Weddings at NHCC
Congratulations on your plans for marriage and a life together, and may your union be blessed! We at New Haven Congregational extend you wishes for great joy and happiness.
At New Haven Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, we view marriage as a covenant established between two equal and independent individuals who wish to commit their lives to one another and are seeking the blessing of God and their community.
The marriage ceremony is a religious service. There is no fixed form for the ceremony. The only requirement is that your ceremony bear witness to the Christian ideal of a lasting, committed relationship of deep love and sharing. Our pastor has experience in helping couples craft a service that honors the sacred and is just right for them, incorporating all aspects of life that are important to their past and future, including children, extended family, friends, and pets.
Who Can Be Married Here
The church does not require that those who are married here be members. We see offering weddings as extension of our work of blessing and loving each other. We do wish to know couples in order to extend blessings on their union; we ask that couples attend two services for worship with us, and meet with the pastor five times before the wedding for planning and pre-marital counseling.
Pre-Marital Counseling
Pre-Marital counseling typically occurs over 5 sessions, with each session lasting about 60 minutes. We know this is an investment of time in a busy world, and we ask it to give the best start to this new stage of your relationship.
The first session is devoted to hearing your story as a couple, so that I as pastor may come to know you better and plan a meaningful ceremony with you. One session is devoted to crafting your ceremony with a focus on its spiritual significance and role in your life as a couple. Two sessions are devoted to conversation on topics that can challenge couples: parenting (if the couple wants or has children), money, sex, and extended family. And one session is devoted to learning some ways to “fight fair,” or have arguments that don’t tear down relationships. All sessions are offered with respect for the varied life experiences and views that couples bring to their relationships; no particular religious belief is assumed or required.
Wedding Rehearsal
Very simple weddings do not require a rehearsal. The majority of weddings do require a rehearsal if you want all to go smoothly at the time of the ceremony. Rehearsals are generally done the evening before the wedding date.
Who Can Preside
All weddings in this church are presided over by the pastor of this congregation. Due to conflicts of schedule; the pastor, in consultation with the couple, may make arrangements for another officiant to preside.
Music
Music is typically arranged by the couple, but all selections need to be affirmed by the pastor. Only music consistent with Christian worship in the church should be used.
Decoration
The church may be decorated according to your taste, in consultation with the pastor. Many couples find the simple beauty of the church needs little adornment beyond fresh flowers.
Reception
The fellowship hall (beneath the church) is available for a reception if you wish, at additional cost (see “Fees.”) No alcohol is allowed on the premises.
Photography
We hope that the ceremony will be an occasion in which you and your partner can be present to each other, your friends and family, and the commitment you are making. To this end, we ask your guests and photographer to be discreet when taking photos during the ceremony. You are welcome to arrange another time to take photos in the church, at no additional cost.
Fees
Wedding fees are waived for active members of the church. For others, the following fees apply:
Reservation Fee: $100
Use of Sanctuary: $300
Use of Fellowship Hall and Kitchen with Sanctuary: $100
Services of the Pastor: $300
Facilities Manager and Cleaning: $75
AV Support: $50
A date is reserved when we have received a facilities use agreement and reservation fee. We would be happy to mail you the facilities use agreement form when you call or email us. We encourage you to contact us soon, and at the minimum four months before your hoped-for wedding date.