Iroquois Presbyterian Church
Wedding Policy

A Christian wedding is a time when a man and a woman make a commitment of marriage with each other and, as a couple, make a commitment to God that their marriage will be lived under God’s guidance and blessing. Furthermore, a Christian wedding is a worship service in which these commitments are celebrated.

The pastor or Iroquois Presbyterian Church who officiates at a wedding, believes that he/she have several definite responsibilities. These duties are usually accomplished in premarital counseling sessions, a wedding rehearsal, and the ceremony itself. Our pastor:

Verifies the pledge of marriage which a man and a woman make to each other and reports it to the proper court officials;

Reviews with the couple the nature of the commitment they are making to each other and the commitment they are making to God;

Encourages, supports, and strengthens both of these commitments in any way possible;

Assist the couple in becoming part of a Christian fellowship in which their wedding commitments will enjoy constant support and continual growth.


When a couple planning to be married accepts the definition of a Christian wedding and the role of the minister as set forth in the two preceding paragraph, Iroquois Presbyterian Church is will to host their wedding.

The pastor of Iroquois Presbyterian Church hopes that all couples will experience their wedding as the beginning of a fuller partnership with each other and a richer relationship with God.







Revised 2/2000

Wedding Guidelines

Scheduling

Every effort will be made to schedule your wedding on your requested date and time. This will be determined by the church calendar, previously scheduled building use and the availability of t the pastor.

Sunday weddings are discouraged.


Steps to follow in scheduling your wedding:

Read the “Wedding Policy” and these “Wedding Guidelines”.

Complete and submit the “Wedding Questionnaire”, “Wedding I information”, and “Wedding Participants” form to the pastor and church office.

You will be contacted concerning the approval of your requested date.

Premarital counseling is required and you will arrange this with the pastor.

Ceremony

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)s states:

“Christian marriage should be celebrate in a place where the community gathers for worship”

“As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the discretion of the minister and supervision of the Session.”

“The service focuses upon marriage as God’s gift and expression of the Christian life.”

Celebrant

The pastor will discuss the marriage service with you allowing you to personalize your service by selecting Scripture reading, hymns, vows, and / or other element of worship. Requests to include other ministers in the wedding must be approved by the minster. Although seldom making judgment about a couple’s preparedness for marriage, our pastor does reserve the right to refuse to marry a couple if they are convinced that the couple lacks maturity, responsibility, and wisdom to enter into marriage or if the pastor feels the marriage has no possibility of being blessed by God.

Music

The music and organist is guided by the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A):
“Music is suitable for the marriage service, direction attentiion to God and expressing the faith of the church.” This is interpreted to include “sacred” music..