Weddings at First Church
First Congregational Church wishes you all the best as you celebrate your engagement and begin to plan your wedding. We believe that the step you are about to take is one of the most important of your lives, requiring careful thought and preparation. To assist you in this endeavor, we have prepared these guidelines for planning your wedding at First Congregational Church.
Our Facility
First Congregational Church, built in 1903, is a spectacular setting for your wedding. The stained glass is some of the finest in the city and can provide amazing light for your very special day. The Sanctuary will comfortably seat 250. Another 50 folding chairs can be set up in the adjacent parlor. The parlor itself can be used for a small ceremony. The Sanctuary is handicapped accessible. Please inform the Minister to ensure that the east door and ramp are made available. A lovely Bride‟s Room is available for the Bride and Bridesmaids to dress and prepare for the ceremony, providing comfort and privacy for the wedding party. This is located in the lower level of the Church and has access to a restroom.
Setting the Date
In order to have a smooth wedding, you will want to give yourself ample time for planning and preparation. To do this, you will want to set your wedding date and book the Church at least three months prior to your anticipated date. An email requesting a phone call ([email protected]) or a phone call to the Church office (812.232.8880) and a discussion with the Minister will start this process. You may want to have several possible dates in mind as many activities and events are scheduled at the Church throughout the year. Typically, weddings are not scheduled during Holy Week, Christmas week, on major holidays or Sundays. At the discretion of the Minister, weddings may be scheduled during these times. The date and time for your wedding will not be confirmed until the “Church Wedding Agreement” form and your deposit have been returned to the Church office. Please remember that invitations should not be printed until you have confirmation of your wedding date from the Church office.
Preparation
Planning is everything for a successful wedding. Part of your planning process will be scheduling many appointments and meetings. You will want to ensure that several of those appointments include meeting with the Minister to discuss the plans you have for your ceremony. It is expected that the Minister of First Congregational Church or his/her designee will perform any marriage ceremony held in our church. First Congregational Church does not consider the use of our sanctuary as a "hall for hire", but recognizes and respects this is a sacred place and a wedding ceremony as a worship service. Guest clergy is at the Minister‟s discretion and cannot be used without a full discussion with the Minister. This is rarely done and typically only in the instance of a family member who is also clergy.
Marriage License
A state issued marriage license is required before your wedding can take place in First Congregational Church. Please check with the County Clerk at the Vigo County Courthouse to arrange for this with ample time. The license should be dropped off with the Minister or in the Church office several days before the wedding and no later than at the Rehearsal.
Music
Music is a big part of any wedding, both setting the mood and expressing the preferences of the Bride and Groom. Please remember that a wedding at First Congregational Church is a worship service as well as a celebration of your nuptials and music should be planned accordingly. While we do not provide musicians for your ceremony, we will assist you in finding musicians who will make your celebration outstanding.
Floral Arrangements and Decorations
The use of flowers and other decorations to adorn the Church can set the stage for a spectacular celebration of your very special day. The beauty of our Sanctuary may require only minimal decoration, so please spend some time there thinking about what you want and what will enhance the surroundings. Only dripless candles are allowed in the sanctuary.
Photography and Videography
Photographs and video recordings are amazing ways to capture the memories of your special day. Because the wedding service is a time of worship, distractions during the service are discouraged. The Bride and Groom are responsible for sharing these guidelines with their chosen photographer, videographer and guests who may be taking pictures.
Contact either Pastor Kathi at: [email protected] or Pastor Jim at: [email protected]
You will want to read our full wedding guidelines and check the fees. You can download those below.
First Congregational Church, built in 1903, is a spectacular setting for your wedding. The stained glass is some of the finest in the city and can provide amazing light for your very special day. The Sanctuary will comfortably seat 250. Another 50 folding chairs can be set up in the adjacent parlor. The parlor itself can be used for a small ceremony. The Sanctuary is handicapped accessible. Please inform the Minister to ensure that the east door and ramp are made available. A lovely Bride‟s Room is available for the Bride and Bridesmaids to dress and prepare for the ceremony, providing comfort and privacy for the wedding party. This is located in the lower level of the Church and has access to a restroom.
Setting the Date
In order to have a smooth wedding, you will want to give yourself ample time for planning and preparation. To do this, you will want to set your wedding date and book the Church at least three months prior to your anticipated date. An email requesting a phone call ([email protected]) or a phone call to the Church office (812.232.8880) and a discussion with the Minister will start this process. You may want to have several possible dates in mind as many activities and events are scheduled at the Church throughout the year. Typically, weddings are not scheduled during Holy Week, Christmas week, on major holidays or Sundays. At the discretion of the Minister, weddings may be scheduled during these times. The date and time for your wedding will not be confirmed until the “Church Wedding Agreement” form and your deposit have been returned to the Church office. Please remember that invitations should not be printed until you have confirmation of your wedding date from the Church office.
Preparation
Planning is everything for a successful wedding. Part of your planning process will be scheduling many appointments and meetings. You will want to ensure that several of those appointments include meeting with the Minister to discuss the plans you have for your ceremony. It is expected that the Minister of First Congregational Church or his/her designee will perform any marriage ceremony held in our church. First Congregational Church does not consider the use of our sanctuary as a "hall for hire", but recognizes and respects this is a sacred place and a wedding ceremony as a worship service. Guest clergy is at the Minister‟s discretion and cannot be used without a full discussion with the Minister. This is rarely done and typically only in the instance of a family member who is also clergy.
Marriage License
A state issued marriage license is required before your wedding can take place in First Congregational Church. Please check with the County Clerk at the Vigo County Courthouse to arrange for this with ample time. The license should be dropped off with the Minister or in the Church office several days before the wedding and no later than at the Rehearsal.
Music
Music is a big part of any wedding, both setting the mood and expressing the preferences of the Bride and Groom. Please remember that a wedding at First Congregational Church is a worship service as well as a celebration of your nuptials and music should be planned accordingly. While we do not provide musicians for your ceremony, we will assist you in finding musicians who will make your celebration outstanding.
Floral Arrangements and Decorations
The use of flowers and other decorations to adorn the Church can set the stage for a spectacular celebration of your very special day. The beauty of our Sanctuary may require only minimal decoration, so please spend some time there thinking about what you want and what will enhance the surroundings. Only dripless candles are allowed in the sanctuary.
Photography and Videography
Photographs and video recordings are amazing ways to capture the memories of your special day. Because the wedding service is a time of worship, distractions during the service are discouraged. The Bride and Groom are responsible for sharing these guidelines with their chosen photographer, videographer and guests who may be taking pictures.
Contact either Pastor Kathi at: [email protected] or Pastor Jim at: [email protected]
You will want to read our full wedding guidelines and check the fees. You can download those below.
fcc_wedding_guidelines_-_full.pdf | |
File Size: | 393 kb |
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