Loving Christ. Loving One Another. Loving The City.

Weddings

Weddings at FPC

Weddings

Marriage Information

First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, offers one of the most beautiful and majestic church settings in San Antonio. We joyfully welcome you to celebrate your wedding here at FPC. We consider sharing this momentous event in your lives with you a privilege. We wish you all the best as you become one in Christ as husband and wife.

If you want to start planning your wedding at First Pres, please email Rebecca Andujar, Wedding Coordinator, for inquiries.

Marriage Policy of First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio

WHEREAS, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio (the “Church”) was formed in 1846 and has, throughout its history, administered the rite of marriage in accordance with the teaching of Scripture; and

WHEREAS, when God created Adam and Eve, He ordained marriage as the fundamental institution of society and a relationship between a man and a woman:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply…’ (Genesis 1:27-28)

Therefore, a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24); and

WHEREAS, Jesus said:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder (Matthew 19:4-6); and

WHEREAS, we understand marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman in submission to God (Malachi 2:14-16) and as a lifelong covenant (Matthew 22:23-30; Mark 10:9); and

WHEREAS, we believe God has ordained marriage for the following ends:

  1. To glorify God (Genesis 1:26-28);
  2. As the consummation of the redeeming grace of God in Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33);
  3. To provide for the nurturing and training of children (Genesis 1:28; Ephesians 6:4);
  4. To affirm the proper context of human sexuality (Hebrews 13:4); and

WHEREAS, the Apostle Paul analogizes marriage between a man and a woman to the relationship between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25-27), and affirms the teachings of the Old Testament and the words of Jesus Christ when he states:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33); and

WHEREAS, this Church has historically administered the rite of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, in accordance with the historical teachings of Holy Scripture;

WHEREAS, the familiar text of the wedding liturgy states, “Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of God to join this man and this woman in Holy marriage, which is instituted by God, regulated by his commandments and to be held in honor among all;”

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the SESSION of FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO, restate, reaffirm and adopt as the official policy of this Church the following:

  1. Marriage is ordained by God and defined by Scripture;
  2. Marriage is a rite of the Church to be administered in accordance with the historical and traditional teachings of Scripture and this historical practices of this Church;
  3. A marriage ceremony in the Church is religious matter and is separate and distinct from marriage as defined by civil law, and is to be administered in accordance with the traditional and historical religious beliefs and teachings as expressed in Holy Scripture;
  4. Marriage is the joining of one man and one woman to become one and is a union before God;
  5. All marriages or weddings performed at this Church by any pastor shall be between one man and one woman in accordance with teachings of Scripture, the historic Confessions of the Presbyterian Church, and as set forth in this policy; and
  6. This policy shall be included in the minutes of the Session and published as an official policy of this Church.

 

Adopted and approved by the Session of First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio on this 9th day of February, 2015.

 

Rev. John Seiders, Moderator                                     Norton A. Stuart, III, Clerk

 

Download this document HERE.

Flower and Decoration Policy

• We ask that flowers and decorations be appropriate to the occasion and tastefully appointed.

• Floral arrangements should not be overly ornate or ostentatious, thus distracting attention from the worship of God and the sacredness of the couple’s vows.

• Flowers must be placed on the flower stands provided. The communion table is to be left free from any decorations and floral arrangements.

• Florists must not use thumbtacks, pins, nails, tape or glue on any of the furniture, walls, or appointments. Only ribbon may be used to fasten floral decorations to the pews.

• Fresh white flower petals may be strewn in the Sanctuary or Chapel.

• FPC can supply candelabras with drip-less candles. Your florist is permitted to bring up to two candelabras, but these are restricted to the Chancel. Aisle candelabras are NOT permitted. All candles must be drip-less.

• Chancel furniture is considered to be a part of the setting and may not be moved weddings.

• Due to scheduling, all flowers and decorations must be removed immediately following the departure of guests.

• If you would like to leave your flowers for Sunday worship, please let us know.

• FPC does have vases available for your florist if interested, please inquire.

• Please do NOT throw rice or flowers petals in hallways or entryways to the church. Birdseed or bubbles may be used, if desired, outside only. Wedding bubble containers must be distributed outdoors.

• Aisle runners are NOT permitted.

Photography and Videographer Policy

Due to the scheduling of weddings at First Presbyterian Church and the need to maintain a policy that will meet the needs of each of the wedding parties being married on a particular Saturday, we ask that photographers and video technicians arrive at the church no earlier than two hours before the ceremony and check in with the church wedding coordinator upon arrival.

• Pictures may be taken, before the ceremony, anywhere inside or outside.

• Formal wedding pictures may be taken in the Sanctuary, before the ceremony, and will stop 45 minutes prior to the starting time of the wedding.

• We allow 30 minutes after the wedding for more formal pictures, if needed.

• All photography and video work, during the ceremony, must be taken from the organ/choir loft using available light only.  This is to preserve the sanctity of the worship service.

• Videographers – Please inform FPC’s Wedding Coordinator if a microphone will be placed on either the bride and/or groom.   Doing so without notification may interfere with the sound set-up conducted by the church’s sound technician.

• After the ceremony, our pastor will come through preacher’s alley and in to the hallway to congratulate the bridal couple and then ask the entire bridal party, including parents and other family members, to follow him/her back in to the Sanctuary for more formal pictures.

• If the couple wishes a picture with the minister…it should be the first picture taken.

• The wedding day of our couples is a special time….one they will long remember. Our wish is that each thing we do, be done with love and consideration.

Our thanks to all the photographers and video technicians who respect our need for orderly procedures here at First Presbyterian Church.

sanctuary

Wedding Music

When your Wedding Inquiry Form is received by our Wedding Coordinator, we will mail you a packet of resources to use in selecting music for your wedding. Items in the packet include a Wedding Music Worksheet, list of approved wedding music, and a audio CD containing excerpts of all the pieces we offer on our approved wedding music list.  As you consider music for your wedding, please remember that you are planning a service of worship.  As such, all music must be consistent and appropriate to worship at First Presbyterian Church.

After you have received the music resources, please contact Dr. Jae Ha directly jaeh@fpcsat.org to schedule a consultation appointment.  When you meet with him, he can walk through the items you have completed on the “Wedding Music Worksheet” and help you finalize any decisions that are outstanding.

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