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Our mission is
to share the gift of
Jesus Christ,
to move hearts and employ hands for the kingdom of God.
 
 

Weddings at Decatur First

         

Congratulations and Best Wishes for your upcoming nuptials! We look forward to being able to offer both our facilities and our assistance at this special time in your life. 

Whether in our historic Chapel or in the main campus sanctuary, weddings are an honored celebration in our church. They are above all to be a sacred service of worship, and all preparations are made with this view in mind.  This includes the music, photography and the wedding ceremony content itself. 

Sites

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.

    

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

    

 

FOR INFORMATION AND/OR RESERVATIONS:  Contact the church for the Wedding Director (through the Church: 404.378.4541) to ascertain availability, procedures and fees.  Non-members planning a Christian ceremony are welcome.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS OFFERED TO ASSIST IN YOUR PLANNING.

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 our senior pastor to inform him of such arrangements.

MUSIC:  All music should be in keeping with a sacred service.  No secular texts or “pop” music should be planned.  Our organist will be the only keyboard person (organ or piano).  An appointment should be made with him at least two months prior to the ceremony to choose the music.   Other instruments or ensembles may be used instead of organ or piano, if desired.  If soloists are needed, the wedding director or our musician can make suggestions.  Pre-recorded music is not appropriate in either location.

REHEARSAL:  A one-hour rehearsal is scheduled the night before the wedding. 

WEDDING CONSULTANTS:  The Decatur First wedding director will be the only director for the rehearsal and ceremony.  A consultant is more than welcome to work with the wedding party in other capacities as needed.

FLOWERS AND PHOTOGRAPHY:  Both spaces are beautiful in and of themselves.  Flowers, greenery, candles may be used, with great care taken not to damage any surfaces.   The bride will be financially responsible for any damage incurred.  No floral arrangements are to be placed on the communion table in either location.  No floodlights may be used in either location and no flash photography 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:

DeKalb County: 404.371.2746 / Fulton County: 404.730.4692. 

PARKING:  for both locations is behind the main sanctuary in the Commerce Drive lot.

EXEMPT DATES:  No wedding will be scheduled during Holy Week (between Palm Sunday and Easter) or on Sundays.  Also, 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 view either location, please call the church (404.378.4541) or stop by the main office between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.   The office entrance is located on the N. Candler St. side of the campus across from Wachovia Bank.  The Chapel remains locked through the week and is used by another congregation on Sundays.  A key to the Chapel may be checked out through the receptionist.

WHAT’S NEXT?    Once a wedding has been booked, the wedding director will mail a reservation form plus the Wedding Booklet containing all the 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.  No wedding is considered completely booked until the reservation fee has been received.  The Wedding Director can be contacted at any time for further guidance and/or information.