Weddings
Your Wedding at Central Presbyterian Church
Congratulations on your engagement! We would love to help you create meaningful service to begin your marriage. As long as one of you is a Christian, nonmembers are welcome to have their ceremony at Central Presbyterian Church.
Our beautiful sanctuary in downtown Austin is a popular venue for concerts and other events. Therefore, as soon as you set your wedding date, we suggest you check the church’s availability with our Special Events Coordinator, Emma Dean Moseley.
Top photo by Caitlin McWeeney Photography.
Wedding Policies
Ceremonies may be held any day of the week, with some exceptions:
- We do not schedule Sunday ceremonies for nonmembers.
- We do not schedule ceremonies on Wednesday evenings or Thursdays at noon because of other regularly scheduled church events.
- Ceremonies are not held on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (or the Saturday nearest if Christmas falls on a Friday, Sunday or Monday), or during Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday).
If the ceremony is on a holiday weekend such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or Labor Day, please schedule the date and minister at least 3 months in advance.
The Minister
“A couple requesting a service of Christian marriage shall receive instruction from the minister of the Word and Sacrament, who may agree to the couple’s request only if, in the judgment of the minister of the Word and Sacrament, the couple demonstrate sufficient understanding of the nature of the marriage covenant and commitment to living their lives together according to its values.”
– From the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order
The rehearsal and the wedding ceremony are under the direction of the officiating minister, who may rely on the wedding coordinator to assist in ensuring that the church’s policies are followed.
It is your responsibility to arrange for the minister. CPC has a list of ministers available to officiate your wedding. (NOTE: An internet or mail-order ordination is not acceptable).
Music
Music for your wedding service should be reviewed with your officiating minister.
Should you desire, CPC’s organist/pianist, Nathan Quiring may be available to play at your wedding. Please let us know if you desire to book him. If needed, CPC can provide a list of other musicians.
We have different music packages available, with DJ, band, or prerecorded music capability.
Order of Worship and Communion
As a service of Christian worship, the ceremony is under the direction of the officiating minister, who has final authority over the order of worship and the music selection. Celebrating communion during the ceremony requires the permission of the church Session. Because we believe communion is a sacrament for the entire congregation, we require that all gathered for Christian worship are invited to participate.
Ushers
We recommend one usher for every 50 to 75 guests.
Rehearsal
A rehearsal is usually scheduled for 1 hour on the day preceding the wedding, between 9am-2pm. The officiating minister is in charge of the rehearsal in consultation with the couple, and with the assistance of CPC’s Onsite Coordinator. It is recommended that all members of the wedding party be present for the rehearsal, especially ushers.
Facility
Central’s sanctuary capacity is 350 people. The sanctuary is used for the rehearsal and the ceremony. A bride’s room with a bathroom is available upstairs by the back balcony. The groom and his attendants usually meet in the library outside the sanctuary.
Central has a wooden pedestal (approximately 48 inches tall) that may be used for a central flower arrangement, two gray pedestals (approximately 28 inches tall) that may be used for side flower arrangements, and two kneeling benches that may be placed side by side or facing each other in front of the communion table.
The main entrance to the sanctuary is accessible from 8th Street to people with mobility impairments, or they may enter the church through the Brazos Street door and use the elevator just down the hall. The sanctuary is on level 2.
No food or drinks other than bottled water are allowed in the sanctuary. Smoking is not permitted in the church building or on the grounds.
Receptions
Our Smoot Fellowship Hall is available for receptions for a fee. It holds 125 people. Furniture includes: 16 round tables (54 inches diameter), that comfortably seat 6 to 7 people each (we do not provide tablecloths), and four 72-inch-by-30-inch rectangular tables. We cannot provide more than 50 plastic chairs. We also maintain partnerships with hotels nearby with fabulous reception spaces, we are happy to connect you.
Nursery
Our nursery may be available with prior approval; please make your request at least two months before the ceremony. You are responsible for hiring your own babysitter(s), and Central has no liability for your babysitters. The nursery must be left in good condition.
Fees for Wedding Ceremony
All fees are due 30 days before the ceremony. Please contact Event Coordinator, Emma Dean Moseley, at emma@cpcaustin.org, to discuss pricing.
Deposits
- Wedding Deposit: $500 – This is due with the signed reservation form. The deposit is a partial payment of the total wedding fee.
- Damage Deposit: $500 – This is required of non-members and should be a separate check marked “damage/rule deposit”. It will be returned if unneeded to cover damages.
Fees for Officiant and Musicians
The wedding fees do not include the officiating minister or musicians.
Should you desire, one of CPC’s staff clergy may officiate your wedding. If one of our pastors officiates your wedding, they will determine an appropriate honorarium for their services.
Guest ministers/officiants are welcome upon approval of the CPC Pastor. There is no fee if you would like to hire your own officiant. If you would like to use a guest officiant in your service, the CPC Pastor must approve your officiant. We will need the guest’s name, title, address, and email address.
Should you desire to use CPC’s organist/pianist, Nathan Quiring, his fee is $400. He has extensive experience accompanying other instrumentalists, or playing as a soloist.
Cancellation Policy / Refunds
The wedding fees are refundable when cancelled more than 8 months in advance of the wedding date. Weddings cancelled less than 8 months will be refunded $200 of the deposit. For both member and nonmember weddings no refunds will be given if cancelled less than 6 weeks before the wedding date.
Guidelines for Flowers and Decorations
Central has a wooden pedestal (approximately 48 inches tall) that may be used for a central flower arrangement, two gray pedestals (approximately 28 inches tall) that may be used for side flower arrangements, and two kneeling benches that may be placed side by side or facing each other in front of the communion table. There are also two tall candles and stands and a unity candle set.
Setup and Takedown
All decorations (other than disposable pew décor) and equipment must be removed within the reserved time. There is a minimum fee of $100 for any additional disposal/cleanup. Central is not responsible for any equipment left in the church.
Church Policies
- The only church furnishings that may be moved are the communion table, which may be moved forward or back, and the candles and stands, which may be removed.
- Pew decorations may only be attached using pew clips, ribbon, or rubber bands. No tacks, pins, nails, screws, staples, tape or glue may be used to fasten decorations to furniture or walls.
- Candles may only be placed in the chancel (in the front of the sanctuary), not on pews.
- Candelabra must have ample florist cellophane placed beneath them. Central does not rent candelabra. We prefer spring-loaded candles, pegged votives, or battery-operated candles.
- Candles should be lit at least 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony begins.
- No flowers may be placed on or in front of the communion table, pulpit, baptismal font, or lectern.
- The only items allowed on the communion table are a Bible and/or a unity candle set. Greenery or flowers may be arranged around or underneath the unity candle set.
- Aisle cloths are not allowed.
- A flower girl or boy may hand flowers to people while going down the aisle, but no flower petals or anything else may be tossed within the church. Only flower petals may be tossed outside the building.
- No food or drinks other than bottled water are allowed in the sanctuary.
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere on church property.
- The couple is liable for any damage to the building or to furniture.
Alternative Setup Times
Decorating at a time other than the day of the ceremony, such as after the rehearsal, is usually not possible because church events such as memorials or concerts may be scheduled as little as 2 days ahead. We can only give permission for early decorating 2 days before your ceremony, if discussed in advance.
December Weddings
At Christmastime there will be a tree in the center back of the chancel, garlands on the side and back balconies with a wreath on each, and garlands on the chancel rails. None of these may be changed. However, if you would like to change the colors of the bows, you may do so, as long as they are changed back following your service. Poinsettias are added the Thursday before the Sunday before Christmas (they may not be moved).
