First Baptist Church
1008 8th St.
Shallowater, TX 79363
(806) 832.4511, Fax (806) 832.4114
Office Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 M-F
We are honored that you are considering First Baptist Church as the location for your wedding ceremony. We wish you every happiness in your new life together and will do everything we can to see that your wedding and wedding rehearsal go as smoothly as possible. These guidelines and policies equally apply to all who wish to use the church. During your tour with the Church Representative, please feel free to ask any questions and take notes for clarification of guidelines and policies. If you need any further assistance, please call the church office at (806) 832-4511.
To download a PDF of these guidelines and appropriate forms, click here.
Guidelines & Policies
Wedding Forms and FeesA Building Use Request Form must be filled out and turned in to the church office. Your request for use of the facility for the dates and times of your wedding rehearsal and ceremony will be submitted to the staff for approval at the next weekly staff meeting.
If your request is approved, complete the Wedding Reservation and Information Form. This form accompanied by the Refundable Deposit ($500) should be returned to the church office to assure your date is placed on the church calendar. If no damage occurs to the property and the policy is adhered to during the event, the deposit will be refunded within 10 business days.
By submitting this form, you agree to follow the Wedding Guidelines and Policies as well as General Policies for First Baptist Church Shallowater.
Rehearsal and Wedding Times
If a rehearsal is held, the pastor shall be the director. Rehearsals for Saturday weddings will take place on Friday at 5:30 p.m. "Wedding Consultants" or other persons playing a supportive role shall be under the direction of the pastor.
Rehearsals are generally scheduled the day before the wedding day. Rehearsals usually last no longer than 1 hour. All members of the wedding party and the minister performing the ceremony must be in attendance of the rehearsal. The rehearsal will start on time.
We will not schedule any weddings or rehearsals that would conflict with the ministries of the church.
We will not schedule weddings on Sundays or Wednesdays.
We will not schedule weddings on any of the seven major holidays (New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas). Holidays are defined as actual holidays or a holiday weekend where the actual holiday falls on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
The first weekend of December is the only weekend available in December; however the church decorations cannot be removed from the worship center. The last weekend of July is the only weekend available in July due to the Vacation Bible School schedule and summer activities.
Members of First Baptist Church receive preference over non-members; therefore, reservations for non-members will not be accepted more than one year in advance.
Church Representative
The Church Representative will give you a tour of the facility and will go over the guidelines and policies stated in this handbook.
The Church Representative will act as a liaison for you and the church and will be available to answer questions to assure that church property is used properly and respectfully. (The Church can be made as festive and beautiful as it is possible to make it, but please keep in mind that it is a House of Worship.)
The Church Representative oversees use of the church facilities and assures that Wedding Policies are adhered to by wedding party and contracted service providers.
Wedding Hostess
A Wedding Hostess will be provided by First Baptist Church. The presence of the hostess is mandatory for all weddings.
The Hostess will be present at the Rehearsal, the Wedding and at the Reception if it is held on the church property.
The Wedding Hostess works closely with the Pastor to insure that the rehearsal proceeds in an orderly and timely manner, and is present at the Wedding and Reception to oversee the event(s).
The Hostess is not a Wedding Coordinator/Consultant.
Minister Performing Ceremony
Ordinarily the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church will have the privilege of conducting weddings at First Baptist Church.
From time to time the Senior Pastor may not be available or you may wish to extend an invitation to another Pastor.
The invitation for another Pastor to take part in the service must be approved by the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church. Couples should not invite other clergy to take part in the service without first consulting the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church.
All guest ministers must be duly ordained by a legitimate denomination. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to provide the minister’s name, church, address, e-mail address (if available) and telephone number at the time of booking.
You must have already purchased a marriage license. Bring the marriage license to the rehearsal. The wedding will not be performed without it. Marriage licenses must be obtained in a timely fashion wherein you have a waiting period of 72 hours and the license is valid for 30 days.
Counseling Classes
All persons getting married at First Baptist Church are recommended to attend counseling classes.
Our Senior Pastor conducts counseling classes for weddings that he performs. Please call the church office to set up an appointment with him, (806) 832-4511.
In the event that another pastor will be performing the wedding, the couple must give permission for the counselor to provide a report to the Senior Pastor.
Wedding Music
Please remember, as you make your plans, that this ceremony is a sacred occasion, and as such it calls for thoughtful and appropriate planning. "Secular" music is often used, but it should be in good taste, complimenting the sacredness of the ceremony. Both the lyrics and style of music should be carefully considered when you make your selections.
Recorded music and video presentations must be submitted to the Church Representative 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
The Ministerial Staff at First Baptist Church reserves the right not to allow the performance of a song if the lyrics or music selection is deemed inappropriate for a church wedding. The Minister of Music is also available by calling the church office at (806) 832-4511 for consultation regarding music choices for your wedding.
Dressing Rooms
Dressing areas will be assigned for the bride, groom and their attendants.
Rooms not specifically assigned for your wedding should not be used.
During the service, dressing rooms can be locked. These rooms cannot be guaranteed to be secure at all times. Any personal items, including money, are the owner’s responsibility. We suggest a family friend be appointed to safeguard and or move these valuables. Keys will be provided to the wedding party for these rooms but must be returned to the church office or the $500 deposit will be forfeited.
Photographers and Videographers
Pictures of the wedding are treasured keepsakes; couples and their families want the pictures to be beautiful. Because the wedding is a service of worship, certain standards should be observed regarding pictures taken at the wedding. It is the responsibility of the bride to instruct the photographer and family of these guidelines.
No flash photography is permitted once the ceremony begins.
The ceremony begins when the Bride reaches the front of the sanctuary.
Church lights are preset for the beauty of the wedding service at the bride’s request.
Pictures of the bride entering and leaving are accepted if the photographer is no further than 5 pews from the rear of the church.
Photography should be done as discretely as possible.
Photographs may be taken of the Bridal Party in the Sanctuary no more than 2 hours prior to the start of the service and no less than 30 minutes prior to the service.
Following the wedding service, the wedding party may return for pictures and flash equipment may be used at that time and also during the reception.
Out of consideration for the guests, the wedding party, the church custodian and other scheduled events, if pictures are taken after the ceremony, this time should be limited to 30 minutes.
Standing on pews / seats in the building for pictures is not permitted.
Video taping should be done as discretely as possible.
Decorating Guidelines
Please make an appointment through the Church Receptionist (806)832-4511 if you desire to come by the church to make decoration / setup decisions at any time prior to your wedding.
The church will be available for decorating from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the wedding rehearsal, and for a total of 6 hours on the day of the wedding (this 6 hours includes times for the ceremony and reception). The church will be locked following the rehearsal; no decorating may be done after the rehearsal.
As you are decorating, please keep in mind that you MAY NOT MOVE ANYTHING within the church, (stage equipment, chairs, furniture, etc.) at the risk of forfeiting your deposit. If you have any questions, please ask the Church Representative.
Skilled persons who will assume the responsibility with extreme care should install the decor.
No nails, tacks, tape, pins, staples, gum, hot glue or anything that will mar woodwork or furniture may be used.
Only drip-less candles may be used in candelabras. Protective covering must be put under candle stands. Candle stands are not permitted in the aisles. Pillar candles must be put into saucers to catch any drips. Candle wax spills on the carpets or furnishings will cause forfeiture of the deposit.
Flowers used must be in clean, rust free, leak proof containers. Any potted plants must be in saucers.
The throwing of birdseed, rice, confetti, glitter and fresh flower petals will not be allowed in or outside the building. It endangers the safety of those who are using the halls and sidewalks, and it adds to the work of the custodians. Plans for throwing any other items must be approved by the Church Representative. Some approved suggestions are bells, bubbles and butterflies.
Bubbles and butterflies may be used outside the building only.
Your decorator or someone who does not need to leave immediately following the wedding ceremony (someone who is not in the wedding party) should remove all decorations following the ceremony. The name of this contact person as well as a number which this person may be contacted should be given to the Church Representative.
Storage space for decorations and personal items is not available.
Sound System
All Sanctuary weddings require a Sound Technician. The Church Representative will secure the sound technician.
The sound technician will be available at the rehearsal and for 1 hour prior to the wedding ceremony.
Recorded music must be submitted to the Church Representative 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
Wedding Reception
All receptions held at First Baptist Church will be in the Reach Out Center (ROC).
Weddings with receptions at the church may start no later than 6:00 p.m. and not last past 9:00 p.m. (to insure that the cleaning staff can complete clean up in the ROC by 10:00 p.m.).
All decorations must be removed immediately after the reception.
Storage space for decorations and personal items is not available.
The wedding party / caterer is expected to provide their own supplies.
All food and drinks must be served in the ROC / Kitchen. (This includes snacks / drinks that may be provided for the wedding party prior to the wedding. Water bottles in the dressing areas are permitted. (As long as they are not placed on the furnishings, i.e. Bookshelves, piano, chairs, etc.)
The Wedding Party
The Bride and Groom are responsible for seeing that all persons involved with the wedding are familiar with the policies of the church.
Members of the Wedding Party will recognize that the church is the House of God and will conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the atmosphere of a place of worship.
No alcoholic beverages of any kind are permitted on the premises.
Smoking is not allowed on the church property, inside or out.
No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs may use the church. They will be asked to leave immediately, and the authorities will be called.
No food or drinks in the Sanctuary.
Wedding Fees
Members are exempt from Facility Rental Fees; however, we do require a Building Use Fee (to help defray the cost of electrical and heating / cooling costs) from anyone desiring to use the church facilities for their wedding ceremony.
"Member" as it relates to the Wedding exclusion for members means any person who has formally joined First Baptist Church pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws of First Baptist Church, is in good standing with First Baptist Church at the time of said event, and are not currently subject to termination pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws of First Baptist Church. (Children of members are intended to be included in this exclusion.)
Fees and Deposits: Members Non-Members Refundable Deposit $500.00 $500.00 Building Use Fee $125.00 (included in rental fee) Maintenance Fee $150.00 $150.00 Worship Center Rental Fee $0 $525.00 Reach Out Center Rental Fee $0 $400.00 Minister $150.00 $150.00 Wedding Hostess $100.00 $100.00 Sound Technician $75.00 $75.00 Media Technician $75.00 $75.00
The Deposit is required to hold the date on the church calendar. If no damage occurs to the church property during the event and the policies are adhered to, the deposit will be refunded within 10 business days.
The Maintenance Fee should be placed in envelopes and given to the Church Representative on the day of the wedding rehearsal.
Cancellation Policy In the event there should be a cancellation, money will be refunded according to the following guidelines:
A full refund will be given for a cancellation made up to 30 days in advance.
A 50% refund will be given for a cancellation made 30 days to 2 weeks in advance.
No refund will be made for a cancellation made less than 2 weeks before the wedding date.
We reserve the right to waive any of the above referenced fees on proof of necessity or indigence. This must be presented to the Properties Committee at least thirty days prior to the date of the Wedding.