Extending Christ’s Welcome
Embodying God’s Love
Telling Our Stories
Sharing the Journey
Old North Church, UCC
The First Church of Christ in Marblehead
Weddings at Old North Church
In preparing for your marriage at Old North, both ministerial and staff members will help you make your wedding ceremony a significant one. There are items which you will need to discuss with the minister, and also details which will need to be addressed as you prepare for the wedding day.
Date and time: Choosing your wedding date is the single most important scheduling detail. The availability of both the sanctuary and the minister need to be determined well in advance of the ceremony.
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​We do not schedule more than one wedding per day. Once your time and date have been confirmed, please do not adjust either without consulting with the office staff and minister.
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Rehearsal: A walk-through of your ceremony usually takes place on the evening preceding the wedding. Once again, we request that you plan your day so that the time scheduled for you is well used. Rehearsals are planned to last one hour. At the rehearsal, plan to have your marriage license with you, unless it has been delivered in advance at the Church Office.
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Music: The Minister of Music at Old North Church is contacted and scheduled for all weddings. The Minister of Music will provide organ or piano music for your ceremony and if unable to attend will provide you with an appropriate substitute. The Music Minister/organist fee includes a consultation prior to the wedding and music provided on the day of the wedding. The Minister of Music will assist you in the hiring of singers or instrumentalists for the wedding ceremony upon request.
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Couples wishing to bring their own organist or instrumentalists must first consult with the Minister of Music for approval of the use of the instruments at Old North and are required to pay the Minister of Music/organist in accordance with the code of ethics established by the American Guild of Organists.
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In the event that music for the wedding requires extra time/rehearsals, there may be an additional charge. It is not necessary for the organist/pianist to attend your wedding rehearsal, but he/she can be hired to do so for an extra fee.
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Pre-marital counseling: A minimum of three sessions must be scheduled in advance, and couples must begin meeting with the minister at least three months before the wedding.
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Marriage license: Your license may be obtained from any Town or City Clerk in Massachusetts. It does not have to come from Marblehead. Please bring the license to your rehearsal.
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Photography and videotaping: Photography and videotaping by guests is not allowed. Please make this known to those you are inviting. Professional videographers or photographers must consult with the minister before the service begins.
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Flowers: One hour preceding the ceremony is scheduled for flowers to be delivered and arranged in the sanctuary.
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Please discuss with the minister or the wedding sexton your wishes for floral arrangements following the ceremony. Flowers may be taken with you, or you may choose to donate them to the church for distribution to the ill and shut-in.
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Birdseed, rice and rose petals: These items are not allowed inside or outside the church building. Bubbles may be used outside only.
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Pets: Pets are not allowed in the church building.
Building use: The Parish Hall may be used for receptions. A separate fee schedule for the use of the hall and for the sexton is required. Please contact the Church Office for further information.
Alcoholic beverages: Not permitted on any part of the church property, except by special permission from our Leadership Board.
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Fees: Please contact the church office for a list of fees for your wedding.
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Our Mailing Address:
Old North Church
8 Stacey Street
Marblehead. MA 01945
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