Weddings | First United Methodist Church of Palatine

Weddings at First United Methodist Church

Congratulations on your Engagement!

We share your excitement and happiness as you make your wedding plans and begin the beautiful adventure of marriage!

A church wedding is the sacred Christian celebration of your love and commitment to each other and to God, as you ask for God’s blessing upon your marriage.

At First United Methodist Church, we want to minister to you, through your wedding service. The Wedding Ministry Team will do our best to make your wedding a joyous and God-glorifying day.

Romans 12:10:

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves"

We LOVE, love.

At FUMC Of Palatine, we can bring your wedding and special event ideas to fruition. Our beautiful indoor sanctuary can host the ceremony of your dreams or if an outdoor ceremony is more your style, we have a stunning green space right across the street. We also offer opportunities to host your rehearsal dinners and Reception at our onsite Wesley Center. Everything you can dream of to ensure a memorable experience for you and your guests.

Wedding Planning Basics at FUMC Palatine

Please do not make ANY vendor or subsequent commitments until your date and time are confirmed by the Wedding Ministry Team following payment of deposit.

1. Request for information-the church website has an inquiry form to submit to check on possible dates, or you may call the church office for information at 847-359-1345. Please download our Wedding Planning Guidelines.

2. Secure the Date-Please fill out the form online or request a paper copy from the church office. Return it with a $200 deposit to hold your date and time on the church calendar. The date will not be secured until the deposit is paid and form turned in. Note: no weddings can be scheduled on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Holy Week (Palm Sunday-Easter). Be sure to include the rehearsal date for the church calendar, too.

3. Meet the staff-Once the date is on the calendar you will be given an opportunity to meet with the pastor and also with your wedding hostess.

4. Sessions with the Pastor-The pastor will want to set up sessions to meet with you to plan the ceremony part of your wedding and for pre-marriage counseling and the opportunity to get to know the couples he/she marries. If you are using a guest pastor, you will need to have that pastor contact our pastor for permission and to send their credentials. Your counseling sessions will be set up with the guest pastor at the time and location of their choosing.

5. Planning with your wedding hostess-The wedding hostess will be happy to meet with you to show you the facility and answer any questions you have, and to give you the Wedding Arrangements and Ceremony Preference forms to be filled out at your convenience, returned at least one month before the ceremony. She will provide you with her contact information (email is preferred) to reach her if you have more questions or concerns, and to provide contact information for the organist, and wedding bulletin graphic artist if you choose to use this service. We also provide a helpful Wedding Guidelines booklet to assist in your planning a wedding at FUMC Palatine.

Wedding Fees

Required Fees

1. General:

Use of Church* $600

Pastor’s Honorarium $300

Wedding Hostess $200

Organist (rehearsal and wedding) $200

Sound Technician $75

Custodian $75

Subtotal $1450

*Use of the church includes the Sanctuary, Narthex, and lobby for the rehearsal and wedding, bridal dressing room, groom’s dressing room the day of the wedding.

This fee is waived for current, contributing, active members of FUMC Palatine or their parents for at least the last 6 months prior to putting a date on the church calendar.

2. Your Pastor’s honorarium

Our pastors do not “charge” people for ministry; they do it out of love for their congregation and because they feel called by God to bless your union. The honorarium is your love gift to the pastor who poured a great deal of time, energy, and prayer into making the entire experience possible for you.

3. Optional Fees

Please check all applicable boxes for services you would like to add. Any of these items can be added at a later time.

Additional fee for the organist to accompany a soloist $25
Soloists or additional musicians, if provided by the church. You may select and pay a musician on your own if you choose. The fee is set by each soloist and paid directly
Nursery attendants-church policy requires two attendants if you want childcare. The fee is for two. $60 first two hours (inc. set up and tidying room) during the ceremony only
Candelabras (includes candles) $35
Communion supplies (grape juice and bread) (Couple also has the option to provide this themselves if communion is to be part of your ceremony). $10
Graphic artist program design assistance. $50
Wedding program printing on regular bond paper. Cost of supplies

Please contact the church office if you are interested in options for renting the Garden area for outdoor weddings, the Wesley Center for a contemporary wedding service, or the Wesley center or Fellowship Hall for showers, rehearsal dinner, or reception.

(please note: all areas in the church are non-alcoholic)

Sanctuary Measurements

Number of pews - 18 each side; 36 total

Seating Capacity - Approximately 360

Center Aisle - 60 feet from the base of altar steps