POLICY FOR USE OF ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOR WEDDINGS
BATH, NORTH CAROLINA

We believe that the wedding ceremony is a holy sacrament. It is a religious ceremony in which a couple invokes the blessings of God in holy wedlock. It is the purpose of the Rector in Charge, the Vestry, and the parishioners to make each wedding ceremony a beautiful and worshipful event and to that end; we extend to the wedding party every possible courtesy. The procedures listed in this policy have been established to ensure all weddings at St. Thomas adhere to a standard set of rules.

Currently the canons (laws or rules) of the Episcopal Church require that one member of the couple who wish to be married must be a baptized Christian.  Neither is required to be an Episcopalian.  No marriage will be blessed at St. Thomas without the express permission of the Rector, priest-in-charge, or chief lay officer of the congregation (Senior Warden).  Persons being married are required to obtain a marriage license from the Clerk of the Court in any county in North Carolina.  The license should be obtained no earlier than sixty days prior to the wedding.  The two copies of the license, the return envelope, and the wedding certificate given to you at the Courthouse must be provided to the parish office no later than thirty days before the wedding date to assure that pertinent information is entered in the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Wedding Register as required by diocesan canon. If any of the persons to be married have been previously married, they must present to the parish Rector or Priest in Charge proof of legal dissolution of the marriage(s).  The priest must then receive approval from the Bishop to conduct the marriage.  

OFFICIANT:  Normally the Rector or Priest in Charge will be the one to officiate at the wedding, but by arrangement with the Rector or Priest in Charge, another Episcopal Priest may officiate. If the Rector or Priest in Charge agrees, a non-Episcopal Clergy person may assist in the wedding ceremony.  The scheduling of dates will begin with the Rector or Priest in Charge and parish administrator who will ensure that the church calendar is open for the date selected.  Pre-marital counseling is a vital factor in preparation for the ceremony.  No wedding will occur at St. Thomas unless the couple has engaged in pre-marital counseling.  This counseling is normally conducted by the Rector or Priest in Charge and normally requires 3 to 5 sessions.  This counseling may be conducted by another person with the permission and approval of the Rector or Priest in Charge. The Wedding Facilities Application must be completed and returned to the parish administrator.  

AVAILABILITY OF FACILITIES:  Members and the descendants of members of St. Thomas Church may use the church and Noe Building.  Non-church members may use St. Thomas Church and the Noe Building with the approval of the Rector or Priest in Charge.  The facilities may be used only when there is no conflict with church calendar activities.  The church will accommodate a maximum number of 100 people.  The Noe Building will accommodate 79 people for a sit-down dinner and no more than 120 people for a simple reception.  The facilities may be used only if there is no conflict with scheduled church activities. s.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:  The florist and caterer must contact the officiating priest, or a designated Event Coordinator, to set a time for their periods of work.  The couple will see that the above people and photographers receive copies of the procedures listed in this policy. The church reserves the right to restrict the privileges of any florist, photographer, or caterer who violates these procedures.  Absolutely no rice, bird seed, or other material in any form is to be scattered inside or outside the church, as these things pose serious hazards to birds and human beings alike.  The church is not liable for any loss or damage to any items or property brought into the church for use at weddings or receptions.  The individual(s) or family scheduling the wedding will be held liable for any damage to the furniture, buildings, or grounds.  A facilities walk-through with the priest or designated coordinator and the individual(s) requesting use of the campus is required both before and after the ceremony.  

WEDDING PARTY: Members of the wedding party are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting a place of worship.  Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the buildings or on the grounds at any time.  It is the obligation of the wedding couple to make certain that the rules are made known to the members of the wedding party.  Wine and Champagne are permitted for wedding toasts.  Hard liquor of any type is not permissible on the campus.  

EXPENSES:  The following fees are charged for non-members and the descendants of members:

For non-members who are not the descendants of members, the following fees are also charged:

A damage deposit in the amount of $500 is charged to both members and non-members.  The damage deposit will be returned when the facilities are left in good order.  The damage deposit and all fees are due and payable two weeks before the wedding.  Payment should be made to the church’s parish administrator.  Checks should be made payable to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bath, NC.  

WEDDING MUSIC: As you prepare for your wedding, you will want to give careful thought to the music you will use. Because a Christian wedding is a worship service, the music that is used in the wedding service should be appropriate for worship. The St. Thomas organist must be given the first option to play at the wedding. In planning your wedding at St. Thomas, it is necessary that the following must be considered:

1. The couple arranges a meeting with the Rector or priest-in-charge to discuss plans for wedding music.
2. All music and musicians used should be approved by the Rector or priest-in-charge.  
3. Musicians are to be paid for their services directly by the couple.

PHOTOGRAPHER:  The following procedures apply to the photographer:

1. The couple is responsible for instructing the photographer that no flash photographs are permissible once the ceremony begins in the church.  The entrance and exit of the bride may be photographed.  Pictures may be taken of the bridal party before or following the ceremony.
2. Do not place cameras or other abrasive equipment on the pews. 
3. Do not stand on furniture when taking pictures.
4. The church is not liable for any loss or damage to any items brought into the church for use at weddings and/or receptions.
5. The priest or designated Event Coordinator reserves the right to expel or restrict the privileges of a photographer who is found violating these restrictions.  

DECORATIONS: Because St. Thomas is a beautiful historic church, decorations are to be kept to a minimum.  Two small arrangements placed in the two windowsills flanking the reredos are recommended.  The following procedures apply to the florist: 

1. The florist or person responsible for the decorations must contact the church’s parish administrator or Event Coordinator to request the time for planning and decorating the church and/or the Noe Building.
2. All candles used in the church or Noe Building must be the dripless type.  In the church, no candles may be used other than in the candleholders provided.
3. No decorations may be attached to any of the furniture by nails, tacks, staples, pins, adhesives, or anything that will mar the woodwork in the church or Noe Building.  
4. No furniture may be moved or rearranged without permission from the Rector or the parish appointed Event Coordinator. 
5. The Altar flowers shall be left in position as an offering for Sunday services, but all other flowers or decorative items brought into the church for the wedding must be removed immediately following the ceremony.  
6. The church is not liable for any loss or damage to any items brought into the church for use at weddings and/or receptions.  
7. The priest or Event Coordinator reserves the right to expel or restrict the privileges of a florist who violates these regulations.  

WEDDING RECEPTION: Receptions may be held in the Noe Building depending on the number of anticipated guests.  The maximum capacity for a sit-down dinner is 79.  The maximum capacity for a reception is 120.  The following procedures apply to the caterer:

1. The caterer or person responsible for the reception must contact the church’s parish administrator or parish appointed Event Coordinator to plan the reception and request the number of tables needed and time for setting up the Noe Building.
2. The caterer may use the kitchen in the Noe Building. The plates, serving, cooking, and dining utensils in the kitchen may NOT be used.  The caterer, or whoever is responsible for any food serving/distribution/dining must provide their own cooking, serving, and eating utensils. An exception to this rule is that members and their immediate family who marry in St. Thomas may use all facilities of the kitchen.
3. The facilities will be cleaned by the church’s janitorial staff prior to the event, but all church property must be left clean (tables, chairs, floors, kitchen area, etc.) by the caterers or those serving food and drinks.  All food and beverage items brought to the Noe Building must be removed immediately following the event.  
4. The church is not liable for any loss or damage to any items brought into the church facilities for use at weddings and/or receptions.
5. The priest or Event Coordinator reserves the right to expel or restrict the privileges of the caterer who violates these regulations. 

For very small weddings without a reception, some of the above fees may be waived with permission from the Rector, priest-in-charge, or Senior Warden.