"As they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

—Mark 10:8-9

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding!

Thank you for thinking of Avondale United Methodist Church as part of your plans.

Your wedding is the Christian celebration of your love and commitment to each other and to God. At Avondale United Methodist Church we want to minister to you through your wedding service. This sacred ceremony, in which you enter into a covenant with God and one other, is one of the ways you create a solid foundation for your marriage. By choosing to use a representative of God and Christ’s Church you are inviting God’s presence in your wedding and purposely asking for God’s blessing upon the marriage.

Most weddings at Avondale UMC are held in our sanctuary. This stately, yet warm and inviting facility seats approximately 300 guests on the lower level and 150 in the balcony. Decorated with red upholstery and rich walnut furnishings, the sanctuary provides the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony.

Wedding receptions can be accommodated in the church social hall, which is within steps of the sanctuary.

Want to hear what others are saying about weddings at Avondale UMC? Visit our profile on TheKnot.com.

  • Larry Contri
    Wedding Liaison
  • Kacy Sesser-Dorné
    Wedding Liaison
  • Rev. Malinda Jowers Weaver
    Pastor

Scheduling and Inquiries

Tours of Avondale UMC are offered by appointment only.  Inquiring couples are encouraged to email our wedding liaisons to arrange a time for a tour and/or to schedule your wedding (weddings@avonumc.net).  Once your request for a specific date and time are received, your wedding will be tentatively scheduled.  You must complete the wedding application form and pay a security deposit in order for your date to be confirmed.  You will be notified by email when your date has been confirmed.

Fees and Payments

Avondale UMC is pleased to offer its facilities for couples wishing to marry. In order to provide the best possible environment for couples wishing to marry here, Avondale UMC has set the following fees for weddings at our church.

Sanctuary
$1,000

Seats approx. 500

Built-in Sound System

Organ and Piano

Make Payment
Fellowship Hall
$500

Table seating for 100

Built-in Sound System

Piano

Kitchen

Make Payment

Fees cover building expenses, a wedding liaison, janitorial services, and a sound system operator. Fees are per-event (e.g., a rehearsal dinner and reception are considered two events). Fees are set by the Avondale UMC church council and are nonnegotiable.

A deposit of $500 is required to confirm the date of the wedding. The deposit will be applied toward the total fee.

OTHER COSTS

These fees are intended as a guideline to customary honorariums.

  • Avondale UMC Pastor - $350.00
  • AUMC Organist/pianist - $300 (both rehearsal and ceremony)
  • AUMC Nursery Attendant (as available) - $100.00 (2 attendants - 3 hour min.)
  • All payments must be in the form of cash, money order or cashier's check. Avondale United Methodist Church does not accept personal checks for payment of wedding fees.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

  • Immediately upon reservation: security deposit
  • Two weeks before the day of the ceremony: all fees and honorariums must be paid in full to the wedding liaison.

Wedding Planning Resources

Couples being married by an Avondale UMC pastor will have the opportunity to discuss plans for the ceremony with him/her. The pastor will use his or her experience as a worship leader to make sure all aspects of your ceremony are worshipful, meaningful, and contribute to the celebratory atmosphere of your wedding day. Please know that the pastor has the final say in what will be included in the wedding service. The Avondale UMC pastor will work with any guest pastor and has the final say in what will be included in those services also.

The following resources may be helpful for you in planning your wedding: