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Wedding Requests
“My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise my love, my fair one, and come away…’”
Song of Solomon 2:10
Congratulations on your approaching wedding! Here at Christ the King, we are honored to walk with you through the preparation. We will assist you in your planning, hold you in prayer along the way, and joyfully stand beside you when the day finally arrives.
The following information should get you started. As additional questions arise, please reach out to CtK’s wedding coordinator, the church office, or the officiating pastor. We are here to walk alongside you through the entire process.
Here’s to planning a meaningful, Christian marriage service. Let the journey begin!
· Contact the church office to see if the date and officiant of your choice are available. (If using your own officiant, please mention while booking.)
· Pay the deposit to secure the date.
· Meet with the wedding coordinator, Amy Dowd. She can be reached at 574-360-9313 or a-dowd@hotmail.com .
· Review the property usage document and the fee schedule.
· Meet with the officiant.
· Meet with the director of music.
For more information about the fee schedule, click here.
CtK’s wedding coordinator, Amy Dowd, will arrange a time to meet with you, gather details, and plan everything else that happens at the church. Amy will be your main contact for any question you have during the planning process. She will be at the rehearsal and the ceremony to guide the wedding party and the guests.
Contact the officiant (Pastor Caroline or Pastor Brad) to set up a time to meet and discuss the ceremony. The officiant will guide you through that portion of the planning process.
Contact CtK’s Director of Music Ministry, Hillary Doerries, who will assist you in planning organ or piano music. Additional musicians are welcome and may be coordinated with Hillary.
Please see the Property Use Policy regarding use of the building. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere on the property.
There is a bridal room which has a bathroom, a large mirror, and a table upon request. Many wedding parties use this room to get ready, including hair and make-up. The timing of this can be arranged with the wedding coordinator. A second room (attached to the kitchen) is available for the other portion of the wedding party. The two parties can be kept apart should they not want to mingle before the ceremony.
Items may be left at church after the rehearsal. If they are not left in a locked room, the wedding party assumes any potential risk.
A runner may not be used in the sanctuary; it is unable to be properly secured.
If petals will be dropped down the aisle, silk is recommended.
The sanctuary will be available for pictures before and after the wedding.
Following the ceremony, the wedding coordinator will put all decorations in the provided boxes/bins and will leave them for a member of the wedding party to take.
Paraments (altar cloths) reflect the liturgical season and will not be changed for the wedding. Depending on the time of year, the paraments may be green, purple, white, blue, or red.
The wedding party or a florist may arrive early to decorate. These arrangements must be made with the wedding coordinator.
Decorations may be placed on the pews, beside the altar, or on the counter behind the altar. The wedding coordinator is happy to offer suggestions.
The church has aisle candles which can be used for the ceremony. The cost is $30. They can be decorated with bows or flowers.
Van Oort Hall may be available for a wedding shower or a rehearsal dinner. There are additional fees for the use of this room (see the Property Use Policy).
The church can print programs; however, most couples prefer to provide their own. The wedding coordinator can provide samples.
A photographer may be in the aisle and may use flash during the seating of the family, the processional (entrance of the wedding party), and the recessional (exit of the wedding party). At all other times, a roaming photographer must remain in the rear of the sanctuary (behind all guests) and may not use a flash. A stationary photographer may be seated among the guests, but also may not use a flash.
Videotaping is permitted if the videographer is set up and ready at least one-half hour before the ceremony. If the video camera is anywhere except the rear of the sanctuary, the videographer must remain stationary during the ceremony.
Any damages to the church property during the rehearsal or ceremony will be the responsibility of the wedding party. Any breakage should be reported immediately. CtK is not responsible for equipment or personal items left in the building.
The best place for a send-off is under the portico in the rear of the church. Bubbles, streamers, and cheering are recommended (rice and birdseed are not). If the couple is returning to the church for pictures, the driver may drop them off at the Cleveland Road entrance.
It is the couple’s responsibility to obtain a marriage license. To apply in Indiana, you must both appear in person at the Clerk’s Office in the county where at least one of you resides. For out-of-state residents, apply for a license in the Indiana county in which the marriage will take place. A marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, and couples may be married as early as the same day. Couples who do not marry within 60 days must apply for a new license.
The marriage license fee is $25.00 if one or both parties are Indiana residents and $65.00 for out-of-state residents. Some offices also charge an additional fee of $4.00. Each copy of the Certified Marriage License (required for name change at BMV, SSN, etc.) is also $4.00. Most counties require these fees to be paid in cash.
Please check www.in.gov for the necessary identification/documentation and for more information.