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Getting Married at First Church
Here at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, the wedding service is a special and significant event. It is a time for the families, the church and the community to affirm and celebrate the union of two human lives. Together we affirm that holy matrimony is "an estate instituted by God." And together we celebrate the present activity of God in the joining together of two people in a relationship of Christian love. We are glad for your interest in having a Christian wedding service at The First Congregational Church. We suggest you take these steps as you plan: Set the Date Because of the careful planning which is necessary for weddings and because of the many weddings which are scheduled in our Church, we strongly advise that you consult with the church office at least six months in advance of your intended wedding date, when possible. To secure a date and time for your wedding, your first step is to phone the church office. The secretary in charge will obtain from you and provide for you basic information and inform the ministerial staff. Following this, you will receive the Marriage Application, which you should complete and return to the church office. Your wedding date will not be confirmed until you meet with a pastor, so... Arrange an Interview with a Pastor After setting your wedding date, you need to make an appointment with the pastor who will be performing the ceremony. Until this initial consultation, your date is not confirmed. He or she will want to see you several times, well in advance of the wedding date, if possible. In certain circumstances guest ministers will be allowed to perform weddings, but an initial meeting with one of our pastors is still required. Complete the Marriage Application Please fill out the application as fully as possible and mail it to the church office before your first interview with the pastor, or bring it with you when you come. He or she will use this as a reference in the interview. Your Wedding Music The church organist, or one approved by him or the pastor, will play for the ceremony. Please do not make arrangements for an outside organist. The pastor will explain to you the reasons for this request. The music for the service may include the traditional wedding marches, but there is much fine music from which to choose. Please set an appointment for a consultation by calling the church office. Any requests for special music, soloists or instrumentalists should be discussed with the organist well in advance of the date of the ceremony. There is an additional fee for rehearsals with soloists. The organist does not attend the wedding rehearsal. Your Wedding Decorations When you engage a florist, which is the responsibility of the family, it is suggested that floral arrangements be kept simple and unpretentious. Advise your florist against the use of adhesives to fasten floral arrangements to the church walls and pew ends. Please notify the church, well in advance, if you wish to leave the flowers for the Sunday worship service. The church prohibits the use of a white runner. The carpeted aisle is attractive, and the carpet provides protection for the bride's and bridesmaids' dresses. Wrought-iron aisle candleholders and candelabra are available for your wedding for an additional fee. The candelabra which sit on either side of the communion table hold seven candles each. Aisle candleholders, 16 in all with three candles each, are placed the length of the aisle at every third pew. Please, no rice, birdseed or their substitutes inside or outside the church in consideration of others who will be using the premises following your wedding. Photographers The marriage ceremony is an act of worship, and as such we require that nothing distracts either the couple or their family and friends from this purpose during the service. While we recognize that the couple and their families will wish to have pictures, we ask that the following be observed by professional and amateur photographers alike:
Please speak with the minister performing the ceremony concerning the policy on videography of your wedding. Obtain the Marriage License The license must be obtained in the town in which the ceremony will take place (i.e., the Town of Greenwich). It is valid for sixty (60) days from date of issue. There is a four-day waiting period between the day of application and the day the license may be picked up, so be sure to allow enough time in applying. The license should be given to the pastor at the wedding rehearsal. The Rehearsal Your wedding rehearsal will be directed by your minister. The purpose of a rehearsal is to prepare for the service of worship. All participants should observe this in both dress and decorum. In that there may be other rehearsals scheduled on the same evening, it is extremely important that all members of your party arrive on time. There are many details to be covered at the rehearsal, and so it is necessary that the entire wedding party including parents participate promptly and attentively. Rehearsal dinners or other social gatherings should be scheduled after the rehearsal. Fees The fees for a wedding in our church are available from the church office. Separate checks, payable to the church or the appropriate person, should be mailed to the church in advance or brought to the wedding rehearsal. For further information or to begin planning your wedding with us, please call the church office at (203) 637-1791. |
