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MARRIAGE CEREMONIESPOLICIES AND PROCEDURES
MYSTIC CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
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Best of wishes! Trustees and Council Members Mystic Congregational Church |
These guidelines assume that there is a difference between a Christian or Church wedding service and a purely civil ceremony. The Christian wedding is a worship experience, with the theme of the covenant of marriage; it rests in the assumption that God in Jesus Christ is the focus of what we do; it presupposes that the couple being married are making promises to God and to one another in the presence of family and friends.
The ceremony is led by one of our clergy, who will provide you with the resources from which you can plan your wedding. Our clergy are pleased to have suggestions from you about the content of the ceremony; however, they remain responsible for the final form.
If the participation of another ordained minister is desired, this matter is to be discussed with, and authorized by, one of our clergy. One of our pastors is responsible for the oversight of the occasion and the fees remain the same.
After you have met with one of our clergy who confirms the wedding date and time with you, you are expected to make a deposit of 50% of the total amount of the fees required. Checks are to be written to "Mystic Congregational Church." Following the receipt of your deposit, the date and time of your wedding can be entered into the church calendar. One half of the deposit is refundable up to 6 months prior to the wedding date.
The main sanctuary of our church comfortably seats 200 people without using the balconies. Small informal ceremonies can be held in the church library.
The clergy member with whom you meet and who agrees to proceed with you is responsible for scheduling the use of the church facilities. In the event that a location other than one in our church buildings is desired, the Christian nature of the ceremony will still be observed.
Please note that ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PROHIBITED IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH. We request that the wedding party refrain from use of alcohol prior to the rehearsal and the wedding.
Connecticut State law requires that you apply for the marriage license with the town clerk in the town in which the ceremony is to take place. For the Mystic Congregational Church, this law means that the license is to be applied for at the Stonington Town Hall. The phone number for the Stonington Town Clerk is (860) 535-5060.
Connecticut law also requires a blood test before a marriage license can be issued. This test is more easily accomplished through a Connecticut physician and lab. A brochure from the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health providing the details of this process is attached.
Be sure to allow time for these events. The blood test is valid for 35 days; the marriage license is valid for 65 days.
The marriage license is to be given to the pastor leading the ceremony at the time of the rehearsal; the pastor will return the completed license to the Town Hall. Should you desire an official completed license of your marriage, you will need to request it from the Town Clerk; there will be a small additional fee for this.
The clergy and organist of our church are responsible for music at all wedding ceremonies.
The name of our organist is Ms. Tricia Dehls. To discuss the music for your wedding ceremony, please schedule an appointment with her following the confirmation of your wedding date. Arrangements regarding the use of other musicians, soloists or instrumentalists to participate in the ceremony must be made with Ms. Dehls.
Ms. Dehls’ permission is required for anyone other than herself to play the organ for your wedding; on these occasions there is no reduction of the "bench fee." Ms. Dehls can be contacted at (XXX) XXX-XXXX (not published on internet).
As the wedding is a sacred occasion, photographic distractions are inappropriate and are not permitted. Flash cameras and moving about during the service, either by professional photographers or members of the congregation, are not allowed.
Advance approval must be obtained for the making of videotape of the wedding.
Arrangements can be made to pose for pictures immediately following the ceremony.
Please read the attached information regarding photography for the wedding ceremony and five it to your selected photographer.
Since the beauty of our sanctuary is in its simplicity, extensive decoration is unnecessary. Most wedding planners have found that one floral piece on the Communion Table or two arrangements (one each on two flower pedestals) is quite adequate and attractive.
You may wish to place a floral arrangement on the table in the narthex.
Decorations on the ends of the pews are discouraged since the center aisle is rather narrow. For safety reasons, and as the aisle is already carpeted, the use of a bridal floor runner is not permitted.
A printed order of the marriage ceremony is not necessary, although it can be helpful to your family and friends in attendance. In the event that a bulletin is used, the printing is the responsibility of the bride and groom. Such a bulletin should include information concerning the prohibition of flash photography and video taping (except for the approved individual) during the service.
The wedding rehearsal provides instruction and practice for each person participating in the ceremony, including the parents of the bride and groom. It is held at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. the evening before the wedding. Attendance at the rehearsal is required for all participants.
The marriage license is to be given to the pastor leading the ceremony at the time of the rehearsal.
Since the space for greeting family and friends at the church is quite limited, you are encouraged to have the receiving line at the place of reception. Weather permitting, the lawn outside the front Church doors, inside the hedgerow, or the Memorial Park across the street from the Church Library, can be used.
The use of rice, birdseed, confetti, etc. is not permitted on church property. If a bulletin is used for the service, please include this information.
A $25 fee is charged should any extra cleaning be required after the ceremony.
Please contact the church office for the current fee schedule
Any balance of fees due is to be paid in full by the time of the rehearsal. Checks are to be written to "Mystic Congregational Church.