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INFORMATION FOR COUPLES INTENDING TO BE MARRIED AT
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WEST TISBURY
STATE ROAD & MUSIC STREET
WEST TISBURY, MASSACHUSETTS 02575-3111
508.693.2842 - Fax - 508.693.8671
E-mail:
HOW WEDDINGS ARE VIEWED AT THE FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Weddings at The First Congregational Church are treated as
significant, sacred, and joyous events. We have high standards
beginning with the expectation that whenever possible, there
will be three or more pre-marital counseling sessions, a rehearsal
that is run informally, but with dignity, and a wedding service
which upholds the Christian covenant of marriage. While we
invite couples to be involved in understanding and shaping
"their" service, we also remind couples that it
is the church's service before it is theirs, and the standard
of the church will always take precedence over current fads
or personal taste.
MUSIC AT YOUR WEDDING
Your wedding ceremony is taking place in a church, in the
presence of God, and those gathered as witnesses. The whole
community offers prayer and thanksgiving for this happy event,
and thus it is not just your wedding, but a public service
of worship and a sacred rite. The dignity of the sanctuary,
and the deep significance of the service is a basic guide
for planning the music for your wedding.
At The First Congregational Church, we enjoy a tradition
of excellence in music. We wish to have this tradition maintained
in our wedding services. Linda Berg, the Director of Music
serves as a resource person, and will be happy to assist you
with choosing appropriate music for your wedding. She is available
to play for weddings for most of the year. When unavailable,
she will provide a qualified substitute, selected from a group
of experienced organists who are familiar with the instruments
and musical traditions of First Church. The Director of Music
can arrange to be present at the rehearsal, although it is
our experience that it is not necessary to insure a well-ordered
wedding.
If you desire a vocal soloist, we suggest that you invite
one of the soloists who sing with the Choir at First Church.
They are familiar with the sanctuary, the acoustics, and with
the musical traditions of The First Congregational Church.
A list of soloists is available from the Director of Music.
No later than six {6} weeks prior to the wedding date, the
wedding party should contact the Director of Music to arrange
a time for the consultation. Ms Berg can be reached through
the church office, 508. 693.2842, most weekdays and Sundays,
or at home, 508.693.9840, to set up a mutually convenient
time.
The organist fee is $200.00. This includes the consultation
time, and should be paid directly to Ms Berg. If additional
rehearsals with soloists and/or instrumentalists are required,
the fee is an additional $25.00 per rehearsal.
OTHER CHURCH POLICIES GOVERNING WEDDINGS
- The Pastor of the church must be a participant in all wedding
ceremonies held at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury.
- All dates and times for ceremonies and rehearsals are
to be set with the Pastor, and cleared by the church office.
- Floral arrangements are left to the discretion of the florist
and couple. In view of the beauty and simplicity of the sanctuary,
it is suggested that they be kept simple and unpretentious.
Floral arrangements should not obscure or surmount the cross.
Aisle runners not necessary.
- Please do not use confetti, rice, or birdseed in or around
the church.
- Photographers are not permitted to take pictures from any
position within the chancel area or at the front of the sanctuary.
He/she should be as unobtrusive as possible, remaining at
the rear of the sanctuary or in the balcony. Flash pictures
may be taken only during the processional and recessional,
and only from the rear of the church. No flash pictures are
to be taken during the ceremony.
- Due to the relatively small space in our sanctuary, videographers
are permitted to use one camera with no lights. The camera
placement will be at the discretion of the officiating pastor.
Any additional equipment must be placed at the back
of the sanctuary.
WEDDING FEES
All fees for the church and individuals should be given to
the officiating pastor at the time of the rehearsal. The wedding
license must be given to the pastor at the same time. According
to state law, the pastor may not proceed with the wedding
without having the license in hand.
- Sanctuary Rental: There is no fee for members. Non-members
pay a charge of $500.00, payable to the church.
- Pastor: There is no fee for members. Some people choose
to give the pastor an honorarium. If that is your wish, any
amount is appropriate. Non-members pay a charge of $300.00,
which includes pre-marital sessions, wedding rehearsal and
wedding ceremony.
- Sexton: There is a fee of $100.00. This covers his time
setting up for the rehearsal, meeting with the florists, and
being in charge of all activities related to preparing the
sanctuary and working with the wedding party.
- Organist: There is a fee of $200.00 for the wedding ceremony.
Any rehearsal required for a soloist or instrumentalist is
an additional $25.00. Special note: the First Church organist
will play at all services when she is available. When unavailable,
she will secure another organist.
SUMMARY OF FEES
SANCTUARY RENTAL...........................................$500.00
{for non-members payable to The First Congregational Church}
PASTOR .............................................................................$300.00
{for non-members payable to the Pastor}
ORGANIST........................................................................$200.00
{payable directly to The Organist}
SEXTON..................................................$100.00
{payable directly to the Sexton }
STATE LAWS GOVERNING MARRIAGE
- To obtain a license without parental consent, both must
be eighteen {18} years of age. Persons not less than sixteen
{16} years of age, but not yet eighteen {18} years of age,
may obtain a license, providing that permission has been
received from the parent or legal guardian {who must accompany
the minor when applying} of both the minors, and provided
that they furnish documentary proof of age, if requested.
If either party is under eighteen {18} years of age, a court
order from a probate or district court where the minor resides
must be obtained before the marriage intention can be filed.
- If both candidates are state residents, they may apply
for their license at any city/town clerk's office in the
Commonwealth. Both must apply in person.
- If one, or both candidates are not residents, both must
file intentions.
- If neither candidate is a resident in the Commonwealth,
and they are to be married in Massachusetts, they may apply
together anywhere in the Commonwealth.
- Since there is a three {3} day waiting period {counting
weekends and holidays} between application for, and issuance
of the license, and since the clerk's offices are generally
closed on weekends and holidays, applicants are encouraged
to apply early.
- The license is valid for sixty {60} days from the date
intentions are filed. If a person does not marry within
that period, he/she must return the license to the clerk
who issued it.
- A fee of $4.00 is charged for filing the notice of intention
of marriage in West Tisbury. This fee varies from town to
town. A marriage ceremony cannot take place without a valid
license.
- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires a blood test.
The blood test report is valid for thirty {30} days prior
to the issuance of the license. The thirty {30} days are
counted from the date the blood is drawn. The applicant
does not need to have a pre-marital medical certificate
when applying for the license, but it must be presented
before the license is issued.
- A Rubella Test must be obtained for all women of childbearing
age.
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