The Day of the Wedding

The Day of the Wedding

Please read the entirety of this section carefully.

You will have the use of the church facilities, including dressing rooms, for three hours (two hours before and one hour after the scheduled time of the ceremony).  If the schedule allows you may arrange to purchase additional time in 60-minute increments at $50 each.   It is expected that members of the wedding party will recognize the fact that the Sanctuary and Chapel are the house of God, and will conduct themselves at all times in a manner acceptable to a place of worship. 

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED ON THE CHURCH OR CHAPEL PREMISES AT ANYTIME, NOR ARE THEY PERMITTED IN THE DRESSING ROOMS BEFORE THE CEREMONY. 

The wedding rehearsal or wedding will not be performed if any member of the wedding party is under the influence of alcohol.  SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE BUILDING AT ANY TIME.

Dressing Rooms

The wedding party may dress at the Church or Chapel.  It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to arrange for the care of the property of the wedding party before, during and after the wedding.  All items must be removed immediately following the service.  You will have the use of the dressing rooms for two hours before and one hour from the scheduled time of the wedding ceremony unless additional time has been purchased through the wedding coordinator.

Celebration Exit

You may exit out the Sanctuary from the front (west) doors of the Church.  A vehicle may wait for you at the south end of the sidewalk that runs north and south in front of the Church.  Vehicles are not allowed to park on Ward Parkway.  Rice is not allowed anywhere on the grounds.  Flower petals (not synthetic), birdseed, bubbles, balloons, etc. are welcomed.  Nothing used for the celebration exit may be distributed inside the Sanctuary or Chapel, or in their foyers.  Please distribute them outside the buildings.  If you choose sparklers, you must also bring at least one metal pail with sand for guests to discard used sparklers.  It is the obligation of the bride and groom to make certain that these rules are made known to the members of the Wedding Party.

Parking

Weddings are scheduled a minimum of 2 hours apart so that parking can be accommodated.  The Chapel parking lot will accommodate approximately 100 cars.  Side streets may be used as well as parking around the main church building.  Handicapped signs are not observed except on Sunday’s.  Parking is NEVER allowed on Ward Parkway.  Valet parking may be enlisted at the expense of the bridal couple.

Borrowed and rented items

Any borrowed or rented items that the couple brings to CCCC for use during the ceremony must be returned promptly after the wedding and reception. While every reasonable effort is make to insure the safety of these items the church cannot be responsible in this regard.

Flowers, decorations and other worship aids

The church has available candelabra, hurricane candle holders and a kneeling bench.  The wedding coordinator will be glad to arrange for these to be used at no additional cost.  The church will provide candles for the candelabras and hurricanes if used.  Unity candles and holders should be provided by the bride and groom as well as guest books, aisle runners and any bread or juice needed if the couple chooses to have communion. 

Florists

Please ask the wedding coordinator for a florist letter, and please be sure yours receives a copy. It has the guidelines of use of flowers and decorations for weddings at CCCC. Because of the attractiveness of both the Sanctuary and the Chapel, few flowers and decorations are needed for your wedding. Those that are used must be placed carefully, and must conform to the following rules:

1.  Decorations may not be attached to the pews or other furniture by pinning, gluing, nailing or taping.

2.  Candelabras and hurricanes are available from the church at no extra charge.  If additional candelabras and hurricanes are provided by the florist, they must use drip less candles.  The florist will be responsible for the cleaning of wax from all floor coverings and furniture in the event of spillage.

3.  Furniture on the chancel of the Chapel or Sanctuary may NOT be moved; nor may the cross on the altar be removed, covered or obscured by decorations. Decorations, flowers, candles, etc., must be removed from the building immediately following the service.  The church has no facilities for storage of such items.

The primary concern is for the use of common sense, courtesy and consideration in the use and placement of such decorations.  Wedding parties and their florist should remember that CCCC hosts approximately 110 weddings a year.  Your cooperation in following these rules will facilitate the use of the building by those who will come after you.

Childcare

You may request childcare during your wedding ceremony.  It will be provided in the childcare wing on the ground floor of the main church building at an additional charge of $40.  The minimum requirements for childcare are two workers from the church for two hours (one hour before and one hour from the scheduled time of the ceremony).  You must complete a childcare request form, available from the wedding coordinator, and return it no less than one month prior to the wedding date.

The Marriage License

Weddings may be performed at CCCC for Kansas residents, but the wedding license must be secured from the Jackson County Department of Records, Kansas City, Missouri or from any county courthouse in Missouri.  Wedding licenses in Missouri are valid for 34 days following their issuance.  The wedding may not take place if more than 34 days have passed after the issuance of the license.  Also, there is a three day waiting period before the license will be issued.  Please bring the license the evening of the rehearsal.  The minister can not perform a legal wedding without the marriage license.

Outside Wedding Coordinators

CCCC welcomes outside wedding coordinators for your personal needs.  A wedding facilitator will be provided by the church for the rehearsal and wedding.  Her sole function is to direct the ushers, line up the wedding party, direct the seating of parents and special guests, and oversee CCCC photographer and florist policies.  She is knowledgeable in the church ceremony and procedures and will be in charge of all matters concerning CCCC and the wedding party both at the rehearsal and the entire time the wedding party is at CCCC on the actual wedding day.  Outside wedding coordinators are welcome to attend the rehearsal and ceremony but will not have an active role in them.