ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING WEDDING
Wedding services are generally limited to church members and their families. The celebration of Christian marriage is an occasion of great joy and excitement and, at the same time, of great significance and reverence. It is a sacred ritual in which two persons pledge themselves to each other under the blessing of God and are united in the covenant of matrimony. To ensure your ceremony is a joyous occasion here is some information to answer your questions. Our goal is to help you plan a service of worship which is dignified and meaningful.

ARRANGEMENTS
In order to schedule a wedding at Alta United Methodist Church, the couple shall:

• Contact the pastor officiating your wedding at least three months prior to your ceremony.  You will want to contact the officiating pastor early in your planning to schedule counseling at mutually convenient times.
• Secure and complete the “Wedding Information Form” through the church office. Available dates on the church calendar can be discussed at this time.  Please contact the church office at 712-200-2304 or email at secretary@altaumc.org
  

• The wedding ceremony and rehearsal should be scheduled through the church office, as to the day and hour of each.  The church office should also be notified if any changes in time occur.
• Ceremonies may be scheduled as late as 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and as late as 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Rehearsals are usually scheduled at 6:00 p.m. the day prior to the wedding.
• Weddings will not be performed at Alta United Methodist Church on the following days: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, days during Holy Week, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Sundays.

• Musicians and music used for your wedding must be pre-approved by the pastor.
• We believe music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church.  The pastor will work with you in the selection of appropriate music in keeping with the joy and solemnity of the occasion as well as engage any soloists or instrumentalists that you desire.  All music must be appropriate to a United Methodist worship service.
• You are responsible for appropriate payment for the use of musicians which are not included in the church’s standard fee.
• Checks payable to additional musicians (soloists, instrumentalist, etc.) should be dispersed at the ceremony.

• A non refundable deposit of $100 for the sanctuary is required to reserve your wedding date.  Payment of all additional fees is required two weeks prior to the wedding ceremony.  Checks should be made payable to Alta United Methodist Church and can be mailed to Mrs. Barb Pingel, Alta United Methodist Church, 218 Prospect St., Alta, IA 51002. 
• FACILITY USE FEES - Sanctuary – $200 - (any part or all of the facility); no facility charge for members - $100 janitorial charge for non-members, $75 janitorial charge for members - $15 candelabra use charge.
• STIPEND FOR PASTOR - $150 for non-members; $135 for members  

• The pastor of Alta United Methodist Church must perform the marriage ceremony.  You may, if you desire, include a clergy relative or clergy family friend as one of the assisting ministers.  Please speak to the pastor and he or she will extend an invitation to the other clergy.
• A pre-marital conference with the officiating minister is required to consider the spiritual and theological aspects of the covenant of marriage. The pastor will explain at this conference the additional pre-marital requirements for couples having their wedding at Alta United Methodist Church.
• If you wish to have programs/bulletins at your ceremony, sample programs can be provided at your request. Alta United Methodist Church will not print programs/bulletins for the wedding.
• Wedding parties are strongly encouraged to visit with the pastor before finalizing any wedding plans, including the sending of invitations.

• When scheduling your wedding, the date and hour of your rehearsal must be also set in order to avoid conflict with other church activities. Weddings and wedding rehearsals are reserved on the church calendar on a first-call basis, and if changed, the date or time relinquished immediately becomes available.  If you would like to request a change in the time of your wedding or rehearsal after the “Wedding Information Form” has been turned in, you must contact the pastor for approval.
• In order to facilitate the best use of time, the wedding party should arrive 15 minutes prior to the designated rehearsal hour. One hour is allotted for wedding rehearsal time. The wedding rehearsal should begin promptly in a quiet, dignified, and reverent manner.   Members of the wedding party are reminded that, while the wedding is a joyous occasion, the service takes place in a building dedicated to the worship of God.
• The pastor of Alta United Methodist Church will be present at every rehearsal and shall direct the rehearsal.  The pastor is responsible for interpretation and application of the church’s policies for each wedding.
• Ushers should be present at the rehearsal.
• The pastor should receive the marriage license at the rehearsal.
• No wedding rehearsal will be conducted when any member of the wedding party is clearly under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or substance.

• The sanctuary of Alta United Methodist Church is a place of beauty and dignity.  Excessive floral displays and elaborate greenery are discouraged.  If you have questions about the appropriateness of your displays, please visit with the pastor. 
• The florist is requested to complete all arrangements at least two hours before the wedding.  All decorations are to be removed immediately following the wedding. A fee of $50.00 will be charged if any decorations are left.
• Church furnishings may not be moved without prior consultation of the pastor. This includes seasonal banners, baptismal font, altar, altar rail, pulpit chairs and pews.  Pedestals for flowers or greenery may not restrict the pastor’s movement behind the altar rail.
• Protective material shall be placed under all candelabra or single candles.
• Candelabras are not permitted within one foot of the altar kneeling cushions.
• Candles or candelabra may not be placed where lighting requires reaching across the altar rail with the exception of the unity candle.
• Flowers, plants, candles and candelabras shall not be placed on church furnishings: organ, piano, pulpit, altar, altar rail, baptism font or kneeling cushions.
• Altar candles shall not be removed.  The altar cross and paraments remain where they are since they indicate the sanctuary is a place where worship is conducted. No other items shall be placed on the altar.
• Pew candle holders with globes may be used provided the fastener does not damage the pew or its finish.
• No tape, tacks, staples or plastic may be used to secure any decorations in the church, without prior permission.
• Aisle cloths may be used, upon permission from the pastor.
  

• The following are strict policies regarding photographs, motion pictures, or videotaping in the church.  
• Photographers are expected to maintain a low profile to preclude any distraction to those participating in or observing the ceremony.
• No flash photographs may be taken by friends from the time guests begin arriving until the entire ceremony is completed.  Please ask your ushers to inform guests with cameras of this policy.
• During the ceremony, available light photographs may be made from an appropriate place agreed upon between the pastor and photographer in advance.
• Photographers will not ask members of the wedding party to stand on kneeling cushions, sit, kneel, or lean on the pulpit, altar, or altar rail for posed photographs nor will they themselves stand on the pews.
• The ceremony may be videotaped from a fixed location in the sanctuary. No operator or photographer will be allowed in the choir loft or chancel area during the ceremony.  No camera lights are allowed.
• The bride and photographer should plan poses for various photographs before the ceremony to conserve the time of the wedding party, guests and church staff.
• It is the bride’s responsibility to see that the photographer, relatives, and friends are informed of these photo policies.
• Pictures should be completed 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and all pictures should be completed within 30 minutes after the ceremony.

• Smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs are not permitted in the church building or on church property.
• The pastor will refuse to perform a wedding for anyone considered to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of the wedding.
• The church is not responsible for personal items brought to the church used in a wedding.
• Please remove all your personal belongings, and those of members of the bridal party, immediately after the wedding.
• Food and drink are not permitted in the sanctuary.
• Rice, birdseed, rose petals, or other objects are not to be thrown inside or outside the church as it is a safety hazard.
• The Alta United Methodist Church is fully handicap accessible.
• Parking is available on Prospect St. and 3rd Street.