Weddings at Bay Shore
The Sanctuary
Bay Shore Church has a traditional sanctuary with stained glass windows, mahogany paneled walls, mahogany pews, and burgundy carpeting and flooring. The main floor has a center aisle and seats 300. The balcony seats an additional 150 persons. The church has a pipe organ and a Steinway grand piano. String quartets or harpists may also be used for music.
Gabrielson Chapel
Gabrielson Chapel, adjacent to the sanctuary, is available before and after the wedding for use by the wedding party for pictures, signing the license, etc. Gabrielson Chapel accomodates smaller weddings, no more than 70 guests, for a reduced church donation.
Coordinating Your Wedding
Our wedding director will assist you with your preparations and will be present at both your rehearsal and wedding. Please contact our wedding director shortly after scheduling your wedding so she can get it on her calendar, and begin to help you with your wedding choices at Bay Shore Church.
Our Ministers
Your wedding will be officiated by one of the ministers on our staff, according to availability. Our denomination ordains both men and women to Christian ministry, and Bay Shore Church calls both to its staff. Ministers are assigned to weddings depending upon their schedules. We want you to be comfortable with this before you book your wedding.
Music at Your Wedding
Church policy permits only our church organist to play the organ at your wedding. Harp, piano, or string quartets are permitted. Our sound operator must be engaged if you wish CD accompaniment for any portion of your wedding or solos.
Photography & Video
Flash pictures are not allowed during the wedding service as they distract from the religious nature of the ceremony. Posed pictures are permitted before or after the ceremony. Video personnel must remain in the choir loft or balcony, and must be attired in a suit so as not to detract from wedding photos.
Guidelines
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed in or around the church, and wedding party participants are strongly discouraged from consuming alcohol before the wedding.
- Smoking is not permitted in any church buildings.
- Rice, birdseed, and confetti may not be thrown after the wedding.