MAKING ARRANGEMENTS

1. Telephone the church office, (520) 327-4296 to start your arrangements. This can be done by calling Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. The secretary will refer you to one of the wedding coordinators. Call your wedding coordinator who will confer with you as to your date, time, size of wedding party, and other pertinent information.
3. All subsequent arrangements (except appointments with the minister assigned to perform your wedding ceremony) should be made with your wedding coordinator. Your wedding coordinator will also arrange for you to talk with the organist regarding your music. She will also help with plans for your reception, if you plan such at the church.
4. Call the minister assigned to perform your wedding ceremony to set the time for your initial interview.

PLEASE NOTE
     DO NOT announce your wedding at Catalina United Methodist Church until the date and time have been confirmed by the wedding coordinator through the church office and you have set your first interview with the minister who will be performing your wedding ceremony. The church does not assume any responsibility for announcements made or invitations printed before these two steps are completed.

THE SANCTUARY AND CHAPEL
     The sanctuary and chapel are available for your wedding service. Weddings with any number of guests to 900 (using the nave or main floor of the church), the chapel or overflow (paralleling the sanctuary), and the balcony, can be accommodated in Catalina United Methodist Church. The nave or main floor of the church seats 500 guests comfortably, but a smaller number may be seated to look comfortably full.
     Sanctuary weddings are weddings performed in the main part of the church and before the center altar.
     The beautiful Memorial Chapel is a recent addition to Catalina. It will seat approximately 120 guests and will make a lovely, more intimate setting for the smaller or less formal wedding.
     Confer with your wedding coordinator and she will help you in choosing the right place for your wedding.

PLEASE NOTE
     All church weddings must have custodial services and an assigned wedding coordinator. In the case of a very small wedding, with no music, no rehearsal, the wedding coordinator will determine if her services are needed.

MUSIC FOR YOUR WEDDING
     The wedding coordinator will make arrangements for the church organist to play for your wedding. Due to the complexity and costliness of our great organ, outside organists are not permitted.
     The criteria used in selecting all music for your wedding should include appropriateness for Christian worship and harmony of words with a Christian understanding of life, love, and marriage. Sentimental and human-centered romantic songs are to be avoided. Secular music is not to be ruled out, but it should meet the guidelines suggested. If you have a favorite song which is meaningful to you but not appropriate for Christian worship, we suggest you use it at the rehearsal dinner or reception.
     Soloists - if the ceremony is to include vocal solos, it is well to discuss their placement in the service with the wedding coordinator. Generally you will want to place at least one prior to the processional. Soloists are limited to a maximum of three. If you wish to use a soloist from the church, the wedding coordinator will make the arrangements. If you wish to use your own soloist you will need to make your own arrangements including rehearsal time with the church organist. All vocal solo selections must be approved by our director of music, who can be reached through the church office.
     The organist will play 20 minutes prior to the ceremony, and following the recessional as the guests are leaving.
     Confer with the Church Music Director about any questions you may have concerning the music of your wedding and for special requests.

OTHER DETAILS
     License -You may obtain your wedding license at 111 W. Congress, The Clerk of Superior Court. The license must be brought to the rehearsal and given to the wedding coordinator. She will properly fill it out before the wedding and give it to the minister who will see that the necessary signatures are completed prior to the ceremony. The minister will keep your license, and it will be recorded in the permanent records of the church, then mailed to the county clerk's office where it will be recorded as an official document of the State of Arizona and the County of Pima, and then it will be mailed to you. A correct mailing address is necessary so that your marriage license may be mailed to you after it is recorded in the County Clerk's Office.

     Bride's Room - A room is provided in which you and your attendants may prepare for your wedding. This room and all facilities are open 1 hour prior to the wedding time. No food or drinks are allowed. If you need the room earlier than 1 hour preceding the ceremony, an additional cost will be added to your bill.

     Photographers and/or Video Specialists - You, the bride, will be responsible for making arrangements for these services, but the persons contracted with must follow the directions of the wedding coordinator. In order to preserve the spirit of reverence and worship, no photographs will be taken during the wedding ceremony. The exception is if your photographers uses fast film and takes pictures (from the back) without any flash.
     Discretion will also be used in the video taping as well. If you intend to use a video specialist, talk with your wedding coordinator early to work out the details. Please be responsible for informing your guests that no pictures are to be taken during the ceremony. Pictures with flash are permitted just as you, the bride, approach the entrance to the sanctuary, and again as you and the groom return up the aisle during the recessional. It is becoming increasingly popular to take formal poses at the chancel before the ceremony, which eliminates the problem of having your guests wait for the reception to begin. Either before or after the ceremony is acceptable, and a 20 minute maximum time should be suggested to your photographer. Additional fees will be charged for extra time.

     Church and Grounds - Smoking, alcoholic beverages or drugs are not permitted on church premises. Should either the bride, groom or any member of the wedding party come to the rehearsal under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, the wedding coordinator reserves the right to cancel the rehearsal. The minister performing the wedding ceremony reserves the right to refuse to perform the wedding ceremony should the bride, groom or member of the wedding party come to the wedding under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages. In such an event, an announcement will be made to the guests assembled, and the guests will be dismissed. (Remember, the wedding ceremony is a service of worship and the sacredness of the occasion must be preserved.) Rice, bird seed or confetti are not to be thrown by anyone. If any should occur, you can expect to pay the custodial costs (overtime required to clean it up) in addition to the regular custodial fee. Please be responsible for your guests.

     Runner - (for center aisle) The church does not have a runner, and you are encouraged not to use one for your wedding. However, if you decide to have a runner, it will have to be rented from a florist, and you will be responsible to see that it is anchored securely.

     Decorations - You and your family are responsible for decorations in the sanctuary and the reception area. This would include removal afterward and any damage unfortunately caused by leaking flower containers or dripping candles, etc. When making arrangements with the florist of your choice please convey these matters to them. Decorations should be completed 1 hour prior to the ceremony. Please discuss your decorations with the wedding coordinator. She will have suggestions to offer. A kneeling bench will be furnished for your wedding ceremony, and there is a white satin cushion for it. There are times during the year when programs and seasonal themes for the church family dominate the sanctuary and possibly cannot be removed for your wedding. The coordinator will inform you if your date coincides with such decorations.

     Candles and Candelabra - The candles on the altar and the candles behind the organ are always lighted for weddings. If you wish other candelabra, you may rent them from your florist. Check with your wedding coordinator if you plan to have other candelabra so that she may place plastic down to protect from the dripping of the candles. The Candelabra are usually lighted by designated ushers to signify the beginning of the formal ceremony.

     Receptions - The church is prepared to hold your wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall or the Rose Garden in season. Confer with your wedding coordinator and she will help you make your plans. (See cost sheet for prices, which include the following: fruit base ginger ale punch, coffee and tea, nuts, and butter mints.) The table setting include table linens, glass dishes and punch bowls, silverware, and silver coffee service. Fee also includes custodial fees and cleanup. The bride will furnish the wedding cakes and napkins. If music is desired, you, the bride, may make your own arrangements, clearing with the hostess. You should select 2 to 4 serving assistants for pouring. If you plan to serve food, please check with the hostess.

     Rehearsal - All sanctuary weddings will require a rehearsal, which will be directed by the wedding coordinator. She will set the time for it on the church calendar after consulting with the bride. It will last one hour or less, and the entire wedding party should be present. The parents of the bride and groom should also be present. It is essential that everyone be punctual for the rehearsal. It often is scheduled in between other events in the sanctuary, and the time of the coordinator, custodian and organist is involved. The ministers do not attend wedding rehearsals, but your wedding coordinator is a professional and will guide you through the rehearsal helping you feel comfortable and relaxed about the details of the service.

     Setting - A wedding in the Christian Church is considered to be a service of worship; it is a celebration before God, family and friends. Christian marriage is a sign of lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Established by God in scripture, Christian marriage is a livelong commitment and relationship of a man and a woman. The covenant of marriage involves giving of self reservedly in love to the other. This union of love is possible when Jesus Christ is the basis and bond of unity. If you do not wish to have a Christian wedding ceremony, it is best that another location be considered.

     Minister - All weddings performed at Catalina United Methodist Church will have a staff minister assigned. The minister who has been assigned your wedding is always the minister in charge of the service. If you desire to have another minister be in the service, discuss this during your first counseling session and the minister in charge of your wedding certainly would consider extending an invitation to the visiting minister to participate. The interview you will have with the minister assigned to your wedding will include the study and meaning of the wedding ceremony and the importance of the vows you are about to make with each other. Hopefully the counseling will develop a friendship between you and the minister that will continue in years to come. It is hoped that you will feel comfortable about returning to speak with the minister at any time when counsel might be helpful.

SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER
     The wedding coordinator will instruct your ushers of their responsibilities the night of the rehearsal. Be sure to give the wedding coordinator your family and the groom's family needs for proper seating at the wedding.
     The best age for a flower girl and ring bearer is between 4 and 7. Younger children may become restless and disruptive, intruding on the solemnity of the service. Between ages 9 and 14 can be junior attendants. Flower girls may carry a small basket or nosegay; however, dropping petals is not allowed.
     After the ceremony, the wedding party will go directly from the recessional to a waiting room, or form a receiving line in the Narthex. Once the congregation has left the sanctuary, the wedding party will return to the chancel for photographs. This time limit should be 20 minutes.
     Remember to designate someone to pick up all items in the bride's room as soon as possible after the ceremony.
     Designate someone to take your gifts to your reception and someone to transport your flowers to the reception for you after the ceremony. (If you plan to leave your flowers for the Sunday worship service, please let the wedding coordinator know your intention as soon as possible.)

THE MEANING OF A CHURCH WEDDING
     Today, more than ever before, couples want to participate in planning all aspects of their wedding. There is also today a refreshing openness on the part of many ministers to such involvement, even in planning the details of the wedding worship ceremony itself. Yet couples are looking for basic guidance regarding the ideas and options which are open to them as they begin to plan for their wedding.
     There are many factors to take into account in thinking about wedding plans. Included in these are one's denominational tradition, personal beliefs and values, and the receptivity of family, friends, community, church, and minister to various ideas. Needless to say, all final wedding plans should be made jointly by the couple. The best marriages have always been partnerships, including partnership in decision making.
     A wedding is a great moment in the life of a man and a woman. Nothing can really compare with it. And for Christians, the wedding provides a great opportunity to reflect and express one's basic Christian beliefs and values throughout the entire wedding experience. What more appropriate way could there be to begin life together, than to make the marriage covenant in the setting of Christian worship!

Rev. 11/92 Rev. 01/05