(Application at bottom of page)

We offer two types of weddings at First Congregational Church. For ceremonies with over 20 guests, our center aisle sanctuary is available. We routinely seat 200 people in the center aisle, and with additional chairs, we have had as many as 400.

We also have a lovely chapel available for smaller, more intimate weddings.

Fees:

The deposit for a wedding in the sanctuary is $125.00 for a member, $250.00 for a non member and is required to reserve your date. This does not include minister, organist, and coordination/administrative fees. You may use your own music but arrangements must be made ahead of time. The balance of your account is due three weeks prior to the service. Please make checks payable to the following: $250/125 deposit to the First Congregational Church, due when you reserve your wedding date. $250 to the minister at least three weeks before the wedding date. $150 to the organist at least three weeks prior to wedding date. Wedding Coordinator is $100, and the Sound technician fee is $100.
The fee for a chapel wedding is $150, plus the minister’s and wedding coordinator fee. This service does not include music. We will provide an organist for $100. No sound technician is needed for a chapel service unless requested.

Minister:

Our minister will perform your ceremony. Only a minister affiliated with our church may perform your ceremony at the First Congregational Church unless there has been prior approval. Currently there are four ordained ministers available for ceremonies. Please call the church office four weeks before your wedding to schedule a time to meet with the minister. This is to discuss details of the service, not for counseling. This meeting is customarily set for 11:30 am on a Sunday, after church services.

Music:

You may use a mix of CD’s and tapes for your wedding music or you may use your own musicians. The sound technician will attend the rehearsal. If you use our organist and would like alternate music to the traditional wedding processional and recessional, you must provide the organist with sheet music and they will be happy to accommodate you. Please note this when submitting your application.

"Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!"

Videotaping, Photography:

We actively encourage you to videotape your wedding! A Videographer is available through the church. The best spot for videotaing is directly behind the pulpit, to the left of the alter. Flash photograpyis allowed during the service.


Decorating, etc:

You are welcome to decorate the church for your wedding. We suggest designating some helpers. It may be possible to decorate the evening before your wedding, before or after the rehearsal.
We have two candelabras available for your use. You will need to provide the 14 dripless taper candles they hold. White candles look best for a wedding service, and you can instruct your florist to include flowers for the candelabras as well.

Unity candle:

The unity candle symbolizes the union of the separate lives and souls of the bride and groom into one. Parents are often asked to participate in the lighting of the individual candles from which the unity candle is lit. In our service, the unity candle is lit following the vows and exchange of rings. If you are planning on having a soloist or musicians perform during your ceremony, this is the perfect time. We have a unity candle holder available for your use and you may obtrain the unity candle and the tapers to light it at any wedding or party supply store.


Aisle Runner:

Pew Bows:

Pew bows may be used, however we ask that you tie them around the pews, rather than tape them. Several wedding supply stores also carry “pew clips” that work well. The pews are 34 1/4 inches around. There are 32 pews in the main part of the sanctuary, as well as two extra pews in the back of the sanctuary for extra seating.


Day of the Wedding Information:

Some photographers prefer to take some photos before the service to cut down on the time it takes for the couple to arrive at their reception. If this is the case, arriving two hours before your scheduled time is adequate to dress and take photos. If photos will be taken after the ceremony, arrival at the church an hour to an hour ½ early should be sufficient. All deliveries related to your wedding should take place during this time.

The lead minister will walk you through your ceremony at the rehearsal and a Wedding Coordinator is available to assist on the day of the wedding. You may want to designate a friend to see to any last minute details.

Regrettably, we do not have facilities available for receptions.

This is a brief overview of weddings at the First Congregational Church. If you have additional questions, or for assistance at any time during your preparations, please call the church at 747-1414. If we can’t answer your question right away, we will get back to you in a timely manner.

Best of luck to you in all your preparations!

Wedding Application