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Weddings

Weddings at The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor

Welcome! Discover all you need to know about The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor weddings. Marrying in church is personal, meaningful, spiritual and beautiful, just as you want it to be.

We hope this page gives you a guide to all you need to know in considering our church for your special day. The church council have approved the use of the facilities of FCC for ceremonies of marriage for all couples, regardless of, orientation, gender or membership status. We encourage non member couples to attend worship prior to the wedding so they can become familiar with the sanctuary spaces and pastoral staff. Tours can be arranged with the Wedding Coordinator.

Guest ministers or rabbis may participate in weddings at FCC at the invitation of our clergy. While multiple weddings may be scheduled on a given day, we require that there be at least four hours between start times. For questions, please submit the “Wedding Inquiry” form below and our Wedding Coordinator will contact you within 24-48 hours.

Please note: No weddings are officially scheduled on the church calendar until a meeting has taken place with the wedding coordinator and a security deposit has been received.

Wedding Inquiry Form

Jump to:

Wedding Fees
Notes About Our Sanctuaries
Counseling Sessions
Wedding Coordinators
Music For A Wedding
Flowers & Decorations
Pictures & Videos
Marriage Licenses
Rehearsal
On Your Wedding Day
Notes On Parking
Additional Important Info
Ann Arbor Area Information
 

Wedding Fees

  • Cost for a sanctuary wedding is $1725* which includes building use and all staff fees. Cost for use of Douglas Chapel is $1225*.
  • Premarital counseling ($500) is scheduled through The Relationship Institute and is an additional cost payable directly to them.
  • A non-refundable $500 deposit is due upon booking the wedding, which confirms your date on the church & staff calendars.
  • The balance is due, in full, ten business days before your wedding.
  • Persons who have been active covenant members of The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor for at least one year prior to the wedding date qualify for a member discount. Discuss this with the Wedding Coordinator.
  • Cancellation information: The deposit ($500) is non refundable. If the wedding is canceled, the remaining balance, if paid, will be refunded.

*Fees are subject to change without notice.

Notes About our Sanctuaries

  • Our sanctuaries are not air conditioned but other areas used for preparation are. Our church is over 175 years old and made of stone. It tolerates heat well and strategic fan placement helps move air around. Bottled water is allowed in our worship spaces.
  • Our location is in the heart of Ann Arbor, right across from UM Main Campus and just north of the Michigan Union. Our large sanctuary can seat 400 guests. The much small Douglas chapel can accommodate no more than 60 people (including wedding party & officiant).

Counseling Sessions

  • All persons (members and non-members) who wish to be married at The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor are strongly encouraged to participate in pre-marital counseling. We can recommend providers. 
  • FCC clergy hold the right to require pre-marital counseling if they deem that referral would benefit the couple prior to committing themselves to marriage. 

Wedding Coordinators

  • A wedding coordinator from FCC will help you with the numerous decisions that need to be made during the planning stages of your ceremony. They will be present & preside at your rehearsal and your wedding to assist you and your wedding party.
  • They will contact you once an inquiry has been made to help you in moving forward to make a decision regarding your wedding at FCC. Once a couple has made their decision, they will work with you on all details of your wedding at FCC. If you would like to speak to her before that time, contact her by email.
  • If you hire an outside wedding planner, that person must work under the direction of and may assist our wedding coordinator with church details.

Music for a wedding

  • Contact the wedding coordinator to book an organist for your wedding. They will help you in all aspects of your wedding music. Other music options can be discussed as well. Your wedding at FCC is a sacred event and the music should reflect this. Music suggestions are available from the wedding coordinator.
  • Outside musicians (brass ensembles, string quartets, soloists) can be hired at your cost. Discuss this with your wedding coordinator.
  • If rehearsals are necessary with a soloist and organist, these may be billed separately on an hourly basis.

Flowers & Decorations

  • In our sanctuaries:
    • Seasonal decorations in and around the church buildings will not be removed or adjusted by church staff or the wedding party. This includes outdoor banners.
    • Flowers may be placed on the altar table.
  • Bows/flowers may be fastened to pews using elastic or ribbon. Bows and floral arrangements may be attached to altar candle holders with soft wire tape or ribbon. (Do not use tape).
  • There are 18 rows of pews in our sanctuary and 8 rows of pews in Douglas Chapel.
  • The church does not allow an aisle cloth and only silk petals can be used by flower girls.
  • The church can provide a unity candle and family candles for your ceremony. No wax candles are allowed. The candles at FCC are all oil filled.
  • Additional decorating details can be discussed with the wedding coordinator.

    Pictures & Videos

    • For pictures taken prior to the wedding, the photographer should not be at the church more than 2 hours before the wedding time.
    • Pre-ceremony pictures must be finished ½ hour before the wedding.
    • No flash pictures during the ceremony. The photographer must remain behind the guests at all times.
    • If you want the pastor included in post-ceremony photographs, please arrange this with the wedding coordinator ahead of time.
    • Use of video equipment must be discussed with and approved by your wedding coordinator. If a sound/video technician is required, extra fees may be incurred. Guidelines will be discussed at that time.

      Marriage Licenses

      • Please bring your marriage licenses (in person) to the FCC Administrative Assistant five business days before the wedding. Do not send your licenses through the mail.
      • The wedding coordinator will facilitate the signing on the wedding day and give back the original to the couple and mail the copies to the Clerk’s office.
      • Michigan residents must apply in the county where one of the applicants lives (the license is then valid throughout the state). Out of state residents must apply in the county where they plan to be married. The license is then valid only in that county. Marriage licenses in Michigan are valid for 33 days after application.

        Rehearsal

        • Your rehearsal must begin on time. We allow only one hour for the rehearsal.
        • Please schedule your dinner to follow the rehearsal.

          On Your Wedding Day

          • Your rental allows access to the church two hours before the wedding. Please confirm your arrival time with the wedding coordinator.
          • Rooms will be set aside for preparation of the couple to be married. Other rooms cannot be opened for the wedding party unless pre-arranged with the church staff — additional charges might be necessary.
          • If you plan a receiving line at the church, please note that with 75 or more guests, the average greeting time is thirty minutes to an hour. That time, plus final pictures at the altar, should be figured into your departure time.
          • Please designate someone to be responsible for all of the wedding party’s personal belongings. The church is not responsible for items left unattended before, during, or after the rehearsal or the wedding.

            Notes on Parking

            • Promenade parking in front of the church is available for bridal party departure vehicles ONLY.
            • The parking lot at the back of the church has limited capacity for 7 vehicles only. Only 1-2 spaces can be used by the wedding party or guests with mobility needs. (Handicap entrance is on William Street). Parking options can be discussed with the wedding coordinator.
            • The closest parking structures are the Maynard St or Thompson St Structures. To find additional information on parking in Ann Arbor, please consult the following website: http://www.a2dda.org/transportation/

            Additional Important Notes

            • The church maintains the right to schedule other activities in the church facilities before, during, or after the rehearsal or wedding.
            • No hand-held candles.
            • No alcoholic beverages, cannabis or illegal drugs are ever allowed on church property.
            • No smoking is allowed anywhere in the building, or within 50 feet of the doors.

            Ann Arbor Area information

            The Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau can provide you with information on spaces that are available to host rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions, and other event-planning resources and attractions.

            Contact information:
            120 West Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
            734-995-7281 or 800-888-9487
            email