General Information

All couples using our facilities for their weddings must meet the following requirements:

1. • Membership. At least one of the couple must be a member of FBA (or one of their parents).
2. • Both the bride and groom must be born-again believers in Jesus Christ.
3. • Both must have similar Biblically based theological backgrounds.
4. • There must be Scriptural grounds for the marriage.
5. • All couples must complete a premarital counseling course, approved by the Counseling Office of FBA.

Due to the heavy scheduling of our facilities for church programs and weddings, requests for weddings should be made at least five months in advance so that you may secure your preferred date and have time to complete the FBA premarital counseling. In some instances, a date for your wedding may be secured in less time, if approved counseling has already been completed. This will be determined by the FBA director or assistant director of counseling.

Appointment with the Wedding Coordinator

You will need to arrange an appointment with the wedding coordinator at least five months prior to your wedding date to discuss the details relating to your ceremony at First Baptist Atlanta. The wedding coordinator will assist you with the following:

• • Calendar reservations
• • Facility reservations
• • Security deposits/payments/fees
• • Video/audio/technical needs
• • Assigning a staff wedding director to coordinate the wedding rehearsal and facilitate the wedding ceremony and reception (if at First Baptist Atlanta)

At this appointment, important information relating to church policies, floral policies and agreements, and photography/videography policies and agreements will be explained, and you will be asked to sign the Wedding Policy Agreement. The wedding coordinator will answer any questions you may have and address any special needs concerning your special day.

Initial Contact

• Contact the wedding coordinator. The wedding coordinator will assist you in selecting the date, time and location for your ceremony. Every effort will be made to schedule your wedding on the date you desire. However, due to the large number of weddings, we suggest that you have several options in mind.
• Your desired wedding date will be forwarded for approval to the ministerial staff and the church calendar will be reviewed for availability. Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays, during churchwide events or on holiday weekends.

Our Wedding Venues

The Worship Center and chapel of First Baptist Atlanta are available when one member of the couple, or at least one of the parents of the couple, is a member of First Baptist Atlanta. Because of the heavy scheduling of our facilities for church programs and weddings, we regret that we cannot accept reservations for weddings from nonmembers.

Should a member, or a nonmember, wish to be married in the office of one of the ministers, please contact the minister directly. There is no fee for the use of the minister's office for small weddings, although an honorarium is suggested for the minister. Guests at office weddings must be limited to the immediate family. Decorations are discouraged.

Faith Hall, Heritage Hall and Lakeside Grill are available for receptions. Heritage Hall also may be considered for your rehearsal dinner. A special kitchen is available for the caterers. Weddings and wedding receptions are restricted to the common areas mentioned above. The wedding activities must be confined to the rooms and hallways assigned.

If other rooms are needed for other activities related to the wedding, these rooms must be requested at least two weeks before the wedding.

We regret that nursery facilities are not available. It is suggested that the number of children invited be kept at a minimum.

Premarital Counseling

All couples that schedule First Baptist Atlanta for their wedding ceremony must complete an approved premarital counseling program. This counseling is for the purpose of equipping engaged couples with Biblical principles for a successful marriage. Before your wedding is actually scheduled with the church, you should call the Counseling Ministry for an appointment to discuss premarital counseling. Some First Baptist Atlanta ministers will provide their own counseling to the couples whose weddings they are officiating, however all arrangements are approved first by the Counseling Ministry.

The assistant counseling director must approve all counseling programs to be completed outside First Baptist Atlanta. Weddings should be scheduled at least five months in advance in order to schedule and complete the FBA counseling. FBA premarital counseling is a six-session course, tailored to suit the needs of each couple. There is a small fee for this course that you may address when you speak to a counselor.

Failure to complete the approved counseling requirements will result in the possible postponement or cancellation of your wedding at FBA.

An engaged couples' Sunday morning Bible study class is offered and all couples are encouraged to attend.

Application for Wedding

• Fill out a wedding application. Return the application to the wedding coordinator with a nonrefundable deposit of $250 to secure your reservation on the church calendar. This deposit will apply to your facilities reservation.
• The application and deposit can be dropped off at the receptionist desk or mailed to: