Guide for Couples Planning to be Married

at

The People’s Church of Dover

United Church of Christ

46 South Bradford Street

Dover, Delaware  19904

302-674-4177

The Wedding Service at People’s Church

     By asking our pastor to perform the ceremony you are requesting a religious service.  You are saying, “We wish to take our vows before God and our friends.  We seek God's blessing in our life together.”

     Because a church wedding is a worship service, the liturgy shall be

that of a worship service such as “The Order of Worship for Marriage” in the Book of Worship of the United Church of Christ, or as directed by the church’s pastor. 

Schedules and Communication

     In order to avoid the embarrassment of announcing your wedding date only to find either the pastor or the church unavailable, you should consult with the pastor before publicly announcing the date and time for your wedding. 

     When you contact the pastor, you will arrange for you and your fiancé to meet with him.  Both the church and the pastor have a standing rule that couples married in People's Church will have four pre-marriage counseling sessions with the pastor. These conversations should be held well before the wedding date. 

     It is expected that our pastor will officiate at all weddings at People’s Church.  If you wish another minister to assist, the etiquette and ethics of this request are as follows.  You inform the pastor of the church, and he will invite your guest minister to assist. 

Fees and Costs

     There are many people involved in providing you the service of a beautiful and meaningful wedding.  You should designate someone in the wedding party to deliver the fees and donations to the pastor on the night of the rehearsal.

ITEM                              MEMBERS          NON-MEMBERS

1.  The People's Church of Dover

            Building Usage

            Wedding Ceremony           $  0                         $ 500.00

            Dining Room                     $  0                         $ 150.00

2.  Rev. Dan Griggs

     Pastor’s Honorarium            (your discretion)           $ 200.00

3.  Mr. Philip Betts

     Organist                                   $ 100.00                 $ 150.00

4.  Mrs. Phyllis Tarburton

     Wedding Coordinator               $    65.00                $ 100.00

5.  Mr. Henry LaSalle Custodian

            Wedding                           $   50.00                 $ 100.00

            Dining Room Coordination   $10.00 per hour

6.  The People's Church of Dover

     Printing programs                      $  20.00                  $  50.00

    (if asked to do programs:  does not include the price of bulletins)

Pastor’s Discretion:  Non-member weddings will only be performed if both the bride and groom agree to the fees, to counseling, and to a Christian marriage.  It is at the pastor’s discretion whether to accept or refuse a non-member wedding.  Four pre-marriage counseling sessions with the pastor are required.  These will cover:  1) planning, 2) the meaning of a church wedding, 3) the vows and the covenant, and 4) communication. 

Wedding Coordinator

            Mrs. Tarburton is the church's wedding coordinator.  You may call on her for assistance with building tours, decorations, details, and direction as the ceremony begins.  If you have chosen someone as your personal coordinator, that person will be in charge of everything outside the church, and planning.

Music

     All music at People’s Church is under the direction of the Choir Director and the Organist.  Unless the church organist is unavailable, he will be expected to play for all church weddings for which music is desired.  However, if you prefer to include a guest musician for a part of the service, arrangements must be made with our organist before such a person is permitted to participate.  Our Organist is Mr. Philip S. Betts, 678-8659. 

     Since the wedding ceremony is a religious service, not a secular gathering, all music shall be approved by the pastor or the  organist so that the selections will be appropriate for a Christian ceremony. 

Photography

     Flash pictures may be taken during the processional and recessional, but not at any time during the worship service itself.  If you want photographs of the wedding party at the front of the chancel, the party may re-pose them after the wedding.  Professional photographers may set up flash equipment in the Bride's Room if pictures are desired before the service. 

     Video tapes may be made during the service as long as no additional lighting is used.  We ask that video equipment be set up in the balcony so that it will not be in anyone’s way.  Not cameras of any kind are permitted in the chancel area during the service. 

Decorating the Church

Kneeler  The church has a kneeler for use during the wedding ceremony.  The pastor will discuss with you whether or not to use it in your wedding.  One consideration will be how cumbersome the bride's wedding gown will be if she kneels. 

Flowers:  You may select a florist of your choice.  Since the altar symbolizes the presence of God, any flowers placed on the altar should enhance its simple beauty and not dominate it.  The altar candles should be visible, and so only one floral arrangement is permitted on the altar.  Other flowers need to be placed in other parts of the nave. 

Candles:  Two altar candles are provided by the church.  Two black wrought iron candelabra are available for your use, but you must provide the (14) candles and other decorations for them.  Dripless candles are required.

Aisle Runner:  The church does not provide the “crash.”  You may purchase a disposable aisle runner from your florist, if you want one.  The fabric runner is superior to the plastic one.  It should be 100 feet long.  Many weddings here do not use an aisle runner at all. 

No Tape or other Adhesive may be applied to the pews, walls, windows or furnishings.  Bows attached to pews should be held by ribbon or cord. 

Rehearsal and Ceremony

     You will need to schedule a rehearsal if others are participating in the ceremony.  Since the wedding is a worship service, the pastor is in charge of the rehearsal.  To avoid discomfort or indecision, the couple should make all the decisions about the ceremony in the pre-wedding conferences, before the rehearsal.  The wedding service ritual is similar to that in all Protestant churches.  It includes several elements which are at the discretion of the couple.  Please consult the pastor regarding the variable elements of the service. 

Wedding Programs

     If you wish, the church office can print a wedding bulletin.  The cost may vary depending on your selection of the cover.  All details and information for the bulletin are handled by the church’s Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Hotchkiss.   

Your Marriage License

     The pastor will not perform the wedding without a valid Delaware Marriage License in hand before the service.  To avoid unnecessary embarrassment, please bring the license to the rehearsal and give it to the pastor.  You may also give him the rings and candles at this time.  The license must be used within 28 days.  In Kent County, you may call 744-2346 for specific information about the state's requirements for your license.

     The State of Delaware requires the signatures of two witnesses on the Marriage License.  Any two adults may sign.  If you want particular friends to sign please tell the pastor, otherwise he will have the maid of honor and the best man sign as witnesses.

Contact Numbers

People’s Church           -           302-674-4177

Admin. Assist.                          302-674-3423  (fax)

Mrs. Hotchkiss             peopleschurch@dmv.com

Rev. Griggs                  -           302-674-5454 (home)

Pastor                                      DanGrigx9@aol.com

Mr. Betts                      -           302-678-8659

Organist

Mrs. Tarburton -           302-730-0975

Wedding Consultant

Mr. LaSalle                  -           through the church office

Custodian