Officiating Minister
Only an ordained Deacon or Elder in the United Methodist Church may officiate weddings in this church.  The officiating minister may invite another ordained minister to assist. If a couple has not chosen a minister, our Manager of Special Events will be happy to assist in arranging for one of our staff ministers to officiate at their wedding. Any other person assisting in the service must be approved by the officiating minister.  The order of service, scriptures, and all bulletins must be approved by the officiating minister, the organist and the wedding consultant. It must be carefully proof-read prior to being printed by an outside printer.

Wedding Coordinator
Wedding Coordinator Merriet Lewis is available for pre-wedding consultation in regard to the details of the rehearsal and of the wedding.  Only our Wedding Coordinator or her assistant, in cooperation with the officiating minister, will conduct the rehearsal.  Due to the nature of planning a worship filled wedding ceremony, we do not plan wedding ceremonies with outside wedding consultants as a substitute for the bride.  It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to work with the minister and church coordinator in planning their wedding.  Merriet may be contacted by email at lewism@hpumc.org or 214-523-2283. Note: Merriet has limited office hours.

Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be conducted exclusively by our staff Wedding Consultant or her assistant, in cooperation with the officiating minister, if he or she is present.  Members of the wedding party are reminded that throughout the entire rehearsal they are in a holy place dedicated to the worship of God.  Wedding parties and guests are expected to dress and act accordingly.  Rehearsals must begin promptly and proceed in a dignified manner.  Often there are as many as three rehearsals scheduled in an evening, making punctuality imperative.  If a wedding party is over 15 minutes late to a rehearsal, it may result in the cancellation of the rehearsal.  Rehearsal times are 4:45, 5:30 or 6:15 on the day preceding the wedding, with 45 minutes allowed for each. No rehearsals will be scheduled to begin after 6:15 p.m.  Rehearsals are usually unnecessary if the wedding attendants do not exceed one each for the bride and groom.  Staff musicians do not usually attend rehearsals, as the music details are planned at an earlier conference. 

Children
Flower girls and ring bearers should be at least 4 years old.  They must be able to walk down the aisle unaccompanied and conduct themselves in an orderly fashion.

Miscellaneous
Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Rice, bird seed or confetti may not be thrown.