Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Danville Congregational Church is pleased to share in this happy occasion.
A church wedding differs from a civil ceremony in that it is a service of worship. Christian marriage is a joyous occasion in which the bride and groom say sacred vows and make a covenant with one another, and with God, in the presence of loved ones.
The minister who presides acts as an official representative of the church and gives the marriage the church’s blessing. For this reason, weddings at DCC are normally conducted by one of our pastors. If you would like to have some other minister do your wedding, that may be possible in some cases. You will need to set up a meeting as soon as possible with the minister, yourself, one of our pastors, and one of our wedding hostesses.
Make the Wedding Arrangements
¨ Contact the church office (9AM to 3PM, Tuesday through Friday) to determine date availability and provisionally reserve available wedding and rehearsal dates.
¨ Schedule an appointment with one of our wedding coordinators.
¨ Return completed application form with non-refundable $350 deposit to:
Danville Congregational Church
989 San Ramon Valley Blvd.
Danville, CA 94526
¨ We will confirm your wedding date once the deposit is received. We will send written confirmation of wedding and rehearsal dates, names and phone numbers of both your wedding hostess (who will be your church contact and can answer questions regarding flowers, decorations and other wedding details) and church organist (who has overall responsibility for music during the wedding ceremony).
¨ The balance is due one month prior to the wedding date.
¨ Contact the wedding hostess and church organist as soon as possible.
The Three-Hour Time Allowance
On the application form, you are asked to specify a 3-hour time block for your wedding day (beginning 90 minutes before the ceremony). In most cases the ceremony itself will last 20-30 minutes; the rest of the time is ample for flower delivery, dressing and photographs. If more time is needed, an additional fee may be charged, at our discretion. Please discuss your need with the wedding hostess.
The Wedding Rehearsal
The wedding rehearsal usually takes place a day or two before the wedding. All members of the wedding party and the parents of the bride and groom should be present. Please remind everyone to be punctual! Don’t forget to bring the marriage license to the rehearsal to give to the minister.
Wedding Music
The church organist/pianist provides the wedding music. Vocalists and/or other instruments may be arranged at additional cost. Please discuss all music plans with the church organist/pianist, who will guide you. Taped music is not permitted.
Flowers and Decorations
Please consult with the wedding hostess before finalizing plans with a florist. The wedding hostess can advise you about candelabra, candles and flower stands, available at no charge. Satin pew bows in white or soft pastel are available @ $3.00 per bow, the wired net bows are $4.00 per bow. Unity candles and holder are available for $10.00. Carried candles or pew candles must have hurricane covers, per local fire ordinance.
If you wish to leave the main flower arrangement with the church, please inform the wedding hostess so that we may acknowledge your kindness during worship.
Video and Still Photography
Before the Service
Picture-taking must be concluded at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the wedding ceremony.
During the Service
To preserve the sacred nature of the wedding ceremony, we have the following firm guidelines.
Still Photography
¨ Processional March: Photographs may be taken.
¨ During Ceremony: NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHS. Photographs with available light may be taken from behind the last pew.
¨ Recessional March: Photographs may be taken from behind last pew.
¨ Musicians: There are to be NO pictures taken of musicians while they are performing.
Videography
¨ Videotaping, using a stationary tripod, from behind the last pew.
¨ Videotaping behind the chancel (facing the bridal party) may be done, using a stationary tripod WITHOUT AN ATTENDANT.
Photographs or Videos by Guests
¨ The minister will request that guests refrain from taking pictures or videos during the worship service.
After the Wedding Ceremony
We allow 20 minutes for photographs to be taken in the sanctuary following the ceremony.
Other Wedding Details
¨ The minister, wedding hostess, and organist have final authority in all matters relating to the wedding ceremony.
¨ Please assign someone to remove personal belongings from the church after the wedding.
¨ Please keep the wedding hostess informed of changes in wedding details as your wedding plans progress.
¨ The following are NOT permitted:
¨ dropping of flower petals in the sanctuary
¨ sanctuary aisle runners
¨ guest book in the narthex
¨ smoking inside the church buildings
¨ throwing of bird seed, rice, or confetti inside or outside the church.
¨ alcoholic beverages of any kind inside or outside of the church
¨ inebriated guests (We reserve the right to ask inebriated guests to leave the church premises.)
Wedding Costs
Wedding fees include the use of the sanctuary and church grounds for three hours, a wedding rehearsal the day before, and up to three premarital counseling sessions with the minister. Fees include the services of the minister, organist, wedding hostesses, sound technician, and custodian.
Church Members $650
Non-members $1650
Your non-refundable deposit of $350 will confirm your wedding and rehearsal dates. The balance is due one month prior to your wedding date.
