Wedding Policies

Grace United Methodist Church (GUMC) receives many more requests for weddings than can possibly be accommodated. Furnishing these “Wedding Policies” and return of the information is not binding on the church regarding the reserving of the church facilities for a ceremony. Only the pastor can make a commitment for the church as to a specific date on the church calendar. It is best to consult with the church coordinator and the church calendar before committing yourself to “one particular” date. About six months prior notice would facilitate the experience, but it is never “too early” to clear with the church’s calendar. Other restrictions than these outlined below may apply.

Since the church is located in the historic district, parking near the church is in great demand, and the expense involved makes such provision by the church, costly. Parking is a significant factor you will need to plan for should you consider GUMC, particularly if you plan a ceremony for a weekend. The church can provide 16 complementary spaces for the bridal party/family and other spaces may be purchased for an additional fee.

Be aware that the streets (particularly Carrera) in St. Augustine are subject to flooding during and after rain storms. If your wedding is scheduled during the months of June through November, (hurricane season) our church staff reserves the right to cancel your ceremony, if need be.

GUMC is a National Historic Building and as such significant limitations are placed on what may be done in the way of decorating for a wedding. Furniture in the sanctuary may not be moved or rearranged. Altar ware is not to be removed or obscured. Elastic bands or plastic clips may be used to hold flowers or bows on the pews, but no tacks, cellophane tape, masking tape, florist putty, or hot glue are to be used to attach anything to the pews or sanctuary furniture. No floral arrangements may be placed in front of the cross or on musical instruments.

Grace United Methodist Church has a zero tolerance of alcohol on the entire property. Any alcoholic beverages brought and/or consumed on any portion of the church property will result in a complete null and void of any potential refund. A minister or wedding coordinator may elect not to perform a rehearsal or ceremony at which members of the wedding party are inebriated or under the influence of drugs.

No smoking is permitted in the church building. Throwing of rice, confetti, bird seed, etc. is not permitted on church property, or in front of the sanctuary. Aisle runners are unnecessary and prohibited.

If an organist is required, the church’s staff organist must be used. If unavailable, arrangements for a substitute must be made in consultation with the organist and/or pastor. The church has no equipment to play tapes, CDs or DVDs. Music must be selected with sensitivity to where the ceremony is being performed, and the director of music/organist must approve selections in advance of the rehearsal. Copies of music that are special requests not in the church’s music library must be provided by the couple.

A fee will be charged for the services of the organist, and may vary depending on whether there is a rehearsal or extra time needed to rehearse with a soloist. A piano is also available in the sanctuary, and other instrumentalists may be used as the bride and groom desire. If a bridal consultant/wedding coordinator is employed by the couple, a copy of these policies must be furnished to the consultant by the bride/groom. The consultant must understand that the pastor is in charge of the ceremony and that church policies take precedence over personal preferences of the coordinator.

The wedding rehearsal is allotted for one hour. Rehearsals are scheduled at 5:00 p.m. the day before your wedding unless prior arrangements are made with the Wedding Coordinator. Rehearsals MUST BEGIN PROMPTLY at the scheduled time. Therefore, it is important that the bride and groom emphasize to the other participants that everyone needs to be on time for the rehearsal. We suggest that all participants arrive at the church at 4:45 p.m. Extra time needed must be preapproved by Wedding Coordinator and a fee will be charged. Only those who are actually participating in the ceremony are to attend the rehearsal. GUMC’s wedding coordinator will wait no more than 15 minutes for a wedding rehearsal to begin. You are to bring your Marriage License, Unity Candle (if applicable) to the rehearsal. No flash photography is permitted during the service, (after the processional and before the recessional), all other pictures may be taken before or immediately after the service. The wedding license should be delivered to the minister at the time of the rehearsal or the day before the wedding if there will not be a rehearsal.

Your time at GUMC will include two hours before your ceremony, the time it takes for the actual ceremony, and up to one hour after the ceremony. Extra time needed must be approved by the Wedding Coordinator and a fee will be charged. Video and audio recording is permissible as long as the camera is operated from a tripod without auxiliary lighting. Florist deliveries are to be coordinated with the Wedding Coordinator. Limited but adequate space will be available for dressing.

A wedding ceremony is a service of worship, and the pastor is responsible for the experience. Florida Statue 741.07 provides “all judicial officers, clerks of the courts and notaries public of the State of Florida may solemnize the right of martial contract.” By requesting your ceremony be performed in a church, you are acknowledging that you prefer a minister officiate, and that your ceremony be a Christian service. Should the pastor of Grace Church not be officiating, the minister must be an ordained clergy person. All other pastors participate at the invitation of Grace’s pastor. The ritual for the service will be traditional; variations are permitted with the clergy’s consent. No weddings may be scheduled during certain seasons (Palm Sunday to Easter, Thanksgiving weekend or between December 1st- January 2nd.) At no time are church facilities rented out, nor do we relinquish our responsibilities to persons other than church staff.

A deposit for the fees and costs is $600.00. Your wedding cannot be placed on the church calendar until your deposit is received prior to the ceremony. The remaining balance of $1,850.00 is due 30 days.

Should you need to cancel your ceremony, a refund of up to $300 will be made if notified in writing 90 days prior to the scheduled event. No refund will be considered if notified after the 90 days.

It is the responsibility of the bride/groom to leave the Sanctuary in the condition it was prior to the ceremony. All items brought onto the church property i.e., all floral arrangements, candles, pew decorations, food, etc., must be removed by the wedding party or their representative within the specified time. Additional time spent by the Wedding Coordinator removing such items and/or cleaning up after the wedding party/ceremony will result in a charge of $100.00 per hour which will be deducted from the deposit. Before making your decision to have your ceremony in our church, it is very important for you to know that at Grace United Methodist church everyone is welcome. Every gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, family status, ethnicity, and mental/physical ability because God loves everyone UNCONDITIONALLY. If you find any of the above to be offensive, then GUMC is not the church for you.