Photography and Videotaping
Decorations
Bulletins

Photography and Videotaping

We recognize that pictures and recordings of the wedding are extremely important to you. We endeavor to create maximum opportunity for pictures and recordings while maintaining the sanctity of this Christian service. Therefore, we have established the following parameters.

Wedding photographs may be taken in the Michigan Avenue courtyard, Loggia gallery, or in the place of worship before or after the wedding service. Once the wedding date and time is set, the wedding coordinator will provide a timeline for the period of time you will be at the church on your wedding day. This timeline will include opportunities and locations for photography before or after the ceremony.

In keeping with the atmosphere of worship, only the professional photographer hired for the wedding may take photographs during the service. During the service, the professional photographer may only photograph with existing light.

No photographs can be taken during the prayers. Only the professional photographer may take flash photographs, and these are limited to the procession of the honored guests, the wedding party procession, and the time after the benediction at the end of the service. The photographer must remain behind the body of the congregation at all times. At no time will “set ups” for formal photographs with screens for backdrops, etc., be permitted.

The ushers are to inform the guests that photographs and videos may not be taken once the guests have entered the church.

The service may be videotaped with the following restrictions: the taping must be done from the north side or back balcony; no auxiliary lighting equipment may be used; and the equipment may not be moved during the service.

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Decorations

The worship spaces are in themselves places of great beauty and do not need excessive decoration for wedding ceremonies. At certain times of the year the Sanctuary is adorned with temporary art installations (usually banners or hangings) which complement the architecture. These remain in place during weddings.

The church will provide a kneeler, candelabra, and candles if requested. Because of fire hazards, hurricane lamps with candles or other candle decorations along the aisle are not permitted.

Florists delivering flowers to the church must check in with the church receptionist at the 126 East Chestnut entrance.

The wedding coordinator should be included in the planning of the decorations. Florists will have access to the worship space no earlier than 60 minutes before the wedding. They must be finished with preparing the church 40 minutes prior to the wedding. Please be sure that the florist is aware of the need to have personal flowers (bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, etc.) available for preservice photographs. If the flowers in the church are to be used at the reception, the florist may not remove them until all of the guests have departed and pictures have been taken.

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Bulletins

It is not necessary to have a bulletin (an order of service) for your wedding. If you wish to have a bulletin, you may arrange to have one designed in accordance with the church’s guidelines and printed by an outside firm. The wedding coordinator will provide you with the church’s guidelines for printed wedding bulletins. To assure accuracy and conformity with these guidelines, all bulletins must be reviewed and approved by the presiding minister and wedding coordinator. If the program has not been approved, you risk the possibility that it won’t be used if it doesn’t follow the Wedding Bulletin Guidelines. 

Please plan to bring the printed bulletins to the church at the time of your rehearsal. The church is unable to accept early delivery of printed wedding bulletins.

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