Frequently Asked Questions
Must we be members of First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich (FPCG) to be married here?
No. We only require that at least one member of the couple be a professing Christian.
One of us is Christian and the other comes from another faith tradition. May we be married at FPCG?
Interfaith marriages require special care and counsel. If a couple is considering such a marriage, they should seek the counsel of their religious leaders long before attempting to plan a marriage service. If the pastors at FPCG are confident that in marriage the couple can continue to live and express their faiths while fulfilling the expectations of Christian marriage, they will be glad to officiate at the service. Aspects of other faith traditions that are in keeping with Christian worship may be included in the wedding service.
Does the church permit divorced persons to marry?
Yes. The gospel is not about punishing people for their pasts, but about inviting them to new life. However, before the church will marry a divorced person, it is essential that an honest assessment of the former marriage be taken. Our pastors are trained to assist with such discussions and will lead the couple through this conversation in pre-marriage preparation, discussing factors that caused the failure of the previous marriage.
Who can serve as officiating pastor?
Each wedding at FPCG will be officiated by a member of our pastoral staff. You may request a specific FPCG pastor, or a pastor will be appointed on the basis of his or her availability. If you are interested in having a non-FPCG pastor participate in the service, you should indicate so to the officiating pastor during your first meeting. Ecumenical weddings have long been welcomed at FPCG. Ministers or priests (or clergy of non-Christian traditions) are invited to participate in the service by the officiating pastor, whose responsibility it is to make those arrangements. The couple is responsible for the preparation or approval of any documents that may be required by another denomination. Also, theirs is the responsibility of providing an honorarium for the visiting clergy.
May we include family and friends in service leadership?
It is very appropriate for family and friends to be invited to participate in the leadership of the service, often being asked to read from Scripture. We ask that you keep in mind, however, that in the same way weddings are times of great joy, they can also be times of considerable stress. Children are particularly vulnerable to these pressures and are often not well served by being expected to be a part of the wedding party.
Does the church require pre-marriage counseling?
Yes. When a couple makes a commitment to be married at FPCG, the wedding date is established and reserved. Shortly thereafter the officiating pastor will contact the couple to arrange for several meetings. Though each pastor at FPCG has a slightly different approach to pre-marriage preparation, the conversations generally focus on the couple's relational history and expectations, family backgrounds, work and financial issues and other pertinent areas that will impact the development of the marriage.
May we include the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in our wedding service?
The Lord's Supper may be celebrated if both individuals getting married are professing Christians. When the sacrament is celebrated it must be offered to all attending the service. Often the pastor will ask the bride and groom to assist in serving the elements to the congregation. The pastor will be glad to speak further with you about this at your first pre-marriage conference. The inclusion of the Lord's Supper usually extends the service by about ten minutes.
How long is a typical service?
Services typically range in length from twenty to forty-five minutes, depending on the order of worship. Because of the complexities of parking within Greenwich and the difficulty out-of-town guests may have finding the church, we have found it prudent to start wedding services five to ten minutes after the invited time. Because of this, at least an hour should be planned for the service, and at least half an hour should be planned between the end of the service and the reception.
Is the church accessible for people with disabilities?
There is wheelchair accessibility from Lafayette Place, and the Sanctuary can accommodate people with walkers or wheelchairs. A sound system for the hearing impaired is also available. Arrangements to have the sound system in operation need to be made with the officiating pastor prior to the wedding rehearsal. ADA bathroom facilities are available.
Is parking available near the church?
On-street parking around the church is limited. There are, however, several municipal lots within several blocks of the church.
Can the church record and/or live-stream the wedding?
Yes. We routinely do so for our regular worship services and can do so for your wedding with advanced notice for a modest fee.
Does the church have facilities suitable for a reception following the service?
The Fellowship Hall is available for wedding receptions, large or small. Our Business Office can provide the necessary information about catering fees, rental of linens, and other items necessary for the reception. Care of guests' coats, supervision at the reception desk, and all other details of the reception are expenses that are the responsibility of the couple. Guests may smoke outside the buildings and are asked to be respectful of church property and not litter. Alcoholic beverages may be served in accordance with the church's policy on alcohol, which can be explained by the Business Manager.
How do we obtain a marriage license?
Since marriage is a civil contract, regulated by the state, no marriage can occur with first securing a Connecticut State Marriage License. This requirement applies regardless of your state of residence. The license is good for 65 days, but not for the first business day after it has been issued. Both parties must appear in person to apply for the marriage license. If either party resides in Connecticut, the couple may apply in that city/town for the license. Alternatively, you may apply in the Town of Greenwich for weddings held at FPCG. Non-residents marrying in Connecticut must apply in the Town of Greenwich. The waiting period between the time you complete your application and when you can pick up your license is one business day, and someone else may pick up the license for the couple. Neither a premarital physical exam or blood test is required, but both partners to the marriage must bring proof of age and residency. Acceptable forms of identification are a driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, a lease agreement, birth certificate, or passport. Connecticut law requires both parties to be at least eighteen years of age to be married without parental consent. If under eighteen years of age, written consent of the parent or guardian is required. If under sixteen years of age, the Judge of Probate Court must endorse with written consent on the license. Full legal name is required—no abbreviations, nicknames, or initials. The information for the marriage license should appear as it does on your birth certificate, unless your name has been legally changed (i.e., previous marriage or court order name change, in which case appropriate documentation is necessary). If one or both of you has been divorced, a copy of all pertinent official court divorce papers must be presented to obtain a marriage license. Deliver the marriage license and all contents to the officiating pastor prior to your wedding. You may bring it to the rehearsal if you like. The church office and the officiating pastor will take care of the license as required by the State of Connecticut. If you need proof of your marriage immediately following the wedding, please indicate that to the officiating pastor, who can provide you with a photocopy of the completed license.
Where do we obtain the Marriage License?
In the Town of Greenwich, marriage licenses can be obtained from the Town Hall, Office of Vital Statistics, 101 Field Point Road. You may contact the office by telephone at (203) 622-7869. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office is located on the Ground Floor, right off the elevator.
What about a printed program for our wedding?
Couples often enjoy having a printed program, especially if the service will include congregational participation. Programs will be produced by the church at a modest cost, or an outside printer may be engaged. In either instance, the officiating pastor will be responsible for developing the final order of worship. A final copy of the service and the list of participants will be provided at the final pre-marriage conference so the program may be proofed for the list of participants and spelling of names. For most weddings, a printed bulletin is not strictly necessary, since the participation of the wedding guests is minimal.
May we throw rice or release balloons?
Exuberant delight in a new marriage is understandable, but for many reasons we ask that you do not throw rice, confetti or birdseed, all of which litter the sidewalk for others and may sometimes present a hazard. Balloons are an ecological hazard and can suffocate birds that may attempt to eat them. Friends and family are most welcome to gather outside the church for celebration and photographs, but please do not throw things that create hazards for the church or for those passing by on the street.
Will the pastors attend the rehearsal dinner and reception?
Though the pastors and their families appreciate the hospitality of such invitations, their schedules generally do not permit them to participate in the festivities that follow rehearsals or the wedding service.