Wedding Policy
Utica Baptist Church
415 State Route 1207
Utica, KY 42376
270-733-4517
This policy is intended to aid the engaged couple in preparing for a memorable marriage ceremony and a life together that will last.
Reservation of the Church
To reserve a wedding date, you may contact the office or pastors, who will refer you to our Church Calendar Coordinator.
There are several dates that are reserved and for which a wedding will not be confirmed.
- Weddings will not be scheduled on Sundays or in conflict with other regularly scheduled church activities. Vacation Bible School is one of our most important ministry activities, so weddings will not be scheduled on the weekends preceding or following VBS.
- If a church activity is already scheduled for the same weekend as the wedding request, it will not be moved to accommodate the request nor will a confirmed wedding date be moved for a church activity.
Requirements for Ceremony
- Statement of Faith for Salvation
It is our desire that anyone using these facilities for a wedding know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as He is the only foundation for permanence in marriage. He is the third strand in a cord of three that cannot be easily broken. The Bible makes it clear that a non-Christian should not be joined with a Christian because of the incompatibility of their spiritual lives.
- Pre-marital Counseling
The traditional marriage vows include the recommendation that marriage should not be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. We agree. No marriage should begin hurriedly or without sufficient time to learn about each other and to study the characteristics or foundations of a lasting relationship. We strongly recommend that the engaged couple seek Christian counseling in preparation for a lifetime of commitment. This is required by our senior Pastor for all weddings he officiates.
- Traditional Marriage of a Man and Woman
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
- Minister
If the minister is not a member of the Utica Baptist staff, he must be approved by our senior pastor and be a man of like faith and practice. Please provide contact information for him in order that our senior pastor may contact him.
You may contact our pastors for their personal policies on marriage ceremonies.
- Music
A wedding ceremony is intended to be a worship service, thereby; the music chosen for use in the ceremony should reflect the sacred nature of the place and event. Music that is not sacred in nature or designed specifically for use in the church must affirm the life-long commitment required of marriage and the spiritual nature of the ceremony. The wedding party is free to enlist the musicians of their choice. Please contact our church pianist in regards to use of piano or organ.
- Technical
Use of the audio and visual equipment is available only with prior approval of our sound technician. He may be available to assist during ceremony or to provide assistance to someone in preparation to ceremony. While UBC does not set forth a required fee for his services, we would ask that you recognize and show appreciation for his time spent in assisting you in these areas.
Restricted Activities or Practices
- Alcoholic beverages are not to be supplied or consumed anywhere on the property.
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere in our buildings.
- Rice is not to be used to shower the bride and groom; however, bubbles or birdseed are acceptable.
- No food or drink is permitted outside of fellowship hall area.
- Dance receptions are not permitted in our facility, however, the traditional first dance of the bride & groom and that of the father & bride are allowed.
Fees
- Church members and regular attendees are not subject to a fee for use of the facilities, but are expected to leave the facilities in a position that does not require church custodian to return for additional cleanup.
- Non members may be charged a $100 fee, with $50 to be refunded if facilities do not require church custodian to return for additional clean-up.
Adopted: May 17, 2015
