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Weddings at Nardin Park Church
Weddings are a special time for anyone...
and your wedding at Nardin Park Church can be extra special.
Your Wedding:
Creating a Wonderful
Life Journey
Welcome
Welcome to Nardin Park United Methodist Church. We are privileged that you have decided to begin your marriage with a wedding service with us. The information contained in this booklet will help you in making this sacred occasion a joyful and memorable time in your life.
The information on this page is from our Wedding Booklet which is also available for downloading and printing.
Download Wedding Booklet
What is a Wedding?
A wedding is a ceremony that publicly recognizes two people who are entering into a marriage relationship. It is basically a civil service
requiring, in the State of Michigan, one couple, two witnesses, and someone to officiate the ceremony.
To be married in a civil service requires three acts:
- vows of faithfulness one to another
- exchange of symbols of those vows (usually rings)
- a recognized official to pronounce the couple as married.
A wedding within a church adds a new dimension to the basic requirements – God. All the vows and actions of the entire wedding experience are seen as a “covenant,” a sacred promise to value the other person in an everlasting relationship as much as we value ourselves. It is a self-giving and mutually affirming relationship that is sustained by the presence of God and God’s people - the church.
To help strengthen your marriage, we would encourage you to find a church home that will support you in this wise and wonderful decision you have made to live all of your life together. Of course, we would like to be your church home, but it is not necessary to be a member of the Nardin Park congregation in order for us to be in ministry to you.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTORS
May God bless and keep you as you move forward toward uniting your hearts. We are honored that you have chosen to give Nardin Park United Methodist Church the opportunity to participate in this sacred occasion. Nardin Park is an open and affirming community of faith, where ALL God’s children are invited to celebrate the covenant of Christian marriage.
The act of Christian marriage is a Holy occasion and needs to be given a level of reverence appropriate for the occasion. Marriage is a special commitment, not to be entered into lightly. We ask you, and all the participants in your wedding, to remember that getting married in the church is a sacred event. The church is a place where we can meet God and experience the power of God’s presence.
To that end, we have prepared this guidebook to help you plan your wedding. These guidelines are to be followed by all persons who will participate in your wedding, as they will aide in allowing your day to be a true blessing. Please take an opportunity to completely review this guide, as it contains vital information for planning a successful wedding at Nardin Park.
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, feel free to contact the church at (248) 476-8860.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Anthony R. Hood & Rev. Monica William
Planning for the Ceremony
As weddings are a sacred act of worship, we employ a
standard format for the wedding ceremony. You will have the
opportunity to discuss and plan the wedding ceremony with
the officiating pastor. The following is the standard format for
wedding services held at Nardin Park:
• Gathering
• Seating of Parents & Grandparents
• Processional
• Greeting
• Declaration of Intent
• Response of the Families & Friends
• Prayer
• Scripture
• Reflection
• Prayer
• Exchange of Vows
• Blessing and Exchange of Rings
• Unity Candle/Sand Ceremony (Optional)
• Declaration of Marriage
• Blessing of the Marriage
• The Lord’s Prayer
• Introduction
• Recessional
WEDDING CHECKLIST
10–12 Months…
• Develop a budget and establish top priorities
• Compile a preliminary guest list
• Choose your wedding party
• Find a venue for your ceremony and reception, and
reserve your date
• Send “Save-The-Date” notice
• Find your desired wedding attire
• Secure caterer, photographer/videographer, officiant,
wedding planner
6–9 Months…
• Find a florist, cake designer, DJ/Entertainment,
transportation, invitation stationer
• Create gift registry
• Order bridesmaid(s), flower girl dresses
3–5 Months…
• Book rehearsal and rehearsal dinner location(s)
• Reserve all necessary party rentals and linens
• Order wedding favors
• Reserve men’s formalwear
• Finalize the guest list, invitation, ceremony readings and
vows, catering details
• Purchase wedding rings
• Finalize honeymoon plans
6–8 Weeks…
• Mail invitations!
• Confirm date with vendors
• Research marriage license requirements and name-
change paperwork
3–5 Weeks…
• Finalize and confirm:
• Wedding vows and readings with your Officiant;
• Shot list with your Photographer/Videographer;
• Song list with your DJ/musician;
• Timeline for the reception and who’s giving the
toasts;
• Wedding night and honeymoon accommodations
• Obtain marriage license and complete name-change
documents. Bring the marriage license to your rehearsal.
• Pick up wedding rings and proofread any engraving
• Purchase wedding day accessories - guest book, cake
servers, etc.
• Final dress/attire fittings
1–2 Weeks…
• Give your caterer/venue the final guest count
• Create a seating chart and place cards
• Pick-up the wedding attire
• Confirm arrival times and finalize the wedding timeline with
vendors and the wedding party
The Day Before…
• Assign someone to secure your gifts and belongings after
the reception.
• Arrive, on time, for rehearsal with your marriage license.
Wedding Day…
• Arrive early to the church – at least two hour prior to the
ceremony
After the Honeymoon…
• Write and send thank-you cards
Are we required to use your wedding coordinator?
Yes, you must use our wedding coordinator. Our wedding
coordinators are fully versed in the policies of Nardin Park,
which will assist you with adherence to policies, along with
logistical matters. They will meet with you in advance of your
wedding rehearsal to discuss the specifics of your wedding
ceremony.
What are the acceptable methods of payment?
The Church accepts cash, personal checks, certified checks
and money orders for payment. You will need to pay the
Officiating Pastor, Organist, Wedding Coordinator, and A/V Tech separately.
When will my deposit be returned?
Your deposit will be returned to you within 10 business days
after your wedding, if all the following criteria have been
observed:
a. All decorations and garbage have been removed from the sanctuary.
b. You vacated the property one hour after the completion of your wedding ceremony.
c. All tables, chairs, restrooms, kitchen and the general premises are in good
condition.
d. There is no evidence of the consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, vaping,
or illegal substance use.
The bride and groom are financially responsible for any
damage, abuse, or negligent use of church property or
furnishings.
Is Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, or Vaping Permitted?
The consumption of alcoholic beverages IS NOT ALLOWED
on the premises (including in the parking lot or in vehicles on
the parking lot). Smoking and vaping IS NOT ALLOWED
inside the building, nor in front of any entryway. Please
strongly urge all guests to arrive and remain sober for your
wedding ceremony. Guests observed to be under the
influence of alcohol or other substances, will be asked to exit
the premises. PLEASE NOTE: If evidence of alcohol
consumption, smoking, vaping, or the use of illegal drugs is
observed or found, YOUR DEPOSIT WILL BE FORFEITED,
AND YOUR WEDDING MAY BE CANCELLED!!
When is the balance due?
The balance for all wedding fees is due 30 days prior to the
wedding date. Failure to remit the balance within this 30-day
period may result in the forfeiture of your wedding date and
deposit. Exceptions are made, by the pastor, on a case-by-
case basis.
Is the wedding rehearsal mandatory?
Yes, a rehearsal is mandatory for all weddings held at Nardin
Park. The wedding rehearsal is essential to ensure that your
wedding day is anxiety free. All the key participants in your
wedding must be present for the rehearsal, unless otherwise
excused. It is important that all logistics for your wedding
ceremony be discussed with the Wedding Coordinator, so the
rehearsal starts on time and runs smoothly. Wedding
rehearsals are generally scheduled between 5:00pm and
7:00pm, the day before your wedding.
Will rooms be provided for the wedding party to get
dressed?
Yes, rooms will be reserved for the couple and
wedding party.
Is secular music allowed during our wedding ceremony?
In the United Methodist Church, weddings are considered a
service of worship. Therefore, the music included should be
appropriate for a worship experience. All music must be
approved by the pastor and Director of Music. It is crucial that
you discuss your thoughts for music with the Pastor and
Director of Music (Jack Chefan). Soloists and Instrumentalist
must be approved and schedule through the Director of
Music. Final approval for all music is the sole discretion of the
Director of Music
How much time will I have for my wedding and rehearsal?
Timeliness is important, all weddings and rehearsals will start
at their scheduled time. You are allotted 1 hour for your
wedding rehearsal and a total of 4 hours for your wedding day.
(2 hours to get dressed, 1 hour for the ceremony, and 1 hour to clean
up and exit the premises). Please have wedding participants
arrive 2 hours before the scheduled start time on your
wedding.
Can we have a photographer and videographer?
Yes, but remember the wedding ceremony is a sacred event.
Therefore, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY, or additional
lighting, is permitted during the wedding ceremony.
Photographers are allowed to be five (5) pews from the front
of the sanctuary to photograph the groom, wedding party and
the bride as they process into the sanctuary. Photographers
must remain out of sight, at the rear of the sanctuary, during
the ceremony. Recreating elements of the ceremony, for
photographs, can be staged after the wedding ceremony.
Videographers are welcome to record the entire wedding
service from the balcony only. Please review this policy with
your photographer and videographer. In addition, please
place a note inside the wedding program alerting your guests
there is NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY.
Can I have a vow renewal ceremony Nardin Park?
Absolutely! Vow renewal ceremonies are a meaningful way to
reaffirm the commitment you made on your wedding day. All
usage fees still apply.
If I need to cancel my wedding, will I get a refund?
Yes, if you cancel your wedding, in writing, 6 months prior to
the date of your wedding you will receive a full refund. Failure
to cancel your wedding, in writing, 6 months prior to the
date, may result in the forfeiture of your deposit. Exceptions
will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Does the church offer premarital counseling?
Yes, premarital counseling is required to have your wedding
ceremony at Nardin Park. Premarital counseling is crucial to
the development of a strong marriage. Three to six
counseling sessions are included in the pastor’s fee. Couples
who have been approved to have an outside clergyperson
officiate their wedding, still need to schedule premarital
counseling sessions with a Nardin Park clergy person.
What time should the couple and wedding party arrive?
The couple and wedding party are expected to arrive two
hours before the wedding ceremony’s official start time. The
two-hour window allows for any unforeseen incidents while
keeping your wedding on track to begin at the scheduled start
time. Your wedding photographer can use this time to take
group pictures of your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
When should we bring the marriage license?
Bring the marriage license with you to the wedding rehearsal
and leave it with the pastor. Make sure the two persons
designated to sign the marriage license, as witnesses, are
present for the wedding rehearsal, so the process for
completing the marriage license can be reviewed.
Can we make changes to the wedding ceremony?
Couples are welcome to write their own vows to make their
wedding ceremony special. However, any changes to the
wedding ceremony must be discussed and approved by the
pastor.
When can we decorate the sanctuary for the wedding?
You must schedule time for decorating the sanctuary with the
Wedding Coordinator and all decorations must be
appropriate for a church setting and be approved by the
Coordinator. We do not allow the use of nails, tacks, or
staples on church walls or furnishings. Please avoid using
any materials that would potentially cause damage to church
property or furnishings. All decorations must be removed one
hour after the ceremony has concluded. Failure to do so will
result in the forfeiture of your deposit. Please note: we do not
permit the use of real flower petals for flower girls, rice, or
confetti on the premises.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who do I contact to schedule my wedding day?
You will need to contact the Church Administrator, Linda
McDoniel, (lmcdoniel@npumc.org) to confirm the availability
of your wedding date, rehearsal, and a pastor.
How do I reserve my wedding date at the church?
Once you have contacted the Church Administrator to
confirm the availability of the church and a pastor for your
wedding date, you will receive a Wedding Contract. To
reserve your wedding date, you must sign and return the
Wedding Contract to the church, along with your refundable
deposit. Your wedding date will not be reserved until both a
signed contract and deposit are received. Checks, certified
checks, or money orders should be made payable to: Nardin
Park United Methodist Church. In the event of an off-site
wedding, your deposit should be made payable directly to the
officiating clergy person.
Can outside clergy officiate weddings at Nardin Park?
The pastors of Nardin Park reserve the right to officiate all
weddings held at the church. Exceptions will be considered
on a case-by-case basis.
Who can have their wedding at Nardin Park?
Nardin Park is an open and affirming community of faith
where ALL God’s children are invited to celebrate services of
Christian Marriage. Our building is available to anyone in the
community who wishes to celebrate the covenant of Christian
marriage. However, priority is given to active members of the
church and their immediate family when scheduling wedding
dates.
Wedding Music Information
Please complete this form and return to the Director of Music, at least two months prior to your wedding date. Please mail to Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 West Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
Upon receipt of this information, the Director of Music will be happy to meet with you in order to coordinate all musical aspects of your wedding. You may contact them by email located under the Leadership Tab on the menu.
Couple’s Name: ______________________________________
Contact Phone Number: ____________________________________
Date of Wedding: ________________________ Time: __________
Officiating Pastor: _________________________________________
Do you wish to meet with the Director of Music? Yes__ No__
Do you desire a vocal soloist? Yes__ No__
If so, please answer the following questions.
Do you want a soloist provided by the church? Yes__ No__
Do you plan to secure your own soloist? Yes__ No__
Name of your soloist: ______________________________________
Soloist Contact: Phone ____________________________________
Email __________________________________________________
Do you want an instrumentalist (trumpet, flute, etc.)? Yes__ No__
What other related requests, plans or questions do you have?
_____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wedding Contract
Nardin Park United Methodist Church
Please Print
Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________
Contact Phone: _____________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________________
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________
Contact Phone: _____________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________________
Wedding Date: _____________________ Wedding Time: _________________
Rehearsal Date: ____________________ Rehearsal Time: ________________
We are to be married in the: Sanctuary _____________ Chapel _____________
After reviewing the content of this wedding manual, I am willing to be held accountable to the procedures, regulations and stated fees of the Nardin Park United Methodist Church.
Signature (1 Person of couple) __________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________________________
Submit wedding contract and deposit to: Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 West Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
Date Contract Received by Nardin Park UMC: _____________________________
Signature of Recipient: _______________________________________________
A confirmation stating the receipt of the contract and deposit will be sent to you.