Welcome

to

Trinity United Methodist Church

Greetings in the Name of the Lord,

We are grateful that you have given Trinity United Methodist Church the opportunity to share its church with you through the event of your wedding.  Our goal is to provide both the personnel and setting which will uphold the sacredness while also magnifying the joy that characterizes all Christian worship, most especially the service of Christian marriage.

The staff of the church will be working diligently to enable you to experience a true spiritual celebration.  We will take seriously your own personalities while maintaining Christian integrity.  Please keep in mind; we will also do our best to enhance the consciousness of God’s presence, in your minds as well as the minds of those that celebrate with you.  We hope the way in which we serve you will clearly demonstrate the warmth and caring of both the staff and members of this congregation.

In Christ,

The Staff

Trinity United Methodist Church

Scheduling Weddings

The scheduling of a wedding is arranged by contacting the Administrative Assistant at 940-566-2291.  At that time, the approval for the use of the Church and set up times will be scheduled.  You will then be required to fill out detailed information sheets that will give our wedding staff the tools they need to make your wedding successful. 

In order for the date to be reserved, a deposit of $300.00 must be mailed or delivered to the Church Office.  When the deposit is received, the date you have chosen will be reserved for you.  In the event that the wedding is cancelled, $150.00 of this deposit is non-refundable. 

Note: Weddings and rehearsals cannot be scheduled on days when the Church is officially closed or during scheduled Worship Services.

Facilities

Sanctuary

The Sanctuary seats approximately 600 people.   This includes wooden pews aligning the center aisle which is 150 feet long.  An organ and a grand piano are furnished.

Bride/Groom Rooms

In order to make the dressing for this event possible, we have a bride’s room that is located off of the Narthex of the Church. The bride’s maids have access to a class room nearby for their needs.  The groom and groomsmen will use the Choir Room which is located behind the Sanctuary.  Other rooms may be available if needed.

Lowrie Hall

Lowrie Hall is located adjacent to the Sanctuary through the breezeway.  It is available for wedding receptions for additional fees. Reception facilities may be scheduled for two hours following the wedding.  In order to use this facility please contact the Administrative Assistant for copies of the building use agreement forms.

Guidelines

Once you have secured the date and chosen the facilities that you need, it is necessary for you to know what is required of you for the use of these facilities.  Since this is a place of worship there are certain guidelines that you must obey.  These guidelines are listed below.

Decorations and Flowers

We understand the creative ideas and thoughts that go into making a wedding not only a meaningful occasion, but also a beautiful occasion.  Our Chancel area requires very little decorations and simplicity is encouraged. However, should you use decorations; it is our policy that decorations shall not be used which will hide any view of the Christian symbols that are located in the Chancel.  This includes but not limited to the Paraments, Candles, Bible, Cross, Advent Wreath, Chrismon Trees, and any other symbolic elements that we observe during the Christian Year.

When deciding on the flowers for your occasion, remember that only artificial petals or freeze-dried petals may be scattered down the aisle by the flowergirl(s).  With all other flowers, fresh flowers are encouraged.  You must make arrangements for you or someone one in your wedding party to receive all deliveries such as flowers. You are also responsible for any set-up and clearing of the flowers immediately following the ceremony.  Pre-wedding deliveries must arrive during your allotted time.

The Church will provide a kneeler as well as two single candles for the Altar.  The use of the unity candle is permitted, but you must provide the stand and candles.

We do ask that no nails, bare wire, tacks, staples, pins, or tape be used which can mar the woodwork, walls or pews.  Only wrapped wire, pew clips or ribbon are permitted.  Pew clips or ribbon must be used to secure pew bows only. Under no circumstances are candles to be used as part of the pew decorations.

Rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal is a great time for all participants to come together to make sure that all are aware of the activities for the wedding day.  Rehearsal will be conducted exclusively by our Wedding Coordinator in cooperation with the Officiating Minister. Members of the wedding party are reminded that throughout the entire rehearsal to keep in mind that the Sanctuary is a holy place dedicated to the worship of God, and order must be maintained.  Rehearsals are usually scheduled the evening of the day before the wedding.  These plans are to be arranged with the Administrative Assistant when scheduling the wedding.

The wedding staff at Trinity United Methodist Church will be very beneficial to you as you are making detailed plans for your special day.

Below are the staff members that are available to you.

Wedding Coordinator

The Wedding Coordinator is provided to make the logistics of the wedding possible.  The Coordinator is available making your wedding plans, assisting in the rehearsal, as well as coordinating all aspects of the wedding which directly affect the Church.  The Coordinator is the source of information regarding wedding procedures at our Church and can answer questions that you may have.  Pre-wedding telephone and e-mail consultation in regards to the details of the wedding are encouraged.  Approximately one month before the wedding, you will receive a phone call to schedule a meeting to give all information that the Coordinator needs.  The Coordinator will help in making your wedding as special and as individual as possible with regard to the limitations in reference to the Church policy.

TUMC Director of Music

At least two months prior to the wedding date, the bride must schedule a meeting with the Director of Music.  The Director of Music will meet with you to make suggestions and recommendations for music for the wedding ceremony. He will also guide you with your requests regarding any limitations in reference to the Church policy.  All music must be approved whether or not the use of the musicians at TUMC are used. If guests musicians are used, the Director of Music must be contacted and must approve the request.

Organist/Pianist

At Trinity, we have two organists/pianists.  He or she is available to play for all weddings or make arrangements for a substitute. Who your musician will be will be decided on the date that you meet with the Director of Music. Keep in mind that as you are finding music for your service, the music must be suitable and reflect the praise or presence of God . If solos are sung, the text should reflect the above mentioned.  In the United Methodist Church, the Ceremony of Marriage is considered a Worship Service and will be handled as such. 

Other Musicians

Groups that may be of interest to you are the Trinity Ringers (Handbell Choir) and Chancel Choir. They are available for an additional fee.  Various instruments may also be used in your wedding upon the approval of the Director of Music.

Pre-recorded music may be used as a part of the ceremony, but this music must also be approved.  Recorded music must be brought to the Church at least a week before the wedding so that the Sound Technician can make sure that the CD is compatible with our equipment.

Staff Sound Technician/Videographer

If the wedding party chooses to use pre-recorded music or deliver a slide show as part of the ceremony, an additional fee will be charged.  Only the Sound Technician is allowed to operate the computer and the LCD system.  To schedule the Sound Technician, contact the Wedding Coordinator as soon as possible so that she may make arrangements with the Technician.

The Videographer is also available only in regards to videoing the wedding and posting it on our website for your out of town guests.  Your wedding would then be accessible at www.tumc-denton.org and look under Audio/Video. An additional fee does apply here and can be arranged with the Wedding Coordinator.

Officiating Minister

The Minister of Trinity United Methodist Church is available to officiate at weddings as his schedule allows.  It is the joy and highest privilege of a minister to participate in the wedding ceremony and establishment of a Christian home.  In order for these things to happen, immediately following the scheduling of the wedding, the couple must contact the Minister to discuss premarital counseling sessions.

If a guest Minister has been chosen to officiate the wedding, a letter of welcome will be sent from Trinity.  The Minister will be asked to provide proof that he or she is an Ordained Minister.  In the event that he or she is not, the guest minister will not be permitted to perform the ceremony.  

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After having been taken through the policies of the church and introduced to the Wedding Staff, there are only a few more things that you need to address prior to your wedding day.

Professional Photographers

Photographers

The Wedding Staff at Trinity United Methodist Church encourages the use of professional photographers to help capture the great moments of your wedding date.  To ensure that the taking of pictures does not detract from the sacred wedding service, no flash photography may be taken while the ceremony is in progress. Pictures with flash are permissible during the processional and recessional when taken from the back of the Sanctuary.  Photographs of a time-exposure nature may be taken during the ceremony from the balcony provided no noise is involved.  

Photographs are encouraged to be taken of the wedding party before the ceremony including pictures taken outside the sanctuary and the dressing areas.  The bridal party may also re-assemble in the Chancel area after the ceremony to pose for any parts of the ceremony or to take other wedding pictures. In order for the bride and groom to join their guests at the reception, please limit the post ceremony pictures to 20 minutes.

Video

Video taping of the wedding service is acceptable under prearranged conditions.  Only existing lighting may be used.  The placing of video cameras will be limited to the balcony or the side of the Chancel areas during the ceremony.  No movement of video camera operators will be permitted during the service.  Power cords must not be placed in the aisles as this might present a walking hazard. 

Additional Church Policies

Under no circumstances may alcoholic beverages be permitted on our premises. No one under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs will be allowed to participate in rehearsal or the wedding ceremony. The Officiating Minister may refuse to perform a wedding at which a member of a wedding party is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Smoking in any of the Church buildings is also forbidden.

The Church cannot accept delivery of the bride, attendants, groom or groomsmen's apparel, and cannot be responsible for personal items including the above mentioned.

As per the Trustees of Trinity United Methodist Church, only bubbles will be allowed for the dismissal of the bride and groom at the end of the wedding/reception.

It is the responsibility of the persons making the arrangements for the wedding to see that all members of the wedding party are informed of these policies.

From the Wedding Staff

We would like to wish you much happiness as you begin your lives together.  We will be with you as you make your plans in creating a spiritual and beautiful occasion.  If you do not already have a church home, we would welcome the opportunity for you to become a member of our congregation.

Wedding Personnel

Rev. John Peel, Minister

Janette Young , Wedding Coordinator

Patty Clark, Wedding Coordinator

Aaron Logan, Director of Music

Paul Thomas, Associate Director of Music

Leonard Elder , Technology / Videographer