Avondale United Methodist Church
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
loving and serving God and others through worship, learning, fellowship, and outreach

Weddings

Weddings Photo
 
"As they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." —Mark 10:8-9
 

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding! Thank you for thinking of Avondale United Methodist Church as part of your plans.

Your wedding is the Christian celebration of your love and commitment to each other and to God. At Avondale United Methodist Church we want to minister to you through your wedding service. This sacred ceremony, in which you enter into a covenant with God and one other, is one of the ways you create a solid foundation for your marriage. By choosing to use a representative of God and Christ’s Church you are inviting God’s presence in your wedding and purposely asking for God’s blessing upon the marriage.

Most weddings at Avondale UMC are held in our sanctuary. This stately, yet warm and inviting facility seats approximately 250 guests on the lower level and 200 in the balcony. Decorated with red upholstery and rich walnut furnishings, the sanctuary provides the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony.

Wedding receptions can be accommodated in the church social hall, which is within steps of the sanctuary.

Information About Weddings at Avondale UMC

Scheduling and Inquiries

Tours of the Avondale UMC sanctuary are offered during church office hours (8:30am-2:00pm).  Tours at other times are by appointment only.  Inquiring couples are encouraged to call ahead before your visit, even during office hours, to ensure that a staff member knowledgeable about weddings at Avondale UMC will be available to offer a tour.  
 
To schedule your wedding at Avondale UMC, please contact our secretary, Judy Sharp (avonumc@aol.com; 205-592-3739) to check availability.  Once your request for a specific date and time are received, your wedding will be tentatively scheduled.  You must complete the wedding aqpplication form and pay a security deposit in order for your date to be confirmed.  You will be notified by mail when your date has been confirmed.
 

Wedding Policies

Fee Schedule

Avondale UMC is pleased to offer its facilities for couples wishing to marry.  In order to provide the best possible environment for couples wishing to marry here, Avondale UMC has set the following fees for weddings at our church.
 

Building Use and Facility Fees

 
  Non-members AUMC Members
Sanctuary $1,000 $400
Fellowship Hall (for receptions and rehearsal dinners) $   300 $  75
Fees cover building expenses, a wedding liaison, janitorial services, and a sound system operator.  Fees are per-event (e.g., a rehearsal dinner and reception are considered two events). Fees are set by the Avondale UMC church council and are nonnegotiable.
 
A non-refundable deposit is required to confirm the date of the wedding.  The deposit will be applied toward the total of all usage fees.  
  • Non-members deposit -  $150.00 
  • Members deposit -    $  50.00 

Other Costs 

These fees are intended as a guideline to customary honorariums.
  • Avondale UMC Pastor - $250.00
  • AUMC Organist
    • $300 – both rehearsal and ceremony
    • $250 – ceremony only
  • AUMC Nursery Attendant (as available) $60.00 (2 attendants - 3 hour max.)

Payment Schedule

  • Immediately upon reservation:  security deposit
  • No later than the day before the ceremony:  all remaining building use and facility fees
  • Day of the ceremony:  give honorariums to pastor, organist/musicians, and nursery attendants

Wedding Planning Resources

Couples being married by an Avondale UMC pastor will have the opportunity to discuss plans for the ceremony with him/her.  The pastor will use his or her experience as a worship leader to make sure all aspects of your ceremony are worshipful, meaningful, and contribute to the celebratory atmosphere of your wedding day.  Please know that hte pastor has the final say in what will be included in the wedding service.
 
The following resources may be helpful for you in planning your wedding: