Planning a Wedding at Bethlehem.pdf

Who Qualifies

Members, regular attenders, and their children are eligible to hold a wedding and/or reception at Bethlehem’s Downtown or North campuses.

Your First Step

Every couple interested in one of the following:

• having their wedding at Bethlehem Baptist Church
• having a Bethlehem pastor perform their wedding
• having premarital counseling with a Bethlehem pastor

should first submit a Wedding Request form. This can be done by going to our Web site (hopeingod.org/news-events/events/weddings) and choosing the Wedding Request form on our wedding page.

Your request will be received by Lynda Hansen, our Wedding Contact Person. She will guide you through the following:

Selecting a Date

We are able to place a hold for the date you have selected for your wedding for up to two (2) weeks without paying a fee.

Selecting a Pastor

Most couples choose to have a Bethlehem pastor do their pre-marital counseling and perform the wedding.  View a list of all the pastors at https://hopeingod.org/document/list-pastors-able-do-weddings/. (Should  a pastor be chosen who is not a Bethlehem pastor, see the “Pastors” section of the Bethlehem Wedding Handbook.)

Signing  a Contract

Once a date and a pastor have been secured Lynda will ask you fill out a Contract for Use of Bethlehem Facilities. It is imperative that you read and agree with the guidelines and instructions in the Bethlehem Wedding Handbook and the Contract for Use of Bethlehem Facilities. 

You will be given ten (10) business days to return the said contract with your 50% deposit (contractual fees) to the Properties Director. (If the signed contract is not received within the two week period, your “hold” on a wedding date will be canceled.)

Assigning  a  Wedding  Coordinator

Due to certain responsibilities and stipulations, Bethlehem requires that you use one of our coordinators to help with your wedding. A wedding coordinator will be assigned to your wedding and will contact you to arrange an initial meeting once your signed contract and contractual fee is received. 

Arranging  for Premarital  Counseling

All couples whose ceremony is performed by a Bethlehem pastor are required to complete

the PREPARE Premarital Inventory. Check with your Bethlehem pastor as to his availability and fill out a Bethlehem Pastoral Leadership at Wedding form. (See section on Premarital Counseling in Bethlehem Wedding Handbook)

Cancellation

If you desire to change or cancel your contract, you must notify the Properties Administrator and Wedding Coordinator at least four (4) months before the scheduled date. Cancellation will result in a fifty dollar ($50.00) charge.