Church Event Planning: Ensure Your Church Shines During Celebrations

No bride wants to sashay her pristine white dress down a dirty aisle. June is traditionally thought of as a prime wedding month, and a key component of church event planning is making sure the church is sparkling clean as it welcomes the wedding party and their guests.

TheKnot.com reports 11% of all weddings in 2023 took place in June, but it’s important to have your sanctuary, fellowship hall, restrooms and other parts of the church building and grounds in top shape year-round. Ensuring that maintenance and regular cleaning are taken care of promptly and routinely can keep the facility looking good and make your floors, carpets, upholstery and more last longer.

However, “special events” like weddings, receptions, potluck dinners and holiday celebrations are special by definition and deserve a little extra attention. Additionally, weddings, funerals and other large events are likely to draw a number of non-members to your church, and we all know how important it is to make a good first impression.

Church Cleaning Checklist

The bride and her team have a million details to attend to, so it’s important that you support them by ensuring your church is in great shape for the special day before they arrive. Your event cleaning checklist should include:

• Floor and carpet cleaning
• Glass and window cleaning
• Cleaning and sanitizing restrooms and kitchens
• Restocking consumables in restrooms

Floor Cleaning

Carpet cleaning should be planned at regular intervals throughout the year to remove spots and keep carpets fresh, which will also extend the life of the carpets. You probably will not need to deep-clean the carpets before every event, but you should spot-clean any recent stains and vacuum. You also should check carpets after events – especially those where food and drinks were served – to clean up any spills before they stain.

On the other hand, thoroughly sweeping hardwood or tile floors just prior to an event is a must to remove dust and debris tracked in from outside the church.

On busy summer weeks – when you may have multiple weddings as well as vacation Bible school and other events planned on top of your usual services – it’s a good idea to schedule extra cleanings with your commercial cleaning team so that they can give the floors some extra TLC before a big day.

Glass & Window Cleaning

Stained glass and windows are often focal points in a church sanctuary, and they may even be incorporated into wedding photos in a special way. So, it’s crucial to ensure glass and windows are clean inside and out before a big event like a wedding.

Although it’s not practical to clean windows outside every week, spring and early summer weather provide the perfect opportunity to wash away any traces of winter and leave sparkling, streak-free glass ahead of wedding and event season. Many commercial cleaning companies offer interior as well as exterior window cleaning services, so it’s easy to schedule those services to be completed in a timely manner.

Restrooms and Kitchens

Whether the bridal party is getting dressed at the church or elsewhere, it’s essential to have a clean and relaxing spot for the ladies – and gentlemen – to prepare before they make their way down the aisle. Ask your professional cleaning company to pay special attention to the bridal room, large restroom or other area where you know the group will be getting ready.

The cleaners should be asked to clean and sanitize the rooms and to ensure there is plenty of hand soap and paper towels. They should make sure the room smells fresh and that any surfaces are dusted and upholstery is cleaned and in good repair.

If your church provides wedding “emergency” supplies such as emory boards, sewing kits, hairspray or lotion, make sure the basket is stocked ahead of time.

If the bridal party is eating brunch at the church or if the reception will be held in a church hall, cleaners also should clean and sanitize that area well before the caterer, wedding planner or guests begin to arrive.

Restocking Restrooms

Areas that are sure to get a workout during any event are the restrooms. Plan to have your cleaning company replenish any consumable supplies in the restrooms just before the event – and share the plan with the bride and her wedding planner so they can check that item off their very long list of to-dos.

The cleaners should restock toilet paper and paper towels, make sure extra toilet paper and paper towels are easy to find, and fill soap dispensers.

If possible, have a cleaner or janitor on site during the event to check restrooms throughout the evening, clean up any spills and assist with cleaning the kitchen and hall immediately after the party ends … and before the next event moves in.

To find commercial cleaners near you, visit OfficePride.com.