Congratulations on your decision to marry! As you begin to plan your special day, we invite you to consider Central United Methodist Church of Stockton for your wedding. With its soaring ceiling and dramatic architecture, our Sanctuary offers a memorable and beautiful location for your wedding.
Your wedding ceremony should be and can be what you want it to be; a beautiful and appropriate ceremony of celebration. The wedding ceremony is the heart of your wedding day. The ceremony is a time of worship in which a couple is united in Christian marriage. No other vows are more sacred; no other commitments more personal than the ones you share at the altar.
We invite you to come visit us and see our sanctuary. Our Church Administrator, Susie Wanden, 209-466-5046, would be honored to give you a tour, answer your questions and reserve a date for your wedding.
Where to Begin – getting started…
Planning your wedding can be overwhelming. To assist you in your planning, here are the top five things you want to do first.
ONE: Create a planning calendar.
TWO: Create a realistic budget.
THREE: Reserve your wedding date at Central United Methodist Church. Arrangements for weddings at Central begin by meeting with the Church Administrator to select a date and time. Preliminary paperwork must be completed and returned the church along with the $300 security deposit BEFORE the wedding can be confirmed onto the church calendar.
All weddings ceremonies must conclude no later than 8:00 pm.
FOUR: Get your marriage license. A valid California marriage license is necessary. Both parties must be present to obtain the license. Plan to apply far enough in advance. Please bring the license to the wedding rehearsal. The pastor cannot conduct a wedding without the license.
FIVE: Secure the location for your Rehearsal Dinner and Reception.
Fees and Deposits
Wedding Fee
The Wedding Fee of $2000. Includes:
- Building Facilitator (required)
- Sound Technician (required)
- Custodian Services (required)
- Use of Central’s two candelabras
- Use of the sanctuary, dressing/waiting rooms for 3 hours the days of the wedding ceremony and 1 hour for the rehearsal.
The wedding fee DOES NOT INCLUDE the minister, musicians or a reception.
Clergy Fee:
The fee for the officiating pastor is $500.
Deposit
A $300 security deposit secures the wedding date and time on our calendar. The remaining balance must be paid two weeks prior to the wedding. The security deposit will be returned within 30 working days following the service provided there is no overtime or damage to the building or furnishings. If damage is found at clean up, the couple will be notified by mail.
Additional Service Fees (If Desired)
- Organist: $200
- Media: $150
- Soloist: $200
Cancellation and Changes
Cancellations and/or changes must be in writing and approved by both the Church Administrator of Central UMC and the pastor who will be performing the ceremony. Cancellation six months prior to the ceremony date will result in partial refund of the security deposit, $100 will be held for processing fee. Cancellation less than six months prior will forfeit the full Security Deposit.
Rehearsal and Ceremony
The pastor of Central United Methodist Church may be asked to perform a wedding. If the pastor is unable to perform the ceremony, selection of another minister will be discussed.
Rehearsal: The rehearsal is included in the wedding fee and is usually the evening before the wedding; however exceptions can be made. The rehearsal will begin when all the principal participants are present, but will last no more than one hour. Please stress to your party the importance of being on time. The Officiant directs the rehearsal. All ceremony details should be worked out before the rehearsal so that there is no confusion during the ceremony. If the wedding party is more than 30 minutes late for the rehearsal, an additional LATE FEE of $50 will be charged to the wedding party.
Day of the Wedding: You will have three hours for the use of the sanctuary. This time allotment includes “before” and “after” the wedding ceremony. There is an additional OVERTIME charge of $50 per half hour beyond the allotted time.
Building Facilitator
A Central Facilitator will be assigned to your wedding. The facilitator’s function is to welcome you as our guests, help you feel comfortable in our church home, answer any questions that you may have regarding your ceremony, arrange any reasonable requests and needs, and is ultimately responsible for insuring the safety of all guests and the building during the rehearsal and wedding.
Our Facility
The Sanctuary
The sanctuary has a seating capacity of 500.
Aisle runners may be used and must be provided and set up by the wedding party. A one day liability insurance is required for aisle runners.
In addition to the sanctuary, the church provides rooms for both members of the couple to relax in prior to the ceremony.
Reception
Central has two reception halls. The Fellowship Hall will accommodate up to 300 guests and the Fireside Room will accommodate 60. No alcohol is allowed on the premises of the church or at receptions at the church. For fees, availability and restrictions, please request information from the church office.
Facility Policies
- No moving of items (i.e. Bible, candles, flags, banners, cross, candle sticks) in the sanctuary.
- Only designated personnel may uncover and use the piano.
- No smoking.
- No alcohol.
- No food or drink in the sanctuary.
- No tacks, nails, tape, etc. are to be used in decorating the sanctuary.
- No rice, confetti or real/silk rose petals in the sanctuary or atrium. Bubbles may be used in the outside atrium.
Other Details
All outside rentals are the responsibility of the wedding party.
Photographers, Florists, Musicians and Videographers – Please invite them to the rehearsal in order to familiarize themselves with the sanctuary. They must bring their own flower stands, music stands, electrical cords and any needed equipment. Please inform the Building Facilitator of your plans to confirm that the church has the electrical capacity to meet your needs.
No flash photography is allowed during the wedding ceremony. A video camera is permitted provided it is stationary, without bright lights and operated by one person.
Sound: Central United Methodist Church sound equipment will be operated by our Sound Technician (included in the fee). Technical support includes set-up of two microphones and playback of pre-formatted CD music.
Media: Central United Methodist Church media equipment will be operated by our Media Technician. Our technician would be happy to help you with a display of personal pictures and/or wording/music for your special day.
Music: Our Organist may be available to help you plan the music for your wedding. Guest organist requires approval by the church organist and office.
Vocal soloists or instrumentalists may also be part of your service. If you would like to have them at your ceremony, you will need to contact them directly.
Parking: The church has parking for up to 150 vehicles. However, other events and activities of the church may limit parking. There is street parking around the facility.