MARRIAGE SERVICES

 

Congratulations, you two! The Old Dutch Church is excited about your approaching wedding, and we are delighted that you would like to be wed within our beautiful Sanctuary.

 

Holy Matrimony is first of all an act of worship, as well as a ceremony with legal dimensions, and that is the reason we are providing you with this brochure. We want to assure that your special day is a memorable one. Together, we will put together a day of beauty, dignity, and meaning.

 

Please complete and return the enclosed Wedding Confirmation form, which will be signed and dated and a copy returned to you. Upon receipt of your copy of that form, you may be assured that your wedding date and time have been entered on the church calendar and that you may proceed with the rest of your wedding plans (e.g. reception, invitations, etc.). Six months prior to your wedding, please call to make an appointment with the minister of the church. This will provide an opportunity for us to get to know each other better. You will also work out the details concerning dates and times for the rehearsal, counseling sessions, etc., at this meeting. You will appreciate that the minister has the right to refuse to marry any couple whom he may deem unsuitable for Christian marriage within the church.

 

If you would like another member of the clergy (e.g. a relative or family friend) to be included in the ceremony, you will need to inform the minister of Old Dutch Church prior to your first meeting. Please bear in mind that all wedding ceremonies performed at Old Dutch Church are required to be Christian ceremonies and that the minister of the church is the principal officiant.

 

THE ORGANIST
Ordinarily, the organist of the Old Dutch Church will supply the music for weddings within the church, unless alternate arrangements are made. After you have spoken to the minister, you should speak to the organist as to the music you would like for your wedding.

 

THE SEXTON
The sexton of the Old Dutch Church will place "Reserved Parking" bags over the meters on the day of your wedding. He will open the church an hour or so before the ceremony, be on hand for any floral deliveries, turn on the required heat and lights, and cleanup after the ceremony.

 

THE REHEARSAL
The rehearsal normally will take place on the evening before the wedding at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise arranged. The marriage license, along with the fees for the wedding, should be brought at that time.

 

THE DECORATIONS
The decorations for your wedding are the responsibility of those being married but the placement of decorations should be discussed with the minister. The candles in the Sanctuary may be used if desired.

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHY
In order to assure the decorum of your wedding, experience has taught us some simple rules should be provided for photographers.
1. Photographs may be taken PRIOR to the beginning of the ceremony at any place within the building.
2. Following the processional, when the bridal party have formed in the chancel of the church, there will be no flash photographs of any kind, by either professionals, family, or friends. Non-flash, available-light photographs may be taken by professional photographers from the balcony.
3. The use of video is permitted but must be done in good taste and with discretion.
4. At the conclusion of the ceremony, following the receiving line, the bridal party and relatives may re-form in the Sanctuary for photographs.

 

THE FEES
Those who ARE NOT a part of the Church Family:
To the Minister - $250.00
To the Church - $150.00
To the Organist - $150.00
To the Sexton - $100.00
Total - $650.00

Those who ARE a part of the Church Family:
No set fee for the Minister
No fee for the use of the Church
To the Organist - $150.00
To the Sexton - $100.00
Total - $250.00

Informal weddings, at which no more than 12 people will be in attendance (no organist or sexton services), have a set fee of $150.00. 

 

USE OF BETHANY HALL FOR A RECEPTION
Bethany Hall, located behind the Sanctuary, may be available for use for your reception. If you would like to use the church hall, please mention it to the minister at your initial meeting to be sure that it is available on the date of your wedding and to have it reserved on the church calendar. Please bear in mind that the serving of alcohol is prohibited and that the church is a smoke-free facility.

Set-up and all decorating are your responsibility as are the removal of all decorations, dishes, linens, etc., from the hall and the clean-up of the kitchen and any dishes and utensils used. The sexton will return near the end of your reception to sweep and mop the hall and re-set it for Sunday School, and clean the rest rooms, etc.

THE FEES
Those who ARE NOT a part of the Church Family:
To the Sexton - $100.00
To the Church - $225.00*
*Includes Use of Kitchen
Total - $325.00

Those who ARE a part of the Church Family:
To the Sexton - $100.00
No fee to use the church

 

HELPFUL NAMES AND NUMBERS
The Minister - Rev. Kenneth L. Walsh 338-6759
The Organist - Mrs. Jean Hattersley 246-7456
The Sexton - Mr. Thomas Sickler 338-6759
Old Dutch Church Office 338-6759
To request that an Old Dutch Church Wedding Packet be mailed to you, please click here.