Weddings

A popular Columbus location for weddings, Boulevard Presbyterian Church features classic architecture, a center aisle and beautiful stained glass windows. We are happy to host weddings for church members and non-members alike. Please review the wedding guidelines and procedures below.

For more information or to schedule your wedding, please call the church office at (614) 486-0267.

The Service of Christian Marriage

Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.

Preparation for Marriage

In preparation for the marriage service, the minister shall provide for a discussion with the man and the woman concerning:

  1. the nature of their Christian commitment, assuring that at least one is a professing Christian,
  2. the legal requirements of the state,
  3. the privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage,
  4. the nature and form of the marriage service,
  5. the vows and commitments they will be asked to make,
  6. the relationship of these commitments to their lives of discipleship,
  7. the resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in fulfilling their marriage commitments.

This discussion is equally important in the case of a first marriage, a marriage after the death of a spouse, and a marriage following divorce.

Time and Place of the Service

Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the minister and the supervision of the session. The marriage ordinarily takes place in a special service which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God and as an expression of the Christian life. Others may be invited to participate as leaders in the service at the discretion of the pastor. Celebration of the Lord’s Supper at the marriage service requires the approval of the session, and care shall be taken that the invitation to the Table is extended to all baptized present.

Form and Order of Service

The service begins with scriptural sentences and a brief statement of purpose. The man and the woman shall declare their intention to enter into Christian marriage and shall exchange vows of love and faithfulness. The service includes appropriate passages of Scripture, which may be interpreted in various forms of proclamation. Prayers shall be offered for the couple, for the communities which support them in this new dimension of discipleship, and for all who seek to live in faithfulness. In the name of the triune God the minister shall declare publicly that the woman and the man are now joined in marriage. A charge may be given. Other actions common to the community and its cultures may appropriately be observed when these actions do not diminish the Christian under-standing of marriage. The service concludes with a benediction.

Music and Appointments

Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church. The congregation may join in hymns and other musical forms of praise and prayer. Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance the worshipers’ consciousness of the reality of God, and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life.

Recognizing Civil Marriage

A service of worship recognizing a civil marriage and confirming it in the community of faith may be appropriate when requested by the couple. The service will be similar to the marriage service except that the opening statement, the declaration of intention, the exchange of the vows by the husband and wife, and the public declaration by the minister reflect the fact that the woman and man are already married to one another according to the laws of the state.

*The above material is reprinted from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Directory for Worship.

Boulevard Presbyterian Wedding Guidelines and Procedures

Premarital Counseling Counseling is required for all couples married at Boulevard. Three sessions with the Pastor are necessary. Scheduling these sessions is the responsibility of the couple.

Music

Since appropriate wedding music “directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church,” popular music which recalls secular, social, and sentimental personal associations is inappropriate for the service.

A couple is encouraged to offer suggestions for service music. However, the organist, in consultation with the pastor, shall approve all music used in the service.

The singing of hymns is highly recommended. The organist, pastor, and wedding consultant can assist in the selection of appropriate hymns.

Couples are welcome to provide a soloist(s) for the service. Remember that the soloist’s music must comply with the guidelines above.

Flowers and Decorations

In keeping with the wedding service as worship, all decorations must be approved by the wedding consultant in consultation with the pastor. The following guidelines are used for decorations:

  1. Church appointments, cross, Bible, communion table candles, etc. may not be removed.
  2. No tacks, nails, tape, or anything else that would mark the beauty of the church may be used.
  3. All boxes, leaves, etc., must be cleaned up by the florist after the decorating is completed.
  4. All decorations must be removed following the service. Flowers may be left for use in the following Sunday worship. Speak with the wedding consultant regarding this.
  5. If you have no florist, the wedding consultant will gladly assist you in suggesting some from which you may choose.

Pictures During the Marriage Service

Because of the sacred nature of the wedding service, the following rules are to be followed by the professional photographer or designated photographer of the wedding party who wishes to take pictures during the service.

  • One flash may be taken as the bride starts down the aisle, and one flash may be taken as the bride and groom recess.
  • No other flash pictures may be taken during the ceremony.
  • Time exposures may be taken quietly from the balcony or the narthex, or from the rear of the chapel.
  • Pictures may be taken before or after the ceremony.

Videography

Since a wedding is a worship service, we must ask that the following rules be followed by your videographer:

  • The videographer may not position himself with his camera up front in the Chancel area.
  • A fixed camera, on remote control, may be positioned in the Chancel in an out-of-the-way location. (This should be discussed with the minister before the date of the wedding rehearsal.)
  • The videographer or a remote camera may be positioned in the Sanctuary Balcony.
  • The videographer’s sound system can be incorporated with the church’s sound system.

Customs and Courtesies

Dressing at the Church

If desired, members of the wedding party may dress at the church. Several rooms are available. You may discuss this with the Wedding Consultant.

Use of champagne, wine, or other alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the church and on the grounds.

Leaving the Church

Birdseed may be thrown outside the church building. Rice or confetti is never to be used. We ask that the birdseed bundles be distributed to guests after they have left the building in loose form (not in individual packaging). Releasing balloons is prohibited.

Candleabra

The church has two 7-branch candelabra, five feet high. If you wish to use these, please discuss this with the wedding consultant. You must furnish your own candles (dripless) except for the two on the Communion Table.

Kneeling Bench

A kneeling bench with a lovely needlepoint cushion is available for use by the bride and groom during the service.

Aisle Cloth

The use of the traditional aisle cloth is discouraged simply because such a cloth will not stay in place due to the softness of the carpet. However, if you wish to use one, the length of the aisle to the chancel step is seventy-five (75) feet.

Printed Order of Service

Boulevard encourages the use of a printed Order of Worship. If you desire, a formal and dignified Order of Worship will be printed on special wedding bulletins you provide (may be purchased at any Christian Book Store). The ushers give each guest an Order of Worship. A special note is printed in all wedding bulletins reminding guests that flash pictures are not permitted during the worship service. The purpose of the Wedding Bulletin is to:

  • Stress that the marriage service is a service of worship. This suggests to the guests that they are participants in worship, rather than just spectators.
  • List and identify the wedding party, the clergy, the wedding music and musicians.
  • Mail to those unable to attend the wedding.
  • Serve as a keepsake of one of the most important days in your lives. Information for the printed bulletin must be submitted to the church office, printed or typed, at least two weeks prior to the marriage service. Please bring your choice of Wedding Bulletins with you at the same time.

Carillon Bells

The church has a set of carillon bells. If you would like to have the chimes rung following the wedding ceremony, please discuss this with the minister or the wedding consultant.