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. 

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 and 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.

Music

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.

Flowers

All floral decorations are the responsibility of the couple. When working with the florist of your choice, keep in mind:

• Sanctuary's center aisle is 65 feet long.
• The altar at the front of the sanctuary is the focal point, which most guests can clearly see from wherever they are seated.
• Floral decorations may be placed along the aisle as long as they do not interfere with the seating of guests or the movement of the bridal party during the ceremony.

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.

Photography

Pictures offer a wonderful way to help remember the details of your wedding day.

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.

• Members of First Baptist: Can use the church facilities for their wedding free of charge.
• Non-members: $300 fee, payable in advance of the wedding date.

Note: Non-members who would like to use the church facilities for a reception will be charged an additional fee.

Fees for church staff

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). 

• Church organist: $125-$150 (includes consultation, practice time, rehearsal time with soloists [if applicable], wedding rehearsal, wedding ceremony)
• Pastor: $100 and up (includes premarital study sessions, wedding rehearsal, wedding ceremony)
• Sound technician: $30 (includes wedding rehearsal, wedding ceremony)
• Church secretary: $30 and up (applies only if your ceremony programs are printed at the church).

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.

• Butler County
• Hamilton County
• Montgomery County
• Warren County

Note: Please bring your license with you to the rehearsal.

The rehearsal typically takes place the day or 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.

The overall format of the service should already be in place at this point, as items were discussed in the final premarital 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.