Weddings

Riverland Hills Baptist Church is pleased to offer its facilities and staff to make your wedding ceremony a beautiful and worshipful event.  Meaningful weddings, like good marriages, don’t just happen. They are the result of careful planning, hard work, and prayer.  The Senior Pastor, the ministers, and the support ministry staff wish to extend every possible assistance to you, so that your wedding will be a relaxed and meaningful event, glorifying God.

In accordance with the Riverland Hills Baptist Church Administrative Management Guide, the Church policy states “Because God has ordained marriage and defined it as the covenant relationship between a man, a woman, and Himself, Riverland Hills Baptist Church shall only recognize marriages between one biological man and one biological woman. Further, the employees of Riverland Hills Baptist Church shall only officiate, host and/or solemnize marriages between one biological man and one biological woman, and shall not foster any activity contrary to God’s ordained definition of marriage. Finally, in accord with God’s ordained purpose for marriage and good stewardship of His resources, the facilities and property of Riverland Hills Baptist Church shall only host weddings between one biological man and one biological woman.”

To reserve a date on the church calendar for your wedding, contact the Event Coordinator at (803) 772.3227.  Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  The Event Coordinator will check the date you desire for availability. The date cannot be reserved on the calendar until the bride reviews the Wedding Policies and completes the Wedding Application. Weddings may be scheduled no less than 3 months and no more than 12 months in advance.

The following dates are unavailable for rehearsals/weddings in the Worship Center:

• New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
• The weekend of Palm Sunday
• The weekend of Good Friday/Easter
• The weekends before and after Vacation Bible School (these dates are usually in June)
• The weekend of or after Thanksgiving
• The entire month of December

Alcoholic beverages, controlled substances and tobacco products are NOT permitted anywhere in the church buildings or on the church grounds. Any member of the wedding party or any guest who brings alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on the property, or who attempts to serve alcoholic beverages or controlled substances in any form, will be asked to leave the property immediately.  If they are a member of the wedding party, they will not be permitted to participate in the rehearsal or wedding. Any member of the wedding party who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances will not be permitted to participate in the rehearsal or wedding.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the Worship Center. If you choose to provide refreshments for your wedding party, a table will be provided in their respective dressing areas.

No rice, birdseed, or confetti may be thrown anywhere in the church buildings, grounds or parking areas. Only silk flower petals may be used indoors.

For complete facility requirements, see the Wedding Policy form.

A church wedding is a worship service, and music should be selected accordingly.  Please choose songs that acknowledge the biblical calling of marriage as a gift from God.

The Traditional/Modern Worship Pastor is available to consult with the bride and groom concerning the selection of appropriate music and musicians, if needed.

The church pianist and/or organist may be utilized for weddings.  The cost for normal musical performance varies from $200-$400, depending on the musician.

The wedding ceremony is a sacred occasion. Photographers and videographers will take instructions from the assigned Wedding Director.  Flash photography is not allowed after the bride has entered the altar area. No other flash photographs are allowed until the bride and groom are presented at the end of the ceremony.  During the ceremony, photographers may position themselves in the balcony or rear of the seating area.  At no time during the ceremony will the photographer enter the altar area, the choir area, or place himself/herself in a position that would detract from the sacredness of the ceremony.