Booking your Wedding
When you ask to reserve a date for your wedding, FPCP’s Information Administrator will place a tentative reservation on the calendar. NOTE: All weddings to be performed at FPCP must comply with our Marriage Policy. Please review this document prior to contacting the Church to request a date. If approved, you will then need to meet with the interim Senior Minister or other appropriate Minister, who has final approval on all weddings at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, within 30 days of your booking. This Minister meets with all couples following the last service of the day, and the Church’s Information Administrator will set up your meeting time with them at the time you reserve a date. FPCP is currently accepting member only weddings.
The application (which can be filled out over the phone) consists of the following information:
- Bride’s & Groom’s names & addresses
- Two phone contacts for each (work, home or cell)
- Bride’s email address (if applicable)
- Date & Time of the wedding
- Date & Time of the rehearsal (set for the evening before)
- Date & Time to meet with the Senior Minister
Our sanctuary seats approximately 250 people.
Weddings are performed on Friday evenings or on Saturdays. We do not hold weddings on Sundays or on holidays. This includes the week of Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day or during Holy Week. We also will not book weddings on days that ministers are not available, or on weekends where there are special events scheduled. The Church Administrator can advise you if your tentative date falls during one of those weekends.
Bookings are done on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will perform up to three weddings on any particular weekend. All new weddings are scheduled around existing weddings in 3-hour time blocks. We allow 1 1/ 2 hours prior to the start of the ceremony and 1 1/ 2 hours for the ceremony and pictures afterwards. The rehearsal will take approximately one hour.
About the Ceremony
The ceremony used is that of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
One of the ministers on our staff will officiate. The ministers, in their role of helping you plan a wedding that is worshipful and dignified, have full discretion in deciding all aspects of your wedding. Pastors of other churches may assist upon the approval of the Senior Minister of this church. This can be discussed with the Senior Minister at your approval appointment.
Marriage License
Marriage licenses are applied for at the County Clerk’s office in the county in which one of you reside. Contact your county clerk’s office for information on required paperwork. Your marriage license must be delivered to the church on the Wednesday before your wedding date. If both of you reside outside of Michigan, you will need to apply at the Wayne County Clerk’s office for your marriage license.
Wedding Fees
Wedding fees are reviewed every two years. Please contact the Information Administrator for a list of the current fees. A deposit will be required within 30 days of application approval. The balance of the fees will be due the week of the wedding.
Wedding Details
Decorations
The Sanctuary provides the dignity and beauty appropriate for a sacred service. Any further decoration should be carefully planned and kept at a minimum. Decorations beyond flowers or pew-end bows should be coordinated with the Information Administrator.
All weddings are candlelight services, regardless of the time of day and the church provides all the candles/holders necessary. There are ten pew-end candles and two candelabras. The only candle you will need to supply would be a unity candle, if you choose to use one. We provide the stand for the unity candle.
Bows may be placed on the pew-end candle holders, as well as on the candelabras; however, they must be fastened in a way that will not harm wood or brass (i.e., pipe cleaners, ribbon, elastic band).
Items prohibited:
- The use of nails, wire or tape on church furnishings or on the building
- Aisle Runners
- Throwing of anything inside or outside the church
Wedding Music
The organist at FPCP has approval of all music that is played. You will be given her phone number once you have your wedding approved. Guest organists will not be allowed without her approval. Music workshops are conducted 2-3 times per year where you may hear soloists and samples of music. You may select music at that time.
Soloists, if desired, may also be obtained through the organist for an additional fee. You are free to provide your own soloist, as well.
Photographs & Videotaping
To preserve the sanctity of the occasion, flash photographs may be taken by professional photographers and wedding guests during the processional and recessional only.
Wedding photos may be taken no earlier than 1 1/2 hours preceding the wedding ceremony and must be completed by your vacate time. An informational sheet for your photographer will be included in the wedding packet you receive once your wedding has been approved.
Videotaping is permitted if the video operator does not use additional lighting and if there are no wires, cords or other equipment that affect the ceremony. The operator must be out of sight of the congregation and will be shown where he/she may stand prior to the start of the wedding.
Dressing Rooms
Facilities are provided for the bridal party to dress at the church. The room will be available 1 1/2 hours prior to the start of the wedding. The groomsmen will be directed to an area where they may wait for the service to begin.
Alcohol & Smoking
The church building is smoke-free, and no alcoholic beverages may be consumed on the church property at any time.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a wedding, please contact our Information Administrator, Jennifer hollebrands at 734-453-6464, ext. 115 or email to schedule the date and time, and to complete the necessary documentation.