The couple needs to contact the Minister of Music at the earliest possible date in order to confirm his availability for the wedding. The Music Director has first priority for playing all weddings. If other arrangements are desired, the Minister of Music must approve and supervise the substitute organist and/or performers.

The Minister of Music has many years of experience playing for weddings of all denominations and faiths. He will be most happy to meet with you at your convenience to discuss and offer suggestions (if desired) concerning the music for your wedding.

Vocal and/or instrumental (flute, trumpet, violin, harpsichord, etc.) soloists often have a part in the service. First Parish Church has a number of fine soloists and instrumentalists who are available for weddings. The Minister of Music will be happy to assist you in securing a qualified soloist. A competent guest soloist is also welcome.

The honorarium for the Minister of Music is $200.00. This includes a meeting with the couple to arrange and select music, attendance at the rehearsal, and playing for the wedding ceremony itself. There will be an additional honorarium added if the couple desires a vocal or instrumental soloist or if the music desired is extremely elaborate. A definite amount will be quoted to you at the time of the meeting set up to discuss the desired music. A check should be made payable to Ray Cornils and is due at the time of the rehearsal.

Ray can be reached at home (207-443-9700) or at the church (207-729-7331). Mr. Cornils' email address is rcornils@suscom-maine.net (home) and rcornils@firstparish.net (church office).

As the date of your wedding approaches, our wedding coordinator, Julia McCullough (207-725-8357) will contact you. She will arrange a time to meet with you to familiarize you with the church and provide you information on the use of the sanctuary along with a schedule of fees. It is the policy of First Parish Church that all wedding parties use our wedding coordinator services. She will also explain the church's policy regarding photography and videography during the wedding service, and other issues that may arise.

Drawing on her own experiences with weddings, she will give you practical advice on every aspect of your wedding, from candles to receiving lines. She knows the Brunswick area and can assist you in making the appropriate arrangements for your special day. At the rehearsal and the ceremony she will be present to assist the bridal party with all details. The fee for the Wedding Coordinator is $150.00 and is payable to Julia at the time of the rehearsal.

As you prepare for your wedding ceremony, we want to encourage you to review this information with your wedding party, photographer, and florist. Reserving the church for a wedding entitles you to use of the sanctuary for specified periods. These are:

The rehearsal (up to one hour)
NOTE: If you wish to decorate the church following the rehearsal, please speak with one of the Wedding Coordinators at least two weeks in advance. If no other activities are scheduled for the sanctuary, the coordinators will help arrange the time you need for decorating.
The wedding ceremony (up to three hours: 90 minutes before and 90 minutes following the scheduled wedding time) As an example, if your wedding is scheduled for 1:00 in the afternoon, the church is "yours" that day from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. This permits ample time for photos either before or after the ceremony and ensures you and other wedding couples that ceremonies scheduled for the same day will not overlap.

You will also have access to bathrooms, including one that is wheelchair accessible, and to a waiting area for the groom/best man prior to the ceremony.

If you wish to use the Vestry or Pilgrim House, you should discuss that with the Executive Secretary at least two weeks prior to the wedding. Activities are often scheduled for these locations months in advance, so it's important that you make inquiries well in advance if you think you want or need additional space. If our custodian is needed to set-up before or clean these areas after your use, there will be an additional charge for that service.

Pease remember that no foods or beverages are permitted in the sanctuary. No alcohol or tobacco products are permitted in any of the buildings belonging to First Parish Church.

Special note for florists:
Please talk with our Wedding Coordinators before the ceremony about flower stands, candelabra, pew decorations and the like. They will be happy to provide you with access to these items either at the rehearsal or the day of the wedding well in advance of the ceremony time.

Special note for photographers:
Please talk with our Wedding Coordinators or the officiating pastor about the best vantage points for photos and videos to be taken during the ceremony. Ordinarily, no flash photography, additional lighting, or movement around the sanctuary is permitted between the end of the processional and the beginning of the recessional. Exceptions to this policy may only be made with the permission of the officiating pastor. The officiating pastor will remind guests of the same guidelines.