Bethel Murdoch Wedding Policies 

Congratulations on your engagement!  What an exciting time for you and your family.  Your big day will be here before you know it and we’re happy you are considering Bethel Murdoch Presbyterian Church for such a wonderful occasion.   

The following will hopefully help you in the decision making process by giving you a list of guidelines ahead of time and steps to follow in order for your big day to go the way you want it, while being respectful and in keeping with the Christian tradition. 

STEP ONE:  Call the Wedding Coordinator

      Using our Wedding Coordinator (NOT a Wedding Planner) is a requirement here at this church.  She will ensure everything runs smoothly during the Rehearsal and Wedding.  She will also answer any and all questions you may have as well as take care of your paperwork.  (Click for Wedding Form)  First, though, you need to make an appointment to see the church.  If it’s all that you had hoped it would be, then you save the date with a down payment.  Please note that reservations should not be made less than 60 days prior to the Wedding.   

The Wedding Coordinator at this church is Kathy Flynn (513) 683-6008. 

STEP TWO:  Call the Minister

      The Wedding Coordinator will be able to help you with a great deal of things, but the actual ceremony itself, along with counseling beforehand is left up to the Pastor.  Please call him to schedule an appointment as he is ultimately responsible for everything.  You and your fiancé will also meet with the Pastor a minimum of three times prior to the Wedding for pre-marriage counseling as well as planning of the actual service.  Please plan accordingly as each session will last approximately 1-2 hours.   

The Minister at this church is the Rev. Frank T. Rupnik III (513) 583-9676. 

STEP THREE:  Send out save the date cards and start planning

      Make sure you let family members know when your big day is going to be, especially the ones who will be traveling from out of town.  Now is also the time to start planning everything else if you haven’t already done so.  Start asking yourself these questions:

Who do you want in the Wedding?

What music do you want? 

If you want an Organist, then call now.  Our Organist is Jim Bronstrup (513) 899-3208

Do you want traditional vows or will you write our own?

What kind of reception do you want?

Where are you going to on your honeymoon?

DJ?  Photographer? Invitations?  Cake?  Flowers?  Dress?  Tux? 
 
STEP FOUR:  Finalize Planning and Meet with Minister

      Steps three and four are huge, but they also cover a great deal of time.  You’ll have a lot less stress as the time gets closer if these things are taken care of ahead of time.  If you want anything added, taken away, or changed, now is the time to do it.  Now is also the time to make sure you have the Marriage License.  Contact the county in which you live for details. 
 
STEP FIVE:  Rehearsal/Finalize Payments

      Tomorrow, you are going to pledge your love and devotion to another person.  While you may want to spend your last night of “freedom” celebrating, please do so with responsibility and respect.  Getting married is a serious commitment and not one to be taken lightly.  Enjoy this time with your friends and family and cherish it. 

STEP SIX:  The Big Day!

   It all comes down to this.  Today you are going to be changed forever.  This is the day that you have dreamed about.  Don’t worry about things you can’t control (i.e. weather).  Let your family and our Wedding Coordinator worry about that.  Just bask in the glory of your big day and enjoy it. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do we have to be members of the church to get married there?

No, our church is welcome to all couples, but priority will be given to our members.  Costs also vary based on membership. 

I’m not a member, but I have a relative that goes there, can I get the member rate?

In order to get the member rates, you, your fiancé, or your parents must be active members at the church.  Distant relatives and friends do not count. 

When can we get married?

Weddings are normally conducted on Saturdays, but have also occurred on other days as well.  The only restriction is based on the availability of the minister and the church.  Our church services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:45, with special services occurring at various times.  Please check with the Wedding Coordinator for date and time to be sure. 

We have a minister in our family, can he marry us instead?

We do allow other ministers to either perform the ceremony or assist our pastor in some way.  This is done on a case by case basis, so please contact our pastor if you wish to do this.  Note that no matter who performs the ceremony, all of the church rules still apply. 

Can we decorate the sanctuary?

Being a historic church, we do have regulations on decorating, but here is a list of what you may add: 
 
Acceptable

Aisle runner

Floral arrangements

Candle stands

Unity candle

Bows (may only be attached to pews with pipecleaners) 

Unacceptable

Tacks, nails, and tape

Colored items that will stain or discolor the sanctuary

Paint, markers 

We generally remove the pulpit and chairs, change the sanctuary colors to white, and place the Lord’s Table underneath the Cross, which may be used for the Unity Candle location.  If you prefer another arrangement or if you wish to add anything other than the above listed acceptable items, please contact our Wedding Coordinator for permission beforehand. 

Are there any requirements/restrictions on the Wedding Ceremony itself?

First and foremost, a Wedding Ceremony gives thanks to God, so to that effect, it’s a worship service as well as a civil ceremony.  In everything that you do, from the vows to the music, need to take that into account and be respectful to God.  Every Wedding Ceremony is different, but a typical one might resemble this: 

Click for Sample Wedding 

Further guidance on the actual ceremony itself will be given by the officiating Minister, but it’s a good time to start thinking about things beforehand.  Scripture readings, use of poems, vows, and choice of music are all ways a couple can express their individuality within the ceremony. 

How large is your Sanctuary?  Will it be able to hold all of our guests?

Our Sanctuary can hold approximately 120-140 people.  It is best suited for a smaller to medium sized Wedding.  If you are planning on a much larger attendance, you may need to look elsewhere. 

Is there enough parking?

Our church has a paved front lot with handicapped accessibility, as well as an overflow back lot with gravel.  It should be sufficient for your Wedding, but please ask those physically able to park in the back lot. 

What is your policy on photography?

Photographers ARE ALLOWED to take pictures during the ceremony, as well as before and afterwards.  Note that it should still be respectful to the ceremony as a whole. 
 
Can we get dressed at the church?

There are several private Sunday school rooms which may be used for this purpose.  We also have bathroom facilities and a full kitchen. 

Can we have our reception in your Fellowship Hall?

Like our Sanctuary, our Fellowship Hall is on the smaller side, but couples have used it for their Reception.  We have round tables and long tables which may be used along with folding chairs.  Our kitchen is available, but you will be responsible for any and all music and food.  Note that being a part of the church, the same rules of respect to God still apply. 

What is your policy on alcohol and tobacco?

While in some cultures, these items may be used in respectful ways, they are NOT ALLOWED.  Additionally, anyone showing up drunk at the Wedding will be turned away, including the Bride and Groom.  This is a time to be serious and we have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy to that effect. 

How much does everything cost?

Refer to Bethel Murdoch Usage Fees below. 

Do you have any other rules or restrictions?

Refer to Bethel Murdoch’s Ten Commandments below. 

That should give you a good idea of who we are as a church and our Wedding Policies.  Once again, Congratulations on your engagement and we look forward to celebrating with you soon. 

Bethel Murdoch’s Ten Commandments 

1.  This is a Christian Church- act like it.
All of your behavior from your language to your actions should be respectful to God and to others.  Please act accordingly. 

2.  Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
Please leave things better than the way you found it.  Clean up any messes and throw away all trash in the proper receptacles.   

3.  Act like an adult, even if you are a child.
This means no screaming, roughhousing, fighting, throwing, or running inside the church.  There is a time and place for everything.  Please refrain from rowdy behavior while you are here. 

4.  Curiosity led to the fall of mankind.
We love our church and are more than happy to show it off to people, but please do not go exploring on your own.  The church office, Sunday school rooms, nursery, Pastor’s study, and Sanctuary are not be used unless specifically authorized.   

5.  Do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or from the refrigerator.
Items in the BMPC kitchen are reserved for various events, so unless you are sure it’s for your organization, please do not eat it.  Also be sure to take it with you or dispose of it if you are done. 

6.  The only spirit allowed is the Holy Spirit.
Please refrain from using alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. 

7.  Confess your sins.
In the event that an accident happens, please do not try to hide it, but contact a member of our church staff, so we can fix it.  We will forgive you. 

8.  Stewardship is a gift.
Some of our groups are charged a fee and others are not, but we do ask that from time to time you help replenish what you use, such as paper towels, napkins, etc. 

9.  Enjoy your many blessings.
Enjoy your time here.  These commandments are to make it a place everyone will want to come too, so please have fun. 

10.  The Great Commission is to spread the word.
We are very proud of what we have and so spread the word and let everyone else know about us.  We are a small church, but we do great things.