Your Wedding at Four Corners Community Chapel, UCC

We are pleased that you are considering Four Corners Community Chapel as the appropriate place for your wedding.  If you have made the decision to proceed, we look forward to working with you as you plan for this most joyous event.

The essence of marriage is a covenanted commitment that has its foundation in the faithfulness of God’s love.  The service of marriage is the joyful occasion on which two people unite in the mutual exchange of covenant promises.  The officiating pastor acts as an official representative of the church and gives the marriage the church’s blessing.  The congregation joins in affirming the marriage and in offering support and thanksgiving for the new family.

Thus, your wedding at the Four Corners Community Chapel is a service of worship.  The Pastor and Staff of the Church view their involvement in your wedding as a pleasure, responsibility and privilege.  We are eager to assist you in your preparation so that you will have a happy experience and so that your wedding will be a holy occasion.

To this end, we propose the following guidelines and procedures:

Make an appointment with the Pastor

Your first step is to contact the Chapel office to make an appointment with the Pastor and Wedding Coordinator. At this meeting, the specific wedding date will be arranged and placed on the church calendar.

This first meeting should take place as early as possible, at least four months in advance of your proposed wedding date. Obviously, the earlier you make your arrangements, the more likely you will be assured of your preferred date.

Marriage License

Rhode Island Law requires that a marriage license be obtained from the clerk in the town or city of the bride's legal residence. If the bride is not a resident of Rhode Island, then the license should be obtained from the clerk in the groom's home city or town. If neither the bride nor the groom is a Rhode Island resident, then the license should be obtained from the clerk in the city in which the marriage service is performed. The Cumberland Town Clerk's office is located in the Town Hall, 45 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864. The telephone number is (401) 728-2400. You are encouraged to obtain your marriage license 2 - 4 weeks ahead of your marriage date.

Since the Pastor cannot officiate your marriage without it, you must provide the license to the Pastor no later than the day prior to your wedding.

Music

The church's Organist is expected to be in charge of the music for your wedding unless other arrangements have been made and approved by the Pastor. You should contact the Organist soon after the wedding date has been established in order to plan the music for your service. Most likely, the Organist will propose a meeting time to discuss these arrangements.

Photography

You may designate on official photographer. That person is responsible for speaking with the Pastor prior to the wedding for the purpose of reviewing the following policies:

Flash photography is not permitted during worship services. This restriction also applies to wedding guests.

Pictures may be taken during the processional and recessional. Once the service begins, all photographers must leave the chancel (i.e. the front of the church) and the aisles.

The official photographer may take photographs without flash from the rear of the sanctuary. The official photographer should be dressed appropriately for the occasion and should be as inconspicuous as reasonably possible.

After the wedding, the official photographer is totally free to pose pictures in the sanctuary at his/her discretion. Please inform the Pastor ahead of time if you wish him to be included. If at all possible, these photographs should be taken first.

A stationary video camera may be placed in the sanctuary for the purpose of recording the service with the approval of the Pastor.

Flowers and Other Decorations

You are responsible for flowers in the church. We advise that you keep your decorations simple. If you chose to have floral arrangements in the sanctuary, we recommend a single arrangement for the communion table or two matching arrangements on the top pedestal stands. You may not use tacks or tape to affix decorations.

The center aisle is long and carpeted. In our opinion, an aisle runner is not necessary. Should you still desire an aisle runner, please make arrangements with your florist.

The church will be open one hour prior to the service for the delivery of flowers. Any other arrangement must be made with the church office in advance. Please let us know whether you will be taking the floral arrangements with you.

The use of rice, confetti, bird seed and flower petals inside, at the doors or anywhere on the church grounds is prohibited.

Fees and Honoraria

If neither of you is a member of Four Corners Community Chapel (or immediate family), you will be asked to provide a nonrefundable deposit of $300 in order to confirm your wedding date.

Fee Schedule for non-members:

$300.00          Use of the Church Sanctuary

$300.00          Pastor's Honorarium

$200.00          Organist's Honorarium

$150.00          Wedding Coordinator          

$950.00          Total

Fees for members are the same as above, except the "Use of the Church Sanctuary" fee is waived.

Key People That You May Need To Contact

If you wish to contact the Church or a member of the staff, call the Church Office at (401) 333-6171, or  contact them directly:

     Rev. David Pierce

     Pastor

     david@fourcornerschapel.org

     Mr. Vance Westgate           

     Organist

     vancewestgate@gmail.com

Please click here for a printable version of Four Corners Community Chapel's Wedding Guidelines.