Are you considering getting married at Yorkfield Presbyterian Church?

Here are some guidelines

GENERAL INFORMATION
Who can be married at Yorkfield Presbyterian Church?
It is not a requirement of the Church that you be a member here in order to be married in our sanctuary. The Pastors are willing to officiate at the wedding of nonmembers as their schedules permit. However, even if time is available they can not commit themselves to a wedding until after they have met with the couple and have determined their readiness for marriage.

Though it is not a requirement that you be a member of the Church to have your wedding here, it is significant that you recognize the importance of asking God to be at the center of your marriage. The wedding service itself is a worship service in which we acknowledge God's presence, thank the LORD for bringing you two together and ask God's blessing as you "seek to lead lives befitting of Christians" throughout the years of your marriage ahead.

May we rent the church and bring our own pastor?
Yes, this option is also a possibility. In this case, Yorkfield will supply a wedding coordinator to work with you, who will also be on the premises for your rehearsal and wedding to answer questions, troubleshoot last minute details, and assist you in any way possible.

It's Your Marriage not Ours!
Though there are certain promises you must make to each other as you affirm your love for one another and your desire to spend your life together, most everything else you have seen at a wedding is merely custom or tradition. We want you to feel free to make your wedding completely yours by customizing it in any way you would like. Several options are covered on this page and the Pastor will present you with others as you spend time considering the Ceremony itself.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUPLE
1. The Bride and Groom will need to meet with the Pastor for a minimum of four 1-hour COUNSELING SESSIONS prior to the Rehearsal and Wedding. During these times together the minister and couple will:

a. Take and review the Prepare, Inc. diagnostic inventory (a 177 question assessment of several different aspects of your relationship)
b. Plan the Wedding Ceremony
c. Review the responsibilities and adjustments of life together as husband and wife
d. Focus on the eternal promises you will be making to each other

2. The Couple will take responsibility for securing the MARRIAGE LICENSE from the DuPage County Courthouse and bringing it to the Rehearsal. (The pastor will fill out the remaining parts and mail the Clerk's part back to the courthouse and return the couple's part back to them.)

Du Page County Clerk, 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
PHONE: (630) 682-7035

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Both bride and groom must come to the courthouse to apply no earlier than 60 days prior to the wedding
2. $30.00 application fee
3. Government issued photo ID required
3. The Couple will have paid all fees for the Wedding by the evening of the Rehearsal.

MUSIC
Music can be a significant and beautiful part of the wedding service. As a couple you have a great deal of latitude on the amount and kind of music you would like to have in the service. Some answers to questions you may have:

1. You are not required to have music of any kind.

2. You may have a friend, family member or professional musician play our organ or piano instead of our organist/pianist.

3. The Church has both an electronic organ and a Kawai Grand Piano. Our organist/pianist is accomplished at both.

4. If you would like to use our Organist/Pianist, Darlene Richards (630) 961-9488 you will be responsible to coordinate your music requests with her. She has a large repertoire of wedding music and is also willing to play unfamiliar music, if you agree to supply her with the sheet music at least one month prior to the wedding. We strongly encourage you to set up an appointment to meet with Darlene at the Church immediately following a regular Sunday Worship Service, so she may play different selections for you in order that you may actually hear and select the music that will be played at your wedding. Ordinarily the Organist will not be present at the Rehearsal.

5. Traditional places in the Wedding Service for Organ/Piano Music:

Prelude
Processional
Music for Bridesmaids (optional)
Music for Bride
During the Unity Candle Ceremony (optional)
Recessional
Postlude

6. VOCALISTS: It is certainly agreeable for you to incorporate vocalists into your wedding as well. If you do not know of anyone who might be willing to sing you may contact the following:
Dan Miller (solo) 630.833.2716
Kristen and/or Michael Richards (solo or duet) 630.961.9488

7. Traditional places in the Wedding Service for Vocal Music (usually you will want to have no more than 3 selections):

a. Immediately prior to the processional
b. Following the Sermon, befor e the exchange of vows
c. The Lord's Prayer following the exchange of rings
d. During the Unity Candle Ceremony

8. OTHER INSTRUMENTS: You should not feel limited to these possibilities alone, as we have had weddings which featured bagpipe, harp, string trios, flute, brass, guitars and other instruments. You are welcome to use other instruments. If you would like to use other instruments, but don’t know whom to contact, Pastor Toburen can put you in touch with various musicians.

9. TAPES/CDs: The Church sound system as the ability to play audio TAPE or CD recordings, either as music for the Processional/Recessional, OR as accompaniment for vocalists. If you choose to use CD's for service music, you will need to supply someone to run the sound system during the service. One of our staff will train your volunteer at the wedding rehearsal.

10. You may also want to select one or more HYMNS you would like the congregation to sing as part of your wedding celebration.

11. Microphones (including wireless) are available for musicians and speakers.

A TYPICAL ORDER OF SERVICE
[with Options]
Prelude
Vocal Solo or Instrumental Introit [optional]
Lighting of Unity Candle Tapers [optional] by Ushers or Mothers of the Bride & Groom
Wedding Processional
Attendants’ Music
Bride’s Music
Call to Worship

“Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of God, to join this Man and this Woman in holy marriage, which is instituted of God, regulated by His commandments, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be held in honor by all.

“Let us therefore reverently remember that God has established and sanctified marriage for the welfare and happiness of his people. Our Savior has declared that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife. By His apostles, He has instructed those who enter into this relation to cherish a mutual esteem and love; to bear with each other’s infirmities and weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness, trouble, and sorrow; in honesty and industry to provide for each other and for their household; to pray for and encourage each other in the things which pertain to God; and to live together as the heirs of the grace of life.”
[to congregation: “Please be seated”]
Hymn [optional]

Prayer:
"Almighty and Holy God, we ask that these children of yours be truly joined in the honorable estate of marriage. As you have brought them together by your providence, sanctify them by your Spirit, giving them a new frame of heart fit for this new covenant they are making. Enrich them with all grace, whereby they may enjoy the comforts, undergo the cares, endure the trials, and perform the duties of life together as is fitting for Christians, under your heavenly guidance and protection; through our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN."

Declarations of Intent
GROOM: “ ______________, will you have this Woman to be your wife, and will you pledge your faithfulness to her, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all beauty and tenderness, to live with her, and cherish her, according to the plan of God, in the holy bond of marriage?”
[”I will.”]
BRIDE: “ _______________, will you have this Man to be your Husband, and will you pledge your faithfulness to him, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all beauty and tenderness, to live with him, and cherish him, according to the plan of God, in the holy bond of marriage?”
[”I will.”]

The Blessing of the Parents [optional]
"Who wishes to add their blessing to this marriage?"
[“Her mother and I do,” ”We do”(if all parents stand), etc.]

The Blessing of Family & Friends [optional]
[Will the congregation please stand] – “ ________ & _______ do not come to this moment without gratitude for you, their family & friends, who have loved and supported them over the years. They are eager to have your blessing as they embark on their new life together. If you wish to give them your blessing, please say, ‘I do.’”
“And, if you will promise now to encourage them and support them in these promises they are about to make, please say, ‘I will.’” [You may be seated]

Scripture Readings: ________________?
Homily:
Hymn, Vocal or Instrumental Music [optional]
The Promise and Covenant Between Bride & Groom
GROOM: "I, _______, take you, _______,
To be my wedded wife.
And I promise,
Before God and these witnesses,
To be your loving and faithful husband,
In plenty and in want;
In joy and in sorrow;
In sickness and in health;
As long as we both shall live."
BRIDE: "I, _______, take you, _______,
To be my wedded husband.
And I promise,
Before God and these witnesses
To be your loving and faithful wife,
In plenty and in want;
In joy and in sorrow;
In sickness and in health;
As long as we both shall live."

Exchange of Rings
“As you place these rings on each other’s fingers, symbolizing the promises you have just made, again, repeat after me:”
GROOM: "This ring I give you, In token and pledge, of our constant faith and abiding love."
BRIDE: "This ring I give you, In token and pledge, of our constant faith and abiding love."

Prayer
“Most merciful and gracious God, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named: Bestow upon these servants of yours the seal of your approval, and your Fatherly benediction; granting to them grace to fulfill, with pure and steadfast affection, the vows they have just made. Guide them together, we ask you, in the way of righteousness and peace, that loving and serving you with one heart and mind all the days of their lives, they may be abundantly enriched with your everlasting favor, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“The Lord’s Prayer” (Congregation) [optional: may also be sung by congregation or soloist]

Unity Candle Ceremony [optional, w/optional music?]
“God has declared that a Man and a Woman should give themselves to one another and become one flesh...that the light he has given each they might share together...so that the love which burns between them might light their path into the future.”

Declaration of Marriage
"By the authority committed unto me as a Minister of the Church of Christ, I declare that _______ & _______ are now Husband and Wife, according to the ordinance of God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen"
[joining the couple's right hands]
"Whom therefore God has joined together, let no one separate."
Benediction

Exchange of Affection (You May Kiss the Bride)

Presentation of the Couple
“Friends & Family, I present to you: __________________”

Recessional:

Postlude & Greeting by the Bride & Groom

SCRIPTURE
The following list of Scripture Readings are particularly appropriate for Christian Couples,
but you are free to choose others:

CANDLES
There are a number of options the Church has available for candles. You may feel free to use or not use them as you see fit.

CANDELABRA
The Church has two 7-point candelabras (black bases with white candles) standing approximately 7 feet high. Normally these are stationed on either side of the Communion Table. Cost = $36.

PEW CANDLES
The Church also has six pair of black Pew Candle Holders with glass hurricane lamps and 5" candles that stand approximately 6 feet high and line the center aisle of the Church. Cost = $78.

UNITY CANDLE
If you would like to have a Unity Candle Ceremony as part of your wedding you will need to supply the Unity Candle, the two regular 12 inch candles to light it, and holder(s). (You may want to keep the Unity Candle so that you can relight it on each anniversary in the years to come.)
Often florists will design a flowered centerpiece for the Communion Table that will incorporate the Unity Candle arrangement.

MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS
Air Conditioning
Yes, the Sanctuary and Lobby are air-conditioned, as well as the various rooms the Bridal party will be using prior to the wedding.

Aisle Runner
In case you are planning on having an aisle runner (usually supplied by florists and pulled out by one of your ushers) the length you need is 75 feet.

Birdseed, etc.
Wedding guests are allowed to throw birdseed, rice, or flower petals outside the Church following the wedding. Bubbles are fine too.

Flowers & Bows
You are free to be as creative with flowers as you like. The chancel area is set up to receive two sprays, you may have others as you like. You may also wish to use flowers or greenery to decorate your Unity Candle, pew candles, candelabra, etc. You may also use bows to decorate the pews or candles. Of course, flowers and bows are not necessary. Again, it's your wedding!

Handicapped Accessibility
The Church is equipped with an elevator (accessible through the North Entrance via the back parking lot) and handicapped accessible restrooms on all levels.

Pews
The Sanctuary has 17 rows of pews on the right side and 19 rows on the left side. There is also a modesty panel in front of the first row of pews on both sides.

Photography
Still photography and video cameras are allowed with the following qualifications: since the wedding is taking place in the context of a worship service photographers are permitted to use flash and to move around prior to and during the processional and during and after the recessional. But there should be no flash and no movement of photographers from the end of the Processional until the Exchange of Affection. (This is pretty standard procedure for weddings so most professional photographers will have no problem with this.)

The Rehearsal
Normally the rehearsal is scheduled the night before the wedding somewhere between 6:00 and 7:30pm. However, other times are negotiable. The important consideration is that everyone who will be participating in the wedding be able to be present. The rehearsal should last no more than an hour, and could take less depending on size, number & age of children participating, and other variables.

Seating
The sanctuary will seat 250 people comfortably.

Printed Bulletins
If you would like to have printed bulletins (optional) you may have them printed by the Church for $100, or have them done yourself. If you would like for us to print them you will need to supply the Pastor with the names of the wedding party, parents, your future address, music and soloists names one week prior to the wedding. A copy of the bulletin will be given to you to proof-read the night of the rehearsal.

Time and scheduling your wedding
How much time does the wedding take? You can plan on the following time commitments:
The Wedding Service 30 min. (depending on Music)
Reception Line 30 min.
Photos 30-60 min.
It is not uncommon then for a wedding to begin at 3:30 or 4:00pm with the Reception to start at 6:00 pm, Dinners can be served at 7:00 or 7:30 pm

Details to Remember:
1. The service is a very emotional time, and people really need to greet you after the service.
2. You do not need to be the first people at the reception.
3. Following the Greeting after the Service, you can make your “getaway” down the sidewalk and into your car, drive around to the back of the Church and enter for your photos. That way, people not in the photos don’t need to stay, and can move directly to the Reception.

Fees
$100 deposit due at initial time of scheduling
$35 Prepare/Enrich Inventory Fee, due when diagnostic is taken
Remainder of fees, due the day of the rehearsal

Please make your check payable to: Yorkfield Presbyterian Church

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