinator no later than thirty (30) days before the wedding date. The state of Kansas no longer requires the signatures of the couple or witnesses; only the officiating minister signs the license. There must be two people (over the age of 18) whose names are put on the license that will witness the signature of the minister following the marriage ceremony.

Music

The church organist has the priority to play for all weddings due to the special training needed for the sanctuary pipe organ. The grand piano is available for guest musicians. The couple can arrange for their own vocalist(s) and instrumentalist(s) or can ask the wedding coordinator for assistance. All vocalists who require the accompaniment of the organist/pianist must get the music to him at least two weeks in advance and make arrangements if additional rehearsal is needed other than that planned during the rehearsal.  Recorded music (CD or tape) is not considered appropriate and is therefore not allowed.

Decorations

The sanctuary of the church is designed for worship and incorporates symbols of the Christian faith. Additional flowers and decorations are welcome, but they must not obscure furnishings and symbols, damage the church facilities, or be objectionable to the minister or wedding coordinator. Special event decorations (i.e. Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving) will not be removed for a wedding and must be included.  If you wish to leave flowers for use in worship on the Sunday service following the wedding, discuss the arrangements with the wedding coordinator. An acknowledgment will be written in the worship bulletin.

Photography

Pictures will be the responsibility of the designated photographer. Flash and the sound of camera shutters are obtrusive to the worshipful atmosphere; therefore, family and guests are not permitted to use cameras during the ceremony. Families are encouraged to bring cameras to the rehearsal to record the preparation for the wedding day. The photographer and videographer are, located in the back of the sanctuary or in the balcony, not in the aisles, may use flash before and during the Processional and Recessional. Video cameras may be used only from the balcony. Arrangements must be made in consultation with the wedding coordinator.

Rehearsal

Rehearsals are held for ALL participants to learn what is expected of them so that the wedding ceremony will run smoothly. The officiating minister and wedding coordinator are responsible for directing the rehearsal. Information and plans made previously with the wedding coordinator and the couple will be used to facilitate an orderly and expedient rehearsal. Rehearsals will start punctually and will last approximately one hour to ninety minutes. 

Plymouth Church is not a rental facility; but a faith community which offers wedding ceremonies that are well-organized services of worship unique to the couple in a beautiful and spiritual setting.

All are invited to consider Plymouth Church for your wedding