So my church just finished recording our Christmas CD and since I'm the technical/creative guy, I'm stuck with the job of figuring out the finalization process. The tracks are all mastered and I have them in WAV format. But here are m questions on what I do next:

1. Am I supposed to convert them to high-quality mp3 files and burn them to an actual master CD? Or do I leave them as WAV files and let the CD reproducers figure that out?
2. If I go to burning mp3s to a disc, do I need to add all of my metadatas to the mp3s before I burn them to disc for reproduction?
3. If the above is also true, what kind of additional information needs to go with that - things like UPC codes, copyright information, etc?

Thanks! This is my first time taking on a project like this, and I want to make sure each task is completed properly.

you want nothing to do with mp3

Most CD-burning programs make it fairly easy, letting you assemble a list of wave files (16-bit 44.1KHz, not MP3) to burn. They will also provide you with a place to enter titles and copyright notices, and they'll automatically take care of the technical details such as the mandatory 2-second silence at the top. It's pretty painless.
 
If you don't have a CD-burning application, you can pick one up at your local office supply store for under fifty bucks, often under $20. Or you can spend a hundred on Sony CD Architect, although that's really not necessary unless you plan on doing a lot of CDs.

You really need to check with the CD pressing people. For instance here in Australia they often like you to make the actual AUDIO CD itself with all gaps inserted etc.. Tracks all named etc..CD title named too.
 
Dont use mp3 files in any form to make any CD masters either.
 
Some pressing plants prefer the audio CD and NOT just a bunch of wave files. Because they will have to sequence them in the right order and put the gaps in etc and they may get it wrong. Also it is extra work for them too. But things may be different in your part of the world. Check with them. Dont just ask here because you may not get the correct information.
 
Also if you do get asked to make the actual Audio CD itself, do not do it on a cheap 30 cent blank either. Most CD pressing plants have master grade blank CD's for sale. (usually a couple of dollars or more) They are in a class of their own in terms of quality and error rates etc..
 
 

This makes me sorta nervous. All of that sounds like a process that will take a couple of weeks- that is, finding the guys who can do the best job for the cheapest, finding out how they like their files, determining the name a metadata for the files... AND I won't even be in the country to help with it in person! 
 
Well, I'll see how things go then. More information appreciated!

Definitely talk to folks who will be doing it for what/how they want things sent.

To reiterate the above, do not do mp3s.

Yeah, when the band I was in cut their second CD, an 800 piece run, the guy we dealt with just wanted us to provide a "red book" audio CD.
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Disc_Digital_Audio
 
 

David, I would recommend going to a service such as Discmasters. They will do as little or as much of the work as you want, they are accustomed to hand-holding inexperienced producers, they are cost-competitive, and they have a quick turnaround (it'll surely be done by Christmas).
 
The array of services will seem overwhelming at first, but it's just because they'll do anything and everything, from simply duplicating a master you make yourself to designing your cover art and doing the mastering for you. If you like, you can simply hand them your 16/44 wave files along with a track list showing the order you want the songs to be in. 

Here is a tutorial of preparing an album to send to a reproduction facility using Reaper...
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNtnl09y5bY
 
As was said the disc guys will usually give you directions as to what they need and will do most of the stuff in the vid for you BUT it is still very educational and helpful to know what to expect and you may be able to save a little money by doing some of this yourself. That way the guy's at the reprod place can get right down to just manufacturing the discs. Since the Reaper demo is fully functioning with no restrictions you can download that and do this without buying anything (but it's only $80 or something ridiculous like that and for that price is a cool program to have a second DAW anyway... the money just goes to help continue develpment and gets you like a million years worth of updates).
 
Warning: That vid is pretty nerdy... but in a cool way.