It is expected that if you wish to assure that your marriage will be officiated by either the Senior or Associate Pastor, you will make arrangements with them before scheduling your wedding.   

Care should be given to assure that the church is available for your wedding before finalizing arrangements for your reception.   

The standards and requirements for Services of Christian Marriage at Park Avenue United Methodist Church are: 

Counseling: 

All persons to be married will enter fully into pre-marital counseling sessions with the understanding that additional sessions may be added at the discretion of the pastor.  Premarital counseling will be conducted by the pastor(s) of the Park Avenue United Church or by persons authorized to provide such counseling.  Written proof that counseling has been completed will be required for persons who do not receive counseling through the Park Avenue United Methodist Church.  In addition, the pastors may advise or require additional professional counseling when deemed appropriate and may make recommendations of professional therapists when a recommendation is made.  All decisions concerning any marriage, including the remarriage of divorced persons, will be made solely by the pastor.  The pastor may request to see copies of the divorce agreement before proceeding with counseling or with the wedding.   

Rehearsal: 

A rehearsal is required for all weddings, unless it is determined by the pastor to be unnecessary.  The customary time for the rehearsal is one week to a few days before the wedding, though other arrangements can be made with pastor and the Bridal Couple. It is not expected that the organist will be present during the rehearsal.  The pastor will direct the rehearsal. The sanctuary will be reserved for one hour for the rehearsal.   

Other participants are to be notified of these arrangements by the bride and bridegroom.  The bride and bridegroom are to bring the marriage license, rings (if they are to be exchanged) and any other special items needed for the ceremony to the pastor not later than the time of the rehearsal.   
 

The Service: 

The Service of Christian Marriage is provided for couples who wish to solemnize their marriage in a Service of Christian Worship that parallels in structure the Sunday Service.  Everything about the service is designed to witness that this is a Christian marriage.  In cases of an interfaith marriage, arrangements are to be made in advance with the pastor so that customs from both traditions may be honored.  Arrangements for the inclusion of other clergy or religious leaders and any additions to the service relating to other faith traditions are to be made with the pastor’s advice and approval. If other clergy or religious leaders are to participate in the service, they must provide copies of their credentials to the officiating pastor before the wedding.  Only clergy who are registered with the City of New York and who can provide a copy of this registration may officiate or co-officiate at any wedding connected with the Park Avenue United Methodist Church. The Senior or Associate Pastors will take the lead role in any wedding performed at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church or under church auspices at any other location.   

The sanctuary will be reserved for the wedding for three hours. This includes flower set-up and photos taken before or after the ceremony.    

Services of Christian Marriage planned for a location other than the Park Avenue United Methodist Church must be made with the pastor’s advice and approval.   

Music: 

The organ at Park Avenue United Methodist Church is reserved for the sole use of the church organist or their designated replacement.    If the bridal couple requests more than the customary amount of music, if additional rehearsals are required, or if the organist is asked to prepare special music with other soloists or musicians, the organist will set his/her own charges over and above the standard fee.   

Flowers and/or Decorations: 

Floral arrangements and decorations are to be appropriate for the service.  It is expected that there will be an arrangement or bouquet(s) on the altar.  Other floral arrangements and decorations should be simple and placed so that they will not detract from the wedding or create a hazard to people as they enter and leave the sanctuary.  Arrangements are to be made with the church secretary for flower delivery and placement of decorations.  Also, the couple is expected to make arrangements with the pastor for any flowers that are to be left for the use of the church after the service.  Otherwise, it is expected that flowers and/or decorations will be removed within 1 hour following the service, or before the sanctuary is needed for the next service (whichever occurs first). 

Pictures and Video Cameras: 

As a wedding in the church is primarily a Service of Christian Worship, the bride and bridegroom are expected to inform their photographers, family members, and guests of the need to make arrangements for stationary video cameras with the pastor at the time of the rehearsal – or before.  It is expected that the bridal couple will make it clear to all photographers, volunteer and/or professional, that they are expected to be discrete and appropriate while taking pictures during the service.   
 

Traditional Send-off: 

To avoid excessive litter, only flower petals or bubbles may be used to greet the newly-weds as they leave the church after the ceremony.   

Cleaning Following the Service: 

The sanctuary and church premises are to be cleaned by the church maintenance staff following the rehearsal and the service (except for the removal of flowers and decorations – see above).