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(Editor's Note: In Part 1, Pastor Hagin discussed marriage preparation including the Premarital counselling. In Part 2, he explains policies and procedures regarding the use of church facilities and equipment and Planning and performing the ceremony itself.)

Policies and Procedures Regarding Usage of Church Facilities and Equipment
Once it has been officially determined that there will be a wedding, facilities need to be secured for the following:
1. Rehearsal
2. Rehearsal Dinner
3. Wedding
4. Reception

Some or all of these events may be held at the church, depending on the desire of the bride and the availability of church facilities. Those facilities that will be used must be reserved on the church calendar, and all necessary people should be contacted (church wedding coordinator, sound man, custodian, etc.).

(Note: Included in this section is the Wedding Manual of RHEMA Bible Church that we give to the prospective bride. The manual contains policies of the church regarding weddings and receptions. We have also included a brief outline detailing the role of the church wedding coordinator.)

After the bride has reviewed the Wedding Manual, the church wedding coordinator should meet with her and go over all the items that are available for rental from the church. Some churches have a wide selection of equipment, such as candelabra, candles, punch bowls, serving trays, tablecloths, etc. If a church does not have these items available, the bride will need to rent desired items from an outside company.

The coordinator should also answer any questions the bride may have and make arrangements to make sure everything is prepared and set up properly for the wedding and reception. It is vital that the bride comes to a perfectly clear understanding of what the church provides and what she is responsible for herself.

Planning and Performing the Wedding Ceremony
In planning the ceremony, it is advisable to present the bride and groom with a Wedding Outline Work Form (see sample on pages 4-33 and 4-34), to be used in determining the Order of Service for their wedding. The bride can be selective about the number of songs desired and their placement in the ceremony. She can also decide if she wants to include the Unity candle ceremony and Communion as a part of her wedding.

As long as requests are reasonable and consistent with the dignity of the ceremony, it is good to allow the bride considerable flexibility and latitude in the planning of the ceremony. After all, it is her special day, and there is nothing wrong with tailoring the ceremony to her liking.

It is very important for the minister to ensure that all of the items on the Order of Service (songs and music especially) are noted appropriately in the pages of the book from which he is officiating the ceremony. Otherwise, the minister may inadvertently continue through the ceremony when he should have paused for a song.

(Note: We have included two sample ceremonies at the end of this section. We have formatted them in such a way that a minister can copy, cut, punch holes, fill in the blanks, and place in a small three-ring binder. He will then be ready to use the samples to conduct a wedding.)

Space does not permit presenting all of the important aspects of wedding etiquette and protocol. However, a good etiquette or wedding planning book can be referred to for such information on many of the appropriate do's and don'ts.

The pastor, or the coordinator who develops the Order of Service for the ceremony, should be aware of wedding etiquette (i.e., who comes in when, in what order, who sits where, where the attendants stand, etc.). In some cases, the pastor himself directs in these matters. In other situations, the church coordinator or a coordinator hired by the bride will handle such details.

Once the Wedding Outline Work Form has been completed, the church secretary can type out an Order of Service and make copies for all musicians, ushers, the sound man, and so forth, who will be participating in the service.

The Wedding Rehearsal
It is good to distribute the Order of Service at the rehearsal, as it greatly helps the ceremony flow in a smooth and organized fashion.

At the rehearsal, it is suggested that someone mark where each member of the wedding party will be standing with a small piece of tape. It is important to "walk through" each step of the ceremony during the rehearsal, including the processional and recessional. Ideally, the rehearsal should not take more than an hour.

Before dismissing, it is good to cover the following:
1. The minister should obtain the marriage license from the bride and groom for his signature. Following the ceremony, the minister will sign the marriage license, along with the best man and the maid of honor. The minister will then file the license with the appropriate government office.
2. Find out who will be bringing the rings.
3. Make sure someone will be bringing the Communion elements.
4. Make sure the bridal party knows where the respective dressing rooms are and what time everyone needs to be dressed for pictures.

Sample of the Order of Service For a Wedding
John Smith/Mary Jones
Rehearsal Date: Friday, April 9, 6:00 p.m.
Wedding Date: Saturday, April 10, 1:00 p.m.
RBC Wedding Chapel
12:30 - Light candles (Ushers: Joe Sullivan and Mark Miller)
12:40 - Organ Prelude Music: (Organist: Jean Johnson)
Seat grandparents
Mabel Smith (escorted by Joe Sullivan)
Frank & Mildred Jones (escorted by Mark Miller)
Seat parents (mothers light Unity candle)
Richard & Emily Smith (escorted by Joe Sullivan)
Margaret Jones (escorted by Mark Miller)
Processional: "Trumpet Voluntaire" by Jean Johnson
Minister, Groom, and Groomsmen enter:
Rev. Tony Cooke
John Smith
Jim Smith (Best Man)
Barry Walker
Bridesmaids enter:
Louise Schultz
Francine Gray (Maid of Honor)
Ushers pull runner
Bride enters (escorted by her father, Bill Jones)
Prayer
Giving of the Bride
Wedding Address
Questions of Intent
Marriage Vows
Exchange of Rings
Song: "The Wedding Song" by Julie Craig (couple lights Unity candle)
Communion
Song: "Remember Me" by Jason Moyer
Charge
Pronouncement and Presentation of Couple
Recessional: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" by Jean Johnson
Parents escorted out
Announcement: The reception will be in the Fellowship Hall next door. The wedding party will join you after a few pictures.
Postlude and Dismissal

Author Biography

Kenneth W. Hagin
Web site: Kenneth Hagin Ministries
 
Kenneth W. Hagin, President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries and pastor of RHEMA Bible Church, ministers around the world. Known for calling the Body of Christ to steadfast faith, he seizes every ministry opportunity to impart an attitude of “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit.”
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