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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Scheduling Your Wedding..................................................
The Marriage Preparation & Planning................................
The Music............................................................................
The Photographer................................................................
Church Decorations............................................................
The Marriage License.........................................................
The Rehearsal......................................................................
The Reception.....................................................................
The Fees..............................................................................
Additional Policies and Information...................................

We are delighted to be a part of your wedding celebration. It is our desire to assist you in making your wedding an event you will long remember and an occasion that honors the Lord.

SCHEDULING YOUR WEDDING

The first step in scheduling your wedding at the New Hope Community Church is to contact the Church's Wedding Coordinator. This should be done no less than six months prior to your proposed wedding date. The office staff will be able to discuss what dates are available. To reserve a date on the church calendar, you will be required to pay a $200.00 deposit. The deposit is not refundable less than 120 days before the wedding date. There are occasions when it is necessary to schedule more than one wedding on the same day. Adequate time will be allowed for a smooth transition between weddings. Thank you for your cooperation.

THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION & PLANNING

Our Church is committed to building marriages, not just to performing wedding ceremonies. Especially in a day when so many marriage are failing, we feel an increasing need for couples to take the important step of marriage only after thorough and thoughtful preparation. For this reason we require marriage preparation for all couples planning weddings in our church.

The marriage preparation program is designed to help you evaluate your relationship, form realistic expectations, correct inaccurate attitudes and develop proper ones, develop good communication skills, and gain information on subjects like communication, role relationships, in-laws, finances, and spiritual life.

The Role of the Pastor is to facilitate your developing relationship. Since the two of you will be responsible for the success or failure of your relationship, the burden of the work in preparing for marriage will be placed on you. We are here to support you, to encourage you and to provide resources for you so that you will be prepared. We ask that you be honest and open with us in this process so that we will be able to help you. You and the Pastor will meet 3 to 4 times. These meetings will give the Pastor an opportunity to get to know you, to help you with any special concerns, and to help you plan the details of your wedding ceremony.

Your role as a couple includes a responsibility to prepare outside of the counseling sessions. You are encouraged to talk and work together on the projects--they are designed for you. The Pastor will serve as a resource person, dealing with issues he deems key and others which you feel important for discussion with him. Everything you discuss with each other need not necessarily be discussed with him.

If at any time you decide to discontinue counseling or postpone or cancel your wedding plans, please contact the office immediately. We would like to be of help to you in these situations.

THE MUSIC

Music is a powerful way to create a desired atmosphere and direct corporate worship. Select your music with care and discretion to emphasize the importance of the service. God's love displayed through Jesus Christ is the foundation for marriage. The commitment a man and a woman make on their wedding day is an expression of love and devotion; therefore, choose music consistent with these themes.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Pictures and tape recordings can preserve your special day and bring back memories for years to come. Choose your photographer with care, selecting one with a reputation for quality photography as well as respect for you, the worship service, and the special guests who will join in your wedding celebration. We will be happy to recommend photographers for your consideration.
It is our policy that the wedding photographs be completed
before the wedding ceremony. This will allow the photographer to capture the wedding party when they are "freshest," and the reception activities will not be delayed due to the absence of the wedding party for post-ceremony photographs. The Co-ordinator can arrange a special meeting where the Bride walks down to meet the Groom at the front of the Church before the bride presents herself for the pre-service photography. These special moments allow the groom his first glimpse of the bride while also providing for the convenience of pre-service photography. Any exceptions to this policy must be cleared with our wedding hostess. It is important that your photographer co-ordinate with the wedding hostess regarding his time schedule and our policies.

1. Lighted candelabra or candles are not to be moved at any
time. If necessary, extinguish all candles, move the
equipment, and relight the candles.

2. All pre-service photographs in the Sanctuary are to be com- pleted not less than 30 minutes prior to the wedding service.

3. All candid photographs in the Bride's Room are to be
completed 15 minutes prior to the ceremony to allow the bride and her attendants time to relax a few moments before the processional.

CHURCH DECORATIONS

Before you make arrangements for decorations contact our wedding hostess to see what's available at the church. We have pew bows that are available at no additional charge. We also have a complete set of wedding decorations for a nominal fee. The hostess would be delighted to show them to you. Special permission is required for center aisle candelabra.

THE MARRIAGE LICENSE

You must have a license to be married in the State of California. You may obtain your marriage license between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm in Room 400 of the Fresno County Courthouse Building (1100 Van Ness). You must present copies of both birth certificates and cash payment. Check with the Courthouse for the current fee. (Blood tests are not required, but strongly recommended. Blood tests are available through your doctor or in a medical lab upon a doctor's referral.) The minister will receive the license and wedding certificate from you before the wedding and have it signed by the witnesses. He will mail the completed copy of the license to the Hall of Records. Your completed certificate will be returned to you.

THE REHEARSAL

The rehearsal is generally scheduled at 6:00 pm on the evening before the wedding. All members of the wedding party, including ushers and both sets of parents, should attend. The Pastor or Wedding Coordinator will preside at the rehearsal, giving instruction and direction for various aspects of the ceremony.
All desired equipment will be in place on the evening of the rehearsal. You will meet with the Pastor a week or two before the rehearsal to confirm the details for your wedding. Please understand that the rehearsal is not for the purpose of decorating the Sanctuary. This should be planned and coordinated with the Wedding Coordinator.

Since the rehearsal will take approximately 45 minutes, we suggest you plan the rehearsal dinner for after 7:30 pm. If you would like to schedule your rehearsal for an earlier evening or at a different hour, please discuss this with the Pastor when you schedule the
wedding.

THE RECEPTION

We do not have appropriate facilities for a reception. We recommend Clovis Veterans Memorial or Copper River Golf Club as places close to the Church.

THE FEES

We have endeavored to provide the church facilities, equipment and personnel services at the most reasonable rates possible. All fees are periodically reviewed. A deposit is required to hold the date and tentatively schedule it on the wedding calendar. The balance of the fee is due at the wedding rehearsal. The Office Staff will disburse funds to the supporting personnel. These include the Wedding Coordinator, Sound Technician and the Custodian. You should pay a honoraria for the pastor, soloists and other instrumentalists to the Wedding Coordinator on the night of rehearsal or directly to them on the day of the wedding.

1. Facilities: Sanctuary - 2006 $600.00

2. Other Fees: Honorarium
Soloist $100.00*
Pianist $150.00*

**Pastor - This is left to the discretion of the Bride & Groom.
His role is significant to an enjoyable service. It is appropriate to place the honorarium in an envelope or card and give it directly to the Pastor or have the Best Man give it to the pastor.
(Average is $150 to $200)

* These fees are applicable only if Soloist and Organist are from New Hope Community Church.

** If you will be using a Minister who is not affiliated with our Church please inquire directly with him for his fee policy. Any outside minister must contact Pastor Tim Rolen at the earliest possible opportunity.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND INFORMATION

Damage to any facility or equipment shall be the responsibility of the couple. Extra clean up due to failure to observe the given policies may result in an additional cleaning charge.

SMOKING is not permitted in any of the church buildings. Please be certain that your attendant and guests are aware of this policy.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are not permitted on the church grounds.

RICE, CONFETTI, OR BIRDSEED are not permitted (due to the safety factor as well as the time and effort for clean up).

ANY CHANGES in facility request (rooms, times, setups, etc.) must be cleared with the Wedding Coordinator. Adjustments will be made as allowed by the church calendar.

If the wedding party is to arrive at the church two to three hours prior to the ceremony, we suggest that the bride and groom provide a tray of nutritious snack foods to be eaten before the processional. (Include such items as cheese, cold cuts, nuts, crackers, fruit, etc.) The snacks can be available in each dressing room.

The Bride and Groom are responsible for recruiting help to clear Bride's Room and Groom's Room of all clothing and accessories. Please appoint one person to be responsible for this.


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