Weddings

WEDDING PROCEDURE

INTRODUCTION

The Seekonk Congregational Church is pleased to be part of your wedding. It is one of the most significant events of your life, and therefore, all care and thoughtfulness should be taken to make it special and unique. The ceremony should authentically reflect your uniqueness as a couple and new family. Our minister will assist you in making it a special occasion and will work with you in the required counseling and preparatory sessions. However, ultimately it is up to you to make this your wedding and not merely a formality.
The Minister and Board of Deacons have final authority over the use and order of the sanctuary and the service. Your initial contact should be with the minister to clear dates and arrange for your pre-marital counseling. If possible, this should be done at least 4-6 months in advance of the wedding date you desire. Obviously, the earlier you make your arrangements, the more likely you are to get the date and time you wish.
In addition, the following information may be helpful as you plan your wedding.

LICENSE

Your marriage license can be obtained at the Seekonk Town Clerk's Office at the Town Hall, or at any Town Clerk's Office in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since your minister cannot legally marry you without the license in hand, it is required that you bring it to your wedding rehearsal or give to the pastoral assistant in the office prior to the rehearsal.

COUNSELING

In preparation for your wedding, you are expected to meet with the minister for a minimum of three pre-marital counseling sessions. These sessions will deal with basic issues in marriage relationships, communication skills, goal-setting, building the wedding ceremony and other issues which may arise. In addition, it is also strongly encouraged that you make an appointment for follow-up counseling 6-12 months after your wedding.

THE REHEARSAL

Most weddings require a rehearsal, usually held one or two nights prior to your wedding day. Everyone participating in the ceremony should attend the rehearsal. Promptness is requested and, with it, the rehearsal should last no longer than 45 minutes.

CHURCH RECEPTIONS

Wedding receptions may be held in Woodworth Hall if desired. However, please note that no alcoholic beverages may be served on church property, although permission for a wine toast is often granted for wedding receptions. Caterers and others working in the reception are asked to get clearance with the church office well in advance and clean up immediately following the reception. Fees are listed on the separate sheet.

FLOWERS AND CANDLES

Altar flowers help to make the wedding more beautiful, and can be ordered through the florist of your choice. Consult with the minister for final arrangements, as s/he know the policy of the church concerning decorations.
A white aisle runner is an optional item and is the responsibility of the florist if requested by the couple.
Candelabra for the chancel are available for the wedding, and candles are provided free of charge, unless the party desires new candles.
Many couples choose to take the light from 2 altar candles and together light the Christ candle in the center of the altar. You may talk with the minister about this possibility. The two altar candles can be lighted by two special relatives or friends of the bride and of the groom as part of the ceremony just prior to the entrance of the wedding party.
Because the significance of your wedding ceremony can be lost if too many people are snapping pictures, we ask that no flash pictures be taken during the ceremony. It is appropriate, however, to photograph the processional and recessional.
Pictures may be taken by the photographer before the service and at the processional and recessional, but no flash pictures may be taken during the service. Following the service, pictures may be posed.
Video-recording of wedding is permitted.

THE MUSIC

The church organist is expected to be in charge of the music unless other arrangements have been made and approved by the minister. The marriage service is a worship service—a sacred rite. As in any worship service, the music is to be chosen with care and discrimination. Since in the marriage service the assembled people of God join with the bride and groom in asking for God's blessing, the music should accentuate the reverence of the service.
There is a variety of excellent wedding music. Volumes of music appropriate for the marriage service have been compiled and offer selections which can reinforce the dignity and reverence of your wedding. The organist and minister will gladly assist you in selecting your music.

FEES AND HONORARIA

The fees and honoraria are paid to the pastoral assistant at least 3 days prior to the ceremony. The fees and honoraria for couples who are not members of the church are slightly higher than for those who are members. Couples shall be considered "members" if either the bride, the groom, or their parents are members in good standing of the church for at least one year prior to the ceremony.

WEDDING ASSISTANT

This person helps guide the rehearsal and the ceremony plus prepares the sanctuary for Sabbath worship following the wedding ceremony.

FINALLY

We are always honored to be part of this great occasion. Please call on the church staff regarding any questions you may have or assistance you may need. We will be glad to help you.

Please click on the links below...

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WEDDING INFORMATION

 

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WEDDING PLANNING

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WEDDING FEES

                                                    For Members *                          For Non-Members
                     Minister:                   Discretionary                              $225.00

            Use of Church                         -0-                                         200.00 (A $50 deposit is needed to
                                                                                                                      confirm and hold date)
          Wedding Assistant:                   75.00                                     100.00
(this includes rehearsal and ceremony, plus clean-up following the service)
*Members , according to church by-laws, are those who have formally participated in worship and contribute to the financial well-being of the church.
       Organist *
      Ceremony                                $125.00                                    $150.00
       Rehearsal                                    25.00                                        25.00

*No fee will be charged for consultation to choose music for the service. However, an additional fee of $25 will be charged per person, or groups of persons, for each instrumentalist or vocal soloist used in the ceremony, to cover the cost of the additional rehearsal time required.
For more information call 508-336-9355

SERVICE BULLETINS ………………$10 up to 100
                                       ………………$20 100 bulletins and over
OPTIONAL RECEPTIONS:
                                                   For Members                        For Non-Members
             Woodworth Hall                 100.00                                       200.00
               for reception

             Use of Kitchen                      15.00                                         25.00

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