Weddings at FBC Flippin

We are delighted that you plan to be married at First Baptist Church (FBC). The church and our pastor want your wedding to be a holy and reverent event that you, your families, and your friends will cherish as you participate in it, and as you remember it in years to come. The church is pleased to participate in the establishment of a Christian home and welcomes the opportunity to join you in this commitment. Our hope is that your wedding day will be the first day of a long-lasting Christian marriage.

Statement on Christian Marriage:

Christian marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who are in covenant with God. This covenant is grounded in God’s promise to be our God and God’s claiming us as His people. God’s covenant is a covenant of love and grace, of commandments and responsibilities.

Officiating Minister:

It is not required that a minister of First Baptist Church officiate at your wedding for you to be able to secure your wedding at our facilities. However, if a minister from another church should officiate at your wedding, the pastor at FBC must approve him. Once approved, it will be your responsibility to acquaint him with the procedures outlined here.

Pre-marital Counseling:

We strongly encourage pre-marital counseling with your minister. Our pastor will require pre-marital counseling if one of our pastors is performing the ceremony. Couples are urged to call the church office to make an appointment for a conference with the pastor as soon as the wedding is scheduled.

Scheduling the date:

Both members and non-members of the church may request to have their wedding ceremony here. Members and (household) relatives of our church members receive first priority of available dates on the church calendar. Once the pastor approves the wedding you will need to meet with the Administrative Assistant to confirm the date(s) on the church calendar for your wedding (rehearsal, wedding day, reception, etc.), complete the wedding application, pay your wedding deposit, and be assigned to our Wedding Coordinator.

• Non-member weddings can be booked after March 1st for each calendar year.

• Weddings on Sundays, holidays, and during Holy Week (between Palm Sunday and Easter), Thanksgiving weekend, and New Year’s weekend are not permitted.

• Weddings during the month of December are difficult to schedule but may be considered on a case-by-case basis due to Christmas decorations and special programs throughout the month. The church will be decorated for Christmas. Brides are welcome to use decorations that are in place.

Wedding Fees:

A damage deposit must be paid at the time of booking in order to reserve a date on the church calendar. All other fees are to be paid to the church office at least 30 days in advance of the wedding. If cancellation is received one month or more before the wedding date, all fees paid up to that time will be refunded, less $150. If cancellation is received less than one month before the wedding, no required fees will be refunded. See the Wedding Fee Schedule (below).

Wedding Coordinator:

A First Baptist Church Wedding Coordinator is required at all weddings at FBC. She will be available in the months before your wedding to answer questions, provide names of support people if needed, assist with plans for the facilities and will be present as needed. She will be responsible for opening and closing the facilities, maintaining room temperature in rooms to be used, and serve as a liaison between the families and FBC. All requests to the church by the wedding party will be directed to the Wedding Coordinator.

Music:

• The music, whether instrumental or vocal, should be appropriate to a Christian marriage.

• The church piano must be played by our pianist, or a guest pianist approved by the pastor.

• You may provide your own vocalist or guitarist.

• All music is to be approved by the officiating minister.

Sanctuary Wedding Decorations:

• No nails, tacks, or tape may be used or driven into a wall, woodwork, pews, carpet, or floors of the church. No decorations that will mar the pews, walls, carpet, floors, or other property of the church are permitted.

• Discuss with your Wedding Coordinator questions regarding seasonal decorations in the Sanctuary, use of candles, and other questions of that nature.

• Delivery of all floral/foliage arrangements and/or equipment must be arranged with the Wedding Coordinator. Please have florist contact the Wedding Coordinator by Friday at 9 AM to confirm arrangements.

• Wedding flowers may be left for the church’s use during the Sunday morning worship service on the day following the wedding. If this is desired, please inform the Wedding Coordinator.

• Property belonging to the florist must be removed from the church immediately after the ceremony.

Other Items to Observe:

• The family of the bride/groom will be responsible for any property damage or cleaning expense incurred due to failure to comply with the rules of the church.

• Smoking is not permitted inside any of the church buildings.

• Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the church premises. Anyone arriving in the wedding party with alcohol or under the influence of such provides reason and grounds for the immediate cancellation of the wedding. Please make sure all persons involved in your wedding are aware of this restriction.

• With the exception of a guide dog, animals are not allowed to participate in the church ceremony.

• The scattering of flower petals inside the building is allowed. If real flower petals are used an aisle cloth is required. Birdseed or bubbles are acceptable outside the building. Potpourri, rice, confetti, glitter, or anything else is not allowed inside or outside the church buildings.

• Flash photography is not allowed during any part of the wedding ceremony. Pictures may be taken before or after the ceremony.

• Videography may be undertaken with the permission of the officiating minister.

• The ushers will begin seating guests at least 45 minutes prior to the hour of the wedding.

• The church cannot be responsible for unattended personal items and cannot be liable for such items should they be lost, stolen, or damaged.

• Slideshows/Video presentation must be approved prior to the rehearsal. The Video Tech must have a copy of the presentation one week prior to the rehearsal to verify that it will run on the church’s equipment. It is the responsibility of the wedding party to provide the presentation in a manner that will run on FBC equipment (.mp4, .wmv files).

• All wedding events must be completed by 9 PM in order to prepare for Sunday services. Please contact the Wedding Coordinator to let him/her know you are leaving the building.