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Weddings
Frequently
Asked Wedding Questions
 Can I be married at Saint Mark if
I am not a church
member?
Membership at Saint Mark UMC is not required in order to hold
your wedding at Saint Mark, although it is always encouraged. Weddings of those who are not members of Saint Mark are approved
at the discretion of the Senior Pastor. Couples who are interested
in being married at Saint Mark and who are not members of
this church must provide the Senior Pastor and the Wedding
Committee with a letter expressing their desire for a Christian
wedding and include the reason they would like to be married
at Saint Mark. Couples will receive a response from the Wedding
Committee within two weeks of the date they submitted their
request.
What are your fees?
Sanctuary (for nonmembers) - Fees for the use of
the sanctuary are $1,995 plus an additional refundable $250
deposit.
Chapel (for nonmembers) - Fees for the use of the
chapel are $1,195 plus an additional refundable $250 deposit.
How large is the sanctuary?
Our sanctuary seats 500 people. It does not have a center
aisle.
(Our chapel seats 50 people but does have a center aisle.)
What services do the wedding fees cover?
• The use of the sanctuary or chapel for your wedding
and rehearsal
• Dressing rooms for the bride and the groom
• Saint Mark minister’s fee
• Saint Mark organist’s fee
• Saint Mark wedding directors’ fee
• Arrangements for available parking and clean up on
your wedding day
Can an outside minister participate in my wedding?
Yes, visiting ministers are welcome to participate; however,
a minister from Saint Mark will officiate at all weddings
and must approve the participation of any other minister.
To receive additional information about scheduling your
wedding at Saint Mark, please contact Christia Holloway
in the church
office by phone (404-873-2636) or e-mail cholloway@stmarkumc.org.
General Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
TO BE MARRIED AT SAINT MARK?
•Members of the congregation and their immediate families,
including adult children and grandchildren.
• Those who are not members but who worship on a regular
basis and/or who are otherwise active at Saint Mark.
•Those who are not active at or members of Saint Mark
(see below).
WEDDINGS
OF NON-MEMBERS
Weddings of those who are not members of Saint Mark are approved
at the discretion of the Senior Pastor. Couples who are interested
in being married at Saint Mark and who are not members of
this church must provide the Senior Pastor and Wedding Committee
with a letter expressing their desire for a Christian wedding
and include the reason they would like to be married at Saint
Mark. (Please address your letter to Rev. Jimmy Moor and mail
it to: 781 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308. You may also
fax your letter to his attention at 404.873.2639 or send it
via e-mail to jmoor@stmarkumc.org.)
After reviewing the request, the ministers’ schedules, and
the church calendar, couples will receive a response from
the Senior Pastor and Wedding Committee within two weeks of
the date they submitted their request. Please remember that
no wedding will be considered scheduled for either members
or non-members until a completed reservation
form and $250 refundable deposit have been received.
PRE-MARITAL
COUNSELING
Pre-marital counseling is required for all couples getting
married at Saint Mark. Normally, the counseling will be with
a Saint Mark pastor. It is the couple’s responsibility to
contact the pastor at least 3 months prior to the wedding
to schedule the counseling sessions. (Couples should plan
to meet with the pastor for 3 to 5 sessions.)
In special circumstances (such as distance, the involvement
of another pastor in the wedding who has close ties to the
couple, etc.) arrangements can be made for counseling with
another pastor.
FEES
Both the sanctuary and the chapel are available for weddings
at Saint Mark. The sanctuary seats 500 people and the chapel
seats up to 50. The sanctuary does not have a center aisle;
however, there is a center aisle in the chapel. Photos of
both the chapel and the sanctuary can be viewed here.
For non-church members, the cost for utilizing the sanctuary
is $1,995. The cost for utilizing the chapel is $1,195. For
church members, the cost for utilizing the sanctuary is $995.
This includes:
- The use of the facility (sanctuary/chapel and dressing
rooms) for both the rehearsal and the wedding,
- Fees for the pastor, the organist, the wedding directors,
and
- Arrangements for available parking and clean up on
the day of your wedding.
A refundable deposit of $250 is also required for all weddings.
All fees are due 4 weeks prior to the wedding. More detailed
information on fees is included on the enclosed reservation
form.
OFFICIATING
MINISTERS
The pastors of Saint Mark UMC officiate at weddings. Visiting
ministers may participate in the ceremonies; however, their
participation must be discussed and approved by the Saint
Mark pastor and wedding directors.
Except when other arrangements have been made with the officiating
minister, the minister or approved representative (a Saint
Mark wedding director) is always in complete charge at weddings
and rehearsals.
RESERVING
THE CHURCH
Membership at Saint Mark UMC is not required in order to hold
your wedding at Saint Mark, although it is always encouraged.
I. Contact the church office to obtain
a wedding information packet and to verify clearance of date,
time, location, and to confirm the availability of the pastor.
A date and time will be reserved for you when the church office
receives a $250.00 deposit with your completed reservation
form. Your date cannot be confirmed on the church calendar
until the church receives your completed reservation form
and deposit.
II. If you would like to see the church facilities, contact the church office to schedule a tour
of the church. Upon request, church tours are held on the
first Saturday of every month at 1 pm. A wedding director
will be available to show you the chapel, sanctuary, and the
bride’s room and to answer any general questions about weddings
at Saint Mark. Tours of the church are not available on weekdays.
III. Weddings at Saint Mark can only be scheduled on Saturdays.
No weddings can be scheduled before 12:00 p.m. or after 7:00
p.m. Wedding rehearsals take place on the Friday evening before
the wedding.
IV. To check the availability of any date you are considering
for your wedding, please consult the church office. Weddings cannot be scheduled on holiday
weekends, during Holy Week or during the month of December.
V. When you have made the decision to hold your wedding
at Saint Mark, you will be asked to sign the enclosed reservation
form agreeing to the rules and regulations as described in
this policy summary. By signing the reservation form, you
are also agreeing to pay for any damages to church property
that may result from your use of the facilities.
VI. As the date of your wedding approaches, you will be
given the name and contact information for one of the wedding
directors so that you can discuss the details of your rehearsal
and ceremony.
PLANNING THE
WEDDING:
Saint Mark Wedding Directors and Their Role in Your
Wedding
All arrangements for the wedding, other than the securing
of a time on the church calendar and the preparing of estimated
charges, must be made with the wedding directors.
I. It is mandatory that the Saint Mark wedding directors
supervise all weddings and rehearsals. Our directors are trained,
experienced, and thoroughly knowledgeable in all areas involving
church and social etiquette, and they will officiate along
with the pastor in the management of the rehearsals and weddings.
They are charged with the responsibility of assisting the
pastor in all the mechanical arrangements for the wedding.
II. You may expect the following assistance from the wedding
directors:
At the rehearsal they will:
• Organize the procession and arrangement of the wedding
party
• Coordinate the seating of honored guests and parents
• Inform the ushers of their specific duties and
• Lead a tour of the facility if your wedding party
is not familiar with the church.
On the day of the wedding, they will:
• Greet the wedding party and show them to the dressing
rooms
• Take printed programs (if used) to the narthex
• Synchronize time with the pastor and organist
• Seat the honored guests in the proper order, at the
proper time, and
• Make sure that the processional begins on time.
On the day of your wedding you may expect the following items
to be provided:
Ice, cups, and napkins for the bride, groom and attendants
In the bride’s room:
• An iron for touch ups on dresses, if necessary
• An “Emergency Kit” containing Tylenol, safety pins,
scissors, needles and thread, tape, hair spray, static free
spray, corsage pins, hairpins, etc.
III. The wedding director will also be present at your reception
if it is held at Saint Mark. This will help facilitate the
smooth operation of activities on the actual day of the wedding.
IV. Please be reminded that any outside wedding consultants
you may choose to employ will have no responsibilities at
the church during the rehearsal or on your wedding day.
V. The goal of the Saint Mark wedding directors is not only
to coordinate the many details of your wedding ceremony, but
most importantly to minimize the stress of what is a joyful,
spiritual event.
PHOTOGRAPHY
and VIDEOGRAPHY
It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to make arrangements
with the selected photographer (and when applicable, the videographer)
and to inform them of Saint Mark’s guidelines and requirements.
When the photographer and/or videographer arrive at the church
on the day of the wedding, a wedding director will be available
to answer any questions. The photographer and/or videographer
are urged to review with the wedding director any special
requests and questions relative to wedding photos or recordings.
Since the wedding is a worship service, they are asked to
hold in reverence the ceremony and its location.
PHOTOGRAPHY
I. Absolutely no flash photography is permitted during the
service. Your photographer may only use flash photography
during the processional. He or she may take time exposure
(without flash) from the balcony during the wedding service.
II. The use of personal cameras by wedding guests is strictly
prohibited.
III. Photos may be taken 2 hours before the ceremony. A
30 minute window is also permitted after the ceremony for
pictures.
IV. The photographer may only work from the back of the
sanctuary and/or the balcony during the wedding ceremony.
V. Photos in and of the sanctuary should be made before
the arrival of guests; therefore they must be completed 1
hour before the wedding ceremony begins.
VIDEOGRAPHY
I. If a video recording is to be made of the ceremony, the
camera is best located in the back balcony.
II. A remote camera may also be positioned in the bay to
the right of the choir loft at the front of the sanctuary,
but not on the chancel.
MUSIC
As the atmosphere of the ceremony is established by the music,
all music should be part of the worship experience. Because
a wedding is a service of worship, secular music, such as
movie themes, popular rock songs, and ballads, is typically
not appropriate during the ceremony and should be reserved
for the reception. The organist at Saint Mark will assist
you in the selection of appropriate music for your wedding.
(Pre-recorded music is not permitted during the wedding ceremony.)
I. The church will provide an organist for the ceremony.
Our sanctuary pipe organ, an Aeolian Skinner, demands a well-qualified
organist; therefore only an approved organist can play for
weddings.
II. Approximately one month prior to the wedding, the bride
should schedule a consultation with the organist for the selection
of the music to be used during the ceremony.
III. Any guest musicians must be approved by the wedding committee
and organist. Soloists are often friends or relatives of the
bride and groom and should be advised of the Saint Mark guidelines
for music. They should be prepared to practice with the organist
one hour before the wedding. The organist would be happy to
recommend any church soloists and/or instrumentalists upon
request.
IV. All soloists are expected to provide the organist with
accompaniment copies of the music and in the key in which
they will be performed. Transpositions are the responsibility
of the soloist.
FLOWERS and
DECORATIONS
It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to make arrangements
with a florist for decorations and to inform the florist of
Saint Mark’s guidelines and requirements. The church does
not order flowers but will suggest a florist if desired. Minimal
decorations are necessary in the sanctuary and narthex.
I. Saint Mark will provide candelabra for your wedding if
desired. There are 4 candelabra available, each holding 9
candles. Unfortunately, at present, Saint Mark is unable to
provide a stand for the Unity Candle. If you would like to
use a Unity Candle in your service, your florist should be
able to provide one for you. The rental fee for candelabra
is $10 apiece and will be taken from your initial deposit.
II. Drop cloths must be used under candelabra to protect furniture,
carpet and flooring. With the exception of the use of wax
candles in the Unity Candle, only the use of mechanical candles
will be permitted. These are not furnished by the church but
can be rented from most florists.
III. The Communion table and pulpit will not be moved. The
other chancel furniture will not be moved unless deemed necessary
by the wedding director.
IV. Seasonal decorations, banners, etc. (Easter, Christmas,
Lent, Pentecost, etc.) already in place in the sanctuary cannot
be changed or removed for weddings.
V. No tacks, nails, or tape can be used in the church.
VI. The doors to the church cannot be decorated; however decorations
on the exterior stair railings are permitted.
VII. Flower petals are permitted inside the sanctuary during
the processional.
VIII. All decorations and flowers, unless donated to the church
by previous agreement, must be removed immediately after the
wedding.
THE REHEARSAL
The wedding rehearsal is an integral part of the wedding and
should proceed in a manner respectful of the bride, groom
and the place of worship. Rehearsals should be conducted in
a prompt and timely fashion.
I. The rehearsal should be held no later than 6 pm on the
day before the wedding and should be completed within one
hour. An additional fee will be charged if more time is required
II. The officiating minister will conduct the rehearsal with
the assistance of the Saint Mark wedding directors. Outside
wedding consultants do not direct the rehearsal.
III. Please ask the members of the wedding party to be punctual.
Remind them that traffic on Peachtree Street can be heavy
on Friday evenings!
IV. The front doors to the church will be open on the evening
of the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. (These doors
otherwise normally remained locked during the week.)
V. Please bring several copies of your wedding program to
the rehearsal.
When you arrive at the rehearsal, please be prepared to provide
the following information:
•Who will light the Unity Candle (at the beginning of
the service, if applicable)
•Who will seat the grandmothers, mothers, and other
family members?
•In what order would you prefer that the attendants
process and recess?
•Do you wish to have a lay person be involved in any
readings during your service?
**Decisions regarding the size of the wedding party are properly
the privilege of the bride and groom; however, in determining
the number of attendants, please keep in mind that the size
and configuration of the chancel of Saint Mark does not make
it possible to accommodate large numbers of bridal attendants
and groomsmen. You are encouraged to limit your attendants
to 7 men and 7 women.**
All children included in the ceremony must be 6 years of
age or older. Younger children may be included in the pictures
but not in the ceremony.
The rehearsal generally follows this pattern:
•Welcome by the wedding directors
•Introduction of the members of the Wedding Committee
•One of the directors will make a few brief comments
about the history of the church and review guidelines for
the day of the wedding
•The arrangement of the wedding party at the chancel
steps
•An overview of the service by the pastor
•Rehearsal of processional, vows, and partial recessional
•Tour of facilities led by the wedding directors
THE WEDDING
The Saint Mark wedding directors facilitate all activities
at the church on the day of the wedding. Outside bridal consultants
are not permitted to direct weddings at Saint Mark.
I. The church facility will be available for you and your
party 3 hours prior to the wedding service and for 45 minutes
following the service.
II. Brides are asked to remember that a wedding at Saint Mark
is a service of worship and the attire of the brides and their
attendants should be appropriate. The church has a Bride’s
Room and a room for the groom for the couple and their attendants
to use for dressing. Both rooms must be cleared of all belongings
immediately after the wedding. Saint Mark cannot assume responsibility
for returning garments and belongings.
III. Saint Mark uses the United Methodist Order of Service
for all weddings. The pastor must approve any variations on
this service for use during the wedding.
IV. Please bring your wedding license to your wedding and
give it to one of the wedding directors. The director will
make sure it is signed by the minister following the wedding
and mailed on the first business day following your wedding.
AFTER THE SERVICE
I. Please do not plan to have a receiving line at the church
following your wedding. Reserve the receiving line for your
reception.
II. Please instruct your car, carriage, or limousine service
to park on the concrete pad directly in front of the church
following the wedding.
THE RECEPTION
I. Wade Hall (Saint Mark’s fellowship hall) seats up to 100
people and is available for wedding receptions.
II. The fee for the use of Wade Hall for nonmembers is $500.
A separate (refundable) deposit of $500 is also required for
receptions. The fee for members is $300, in addition to a
refundable deposit of $200.
III. Arrangements for a reception at Saint Mark must be made
with the church office. Proof of Insurance will be required
from all vendors working on the reception.
IV. A wedding director will be present at all receptions held
at the church. The caterer is to leave the kitchen and Wade
Hall exactly as it was found.
V. All church property is to be cleaned and returned to its
original place. This includes sweeping and mopping the floors
and replacing tables and chairs.
VI. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on church property
at any time on the day of your wedding.
VII. Saint Mark is not able to provide catering service. It
is the responsibility of the bride and groom to arrange for
catering and to see that the caterers honor the following
guidelines.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
CATERER
I. The caterer should furnish all serving equipment and supplies,
including trays, punch bowls and cups, silver, glassware,
china, and linens, as well as paper and plastic items. Saint
Mark does not provide these items.
II. The kitchen is available for warming food but not for
cooking and food preparation. Caterers should bring needed
utensils.
PARKING and
SECURITY
A representative from Saint Mark will be present to direct
guests on the day of your wedding
to park in one of 3 locations:
•817 Peachtree Street (just north of the intersection
of Peachtree Street and Fifth Street)
•The lot directly behind the church, or
•The lot at 5th Street and Juniper, across from Spice
restaurant.
Guests are encouraged to utilize the 817 Peachtree Street
parking lot first. A map showing the locations of the parking
lots is available if needed.
If the reception site is near the church (for example, at
the Fox Theatre or Georgian Terrace) guests are welcome to
leave their cars in the parking lot directly behind the church
during the reception. However, guests who have parked at the
817 Peachtree parking lot or at the lot at the corner of 5th
Street and Juniper Street should be advised that they are
parking at these locations at their own risk and may be subject
to payment for parking, or possibly towing or booting.
The church cannot assume the safety of personal items brought
to the church. However, every reasonable effort will be made
to assist the wedding party in protecting such property. It
is suggested that a friend of the wedding party be asked to
be responsible for these valuables during the service and/or
the reception.
GENERAL RULES
I. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the church facility
at any time.
II. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere in the church
facility at any time. Anyone under the influence of alcohol
or drugs will be asked to leave the premises. In no case may
such a person be permitted to participate in a rehearsal or
wedding. This is strictly enforced.
III. Guests are not permitted to throw rice. This is a Georgia
State Law. However, birdseed may be thrown outside.
IV. Unless your reception is in Wade Hall, you should plan
to leave the church 45 minutes after your ceremony.
After reviewing the information above, if you have questions
regarding any detail of your wedding, please feel free to
contact Christia in the church office or to speak with one
of the wedding directors. These regulations have been put
into place for your benefit. Our weddings run smoothly and
focus on the important sacrament of marriage. If you would
like to speak to a couple who were married at Saint Mark,
please let us know; we will be happy to put you in touch with
them.
Thank you for your interest in Saint Mark
United Methodist Church.
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