Planning Your Wedding
Date and Time
We encourage you to contact UUMC’s administrative assistant at 517-351-7030 to make arrangements for your wedding. She will collect important information from you, including the date you prefer for your wedding, and will relay that to the church staff for review. Once the church calendar has been checked and the staff has approved your date, the administrative assistant will contact you with the information you will need to proceed with your planning. Receipt of the $200 deposit and confirmation from the church office will guarantee the use of the church facilities.
Clergy
The pastors of University Church or the Wesley at MSU preside at all wedding services at UUMC. If you desire another clergy person to assist with your service, the invitation must be extended from the UUMC pastor.
Wedding Coordinator
The wedding coordinator will be in contact with you approximately two weeks prior to the wedding to go over details with you and answer any questions you may have.
Rehearsal
Date and time for the rehearsal will be scheduled when your wedding is scheduled. Everyone who has a part in the service should plan to attend the rehearsal, including: the wedding couple, the attendants (including flower girl and ring bearer), the ushers, the parents (and children if they are to be included in the service), and anyone having official duties at the wedding service. Soloists are expected to attend, unless other rehearsal arrangements have been made with the UUMC organist. The couple is responsible for informing the wedding party of the time of the rehearsal.
License
Application for the marriage license is the responsibility of the bride and groom, and should be obtained from the County Clerk’s office where you reside. The license should be given to the wedding coordinator at the rehearsal.
Music
The UUMC organist plays for all weddings at which there is organ or piano music, or makes arrangements for an approved substitute, if she is unavailable. It is your responsibility to contact the organist once the wedding date is finalized, and to meet with her at least one month in advance: Connie Gamage at cgamage@eluumc.org. Soloists are also available from within the membership of University United Methodist Church. It is important to remember that the music of the wedding service, like the music at all worship services, should contribute to a reverent spirit of worship and be consistent with the teachings of the Christian faith.
Flowers and Decorations
If your florist will be delivering flowers to the church, please direct them to call the church office during business hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday) several days before the ceremony to arrange for the building to be open for delivery. We prefer that the florist deliver the flowers not more than two hours before the wedding.
Photographs
The photographer needs to meet with the Pastor before the wedding ceremony.
Reception
A Fellowship Hall and Lounge are available as reception areas. Arrangements for rental of these facilities may be made by contacting the church administrative assistant at (517) 351-7030.
Finances
UUMC Members
Refundable Damage Deposit
$200
paid to UUMC
Pastor
honorarium
paid to Pastor
Wedding Coordinator
$150
paid to Wedding Coordinator
Organist **
$200
paid to Organist
Custodial Fee
$150
paid to Custodian
Sound Technician *
$50
paid to Sound Technician
*need for services will be determined by pastor/organist
**more than one rehearsal may result in additional fees as determined by the organist.
To qualify for the church member rate, individual must have been a member of UUMC in good standing for at least one year (12 months).
The $200 deposit must be paid to the church to confirm your wedding date. Your date is NOT guaranteed until you have been informed by the church office. The remainder of the total wedding payment is due to the Wedding Coordinator at the wedding rehearsal. Excessive clean up will be charged to the wedding party at the rate of $20 per hour. Any other fees (e.g. soloist, bulletin preparation) are also due at the wedding rehearsal.
For Smaller Wedding Parties: Tennant Chapel (seats 15), Chapel of the Apostles (seats 60), and The Copper Chimney Lounge (seats 80-100). Costs vary depending on room chosen.
Non-Members
Non-Refundable Deposit
$200
paid to UUMC
Church Use Fee
$300 (in addition to deposit)
paid to UUMC
Refundable Damage Fee
$200
paid to UUMC
Pastor
$200
paid to Pastor
Wedding Coordinator
$150
paid to Wedding Coordinator
Organist **
$200
paid to Organist
Custodial Fee
$150
paid to Custodian
Sound Technician *
$50
paid to Sound Technician
*need for services will be determined by pastor/organist
The $200 deposit must be paid to the church to confirm your wedding date, Your date is NOT guaranteed until you have been informed by the church office. This deposit is credited toward the $500 church use fee, so it will not be returned. The Church Use Fee is due to the church office one month prior to the wedding. Remaining fees are due to the Wedding Coordinator 30 days prior. Excessive clean up will be charged to the wedding party at the rate of $20 per hour and taken from the damage deposit. Any other fees (e.g. soloist, bulletin preparation) are also due 20 days prior.
The Custodian will arrive at the rehearsal and wedding in time to have
- the building open and lights turned on for rehearsal and wedding.
- building temperature regulated.
- walks clear in the winter.
- sanctuary and restrooms clean.
The Coordinator will
- act as the liaison between UUMC and the wedding party.
- arrive 20 min. before the rehearsal and 2 hrs. before the wedding.***
- assist florist as needed.
- assist pastor during wedding and rehearsal.
***If needed earlier than 2 hours before the wedding, an additional $20 per hour fee applies.
The Organist will
- be present at rehearsal. (more than 1 rehearsal w/soloist will result in additional fees.)
- meet with wedding party to select music.
- recruit soloist(s). (If requested)
- play music 20 min. before the wedding and several minutes after.
The pastor has the option of making changes in the fee structure according to the needs and circumstances of the wedding party and the degree of complexity of the wedding service.