Wedding Director

Karen L. Edmunds
Director of Weddings
770-938-0205

Wedding service

Weddings at Decatur First UMC

Congratulations and Best Wishes for your upcoming nuptials! We look forward to offering both our facilities and our assistance during this special time.

Whether in our historic Chapel or in the Sanctuary, weddings are an honored celebration at Decatur First United Methodist Church. We believe weddings are a sacred service of worship, and all preparations are made with this consideration, including the music, photography and the wedding ceremony content.

For Information and/or Reservations please contact Wedding Director Karen Edmunds at 404-378-4541 to inquire about availability, procedures and fees. Non-members planning a Christian ceremony are welcome.

Wedding Sites Decatur First UMC has two lovely sites for your wedding--our historic Chapel on Sycamore Street and the Sanctuary on our main campus facing East Ponce de Leon Avenue. Please see site photos below:

Our Sanctuary: The columned, red brick, Georgian colonial sanctuary at 300 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, seats 1,100, has two main aisles leading to the altar area and a closed communion rail area.

Our Chapel: The stone Chapel at 318 Sycamore Street, with its Romanesque architecture, is located on the original 1823 land grant and dates back to 1899 with additions made in 1916 and 1922 and renovation in the 1980's. There is a center aisle with an angel window by Tiffany centered above the organ pipes. Seating accommodates 250 in the main area with the possibility of a few more seated in the East transept. There is a closed communion rail.

CLERGY: Our pastors may be contacted to schedule their services and any counseling sessions; however, guest clergy are welcome for both member and non-member weddings. The guest officiating minister will contact the Decatur First UMC Senior Minister to confirm arrangements.

MUSIC: All music should be in keeping with a sacred service. No secular texts or "pop" music should be planned. The Decatur First UMC organist will be the only keyboard player (organ or piano). An appointment should be made with the organist at least two months prior to the ceremony to select your music. Other instruments or ensembles may be used instead of organ or piano. If soloists are needed, the Wedding Director or the musician can make suggestions. Pre-recorded music is not allowed in either the Chapel or the Sanctuary.

REHEARSAL: A one-hour rehearsal is scheduled the day/evening before the wedding.

WEDDING CONSULTANTS: Decatur First's Wedding Director will serve as the sole director of the rehearsal and ceremony. A wedding consultant or event planner is welcome to work with the wedding party in other capacities as needed.

FLOWERS AND PHOTOGRAPHY: Both spaces are beautiful and photogenic without additional decoration. However, flowers, greenery and candles may be used, with great care taken not to damage any surfaces. The party reserving the space will be financially responsible for any damage incurred. No floral arrangements are to be placed on the communion table in either location. Floodlights may not be used in either location and flash photography is not permitted once the ceremony (the music) has begun. Time exposures are permitted from the balcony in each location.

LICENSE: This must be presented to the presiding minister at the rehearsal or earlier. For information regarding license and blood tests, contact:

DeKalb County 404-371-2746
Fulton County 404-730-4692

PARKING: For both locations, please park in the Commerce Drive lot. More information about general and accessible parking is available here.

EXEMPT DATES: No wedding will be scheduled between Palm Sunday and Easter, or on Sundays. Additionally, because of the difficulties in securing adequate staffing, weddings will not be scheduled for the following days: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Independence Day or Labor Day.

VISITS: To visit the Chapel and/or the Sanctuary, please call the church at 404-378-4541 or stop by the main office (entrance located on N. Candler Street) between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Chapel remains locked through the week and is used by another congregation on Sundays. A key to the Chapel may be checked out from the office receptionist.

WHAT'S NEXT? Once a wedding has been booked, the Wedding Director will mail a reservation form, including the Wedding Booklet containing all guidelines, as well as separate guideline handouts for each of your vendors. A list of recommended vendors will be included and a small location map for your convenience. Wedding bookings are not finalized until the reservation fee has been received. The Wedding Director can be contacted at any time for further guidance and or information.

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