Planning your Wedding at Olmsted Community Church

FIRST STEPS IN PLANNING 

Here's what to do...

1. Contact Kimberlee in the church office when you have a date in mind. You may want to have several dates to check out. The church's phone number is 440-235-3326, or you can email us at occ (at) olmstedcommunitychurch (dot) org.
2. Make a deposit to reserve the date. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at the date of booking. See the entire list of costs below.
3. Arrange for visits with our pastor. The pastor presides over all weddings at Olmsted Community Church. Once your selected date is approved, the pastor will then schedule meetings with you for the required pre-marital counseling. Call for an appointment no later than 2 months before your wedding date.

YOUR CEREMONY 

and how to personalize it

1. The vows you take are the focus of the wedding service at Olmsted Community Church. They contain the promises that you make for a lifetime, and need to reflect the sacredness of the moment. Our pastor will review the vows with you at a pre-wedding counseling session. The traditional vows have been updated to reflect equality between the sexes and the commitment that both bride and groom will be making.
2. There are options for including special persons in your service. These may include children or families. There are also opportunities to remember deceased family members. Talk to the pastor about your wishes.
3. Consider using a Unity Candle in the ceremony. It is modern practice to have one large candle (usually flanked by two smaller ones) that the couple lights together. The pastor can review this with you.
4. Some couples print wedding bulletins, but this is a matter of choice. If you wish to have a wedding bulletin, determine who will be handing them out. The pastor can guide you on what should be included in the bulletin.

MAKING THE SERVICE JOYFUL 

These guidelines help make your service a worshipful celebration

• Weddings at Olmsted Community Church are sacred events, and the rehearsal and wedding should be approached as such. Alcohol and substance use is not acceptable. Encourage and plan for all members of the wedding party to be in top form.
• Use restraint with flowers and decorations. Our beautiful facilities require little adornment. Often one bouquet on the altar is sufficient, but additional flower stands are available. Florists should be informed that care must be taken with pews, altar, and other items in the church. If the florist is providing pew bows, they may be placed in the church on the day of the wedding.
• A photographer and/or videographer can help capture your ceremony. Since this is a service of worship, no flash is permitted during the ceremony. Photos may be arranged for after the service. Church photos must be completed before park (or other outdoor) photos. During the service, professional photographers may use the balcony and rear side aisles for positioning. Video cameras may be used with a tripod at pre-arranged locations.
• Popular music and soloists accompanied by CDs are best used at the reception or other occasions to preserve the sacred nature of the church ceremony. Talk to the church organist about suggestions.
• After the service, rice or birdseed create safety hazards and are not permitted. Alternatives may include bubbles, bells or clapping.
• Our experience is that receiving lines are best held at the reception. They may be held at the church, but are sometimes hindered by weather. In addition, a church receiving line delays after-ceremony pictures and keeps your guests waiting longer. We just thought you should know.