Planning the Ceremony

While the Church typically works with couples who seek a Christian service of marriage, we are pleased as well to extend hospitality to interfaith, inter-religious, and ecumenical couples and will work with you to accommodate your needs. A wedding at First Congregational is first and foremost a service of worship, celebrating the presence and asking the blessing of God.

We anticipate that all couples will work closely with First Congregational’s Director of Parish Care, who will contact you after a wedding date has been confirmed. The Director welcomes this opportunity to get to know the couple. If the couple desires to use one of our pastors the pastor will guide the couple through the understandings of Christian marriage, the form and shape of the service, and the couple’s thoughts and feelings about marriage. Wedding services may be officiated by a First Congregational Church pastor or an officiant of the couples choice.

Music

In keeping with the musical tradition of First Congregational and dignity of the occasion, the First Congregational Church organist will provide organ music for the wedding (or will secure a substitute). Vocal soloists or additional instrumentalists can also be arranged if you desire. Musical selections can be of a religious/classical nature or at the discretion of the couple.

The Day of the Wedding

Out of consideration for the Church’s Sunday morning worship, the latest starting time for a Saturday wedding is 7:00 PM. The earliest starting time for a Sunday afternoon wedding is 1:00 PM. A wedding rehearsal is usually held a day or two before the wedding.

The church will be open two hours before your wedding is scheduled to begin. The wedding party should arrive at the church 1 hour before the service or as pre-arranged with the Director of Parish Care.

Due to our downtown location, First Congregational is unable to provide parking for the wedding party, vendors, or guests. Likewise, we cannot block off spaces on Academy or Church Street. However, several garages are located within walking distance of the church.

Photographs may be taken either immediately before or after the ceremony. Flash photography is only permitted during the processional and recessional of the wedding service. Videography of the ceremony should be approved in advance by the Director of Parish Care.