Congratulations!
Saying “I do” is a big step in your relationship and a milestone event in your lives. And we would be honored to work with you to craft a ceremony that is as traditional, contemporary, or unique as you are.
Please contact Pastor Kevin to set up a time to meet in person, over the phone, or online.
In the meantime, we encourage you to review the frequently asked questions, helpful considerations, policies and fees below.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! You need not belong to this church or any church.
We work with couples who share a deep faith, mixed faiths, eclectic spirituality, and are unsure what they believe.
Members of the congregation do receive a fee discount. (see below for more detail)
Yes! We are an inclusive, Open and Affirming Congregation.
As a matter of faith, we celebrate diversity as a blessing and committed, loving relationships as a sign of God’s love for all people.
Our Pastor is openly gay and married hi spouse in Canada nearly 17 years.
The ceremony can be as traditional, contemporary, or unique as you are.
Pastor Kevin enjoys working with couples to develop a ceremony that speaks to who you are and truly reflects your traditions and celebrates the love and commitment that you have for one another. He will work with you to explore words, vows, readings, and symbolic actions and will encourage you to incorporate only what holds meaning to you.
Contact Pastor Kevin to share your ideas and receive his helpful guide “12 considerations for planning a wedding ceremony.” the guide includes questions to consider and example readings, vows, symbolic rituals and more.
Yes. We have example readings, vows, music, symbolic rituals, e.g. Unity Candle, Sand Ceremony, etc. and more. Pastor Kevin has officiated at more than 50 weddings, civil unions and relationship blessings. During this time he has gathered many examples and created a helpful guide for planning a meaningful wedding ceremony.
No worries! We have wifi available and have successfully used Zoom and Google Meets to stream weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other events to include guests who were unable to physically be present. Pastor Kevin can work with you in this regard as well.
No. Pastor Kevin is available for weddings both on site and off site. He has officiated at weddings in homes, restaurants, on lakes, and even at a renaissance festival.
As an active congregation, wedding ceremonies are a part of our historic and present ministry. It is the normal practice that for weddings held in our facility that our pastor would officiate at that ceremony. If the couple wishes to have another clergy member share in the ceremony, these details must be arranged with the Pastor.
Yes, we have a commercial kitchen and facilities to accommodate up to 75 people for a sit down dinner/reception. Please see reception fees and consideration below.
Wedding Policies
Weddings are booked on a first come, first served basis and as such you should contact Pastor Kevin as soon as possible. Even if you are not certain about the date and time, we strongly encourage you to contact the pastor and “pencil in the tentative date(s).”
Member fees and discounts apply to weddings in which at least one of the engaged couple or one of their parents is active congregant of FCCW.
Professional Service Fees:
- Pastor No Charge
- Organist $250 (See related note)
- Cleaning Service $75 (See related note)
Facility Use Fees:
There is no charge for use of the facilities, including the Sanctuary, Harrison Hall, the Downstairs Hall, or the Kitchen.
Member fees and discounts apply to weddings in which at least one of the engaged couple or one of their parents is active congregant of FCCW.
Professional Service Fees:
- Pastor $400
- Organist $250 (See related note)
- Cleaning Service $75 (See related note)
Facility Use Fees:
- $500 Sanctuary
- $250 Reception with Light Kitchen Use, i.e. light prep work with use of the refrigerator(s) only.
- $400 Reception with Full Kitchen Use, i.e., use of oven, range, refrigerator(s), dishes, and/or dishwasher
- $90 each additional rooms
A deposit totaling 50% of Facility Use Fees is required to secure the date for your wedding. The remaining balance for the facility usage, as well as applicable professional service fees are due prior to the start of the service.
Separate checks made payable to
- Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin Downer
- Organist, Leilani Nixon
- Special musicians
- And all other fees to “FCCW” or The First Congregational Church of Woodstock
Facility use deposits are 100% refundable up to 60 days prior to the wedding, 50% refundable up to 30 days prior to the wedding, and 25% refundable there after.
If FCCW incurs additional costs for cleaning or repair (beyond normal wear and tear) as a result of the event, the couple may be billed additional charges.
Our church organist, Leilani Nixon, has ‘first right of refusal’ to play at all weddings that take place at the Church, based on her availability. If another organist or accompanist is chosen, a fee may be charged.
Fees do not include the cost of special musical arrangements, tracks, MP3s, etc. The couple is responsible for providing special musical arrangements or compensating the church or organist for the cost to procure the special materials for their wedding.
Cleaning service fees apply to weddings with more than 50 guests and to all wedding receptions held at the church.
It is expected that the Church will be left in good condition, however, if the Church incurs additional costs for cleaning and/or repair (beyond normal wear and tear) as a result of the wedding, the couple will be responsible for the additional costs.
- Furniture will not be moved in any of the rental facilities except as arranged through the Pastor. The couple is responsible for returning the furniture to its pre-service/pre-reception state.
- All food, beverages, and other refreshments are the responsibility of the couple.
- Arrangements for flowers and photographs are the couple’s express responsibility.
- Delivery times for flowers must be agreed to and pre-arranged with the Pastor.
- If you wish to leave flowers in the Church for Sunday service, please make arrangements with the Pastor.
- The Church provides altar candles for the service. Other decorative or symbolic candles such as a Unity Candle are the responsibility of the couple.
- Smoking is prohibited in the building or on the grounds of the Church.
- Use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
- Rice and confetti may not be thrown on Church property.
- Use of alcoholic beverages is allowed only for a Wedding toast. It is the responsibility of the couple to ensure that alcohol is not served to any minor and all local and state laws are followed.
In keeping with CDC guidelines, masks will be required during times of high community transmission and recommended in times of moderate transmissions.
Current transmission rates for Windham County and recommended protocols can be found on CovidActNow.org.