We are pleased you are considering First Plymouth Congregational Church for your special celebration. Your desire to involve the church shows that you wish to begin your union with the recognition of God's blessing. As a Christian church based on the life and teaching of Jesus, we believe your union is a sacred covenant to be entered into with prayer and thoughtfulness. An important early step will be meeting with one of our ministers to discuss your service (Wedding, Holy Union, Blessing, or Renewal of Vows). The staff of First Plymouth will then do all they can to help in your preparations. We ask that you read and respect the policies and procedures of our church as we work together to make your ceremony a joyful and memorable experience.
Time and Date: If you're considering a wedding at First Plymouth, your initial contact should be to the Office and Wedding Coordinator, Barb Hosanna, 303-762-0616, to discuss the time and date of your ceremony. Once your date has been reserved, your deposit of $50 and a signed Covenant Agreement should be received within two weeks of your conversation with Barb. Your date and time are not confirmed until your deposit is received. The Covenant Coordinator is accessible to you for questions that may arise while you are planning your ceremony. She will call and confirm the time/date of your rehearsal and ceremony and that your deposit and Covenant Agreement have been received. The Coordinator will call to schedule your ceremony consultation, usually not more than six months in advance of your ceremony. It is helpful for both of you to attend this meeting. Logistics will be discussed and the meeting will cover such details as use of the building, fees, flowers, candles, set-up, photographs and videography, ushers, etc. You will both have many questions and the consultation will allow everyone to go over the ceremony details. After the consultation your coordinator will be available to answer any questions. A minister of First Plymouth usually presides over weddings and covenant services held in the Church. If our ministers are unavailable to work with you, with their permission, you may invite another United Church of Christ minister. Ministers of other denominations may be invited to assist one of our clergy. At least three months before your ceremony, you should contact the officiating minister for an appointment. The minister will discuss with you the order of worship, and suggest various alternatives for readings and the wording of the service. Although the ceremonies held in this church are reflective of Christian worship and commitment, there are traditional and contemporary styles from which to choose. We encourage you to be actively involved in planning your service. We will work with you to make it reflective of you views on faith and commitment. Many couples seek some form of counseling to prepare for this type of commitment. The minister can refer you to a variety of counseling options. Generally an honorarium is given to the minister. For First Plymouth members it is customary to give the minister $150-$200, and for non-members to give $350-$500. Ann attendant usually gives this to the minister immediately following the ceremony. For a wedding, the license can be purchased at one of the County Offices in Colorado and brought to the church at the time of the rehearsal. The minister will complete the license, make sure it is signed properly, and send it back to the County Office. You will receive the official license in the mail about four weeks later. The First Plymouth Director of Music can be called after your consultation with your coordinator and minister. He can answer any questions you have about music for your service. Here are a few guidelines: - Any music used in the ceremony, whether or not performed by a staff musician, needs to be approved by the Director of Music.
- If you would like to include the organ, only a First Plymouth music staff member may play it unless otherwise approved by the Director of Music.
- Pre-taped or recorded music is not allowed.
- The staff musician does not attend the rehearsal. Don't worry! Your coordinator will make sure the musicians are familiar with your ceremony.
- The staff musician's fee for rehearsing with extra musicians is $25/half hour or any fraction thereof. The charge begins at the time the rehearsal is scheduled. Extra run-throughs before the ceremony are considered rehearsals.
Suggested Music: Preludes - commonly played fifteen to twenty minutes before the service begins. Processional and Recessional Music - generally reflects the reverent and joyful spirit of the service. Hymns - congregational participation is being revived in many services. Instrumental Music - a staff musician would be happy to recommend one of First Plymouth's ensembles or help you locate other instrumentalists. Vocal Music - songs are often sung just before the processional begins, and/or during the ceremony. If you would like someone to sing, the Director of Music can recommend soloists if you do not already have someone in mind. Guest soloists to be accompanied by a staff musician need to schedule a rehearsal with the staff musician for a time other than the wedding rehearsal, and need to come to rehearsal with their music learned. It is important that a copy of the music be provided to the staff musician two weeks before the ceremony and/or music rehearsal. Your ceremony might include flowers and/or other decoration. Please consult with your coordinator regarding where and when these can be placed in the Sanctuary or Chapel. Please remember this is a sacred space and plan your decorations accordingly. Here are a few guidelines: - We have found that some flowers stain fabric. Therefore, we ask that only silk flowers be used if you plan to scatter petals as part of the ceremony.
- The pulpit and lectern cannot be moved to accommodate flowers, decorations, or members of your party.
- For safety reasons, the aisle and entrances to the pews may not be blocked in any manner, i.e. garlands or ribbons.
- Candelabras and the candles are provided by First Plymouth Church and are included in your fee.
- If you are using a Unity candle, you must provide it along with the family candles and holders.
- If you are using a runner, the length of the aisle is 87 feet. A cloth runner is recommended. The runner should be brought to the rehearsal. The church does not provide a runner.
- Nothing may be thrown inside or outside the building such as rice, birdseed, or confetti.
- If flowers are to be used, discuss with your coordinator and florist to schedule delivery. We want to make sure your florist can get into the Sanctuary/Chapel and has sufficient time to do the arranging.
- You are responsible for removing any flowers and decorations from the Sanctuary/Chapel as soon as you are finished using the space.
- If equipment is rented for the ceremony, consult with your coordinator to determine when the delivery person may gain access to the church and where the equipment will be stored after the ceremony until it can be picked up.
If pictures are planned you'll want to secure your photographer as soon as you have reserved a date for the service. Be sure to review with your photographer the photography guidelines given to you at the consultation. Your coordinator can answer any other questions your photographer might have. Flash photography is not permitted during the service.
Your professional photographer is better equipped to take pictures without disturbing the atmosphere of worship, so please inform family members and guests that photographs are not permitted during the ceremony. They are welcome to take pictures during the rehearsal. First Plymouth welcomes videotaping the ceremony. Prior to the service please have your cameraperson discuss filming with your coordinator. Here are a few guidelines: - There are designated areas for the placement of cameras. To avoid the distraction of moving cameras, we ask that they be positioned on tripods, and that they not be moved during the service.
- Be sure your videographer follows the guidelines you are given at the consultaion.
The minister and the coordinator conduct the rehearsal. Rehearsals last approximately 45-60 minutes and are generally the evening before your celebration day. It is vital that all individuals involved in the ceremony be present at the rehearsal. There may be more than one rehearsal scheduled for the same evening, so be prompt. Here are a few things to remember at this time: - For marriages, the license should be given to the minister.
- The balance of all fees must be paid in full to your coordinator.
- If you are using a Unity candle, all the candles and candle holders should be brought to the rehearsal. The candles will be lit prior to the service in order to prepare the wick and avoid any problems during the ceremony.
Final Preparations: The Sanctuary or Chapel, common areas, and dressing rooms are available two hours before and two hours after the scheduled ceremony time. Any additional time should be approved in advance through your coordinator. A fee applies for additional time. Let your coordinator know your arrival time and which church facilities you wish to use. Inform your coordinator when any services, such as florist, caterer, or rental company will be arriving. Make the arrival and departure for these services coincide with your allotted four hour time frame. Otherwise additional fees will be assessed. The Day of Your Ceremony: Your coordinator will make sure everything runs smoothly in order for you to have a wonderful and memorable experience. - Remember to have an attendant give the honorarium to the minister.
- You may want to bring a few light snacks to the church for the wedding party prior to the service. A little food may ward off fluttery stomachs and light-headedness.
- Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on the church property, either in the building or on the grounds, including in the parking lot.
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the church.
- A violation of these policies could result in cancellation of the ceremony.
Ceremony Space Capacity - Sanctuary 500, Chapel 90
Fees - A deposit of $50 and a signed agreement must be received within two weeks of the initial conversation with the Staff Secretary. The standard fees include rental of the facility and coordinator, staff musician, and custodial services: First Plymouth Church member: $500 Non-member: $900
Optional Fees: Music Rehearsals: $25/half hour per musician Staff Soloists: $100 Piano Maintenance (if played by someone other than a staff musician): $95 Additional Coordinator time: $25/hour
First Plymouth welcomes receptions providing the church calendar permits ample set-up and clean-up time. Please remember that there is no alcohol permitted anywhere on the church premises.
Reception Space Capacity (with tables and chairs) Plymouth Hall: 150 Commons Room: 65 Courtyard: 150
Reception Fees
Damage Deposit (refund determined after inspection following reception): $150 Hostess: $50 for 2 hours, $25/hour thereafter Custodian: $30 for 2 hours, $15/hour thereafter
Please consult with the Covenant Coordinator or your hostess for any further reception questions.
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