WEDDINGS
OVERVIEW
The pastoral and office staff of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) at The Chicago Temple are ready and willing to guide and assist engaged couples in making their marriage a blessed and memorable occasion.
Three locations within the Temple are available for marriage ceremonies:
- The Sanctuary, seating 700
- The Dixon Chapel, seating 60
- The Sky Chapel, seating 30
WEDDING RESERVATIONS
The first step in reserving a date for your wedding at The Chicago Temple is completing our reservation form.
While every attempt will be made to accommodate your requested time, date and location, scheduling will depend upon availability.
Once submitted, your form will be reviewed and you will be contacted within ten days to discuss and plan the wedding ceremony.
Melanie & Carlo Tamayo married on Oct 21, 2022
OFFICIATING MINISTERS
After your request for a wedding has been submitted and reviewed, one of the ministers on staff will be assigned the wedding, depending upon availability.
The polices of the FUMC at The Chicago Temple stipulate that at least one minister of the church will officiate at all weddings. If a couple desires to include another minister who is ordained by a recognized religious body to assist in the ceremony, the request should be made to the officiating minister at the first counseling session. It is then the responsibility of the officiating minister to extend an invitation to the visiting clergy person to assist.
MARRIAGE LICENSE
In order to be married at The Chicago Temple, the engaged couple must obtain a wedding license from the Cook County Clerk's office.
The license must be purchased at least three days prior to the wedding and be in the possession of the officiating minister before the ceremony. It is preferred that the license be given to the minister on the day of the rehearsal.
Once the ceremony is complete, it is the responsibility of the officiating minister to file the license with Cook County. Official copies of the license for legal purposes must be obtained directly from the Cook County Clerk, once it has been filed.
The Chapel in the Sky Wedding - Chelsea and Daniel Lee married on Nov 5, 2022.
Photo credit @ Emma A. Zanger (EAZ Photo).
FEE STRUCTURE
Fees are structured based upon the size of the facility used and whether couples or families are members of the First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple.
If Paid by Cash, Check or Money Order
| Location | Non-Member | Member |
| Sanctuary | $3,000 | $2,200 |
| Dixon Chapel | $2,500 | $2,050 |
| Sky Chapel | $2,500 | $2,050 |
If Paid by Credit Card |
||
| Location | Non-Member | Member |
| Sanctuary | $3,120 | $2,300 |
| Dixon Chapel | $3,100 | $2,130 |
| Sky Chapel | $3,100 | $2,130 |
Optional Fees |
||
| Option | Non-Member | Member |
| Organist Attending Rehearsal | Negotiable with organist | Negotiable with organist |
| Counseling Only* | $400 | $400 |
*The "Counseling Only" option is for couples that would like to be counseled by a member of FUMC's clergy but intend to be married by another clergy member in a different church.
The fee quoted covers the following: pastor, organist (Sanctuary & Dixon Chapel only), wedding coordinator, custodian, wedding hostess, and use of the building space. It is the responsibility of the couple to pay any associated musician fees when in the Sky Chapel.
Fees do not include outside clergy the couple has asked to assist in the ceremony, musicians other than the organist, flowers, photographers or any gratuities the couple may wish to provide.
PAYMENT
Fifty percent of the quoted cost is required to hold an agreed-upon date. The remainder of the fee is due 30 days prior to the wedding. Payment can be made via cash, check, money order or credit card (for an additional charge—see above).
Payment can be made in person at the Church Office on the second floor of the Chicago Temple or mailed to:
First United Methodist Church
The Chicago Temple
77 West Washington Street, Second Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Check Details
Checks should be made out to:
First United Methodist Church, Chicago Temple
In the memo field of the check, please include both names of the engaged couple.
MUSIC
Music is an important part of the wedding ceremony and should be in keeping with the traditions of the church.
After your wedding has been scheduled and the deposit made, the Wedding Coordinator will put you in contact with the church's Director of Music.
Available Instruments
The organ is only available in the Sanctuary and must be played by the church organist.
A piano is available in the Dixon Chapel and must be played by the church organist.
No instrument is provided in the Sky Chapel, but it can accommodate small instruments such as guitar, flute or lute if outside provisions are made. It is the responsibility of the couple to pay any associated musician fees when in the Sky Chapel.
The Wedding Coordinator will connect engaged couples to the church music department personel to select music and instruments.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Popular scripture readings at Chicago Temple weddings include:
Old Testament Readings
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:4-7; 2:18-22; 2:24
Ruth 1:16-17
Psalms 29:1-2;34:3;37:4;63:1-4;95:1-6;100; 127;128;150
Proverbs 3:5-6; 18:22; 24:3-4; 31:10-31
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Cord of 3 Strands
Song of Solomon 2:11-13; 5:16; 6:3;8:6-7a
Isaiah 61:10;62:5
Jeremiah 33:11;32:38-39
Hosea 2:19-20
New Testament Readings
Matthew 5:3-11 Beatitudes
Matthew 19:-4-6 Christ’s statement of marriage
John 2:1-11 Christ at the marriage in Cana
John 15:9-17 Christ’s command to love
John 17:22-23 Christ’s prayer for love and unity
1 Corinthians 7:1-7 Marital duty of husband and wife
1 Corinthians 13 Great love chapter
Ephesians 4:1-3 Unity in Body of Christ
Ephesians 5:21-23 Roles of husband and wife
Philippians 2: 5-11 Attitudes to build marriage
Colossians 3:12-17 Loving Attitudes
Hebrews 13:4 Sex in marriage
1 Peter 3:1-7 Teaching for wives and husbands
1 John 3:16; 4:7-17 Teaching on love
Revelation 19:4-8 Wedding of the Lamb
