Presiding Pastor

Presiding Pastor

The Rev. Cynthia E. Bagley

603-774-4601 (W)

603-644-8767 (H)

cebagley@gsinet.net

First Congregational Church of Dunbarton

United Church of Christ

6 Stark Highway North

Dunbarton, NH 03046

Wedding Policy

We are happy that you want to be married in our Church! We hope the following information will be helpful to you as you plan your wedding. It is offered as a guide so that your wedding may be a sacred and meaningful day!

Christian marriage is a commitment that has its foundation in the faithfulness of God’s love. The marriage ceremony is a service of Christian worship in which the couple is united and pledges their vows in the presence of God and witnesses. It is one of life’s most hallowed moments and should be celebrated with reverence and joy.

No services at the Dunbarton Congregational Church are to be performed by a justice of the peace. It is understood that the presiding Pastor of the Dunbarton Congregational Church will conduct the wedding ceremony. If the couple would like a family member or friend who is a clergyperson to assist with the service, that individual must write or call the pastor and negotiate that involvement at least 90 days prior to the wedding.

Any couple to be married in the church is expected to attend at least two pre-marital sessions with the pastor for the purpose of planning the wedding service. These sessions can be arranged at time convenient to both the couple and the pastor. The pastor may request additional sessions with the couple prior to the marriage. Individuals with any prior marriages must present valid divorce decrees by the second session. The pastor retains the right to refuse to perform a marriage ceremony.

Our traditional white clapboard meetinghouse is located on Route 13 in historic Dunbarton, New Hampshire. For over 170 years it has occupied a place of prominence on the Town Common in this picturesque New Hampshire town. Our “campus” consists of the church building, a wide lawn, and a small vestry building that houses our church school and offices. Though our historic buildings are beautifully maintained, please know that a few creaks and imperfections come with age!

The interior of the sanctuary has two aisles and three seating sections that will accommodate approximately 200 adults. There is only one restroom located in the vestry building. No restrooms are available in the church. Family members and/or members of the bridal party are welcome to use the vestry prior to the service. If needed, there is a small room off the narthex (entry hall) of the church for the bride’s use. The vestry is suited for only the smallest and most informal of receptions. The church lawn may be used for a reception for an additional negotiated fee.

The wedding rehearsal is generally held the evening before the wedding; however, this event can be scheduled at a time mutually agreed upon by the couple and the pastor. At least one member of the Board of Deacons will be present to assist the pastor and the couple at the rehearsal and during the wedding ceremony. A member of the Trustees will also be present if the size and nature of the event warrant it.

Neither guests nor the official photographer may take flash pictures during the service. The official photographer may take photos using natural light at any location(s) approved by the pastor. Under no circumstances will the photographer be allowed in or in close proximity to the chancel area during the wedding ceremony. Pictures may be posed in the sanctuary after the service if the couple wishes. The same rules apply to video. The purpose of these rules is to maintain an atmosphere of dignity, worship and reverence with a minimum of distraction. Please inform your photographer/videographer accordingly.

The church has an amplification system, an organ and a piano. We will recommend an organist for the service if you so desire. Though we offer recommendations regarding an organist, all arrangements pertaining to music and fees should be made directly with that individual. Soloists should arrange a time to rehearse with the organist prior to the service. If a musician other than a suggested organist is used, that individual must contact the pastor as soon as possible to coordinate music for the service. Our organ is large and beautiful, yet has its own personality. For this reason, any outside organist must make arrangements to meet with one of the regular church organists before the wedding to receive instructions on its use. A separate fee should be paid to the Dunbarton Congregational Church organist for this training time (see Fee Schedule).

The church uses the New Century Hymnal. If congregational hymns from other sources are chosen, the family should discuss these selections with the organist and make arrangements for their inclusion as inserts in the bulletin.

We are more than happy to work with a florist of your choice and will make the church available for planning and set up provided we have ample notification. If you plan to leave some of your wedding flowers in the church after the ceremony, we ask that you let us know ahead of time so that we may include an acknowledgement of your generosity in our Sunday Bulletin.

Wedding License Your wedding license must be given to the pastor at the rehearsal. Submission of a valid license is mandatory prior to the performance of the ceremony.

A non-refundable $100.00 deposit is payable to The Dunbarton Congregational Church at the second pastoral session.

The balance of the wedding fees are payable no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the wedding. Unless the fees are paid in full by this date, the church will automatically, without further notice, cancel its plans for the wedding.[1]

*Active members are those individuals who have been officially installed as members of the church, who attend church regularly, who support the church financially, and who actively support current programs and missions. At the discretion of the Deacons, Friends of the Church, i.e. Active Non-Members, may be granted Member status with regard to costs.

[1] The church, in its sole discretion, may choose to refund all or part of the fees previously paid if the wedding is postponed or cancelled.

The church’s fee policies are not designed to be inhospitable, but to insure that financial concerns in no way discolor the joy of your wedding day. To this end, if the church’s fees are not paid in full at least thirty days before the wedding date, the church will automatically, without further notice, cancel its plans for the event.

1. We have read the First Congregational Church of Dunbarton’s Wedding Policy and agree to comply with its terms. We have been given a copy to take with us.

3. We understand that copies of all relevant Divorce Decrees and a Wedding License must be presented to the Pastor prior to the date of the service. No ceremony will take place in the absence of these documents.

4. We have read and understand the church’s policies including all relevant fees and deadlines.

	Active Members*	Inactive or Non-Members
Minister	$100	$300
Building Rental	No Charge	$200
TOTAL COST	$100	$500
Organist	Negotiated and paid directly.	Negotiated and paid directly.
Organist Training (Where applicable)	No Charge	$50