COME GET MARRIED AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
We love weddings! Even if you and your intended aren’t members, we invite you to consider getting married here in our sanctuary or in our smaller, more intimate chapel.
We hope the following information is helpful to you as you consider your options. Whatever you decide, we wish you and yours a beautiful, meaningful wedding day!
WHY BE MARRIED IN THE CHURCH?
A wedding is a religious ceremony. Traditionally in the Christian faith, the service of marriage has called attention to the fact that it is a sacred occasion when a couple covenants to spend the remainder of their lives together, and when they vow publicly to love and cherish each other as long as both sahll live. It is, therefore, fitting that marriage be solemnized in the setting of a church and by an authorized representative of the Christian faith.
GETTING STARTED
The early bird gets…the date! As soon as you determine that you wish to be married in First congregational Church, you should ascertain what dates on the church calendar are open, see what facilities are available for the ceremony itself and for a reception, if applicable, and confirm the date with the minister. You will then be required to fill out the Wedding Information Form, and return the form with your $250.00 non-refundable deposit to the church office. Your wedding date will then be placed on the church calendar.
SANCTUARY OR CHAPEL?
Both settings are beautiful for weddings, with a rich array of stained glass windows. Try to visit or attend Sunday service before you decide, so that you can see both venues for yourself.
The Sanctuary accommodates up to 400 guests, although congregations of 75 are not “lost” in it. If your wedding is larger than 400, know that our adjacent Founder’s Room opens to the sanctuary and can be set up for additional seating. The sanctuary is not air-conditioned.
The Chapel of the Beatitudes is a smaller (but no less beautiful) sanctuary seating a maximum of 100 guests. The Chapel is air-conditioned.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY
Our sanctuary is accessible to all through the Cossitt Avenue entrance and elevator. Our chapel sits at grade level on the 6th Avenue side of the building.
We’d appreciate advance notification if you’ll need the elevator, as an elevator operator must be on-premise.
THE MINISTER
The officiating minister will contact you to schedule future meetings. It is the policy of First congregational church that one of the church's ministerial staff will be a participant in your wedding.
MINISTER-COUPLE CONFERENCES
The minister who officiates at your wedding will desire to visit with both of you at least three times. Because the service of marriage is an intimate and sacred one, it is important that you and the minister become well acquainted and that you have ample opportunity to think through and discuss some of the deeper meanings of marriage.
THE WEDDING SERVICE
We want your wedding service to be meaningful to you, so we welcome your ideas and input. As long as the religious content of the service is preserved, we will strive to shape the service to your wishes.
WEDDING MUSIC
Our organist plays for all weddings held at First Congregational Church, so be sure to meet with him at least a month before the wedding to talk about possible music selections.
If you want to add a vocalist or other instrumentalists to your wedding, our organist can easily secure these for you. In this case, please try to give a little more lead time.
Of course, if you’re counting on a friend or family member to play or sing for you, that’s perfectly OK. Just be sure the song is “service appropriate,” and that the organist has the necessary sheet music well in advance of the wedding.
For information please call (708) 352-0800 and ask for Peg Peterson (peg@fcclg.org)