Congratulations on your engagement! At First Baptist Church, we believe marriage is ordained by God. We look forward to working with you to celebrate God’s presence in your relationship! Selected wedding information is listed below, with complete details available in our wedding handbook (pdf) » Reserve your date Pre-marital study Our facilities Your ceremony Your reception Use of church-owned equipment Fees Marriage license Your rehearsal More info
At least 3 months before your desired wedding date, contact the church office and Pastor Scotty to inquire about available dates (rehearsal & ceremony) and to arrange for an initial meeting with the pastor. Your wedding date is not confirmed until it is placed on the church calendar, and the couple has met with Pastor Scotty.
Note: If you are planning a wedding for March, April or December, please contact the church office more than 3 months in advance, as Lent (weeks leading up to Easter) & Advent (weeks leading up to Christmas) are busy seasons in the life of First Baptist Church.
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A requirement for all couples being married at First Baptist Church is pre-marital study. This starts no later than 3 months before your wedding date, and typically consists of three sessions with the pastor.
Our first priority is helping you both prepare for your lifelong journey together. While a certain level of planning is required for details related to the wedding day, it's only one day. The larger issues you'll face in the days, weeks and years to come are what forms the foundation of your marriage. Topics of discussion include finances, personal backgrounds, roles played by husband and wife within the marriage, and conflict management. The couple is also asked to consider basic Christian teachings regarding marriage.
Planning for the wedding ceremony also takes place during these sessions, though the nature of the couple’s relationship is always the primary focus.
People who want to marry following a divorce will not automatically be turned down for marriage at First Baptist Church. We do ask you, though, to consider the reasons your previous marriage ended, the steps you're taking to ensure your next marriage will last, and whether enough time has elapsed since your divorce and plans for remarriage.
Most weddings at First Baptist take place in the sanctuary, which comfortably seats about 325 people. More intimate weddings can also be held in the chapel area of the sanctuary, which seats 35-50 people.
A bride's room is available in the Celebration Center for the women in the wedding party to dress before the ceremony. The room includes a full-length mirror and is also connected to a restroom.
The church's main entry includes a canopy, which helps keep the couple, wedding party and guests dry in the event in inclement weather.
We strongly encourage couples to plan their wedding day so the ceremony will be a service of worship in which God is praised and the wedding guests are reminded of God's presence. That's why we help you to plan music, scripture, prayer, exchange of vows & rings, and all other symbols to magnify awareness of God during the ceremony. Certain items (including popular music, poems, and informal remarks by friends and family) are best left for your reception.
From the handbook: Sample ceremony rundown (pdf) >>
The music you choose for your ceremony should offer an uplifting spiritual expression of the day's joy. Don't know where to start? Don't worry! Our Director of Music is prepared to help. She has an extensive catalog of options, and can help you choose the right sacred music for your wedding.
Note: Most popular music is not appropriate for a church wedding ceremony, but is best left for your reception.
All floral decorations are the responsibility of the couple. When working with the florist of your choice, keep in mind:
Florists should have the sanctuary prepared on your wedding day at least one hour before any activity related to the wedding begins. If deliveries are planned for times when the church office is closed, florists will need to contact us to make arrangements ahead of time.
Pictures offer a wonderful way to help remember the details of your wedding day.
From the handbook: Photography guidelines (pdf) »
If you'd like to hold your reception at First Baptist Church, our Celebration Center offers a large space for family and friends to celebrate with you after your ceremony. Receptions can also be held in the narthex (main level) or lower level of the church.
If you wish to have food at your reception, the couple is responsible for making those arrangements.
If you'll have sound system needs for your wedding (microphones, etc.), please make arrangements through the church office for a sound technician. This technician will also need to attend your rehearsal.
Note: Non-members who would like to use the church facilities for a reception will be charged an additional fee.
Couples (members and non-members alike) often ask about the fees that church staff should receive for their services. Selected items are listed below with appropriate ranges. For the complete list, check out our wedding handbook (pdf) »
All fees are due before the rehearsal.
Your wedding cannot be conducted without a valid marriage license. Information on how to get a marriage license from nearby Ohio counties is listed below:
Note: Please bring your license with you to the rehearsal.
The rehearsal typically takes place the day/evening before the ceremony. If you ask friends and/or family members to participate in the ceremony (soloists, instrumentalists, readers, etc.), those people should also attend the rehearsal.
overall format of the service should already be in place at this point, as items were discussed in the final pre-marital session with the pastor. Any last-minute adjustments can be made during the rehearsal.
If you're planning to attend a rehearsal dinner afterwards, please schedule ample time for your rehearsal to take place (including travel time for out-of-town participants to get to the church).
Note: Don't forget to bring your marriage license with you to the rehearsal!
For more information about weddings at First Baptist Church, view our wedding handbook (pdf) or contact us.