LLUMC Wedding Information

Preparing For Your Wedding

A Christian wedding is more than a ceremony. Despite the special music, special clothes, etiquette, etc., it is a service of worship. This singular point should be kept foremost in the minds of those planning a wedding This means that your invited guests constitute a congregation at worship when they come to your wedding You may want to consider ways to help them to be a part of the service and not mere spectators.

The Wedding Day
Before you set the wedding day, contact the minister or the church office to make sure the church and the minister are available. The minister will direct the rehearsal and officiate at the solemnizing of the wedding. A non-member wedding is not officially scheduled until the Church Usage fee (see below) is paid.

The Wedding Rehearsal
If the wedding involves more than the bride and groom, and best man and maid/matron of honor, a rehearsal is desirable. The evening prior to the wedding is the most appropriate time. The hour of the rehearsal depends on several factors: Convenience of the organist and the minister; convenience of the wedding party members, who may have to work a full day and travel some distance to arrive in Clarksville; and any arrangements made with an eating establishment or family for a rehearsal dinner.

Marriage License
Marriage licenses are secured from the Court House in Ellicott City. Maryland law requires that weddings take place in the jurisdiction in which the license is issued. Thus, all weddings in Howard County must have a license issued from the Court House in Ellicott City. There is a forty-eight hour waiting period between time of application and when one may return to pick up the license. The wedding is to take place within six months of procuring the marriage license.

If one person applies for the license, they will need proof of age for the other. The license consists of three copies, along with a return envelope. Give all of this material to the minister on or before the rehearsal.

Premarital Counseling
Preparation for the wedding is equally, if not more important than the ceremony. The minister requires at least one such session and often more, depending on the circumstances. These conferences are held at the church, and arranged at a time mutually satisfactory to the minister and the couple.

Music
Music is a most important part of the church wedding. Although many are quite happy with Wagner and Mendelssohn for traditional processional and recessional marches, there are many other appropriate choices. The singing of hymns is growing in popularity and is an excellent way to involve the congregation in the service.

The organist considers it a part of the church’s ministry of music to discuss with the bride and groom an appropriate program of music to be played and/or sung at the wedding. The organist has an excellent repertoire of music (both semiclassical and modern) from which to select. In choosing music for a wedding, a couple should select music that relates to the holiness of life. Please consult with the minister and organist about the appropriateness of non-religious oriented music.

The grand piano cannot be moved without special permission.

Photography and Video
Flashlight pictures may be taken by the photographer. Once the bride has come down the aisle, the photographer must take the remaining pictures from the rear of the church. We can pose for further pictures after the ceremony.

Video cameras may be used with tripod and no lights, and only set up in specific places. The video camera person must see the minister during the rehearsal, or a half hour prior to the wedding, for instructions.

Guests are not to take pictures during the wedding ceremony. Pictures may be taken afterwards.

Flowers and Other Decorations
A florist is often responsible for more than the flowers in many weddings. We recommend Willhides Florist, as they have access to the church. You may use your own florist, but the church will only be opened one hour before the wedding.

If the center floral arrangement is placed on the altar, a vase liner can be borrowed from the church for this purpose. However, this floral bouquet should be placed in another type of container for use at the reception. You may wish to have the flower arrangement remain in the container provided by the florist. Arrangements for delivery of flowers should be cleared with the church office.

A white runner is not necessary, but when used, it is pinned to the carpet at the base of the chancel steps. The dropping of flower petals may only be used in conjunction with an aisle runner. The florist can provide a runner for an extra fee. Please note that the length of the center aisle is approximately 50 feet.

Bows on the pews are to be mounted only with ties or elastic. No tape, tacks or pins are to be used.

Wedding Reception
The Fellowship Hall in the church basement is available for receptions for up to 200 guests. Rental fees are to be paid directly to the church. No alcoholic beverages are to be served anywhere on the church premises, and no smoking is allowed.

Dressing at the Church
If the bride and her attendants desire to dress at the church, a room is available for this convenience.

Custodian
The services of the church custodian are needed to prepare the church for the service, and to clean it afterwards. If the Fellowship Hall is rented, set up and cleaning of the Fellowship Hall is required. Appropriate reimbursements are listed with the schedule of fees listed below.

Wedding Bulletin
If you plan to have a wedding bulletin, please have the minister review the order of service before printing the bulletin. Bulletin preparation is available, but bulletin paper must be purchased separately. Bulletins must be finalized at least two weeks before the wedding date.

For more information, please contact our church office at (410) 531-5653 or email llumc@l-lumc.org

Click on the buttons below to view and download pdf pages with Church Member Wedding Request Forms and Non Member Wedding Request Forms. Contact information must be mailed or faxed to the church office to begin the wedding process.

Schedule of Fees for Non-Member Wedding

Sanctuary...............................$300.00

Professional Fee for Pastor.............$300.00

Wedding Coordinator.....................$50.00

Organist................................$250.00

Custodial Fee...........................$135.00 for Church

Custodial Fee...........................$150.00 for Reception Hall

Wedding Bulletins (optional)............$30.00

For more information:
Linden-Linthicum UMC
12101 Linden Linthicum Lane
Clarksville, MD 21029 US
Email: llumc@l-lumc.org

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