Wedding Information and Policies of The Federated Church

A Covenanted Congregation of the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian-Universalist Association

612 W. State St. Sycamore, IL 60178

(815) 895-2706 info@sycamorefederatedchurch.org

Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming marriage! We are glad you have chosen The Federated Church as the place to establish your sacred covenant. Below you will find a description of the services provided by this church and its staff to help you prepare for and celebrate your wedding. Our prayers are with you as you embark upon your life together.

The pastor of our church will be the main contact person as to questions and considerations you may have regarding the planning of your wedding ceremony, and will be the person who finalizes with you all of those matters. If you have a wedding coordinator, this person will need to work with the pastor in this process, and will need to abide by the regulations of this church and the instructions of the pastor.

We ask you to instruct all of your wedding party, participants, and guests to be respectful of our facilities and property as a place for the worship of God. The church building and grounds of The Federated Church are tobacco, drug, alcohol, and weapon free. There are to be no food or drinks in the sanctuary at any time. Flash photography is not allowed during the service, nor are moving camcorders.

MARRIAGE IN A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY

While we invite you to become a member of The Federated Church, this is not a requirement. We believe that a faithful relationship to God and a religious community is important to the spiritual and emotional health of your marriage. We hope that you will have an active relationship with our church, or another faith community of your choosing.

MEETING WITH THE PASTOR

You will meet with the Pastor for a minimum of 2-3 sessions; more as needed or desired. During our time together, we will want to get to know one another, talk about your relationship and up-coming marriage, and go over the wedding ceremony. The Pastor will assist you in planning, preparing, and coordinating your wedding, and will conduct the wedding rehearsal and will preside at the wedding service. Any and all matters pertaining to your wedding are to be in consultation with the Pastor. The Pastor will be available for further counsel during your marriage, if you so desire.

THE REHEARSAL

The rehearsal is often scheduled on the eve of the wedding. Please ensure the entire wedding party is here on time.

THE MARRIAGE LICENSE

Ask the Pastor for information concerning the procedure for obtaining the license. Please bring the marriage license with you on the night of the rehearsal.

FLOWERS, DECORATIONS, & CANDLES

It is the bride & groom’s responsibility to make arrangements for all flowers and decorations with their florist. Placement of all flowers and decorations are to be in consultation with the pastor. Utmost care is to be taken to ensure there is no damage to church carpeting, furnishings, etc., in setting up flowers and decorations.

If you desire to leave any flowers or decorations for use in the church’s Sunday worship service, please inform the pastor. All other wedding flowers and decorations should be removed immediately following the service (or the taking of pictures).

All candles to be used in the service must be pre-approved with the pastor. Church carpeting and other furnishings are to be protected from candle wax drippings. The church can provide candles for use in two standing candelabras, if these are desired, at a cost of $36. All other candles and holders, including the Unity Candle and Family Candles, are to be supplied by the bride and groom.

CAPACITIES

There are 14 pews on each side of the sanctuary, including a space for persons in wheel chairs midway on the right hand side. Sanctuary seating capacity (incl. choir area) is 250 +. Becker Chapel capacity is approximately 40.

Aisle Runners are available from your florist. The length of the center aisle of the sanctuary from the lowest altar step to the lowest step in the rear of the church is 62 ft. 6 in.

Rooms are available for the purpose of dressing at the church. We ask that you leave the rooms as neat as they were found.

RICE/BIRDSEED, ETC.

Rice, birdseed, flower petals, bubbles, etc., are not to be thrown/blown in the sanctuary, chapel, or anywhere inside the building. Bird seed, flower petals, and bubbles are acceptable for outdoor use on the church premises. Rice is not permitted to be thrown anywhere on church premises, inside or outside.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Please ask photographers and guests to not take flash photos during the wedding ceremony. Only non-flash photos may be taken after the processional and before the recessional, but even then should only be done with discretion so as to not interfere with the experience of others in attendance. If flash photos are desired in the sanctuary, they may be taken either before or after the ceremony. Please inform the pastor if you wish for him/her to be included in your photos. Video taping of the service with available light is permitted provided that the camera remains stationary, and that the pastor is consulted as regards to location(s) of the camera(s).

MUSIC

We assume that you will use the church organist, unless you make other arrangements in consultation with the pastor. Music selections should be appropriate in accordance to the sanctity of the ceremony. Guest musicians will be allowed in accordance to the discretion of the pastor.

GUEST CLERGY

Other clergy may participate in the service pending our pastor’s approval. Our pastor must be present for your rehearsal and ceremony.

RECEPTION

The church’s Fellowship Hall and Kitchen are available for use. We suggest that if you use our facilities you have the dinner catered. Again, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and firearms or other weapons are not permitted on church property at any time.

FEES

There is a non-refundable deposit of $200.00 to reserve the Sanctuary, or $75.00 to reserve the Chapel. The deposit is deducted from the total. All fees listed below are to be paid at least one month prior to the wedding.

Facilities/Supplies Fees Check Payable to:

Sanctuary/Chapel $250/100 Federated Church

Fellowship Room & Kitchen $200 Federated Church

Candelabras $ 8 Federated Church

Candles (if we supply) $ 36 Federated Church

Personnel

Pastor $350 Pastor

Organist (wedding only) $150 Organist

Organist (rehearsal & wedding) $200 Organist

Soloist $ 50 Soloist

Custodian $ 60 Custodian

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

The fee for the sanctuary/chapel and fellowship room/kitchen includes use of these facilities for up to 4 hours. If additional time is needed, it will be charged at the rate of $50.00 for each additional hour. Please coordinate the times you expect to be using the facilities with the pastor.

The fee for the pastor includes up to 3 pre-marital counseling sessions, marital compatibility assessment, wedding ceremony discussions with you, preparations for the service, coordination of the participants involved with your wedding, rehearsal time, presiding at the ceremony, ensuring the proper requirements of your marriage license are met, and remaining for pictures immediately after the ceremony.

The fee for the organist and soloist includes their preparation time and performing their roles during the wedding ceremony and your rehearsal in accordance with the fees listed above.

The fee for the custodian is for duties done before, during, and/or after the ceremony including cleaning of facilities, opening/locking of doors, arranging chairs/tables, turning on/off & adjusting sound system, etc.