Congratulations on Your Engagement
A Joyful Welcome
This is a joyful and meaningful season in your life, and we are honored that you are considering First United Methodist Church of Sarasota as the place where you will make your vows.
A wedding is far more than a ceremony — it is a sacred act of worship, a moment in which two lives are joined together in the presence of God. It is our hope that your wedding day will not only be beautiful, but deeply spiritual, filled with a sense of God’s grace and presence.
Our desire is to walk alongside you throughout this process. Our Wedding Coordinator and Pastor will guide you through the details and help you plan a meaningful service.
We warmly welcome both members and non-members of First UMC.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of [your names here] in Christian marriage.“
Traditional Methodist Wedding Opening
A wedding is far more than a ceremony — it is a sacred act of worship, a moment in which two lives are joined together in the presence of God. It is our hope that your wedding day will not only be beautiful, but deeply spiritual, filled with a sense of God’s grace and presence.
I look forward to sharing in this sacred moment with you.
Rev. Brett DeHart
Where You'll Say "I Do"
Two Beautiful Ceremony Spaces
Whether you envision an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, we have a space for you. Both our Sanctuary and Chapel offer the warmth, reverence, and beauty that make a wedding ceremony truly memorable.
Main Sanctuary
The Sanctuary
Our beautiful colonial-style Sanctuary — renovated in 2011 — is one of Sarasota’s most stunning ceremony settings. Locally unparalleled acoustics, a magnificent pipe organ, a beautifully carpeted chancel, and natural light through elegant windows create an atmosphere of grandeur and reverence. The space comfortably accommodates large wedding parties and their guests.
- Up to 600 Guests
Intimate Setting
The Chapel
For couples seeking a more intimate ceremony, our Chapel offers a warm, personal atmosphere that draws guests close and creates a profoundly meaningful experience. With the same care and dedication as our larger services, your Chapel wedding will be every bit as sacred and beautifully appointed.
- Up to 90 guests
Reserving Your Date
How to Get Started
Securing your wedding date is straightforward. Here’s what you need to know before you contact us.
To be considered a member rate, you must be a member — or the son or daughter of a member — for at least twelve months prior to scheduling the wedding. All other fees and their due dates are detailed in the full Wedding Policies & Guidelines document below.
Wedding Policies & Guidelines
Your Planning Journey
Wedding Planning Checklist
Planning your wedding at First UMC follows a clear, supported process. Our Wedding Coordinator and Music Fine Arts Director will walk alongside you at every milestone.
- Right Away
Reserve Your Date
- Pay $500 deposit within 14 days of requesting your date
- Complete and submit the Wedding Application Form
- Read the full Wedding Policies & Guidelines
- Request a First UMC Sarasota Pastor to officiate
- Contact the Wedding Coordinator to discuss your general plans
- 6 Months Before
Music & Vendor Planning
- Contact the church musician to identify musical selections and determine the need for additional musicians
- Provide the Wedding Coordinator with contact information for your outside vendors (florist, planner/consultant, photographer/videographer)
- 2 Months Before
Finalizing Plans
- Schedule a meeting with the Pastor 4–6 weeks before the wedding
- Finalize your order of worship
- Meet with the church musician to approve contracts, make payment arrangements, and finalize the musical plan
- Arrange for a First UMC audio technician — only church-approved technicians can run the sound system
- 1 Month Before
Final Approvals
- Meet with Director of Music to confirm all musical selections
- Provide payment for professional musicians to the Director of Music (cash preferred)
- Submit wedding program (PDF) to the Wedding Coordinator for approval — do not print until approved
- Coordinate flower delivery and set-up time with the church office
- Remaining balance paid in full
- Rehearsal
Rehearsal Day
- Bring the marriage license to the Pastor — the ceremony cannot legally proceed without it
- Rehearsal is limited to one hour and begins promptly — even if the full wedding party is not present
- Wedding Day
Your Wedding Day
- Wedding party may arrive two hours before the ceremony and stay one hour after
- Bring wedding rings — do not place them in a ring box
- Dressing rooms available: Choir Room or Sitting Room for bridal party; Room 104 in Fellowship Hall for groom's party
Good to Know
Policies at a Glance
A few key things to keep in mind as you plan. The full Wedding Policies & Guidelines document covers everything in detail.
Wedding Coordinator
The church's Wedding Coordinator orchestrates all weddings, assists the officiating Pastor, and ensures proper use of facilities. They work alongside your personal wedding planner or consultant — not in place of one. You are responsible for securing your own planner.
Music
All music must be approved by the Music Fine Arts Director four weeks before the wedding. We recommend instrumentalists from a pool of pre-approved musicians. First UMC maintains a repertoire of proven ceremony pieces including Canon in D, Trumpet Voluntary, and Toccata from Symphonie V.
Decorations
Fresh flowers and candelabras are welcome; artificial flowers are not permitted in the sanctuary or narthex. No real flower petals may be scattered inside. The Bible cannot be removed from the altar table. No rice, confetti, or birdseed on the premises.
Photography & Video
No flash photography during the service. Photos may be taken in the narthex before the ceremony and the wedding party may return for portraits afterward. Videographers must use a tripod in a concealed position. Only First UMC sound technicians may operate church audio equipment.
Campus Policies
Smoking, vaping, and alcohol of any kind are not permitted anywhere on campus. The Pastor has the right to decline to officiate should this policy be disregarded. No food or beverages are allowed in the narthex, Chapel, or Sanctuary.
Officiating Pastor
It is expected that our Pastor will officiate. If you would like a Pastor from another church, approval is needed from our Senior Pastor — preferably before reserving the date. The format and style of the service should be consistent with the church's tradition of worship.
Musical Excellence
Recommended Processional Music
Our music office maintains a curated repertoire of pieces that have proven beautifully suited to ceremonies held at First UMC Sarasota. Michael Stuart, our Music Fine Arts Director, will work with you personally to select and plan your musical program.
Additional selections may be requested. All music must be approved by the Music Fine Arts Director. Contact Michael Stuart to discuss your musical vision.
Ready to Begin?
Contact Our Wedding Coordinator
Joy VanDeMortel is your first point of contact for all wedding inquiries. She’ll answer your questions, check date availability, and guide you through the next steps.
Additional selections may be requested. All music must be approved by the Music Fine Arts Director. Contact Michael Stuart to discuss your musical vision.
Wedding Coordinator, First United Methodist Church of Sarasota. Joy will walk alongside you from your first inquiry through your wedding day, coordinating all the details between you, the Pastor, and the music team.
- [email protected]
- (941) 955-0935
- Office hours: Mon – Thu, 9:00am – 4:00pm