About New Hope : Weddings
New Hope Church is delighted to share with you in the joy of Christian marriage. God has ordained that a man and a woman may enter together into marriage, pledging their love and promising fidelity each to the other, as long as they both shall live. As you enter into the joy and responsibility of marriage, may you seek and receive the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ.While you are in the preparatory stages of your wedding (and the marriage that follows), you will want to take into consideration the guidelines that are outlined on this page. We will attempt to make the planning and celebration of your wedding meaningful and memorable, as is fitting for such a sacred occasion. These guidelines reflect the values of our denomination, the Reformed Church in America (RCA), and New Hope's accumulated experience in conducting wedding ceremonies. We hope you will find them workable and helpful in the many preparations that are before you.
On Christian Marriage
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We recognize marriage as an expression of God's love for us. This love is manifested in the love of husbands for their wives and wives for their husbands.
Marriage in our culture and society is recognized by the state as a civil contract between a man and a woman and the state. The Church acknowledges this secular meaning of marriage but views it as more than a contract. In marriage, men and women commit themselves to a mutually shared life and respond to each other in sensitive and lifelong concern.
Your wedding ceremony, as an act of worship, will acknowledge marriage as a gracious gift from God, placing the primary focus on God's blessing of the covenant being established.
We recognize marriage as an expression of God's love for us. This love is manifested in the love of husbands for their wives and wives for their husbands.
Marriage in our culture and society is recognized by the state as a civil contract between a man and a woman and the state. The Church acknowledges this secular meaning of marriage but views it as more than a contract. In marriage, men and women commit themselves to a mutually shared life and respond to each other in sensitive and lifelong concern.
Your wedding ceremony, as an act of worship, will acknowledge marriage as a gracious gift from God, placing the primary focus on God's blessing of the covenant being established.
Scheduling Your Wedding
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The church facility must be reserved as far in advance as possible. All weddings will be scheduled on a first come first served basis. Our Wedding Coordinator will work with you to assist in planning for your wedding celebration. The coordinator will serve as the liaison between you and the church in addition to apprising you of our wedding policies and what is available at New Hope Church.
The church facility must be reserved as far in advance as possible. All weddings will be scheduled on a first come first served basis. Our Wedding Coordinator will work with you to assist in planning for your wedding celebration. The coordinator will serve as the liaison between you and the church in addition to apprising you of our wedding policies and what is available at New Hope Church.
Fees
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Non-Refundable Deposit
A non-refundable deposit fee of $125 is payable to New Hope Church before your wedding date will be officially put on the church calendar. All other fees must be deposited with the Wedding Coordinator on or before the day of the wedding rehearsal.Pastoral Fees
The pastor will work with you to plan a wedding ceremony that is the most joyful and meaningful experience it can possibly be and reflects your desires and tastes. While it is customary and most couples choose to give an honorarium which is commensurate with the time invested to the pastor who officiates at your wedding, there is no set pastoral fee for members and regular attendees of New Hope. For those who are not members or regular attendees of New Hope Church at the time the wedding is scheduled, there is a $300 minimum pastoral fee for an on-site wedding, and $350 for an off-site wedding.Sanctuary Use
$500 for non-members; $250 for active members (those contributing to the church or participating in New Hope activities prior to or at the time of scheduling the wedding). Fee payable to New Hope Church.Wedding Coordinator
$150, payable to the individualOrganist/Pianist
To be determined based on music requested, payable to the individualVocalist
To be determined based on music requested, payable to the individualSound Technician
$150, payable to the individualPre-Marital Counseling
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New Hope encourages pre-marital counseling with the pastor before the wedding. This is also an opportunity for the pastor and the bridal couple to plan the content of the ceremony. An appointment for this meeting should be made with the pastor.
New Hope encourages pre-marital counseling with the pastor before the wedding. This is also an opportunity for the pastor and the bridal couple to plan the content of the ceremony. An appointment for this meeting should be made with the pastor.
Marriage License
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It is your responsibility to obtain a marriage license. Please bring it to the wedding rehearsal so that the pastor can prepare it and the marriage certificate before the wedding.
It is your responsibility to obtain a marriage license. Please bring it to the wedding rehearsal so that the pastor can prepare it and the marriage certificate before the wedding.
Invitations
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About three months before the wedding you will need to order your invitations and announcements. These should be mailed four weeks prior to the wedding day. Please be sure that your wedding invitations are printed with the following information:
In the Sanctuary of
New Hope Church
4739 West Powell Road
Powell, Ohio 43065
About three months before the wedding you will need to order your invitations and announcements. These should be mailed four weeks prior to the wedding day. Please be sure that your wedding invitations are printed with the following information:
In the Sanctuary of
New Hope Church
4739 West Powell Road
Powell, Ohio 43065
Rehearsal
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The wedding rehearsal is usually scheduled the night before the wedding and at a time prior to any rehearsal dinner. Everyone participating in the wedding should be present for the rehearsal that is approximately an hour in length.
The wedding rehearsal is usually scheduled the night before the wedding and at a time prior to any rehearsal dinner. Everyone participating in the wedding should be present for the rehearsal that is approximately an hour in length.
Your Wedding Day
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The bride and her party should plan to arrive at the church two hours prior to the wedding. If she wishes to come earlier she should coordinate this with the Wedding Coordinator to make sure that there is no interference with other activities. The Mirick Chapel/Library will usually be used as the dressing room for the bridal party. A full-length mirror is available in the women’s restroom.
At least one hour prior to the wedding the groom and his party should arrive. The Youth Room will be available for the groom and his party.
The bride and her party should plan to arrive at the church two hours prior to the wedding. If she wishes to come earlier she should coordinate this with the Wedding Coordinator to make sure that there is no interference with other activities. The Mirick Chapel/Library will usually be used as the dressing room for the bridal party. A full-length mirror is available in the women’s restroom.
At least one hour prior to the wedding the groom and his party should arrive. The Youth Room will be available for the groom and his party.
On Throwing Rice
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We ask that no rice, confetti, birdseed or other materials be thrown or used in the church or anywhere on the church property. Bubbles are acceptable.
We ask that no rice, confetti, birdseed or other materials be thrown or used in the church or anywhere on the church property. Bubbles are acceptable.
Florist
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You will need to make private arrangements with the florist of your choice. Please show the florist our list of rules concerning florists.
Many times the wedding party offers to leave some of their flowers for Sunday's worship service. If you would like to do this please contact the Office Administrator (614-766-5445) one week prior to the wedding so that your gift can be acknowledged in the worship bulletin.
Only New Hope's candelabras can be used. Decorations may not be attached with wire, tacks, pins, tape or nails to any of the furniture or woodwork in the Sanctuary. Flowers should be placed in containers which eliminate the possibility of water damage to the church. Fresh flower petals are not permitted.
Flowers may not be placed on any of the musical instruments. New Hope assumes no responsibility for floral arrangements which remain.
You will need to make private arrangements with the florist of your choice. Please show the florist our list of rules concerning florists.
Many times the wedding party offers to leave some of their flowers for Sunday's worship service. If you would like to do this please contact the Office Administrator (614-766-5445) one week prior to the wedding so that your gift can be acknowledged in the worship bulletin.
Rules for your florist
Florists are required to clear with the Wedding Coordinator any placement of decorations in the church. All decorations used in the Sanctuary should be in good taste and in keeping with the dignified setting of a worship service.Only New Hope's candelabras can be used. Decorations may not be attached with wire, tacks, pins, tape or nails to any of the furniture or woodwork in the Sanctuary. Flowers should be placed in containers which eliminate the possibility of water damage to the church. Fresh flower petals are not permitted.
Flowers may not be placed on any of the musical instruments. New Hope assumes no responsibility for floral arrangements which remain.
Chancel Furniture
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With the exception of the pulpit and baptismal font, no chancel furniture will be moved. This specifically includes risers and chairs in the choir area. The piano may be slightly adjusted in order to accommodate additional instrumentalists.
With the exception of the pulpit and baptismal font, no chancel furniture will be moved. This specifically includes risers and chairs in the choir area. The piano may be slightly adjusted in order to accommodate additional instrumentalists.
Music
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Because a wedding is a sacred service, all music should be appropriate to the occasion. Keep in mind that the music is a vital part of the wedding celebration. The Wedding Coordinator can supply a list of musicians who are familiar with our equipment. Please inform the Wedding Coordinator of the needs of outside musicians.
Because a wedding is a sacred service, all music should be appropriate to the occasion. Keep in mind that the music is a vital part of the wedding celebration. The Wedding Coordinator can supply a list of musicians who are familiar with our equipment. Please inform the Wedding Coordinator of the needs of outside musicians.
Photography
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The processional and recessional may be photographed using a flash, but only from the rear of the church. No movement is allowed in the sanctuary during the wedding ceremony. This is to ensure that the focus of this ceremony is on the bridal couple and that there are no unnecessary distractions.
The processional and recessional may be photographed using a flash, but only from the rear of the church. No movement is allowed in the sanctuary during the wedding ceremony. This is to ensure that the focus of this ceremony is on the bridal couple and that there are no unnecessary distractions.
Videotaping
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If you wish to have your wedding videotaped you will need to make private arrangements. The videographer will need to contact the Wedding Coordinator in advance about set up and sound hook ups needed. As with still photography, cameras must remain at the back or sides of the Sanctuary and no movement is allowed during the ceremony.
If you wish to have your wedding videotaped you will need to make private arrangements. The videographer will need to contact the Wedding Coordinator in advance about set up and sound hook ups needed. As with still photography, cameras must remain at the back or sides of the Sanctuary and no movement is allowed during the ceremony.
Reception
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The Fellowship Hall is available for a reception at New Hope. The Fellowship Hall must be reserved in advance, preferably at the same time that you schedule the use of the Sanctuary. Your request must include the time the caterer will need prior to the wedding to set up the arrangement. The kitchen is not be to be used for receptions. There will be an additional building usage fee and custodial fee if you choose to have your wedding reception in the church facility. Please discuss your needs thoroughly with the Wedding Coordinator. If additional furniture is needed it will be your responsibility to obtain it.
The Fellowship Hall is available for a reception at New Hope. The Fellowship Hall must be reserved in advance, preferably at the same time that you schedule the use of the Sanctuary. Your request must include the time the caterer will need prior to the wedding to set up the arrangement. The kitchen is not be to be used for receptions. There will be an additional building usage fee and custodial fee if you choose to have your wedding reception in the church facility. Please discuss your needs thoroughly with the Wedding Coordinator. If additional furniture is needed it will be your responsibility to obtain it.
No Smoking or Alcoholic Beverages
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Smoking is strictly prohibited in the church facilities. In accordance with the policies of the church, alcoholic beverages are also not permitted on the premises. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform relatives and friends of our policies.
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the church facilities. In accordance with the policies of the church, alcoholic beverages are also not permitted on the premises. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform relatives and friends of our policies.
Nursery
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Should you desire to use the nursery for child care during the wedding ceremony, you must arrange for your own child care attendant. Your arrangements must be reviewed in advance with the Wedding Coordinator.
Should you desire to use the nursery for child care during the wedding ceremony, you must arrange for your own child care attendant. Your arrangements must be reviewed in advance with the Wedding Coordinator.
Programs
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If you wish to have printed programs of your wedding ceremony to give to your guests as they arrive, you will need to contact your printer at least two weeks in advance of your wedding day.
If you wish to have printed programs of your wedding ceremony to give to your guests as they arrive, you will need to contact your printer at least two weeks in advance of your wedding day.
Click here for a printer-friendly version of all guidelines
For more information on New Hope Church, please contact the church office at office@NewHopeWorship.com or 614.766.5445.