Welcome to Friendship United Methodist Church!

We are honored that you are considering us for your special day. Below are the policies and guidelines to help you plan a meaningful and memorable wedding ceremony. Please review the information carefully and contact us with any questions.

To schedule your wedding, please contact the church office at 630-972-1011 or email office@friendshipbolingbrook.org. Our staff is here to assist you in planning a worshipful and memorable ceremony.

Sanctuary Usage

The Sanctuary seats up to 180 guests.

The Friendship Center is available for an additional fee if you wish to host a reception or post-ceremony gathering.

We do not schedule weddings on holidays.

No pets are allowed unless they are service animals.

Wedding Planning Packet & Information

Download the wedding planning packet or pick up a copy when you visit the church. It contains important details to guide you through the planning process. Please also complete the wedding information form, which provides details specific to your event.

Officiating Pastor

After confirming your wedding date, the Pastor will check availability.

Nothing can be confirmed until the Pastor has been consulted.

Two premarital consultations will be scheduled once your date is confirmed.

If you wish to have a guest minister, please notify us when scheduling. This requires approval and may incur an additional fee for the wedding liaison.

Pre-Marital Workshop

All couples are required to take the Prepare/Enrich Inventory after the first consultation with the Pastor. This is ideally completed 3 months before the wedding.

Marriage License

The marriage license must be obtained from Will County at least 3 days prior to your wedding.

The license must be presented to the Pastor at the rehearsal.

The Pastor will file the completed license with the county after the ceremony.

• Will County Clerk’s Office:

  302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432

  Phone: 815-740-4626

Website: Will County Clerk’s Office

Fee Structure

• Pastor: $300

• Organist: $200 (additional fees for extra rehearsals)

• Sound Technician: $50

• Janitorial Services: $50

• Sanctuary Use: $750 (non-members) / Free (members)

• Friendship Center: $150 (optional)

• Kneeler/Candelabra: By arrangement

Non-members: A non-refundable deposit of $375 (half of the Sanctuary fee) is required.

All fees are due before the rehearsal, with payments made in separate envelopes for each service provider (Pastor, Liaison, Organist, Sound Tech, Custodian, Church).

Suggested Scriptures for the Service of Marriage

Old Testament:

• Genesis 1:26-31 or 2:18-25

• Psalm 103, 112:1, 121, 145, 150

• Song of Solomon 2:10-13 or 8:6-7

• Isaiah 63:7-9

New Testament:

• Matthew 5:1-10, 5:13-16, 7:21, 24-29 or 19:4-6

• Mark 10:6-9, 13-16

• John 2:1-11 or 15:9-17

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

• Ephesians 3:14-19 or 5:21-33

• Philippians 4:4-7

• 1 John 4:7-16

Music

Organist: Our Church Music Director is required for organ or piano music, with a fee of $200. Additional fees apply for extra rehearsals.

Vocalists & Instrumentalists: You are responsible for arranging vocalists and/or instrumentalists, though our organist can offer suggestions.

Florists

You are responsible for arranging your own flowers. Keep arrangements simple and avoid using wire or tape on chairs.

Flowers must be secured with floral pins if placed on pews.

Decorations should be completed no earlier than one hour before the ceremony.

Photographer or Videographer

Photographers may only use available light during the ceremony. No flash photography is allowed.

We ask that photographers remain as still as possible and refrain from taking photos from the altar.

Videographers must film from a fixed location that is decided before the ceremony.

Wedding Bulletins

Bulletins are available for order through the church office, Christian bookstores, or printing companies.

If the office prints the bulletins, an additional fee applies. Contact the office for more details.

For further information or to schedule your wedding, please contact the Friendship United Methodist Church office at 630-972-1011 or email office@friendshipbolingbrook.org.