WELCOME!
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Planning a wedding is a very special time and we hope that this manual will help answer some of your questions.
ABOUT OUR DENOMINATION
The United Church of Christ is a Protestant denomination formed over 50 years ago out of several smaller Christian groups. Today it is a denomination of approximately 2 million people in the United States. As a member of the UCC, Mt. Sinai Congregational Church considers itself an inclusive community of God's people.
Ideally, you will be married in the church that you will call “home.” This way, your Christian family and friends can support you during the course of your lives together. We know, however, that many couples have not found a regular church home at the time of their marriage. In any case, whether or not you are a member, we are pleased to welcome you to Mt. Sinai Church for your wedding, and to offer you our prayers and our hopes for your happiness.
WHY BE MARRIED IN THE CHURCH?
Our wedding ceremony starts out with the words, “Marriage is a gift of God, sealed by a sacred covenant.” This is at the heart of what we believe. Love is God’s gift to us; the covenant promise we make at our wedding is our gift to our partner and our God. If you desire to be married in the church, you recognize the sacredness of your intention and your wish for God’s blessing on your new family.
PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
It is our custom to ask couples being married at Mt. Sinai Church, whether or not they are members of the church, to attend the Sunday morning worship service of the congregation on the Sunday prior to their wedding or another convenient Sunday, so that the congregation may offer prayers for their future happiness.
BEFORE THE WEDDING
1. Get on the Calendar
As soon as you have decided that you would like to be married at Mt. Sinai Church, you should discuss dates with our Office Administrator/Wedding Coordinator, Chrissy Rosini, or with the Minister, Rev. Dr. Diane Samuels.
Please note: No church weddings will be scheduled that conflict with major church events. A minister of Mt. Sinai Church will perform all weddings held in the church building. If you are thinking of changing your ceremony time after you have already put it on the church calendar, you will need to notify us IMMEDIATELY as we may have other things scheduled before/after your ceremony.
A non-refundable deposit of $50 will hold your wedding time and date. This will count toward your donation to the church for the privilege of using our building for your wedding. Please be sure you want to be married here! We cannot refund your deposit since it will go to support the mission of this church in the community. (No deposit required for members of the church.)
2. Schedule Premarital Sessions with the Minister
Please plan for a minimum of three sessions with the Pastor prior to your wedding. We use Prepare/Enrich, a survey done online, that helps couples understand their strengths and growth areas. The cost for scoring the survey is $29.95. The counseling cost is $100 for unlimited sessions (no fee for members.) After premarital counseling is completed, the pastor will begin designing your marriage ceremony. We encourage you to participate in creating a service that will be meaningful to you.
3. Obtain the License
You are responsible for all legal matters and for supplying a valid marriage license from the State of New York to the Pastor at the wedding rehearsal or at another point prior to the wedding ceremony. Both parties must appear together in the office of any Town Clerk in the State of New York to sign the affidavit for the license.
Any applicant under 21 years of age must show proof of age. An applicant under 18 must have both parents sign the license. The termination of any previous marriage by annulment, divorce, or death must be proven by documentary evidence. The fee for a marriage license is $40.
Please note: The license must be presented to the minister at least a week before the ceremony. There is a solemnization period of 24 hours, which must elapse between obtaining the license and getting married. The license is valid for 60 days after the solemnization period begins.
4. Arranging Music
It is the policy of our church that the church organist plays for all weddings that utilize the organ. Because a church wedding is a service of worship, the music should reflect this fact. The church does have a soloist available to help make the ceremony memorable. Couples are also welcome to invite their own soloists and musicians to take part in the service.
Please contact our Music Minister, Rev. Elaine Kirkland, preferably well in advance of your wedding date. You can call the church office for her.
FLOWERS
Once you have set the wedding date, you should contact a florist to discuss floral arrangements for the sanctuary. There are several excellent florists in the area who are familiar with our facilities and will work closely with you.
AISLE RUNNER
We do not allow aisle runners for our sanctuary.
UNITY CANDLE
If you wish to light a Unity Candle, please purchase the candle and two tapers. It is helpful for you to bring a stand or holders for the candles. Often the Unity Candle is sold as a set, including tapers and holders. You can find them usually at a party store or online.
BIRD SEED/BUBBLES
Blowing bubbles or throwing birdseed is acceptable. They must be passed out outside the church after the ceremony. NO CONFETTI, SILK FLOWERS, OR RICE IS PERMITTED.
PHOTOGRAPHS / VIDEO
Because the marriage ceremony is a sacred one, it should not be interrupted, nor should a photographer or guest be taking flash pictures or moving around the sanctuary with a video camera. This distracts the participants and guests. Pictures and video are permitted during the processional and the recessional. Pictures and video, using available light, may be taken during the ceremony from the balcony at the rear of the sanctuary or using a stationary video camera at the side. Following the ceremony, the entire wedding company may be posed for additional pictures.
A FRIEND INDEED
Our wedding coordinator is invaluable on the day of your wedding. She is in charge of details and ensures that the couple’s wishes are fulfilled on their wedding day. The coordinator is present at the rehearsal as well as the wedding ceremony and is available to assist the couple in planning and decorating in the weeks and months prior to the big day. If your wedding includes over 25 people (party & guests combined) the coordinator is required.
THE REHEARSAL
A wedding with fewer than 25 guests will not need a rehearsal. All other rehearsals will be scheduled one or two days before the ceremony.
All members of the wedding party should be present, as well as the parents of the couple and any readers. The rehearsal will last about 30 minutes. Because more than one rehearsal is sometimes scheduled for an afternoon or evening, being on time is imperative. If you are more than ½ hour late, you will forfeit your rehearsal time. Please tell everyone to arrive 15 minutes prior to your rehearsal start time so we can start promptly.
Please be sure to bring all items you need for the ceremony to the rehearsal, such as the Unity Candle, bubbles, decorations, etc.
FEES
FOR MEMBERS
Organist $150.00
Soloist $ 75.00 (optional)
Sexton $ 75.00
Coordinator $ 75.00 (for weddings involving 25 or more people)
Sanctuary $350.00 (suggested donation; if wedding involves fewer than 25 people, suggested donation is $150.00)
Minister No fee is required for the pastor however, the
practice of giving an honorarium is often observed particularly if the pastor must travel off site.
FOR NON-MEMBERS
Organist $150.00 (optional)
Soloist $ 75.00 (optional)
Sexton $ 75.00
Coordinator $ 75.00 (for weddings involving 25 or more people)
Sanctuary $350 .00 (of which $50.00 will be received as a deposit; if your wedding involves fewer than 25 people, suggested donation is $150.00 with $50.00 as deposit.)
Minister $350.00 on site/$500.00 off site
+ $25.00 travel within 10 mile radius of church
PLEASE NOTE: All fees should be payable in cash and placed in envelopes appropriately marked (organist, sexton, etc.). The license and fees are due at the church NO LATER than one week prior to the ceremony.
last updated: July 23, 2011
