A congregation united by the love of Christ

Wedding Policies

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
– Genesis 2:24

So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.
– Matthew 19:6

The congregation and staff of Trinity United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa extend to you our warmest congratulations and best wishes for your wedding. The wedding ceremony is a time for commitment, love, and emotion. It should be considered a high and holy time of worship and reverence as well as excitement. We rejoice that you are considering using this holy and beautiful place of worship for your wedding.

These policies are designed to promote the sanctity of the ceremony while providing logistical understandings in making your wedding a special and meaningful time. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to become familiar with these guidelines and see that the wedding party, florist, caterer, photographer, and musicians observe them.

Wedding Director

$250 charge

In the best interest of Trinity United Methodist Church, Trinity’s Wedding Director is available to assist you with your wedding. She knows the traditions of the church and traditional wedding etiquette. She will assist you in planning and give you suggestions for caterers, florists, and photographers if you so desire. The Wedding Director will oversee the placement of all decorations in order to see that the furnishings of the Church are protected from damage. She will also ensure that all regulations outlined in this policy have been followed. The Wedding Director will be present for one hour at the rehearsal, and one hour prior to the wedding. You may use your own wedding director in addition to Trinity’s, however; the bride is responsible for compensating Trinity’s Wedding Director even if her own director directs the rehearsal and wedding. If a bride chooses to use her own director, Trinity’s Wedding Director has complete and final authority over what takes place during the wedding (when the Trinity United Methodist Church Pastor is not officiating). The person who performs the wedding must be an ordained minister.

Scheduling

Contact the Trinity Secretary to check the availability of the church. Weddings will not be scheduled more than 18 months in advance (12 months in advance for non-members). No weddings will be scheduled before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Church related activities will have first priority. Your wedding date and rehearsal date must be approved with regard to the schedule of the church ministries and programs. Upon approval of wedding date, half of all fees and the $300 refundable damage deposit must be paid (see member and non-member fees). When these fees have been paid and the Wedding Application received, the wedding will be placed on the church calendar. The remaining balance is due no later than two weeks prior to the wedding.

Cancellation Policy

If the wedding is cancelled 60 days or more prior to the wedding date, the $300 Damage Deposit and all but $200 of the wedding fees will be refunded; otherwise there is no refund. Please note: if the wedding is canceled within 60 days of the wedding for any reason, there will be no refund.

Facility Policies

  1. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to familiarize the members of the wedding party with the policies pertinent to their conduct during the rehearsal, wedding ceremony, and reception. A church wedding is a WORSHIP service and all members of the wedding party should conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the place of worship.
  2. The Lord’s Table, Baptismal Font, the Pulpits, and the Hymnals may not be moved. The pulpit, the cross, the candlesticks, and the chairs may be moved under the supervision of the Wedding Director. The hymnals may not be moved.
  3. No tacks, screws, nails, scotch tape, etc. may be used on the walls, furnishings, railings or floor.
  4. No food or drink are allowed in the sanctuary. Food is allowed in the fellowship hall only, with the exception of light snacks where the wedding party is dressing. You are responsible for all clean up. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere in the facility. Any guest or participant who, in the judgment of the Wedding Director, appears intoxicated will be asked to leave immediately.
  5. Only dripless taper candles or pillar candles may be used. When using candles, a drop cloth must be used to protect the building and carpet from candle wax and moisture.
  6. No camera flash photography may be used during the actual ceremony. One flash picture is allowed as the bride enters the sanctuary and one as she and the groom exit the ceremony. Photographers are asked to use extreme caution while standing on the pews to make pictures. Please put a cloth on the pew before standing on it.
  7. All rooms used by the bridal party must be returned to the condition in which they were found.
  8. No weddings will be scheduled after 6:00 p.m. The bridal party must not be in the building before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. on the days of the rehearsal and wedding. This policy should be considered when choosing a time for both the rehearsal and the wedding.
  9. No rice, confetti, or birdseed is allowed to be thrown inside or outside the church. We recommend bubbles or rose petals.