Wedding Information

We are delighted to hear about your upcoming marriage. Ward Church is a Christ centered, Bible believing church which is eager to encourage Christian marriages. In order to do so, we have established certain policies concerning weddings.

Please Read the following carefully:

1. The enclosed Wedding Information Form must be filled out completely and returned to the church as a starting point in the wedding preparation process. This will become the basis of a pastoral interview (all couples must meet with a pastor before a wedding date is reserved).

2. A member of the Pastoral staff will meet with all couples prior to reserving a wedding date. The purpose of the meeting will be to confirm that you are in agreement with the policies and procedures we follow in preparing for marriage. You may arrange an appointment as soon as you have received your Wedding information Form.

3. After a wedding date is reserved, couples must forward a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 payable to Ward Church before the date can be guaranteed. This will be applied to the Wedding Fee.

4. It is required that couples participate in our Marriage Preparation Seminar, or a personalized program designed by the officiating pastor. The Prepare/Enrich Profile or similar premarital inventory will be administered as part of your marriage preparation. If this is a remarriage for one or both parties, attendance at a Remarriage Seminar or completion of a Divorce Care program is required. Please consult with the Wedding Coordinator for details.

5. Couples must be active at the church and must remain active for five months preceding a wedding. “Active” is defined as present for worship at least twice a month. Please fill out the Communication card on Sunday. Members of the pastoral staff may make exceptions to this policy under extraordinary circumstances.

6. Couples must have separate housing arrangements and give evidence of sincere spiritual interest in a God-honoring wedding.

Our desire is for your wedding to be a truly rewarding spiritual experience. We are eager to serve you. I will look forward to hearing from you to confirm the wedding arrangements.

Mary Matusz
Wedding Coordinator
248-374-5957

  • CANDLES:  A three-candle candelabra is available for anyone desiring the “unity” candle ceremony, which symbolizes the coming of two lives into one new life.  For this, please purchase three (3) 12” dripless candles or two (2) 12” candles and a unity candle.  Bring them to the church the night of your rehearsal and give them to the hostess.
  • PEW CANDELABRA: Candelabra that are attached to the pews are available in the Sanctuary only.  There are a total of 14 candelabra.
  • PAYMENT OF FEES: Checks to the Pastor are made payable to them but sent to the attention of the Wedding Coordinator and are due a minimum of four weeks before the wedding.  All remaining fees are made payable to Ward E.P.C. and are due a minimum of four weeks before the wedding.  These should also be sent to the attention of the Wedding Coordinator.
  • ALCOHOL: It is the responsibility of the bride and groom and their families to make certain that all members of the wedding party refrain from the use of alcoholic beverages anytime or anywhere while on church property. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the church at any
  • SMOKING: All Ward buildings are entirely smoke-free.
  • ACCESS TO THE BUILDING: Wedding parties have access to the Sanctuary, Chapel, narthex, bride’s room and A101- one hour before the wedding and up to one hour after the wedding.  Additional time is available upon request from the Wedding Coordinator at additional charge.  For Chapel Weddings Parlor 307/309 will be used for the bride and groom’s room.
  • MINISTER’S SERVICES: Only ministers of Ward Church may officiate at a wedding.  If a family desires to ask another clergyman to assist in the service, such desire shall be made known to the officiating minister and he may extend the invitation to the other clergyman.
  • SOUND SYSTEM: Only Ward personnel may operate the sound system.
  • MUSIC: Only Ward Church organists may play for weddings.  Call the organist assigned to you one month prior to your wedding date.  Their name and phone number can be obtained from the Wedding Coordinator.  All music must be approved by officiating pastor/organist.
  • PICTURES/VIDEO TAPING: Worship is of utmost importance during the Wedding Ceremony at Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  This is sacred ceremony.
  • PHOTOGRAPHER: The photographer must check with the Wedding Hostess upon arrival to the church.  
    • Flash photos are allowed only during the Processional and Recessional.|
    • NO FLASH PHOTOS are allowed during the ceremony.
    • You may stand ½ way up the aisle to photograph the wedding party during the processional.
    • During the ceremony the photographer will stand behind the last row of guests at the back of the

Sanctuary or Chapel.

  • Posed pictures may be taken before and after the ceremony.
  • If your photographer desires additional time, please notify the Wedding Coordinator at 248-374-5957.


VIDEOGRAPHER:  Videotaping is welcome, however, there are restrictions.  The Ward sanctuary sound system uses wireless microphones operating at frequencies of 209.000 MHz and 170.305 MHz.  Please do not use equipment operating on these frequencies.  Doing so will cause severe distortion with Ward’s sound system as well as the videographer. If you must use these frequencies, you will need to inform the wedding coordinator at least 4 weeks in advance of the wedding. If a hardline XLR feed is needed, please notify 4 weeks in advance.

You are responsible for informing your videographer of the information.

The Wedding coordinator and Hostess must approve details.

  • The videographer will stand stationary in the choir loft or at the back of the Sanctuary. In the Chapel he/she will stand near the organ or in the back.
  • No lighting of any kind is allowed during the ceremony.
  • The videographer will not stand at the front of the Sanctuary or Chapel where the wedding party stands during the processional.
  • If your videographer desires additional time, please notify the Wedding Coordinator at 248-374-5957.
  • SOLOIST: Contact your organist for names of available soloists.  Payment must be made directly to soloist prior to wedding.
  • FLOWERS: Your florist may deliver flowers one hour before the ceremony.  Plants that belong to the church are not to be moved or rearranged in any way.
  • RICE/BIRDSEED: Throwing of rice, birdseed, or any other material is not permitted either inside or outside the church.
  • RUNNERS: Are not allowed.
  • RECEPTIONS: (Members only) Wedding Receptions are only available for Ward Members. The exclusive caterer for Ward Church is Elite Catering. Receptions may be held in Knox Hall (accommodates 300), or Chapel Suite 3 (accommodates 100).  The following will be made available by Ward Church: Tables, chairs, cooking and serving utensils, and table service (including silverware). The church will not provide:  paper products and food stuffs (including coffee, tea, sugar or cream).
  • REHEARSALS: A rehearsal is necessary for all except the smallest, informal weddings.  The wedding hostess will conduct the rehearsal.  The officiating minister will not be present.
  • DRESS: All members of the Wedding party, Bride, Groom and Attendants are asked to dress with appropriate modesty.  Brides and bridesmaids are asked to be particularly careful regarding necklines and other details of their attire.
  • WEDDING COORDINATOR: All weddings are required to use the Ward Wedding Coordinator.  The Wedding coordinator will represent the church for policy and facility information; and the wedding party in scheduling and planning the wedding.
  • WEDDING HOSTESS: All weddings are required to use the Ward Hostess.  The Hostess will assist during the rehearsal and wedding.  Your hostess will contact you the week of the wedding.

Wedding Fee Structure/Building Service

 

Sanctuary Chapel
Member: $600 Wedding Fee $500 Wedding Fee
$150 for Pastor $150 for Pastor
$100 Security Deposit * $100 Security Deposit *

 

Sanctuary Chapel
Regular Attender: $800 Wedding Fee $650 Wedding Fee
$200 for Pastor $200 for Pastor
$100 Security Deposit * $100 Security Deposit *

 

  • A $100 Administrative fee is due 10 days after booking your wedding. This is a non-refundable fee. This fee is deducted from the wedding fee.
  • *A $100 Security Deposit is required 4 weeks prior to your wedding date. This is in addition to the Wedding and Pastors fees. This security deposit will be refunded to you 10 days after your wedding unless any additional time is used beyond the 3 hours provided and/or damage occurs.
  • Pew candelabra are included for all Sanctuary weddings.
  • ADVANCED TECHNICAL SUPPORT; SOUND, VIDEO, LIGHTING.  Additional fee(s) determined by request
  • Wedding Fees include the following: Organist, Sound Technician, Custodial Service, and Hostess. A three hour block of time the day of wedding and one hour the day of the Rehearsal.

The Ward Wedding Coordinator can be reached at 248-374-5957
Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

When can we start?

As soon as you are engaged! A year out of your desired wedding day is ideal for planning and organizing all the details and counseling. We ask that no later than 6 months out of your desired date you begin working with Ward to plan your ceremony and begin premarital counseling.

How do I find a pastor to officiate our wedding?

If you have a specific Pastor in mind, please inform the Wedding Coordinator. Be sure to give her a few dates to work with. If you don’t have a specific pastor in mind, our Wedding Coordinator will help you find a Pastor available on or near your desired date.

Can a Ward pastor marry us off-site?

Yes, You must confirm the dates with your Officiating Pastor just as you would if the ceremony were performed at Ward Church.

Who will help us coordinate the wedding?

Our Wedding Coordinator can assist you in facility coordination for your wedding ceremony. The Officiating Pastor will help you in creating the program order of your Christian ceremony.

What does the wedding coordinator actually provide?

The Wedding Coordinator will explain her role, schedule your wedding date and provide details about the material available for your ceremony.

Once we register online and submit the Pre-Marriage Questionnaire Form, can we go ahead and secure a reception off campus?

No, we recommend couples wait until they have had their initial wedding interview and received confirmation before securing a reception hall off campus. This assures that your wedding is approved and a ceremony site for the date of your wedding within our facility has been secured.

My fiance lives long distance from Ward. How can we participate in the premarital preparation process?

Some couples are faced with a proximity issue in preparing for marriage and making wedding plans. Through our online Wedding Registration we’ll receive important information that will help us determine the status of your relationship for marriage without a fiancée present. During your interview with a Ward Pastor, the three of you will discuss the direction of Premarital classes and /or counseling (this will need to be completed prior to the wedding date.) Note: In some cases (e.g., military service), there are restrictions which will limit the participation in the sessions and seminar. Your Officiating Pastor will review such cases and suggest alternative plans that will effectively prepare you for a lifetime of marriage.

Does Ward Church accommodate small weddings of 30 or fewer guests?

Yes. However, the availability of our all services will be limited. If you are interested in a wedding of this size or less please contact our Wedding Coordinator to review your request.

Download a PDF version of Ward Church’s wedding packet.  This includes the Welcome Letter, Wedding Policies, and Pricing / Fees.

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