Weddings at Mayflower

The sanctuary at Mayflower Church is simple, elegant, and quintessentially New England. Clear glass windows, puritan style bench pews, an elevated and divided chancel of jet-black granite, and a deep-red, carpeted center aisle for the long bridal march has made Mayflower the ideal setting for a traditional wedding-and a photographer's dream.

ONLY active members of the church (for one year or more) and their immediate family (sons or daughters) can have a full wedding ceremony, with rehearsal, music, and reception at Mayflower. As an "Open & Affirming" church, Mayflower will also preform same sex weddings.

Non-members can have small, no-rehearsal "walk-in" weddings subject to the availability of Dr. Meyers, who must perform all non-member weddings.

POLICIES AND FEES:

Member Full Wedding Ceremonies
Weddings at Mayflower Church are simple, but elegant in both style and substance. We insist that those who wish to have their wedding ceremony here understand that weddings are a spiritual experience, and that what happens in the sanctuary when two people are joined in sacred covenant is a serious, momentous occasion. At Mayflower, an Open and Affirming congregation, same gender loving couples may also be joined in the sacred covenant of marriage. In order to assure that your wedding is the most meaningful, and spiritual experience possible, Mayflower has rules that we ask everyone in the wedding party to follow.

There is no "fee" for the services of Dr. Meyers when the wedding involves an active member of the church, or their son or daughter (regardless of whether they are members). Likewise for active members of the church, or their son or daughter, there is no charge for the use of the church facilities, except in the case of a reception at the church (where a $100 set up and clean up fee for the Sexton is required).

Members are required to pay the organist a minimum of $100, and to pay for any soloists or additional musicians.

Taped music is strongly discouraged at Mayflower because we provide the services of a wonderful pipe organ and a magnificent grand piano, played by the talented Minister of Music at Mayflower, Richard Jobe. Richard has first right of refusal to play for all weddings at Mayflower, but is happy to work with soloists or other musicians who may be requested by the family.

Dr. Meyers' wedding service is clearly a religious ceremony, but is not heavy-handed, or offensive to non-Christians. It blends both ancient and contemporary language in a service that is brief, personal, and relevant. Brides are not "given away," nor are they ask to "obey" their husbands! And it's "husband and wife," not "man and wife."

To book a member wedding that requires a rehearsal, call the church office to check on the availability of Dr. Meyers for the date you have in mind. If he is not available because of travel or other obligations, we will suggest other clergy who can perform the service, or allow the family to provide a minister.

Receptions can be held in Milligan Hall ONLY for church members or their immediate family. All expenses related to the reception are the responsibility of the family, and the wedding party is responsible for an damage to the church facility or kitchen. Wine and champagne are allowed in an amount necessary for a toast, but no continuous consumption of alcohol is allowed at Mayflower, including an open or "cash" bar. This policy is strictly enforced.

Dates for all full member wedding ceremonies must be reserved by calling Helen Sullivan, church secretary, at 842-8897, subject to the availability of Dr. Meyers.

Dr. Meyers has first right to refuse any wedding ceremony held at Mayflower. Other clergy may participate (offer a brief prayer, blessing, or reading for example), but Dr. Meyers officiates the weddings which he is available to perform. Any exceptions are subject to his approval.

Non-Member Weddings
The ONLY wedding ceremony available to non members of the church is the small, no-rehearsal, "walk-in" wedding, and it must be performed by Dr. Meyers, subject to his availability. Other clergy cannot perform non-member weddings at Mayflower.

A small non-member wedding is one is which the bride and groom and small number of attendants gather in the sanctuary at Mayflower for a simple double-ring exchange ceremony without all the bells and whistles (and expense) of a full-blown wedding ceremony. Because no rehearsal is allowed, any music must be provided by the family (someone can play the grand piano, for example, before and after the service, or a soloist provided by the family-provided may sing).

The wedding party arrives 30 minutes ahead of the ceremony, and Dr. Meyers goes over the ceremony with the couple. After the ceremony, pictures may be taken, and then the wedding party and guests are off to the reception elsewhere. Receptions for non-member weddings are NOT allowed at the church, but we have a list of possible locations for receptions in the area.

The fee for a non-member wedding is $500, and receipt of the check in the church office reserves the date, subject to the availability of Dr. Meyers.

Call Helen Sullivan at 842-8897 to inquire about available dates.

Helpful Information

Here are some additional, time-tested rules that wedding parties must follow:

• Professional photographers will be required to conform to traditional rules that enhance the beauty of your wedding, and do not create a distraction during the ceremony–including no flash pictures during the ceremony (and this includes audience members, who are not to take pictures or use camcorders during the service). Flash photos may be taken by the photographer during the processional and recessional, and of course after the service. Audience members may also take pictures after the service. The wedding may be videotaped as long as the camera is positioned to be unobtrusive and camera is stationary. Please share this information with your photographer, so there will be no misunderstanding.
• Our sanctuary is acoustically sensitive and a crying infant can spoil a ceremony that you have planned for a year or more, at great expense. Please let your wedding party know that it’s church policy that children under the age of two are not to be in the sanctuary during the wedding. We have a nursery, and if you need a qualified sitter, the church can supply one, but it is the responsibility of the wedding party to pay the sitter ($10 per hour).
• Taped music is not permitted, nor are electronic keyboards, speakers, synthesizers, etc. Harp music, chamber music, violin, oboe, flute, guitar, etc. are all fine.
• Smoking and alcohol (of any kind) are strictly prohibited. Please be sure to inform your wedding party of this rule.
• No coolers may be brought into the church either at the rehearsal or on the day of the wedding.
• No aisle runners are allowed in the sanctuary (we’ve seen too many brides trip over them).
• the church has two, seven-candle candelabra which you are welcome to use at no charge. But you must supply your own “chayce” (no wax) candles. Most florists can supply them.
• Important: On the night of the rehearsal, the wedding party is responsible to pay the organist directly. Please have a check ready that night, made payable to the organist, in the amount of $100.

Member Weddings

Individuals who are active members of Mayflower Church for at least one year prior to their wedding or their son or daughter, do not have to pay any rental for the church, or for the services of Dr. Meyers. They are still required to pay the organist (100). If there is a reception held at the church (members only), the wedding party is responsible to pay the church custodian a $75 cleanup fee.

Quick Answers to
Frequently Asked Questions

• The sanctuary seats approximately 350 people, and the balcony can seat up to 100 more. Yet the entire space has a small, intimate feel.
• There are 18 rows of pews on the main floor. By all means, drop by the church and have a look for yourself.
• Yes, you may leave gowns, dresses, and tuxes at the church on the night just before your wedding.
• If you have a soloist performing at your wedding, it is your responsibility to pay the soloist (we suggest $50). If they need to practice with the organist/pianist, please let the church secretary know so that arrangements can be made. Usually soloists can practice before or after the rehearsal.
• As with many other churches these days, we prohibit the throwing of rice, bird seed, etc. after the ceremony, or the dropping of real flower petals down the center aisle. However, silk flower petals may be used for that purpose.
• Rehearsals are strictly limited to one hour in length, so make sure that your wedding party comes to rehearsal on time. On the day of wedding, the consultant will open the church two hours before the wedding begins, and the wedding party is expected to be out of the building no later than one hour after the conclusion of the ceremony.
• –Young children (10 and under) are permitted to be flower girls and/or ring bearers. They are welcome to be part of the processional and recessional, but will be seated with a responsible adult for the actual ceremony (there is a convenient time just after the ceremony has begun when the adults move onto the chancel that young children can take their seats with a parent or grandparent).
• Any other questions, just call the church office, 842-8897. After you have booked a wedding you will be put directly in touch with the wedding consultant, who will handle all your questions from that point on.

What's a "Small"
Non-Member Wedding?

Non-members who wish to be married at Mayflower Church by Dr. Meyers may do so at his availability and are subject to the following rules:

• The wedding ceremony does not involve a rehearsal, and any music must be provided by the family.
• The wedding party is limited to the bride and groom and a best man/maid(en) of honor, and/or children if appropriate.
• The wedding guests do not exceed 75.
• -The couple meets with Dr. Meyers a half hour before the wedding to go over the details of a simple, spiritual, contemporary, and relevant wedding ceremony, and then walks down the aisle with any attendants to begin the ceremony.
• The entire wedding experience is kept simple and informal - a gathering of friends and family for a church wedding ceremony without all the bells and whistles.
• Pictures can be taken before and after the service (or video-taped by a stationary camera), but not during the ceremony by members of the audience.
• No receptions are held at the church.
• The fee for all non-member weddings is $500.

Reserving a Date

RESERVING A DATE AND REFUND POLICY

Wedding dates at Mayflower are reserved ONLY when full payment is received in the church office.

Member weddings can be conducted by Dr. Meyers, or other clergy if necessary or desired. If Dr. Meyers is conducting a full wedding service for a church member, only the wedding consultant and the organist must be paid. To reserve the date, a check for $250 is required.

Non-members may only have "small" no rehearsal weddings as defined by the church under "What is a 'Small' Non-Member Wedding?" To reserve a date to have Dr. Meyers officiate any non-member weddings, payment of $500 must be received in the church office.

To check on available dates, and to get information on how to make payment, contact Helen Sullivan, church secretary, at 842-8897, Monday - Friday during business hours (8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.)

Because weddings are booked far in advance, and commit the church and its staff to long-range planning - as well as prohibit other events from being scheduled on that date - we are unable to refund wedding fees if the wedding does not take place.

For all information, and additional questions, call 842-8897.