St. Paul’s wedding policy.

We are neither a Las Vegas style wedding chapel nor a rent-a-church! Our principal concern, in fact, is not at all with the day of your wedding but rather with the years of your marriage. We are, however, very open and encouraging of your consideration of using our beautiful building as the site of your wedding. We do not see our building as in any way being “ours!” It is God’s building and, therefore, open to you and all of God’s People for use.

Our one requirement, because of our concern for the quality of your future marriage, is that you participate in pre-marriage counseling. You can either do this counseling through Fr. Mark, our Priest in Charge, or with any other clergyperson agreed upon with Fr. Mark.  Our general advice is that if you are not currently active in a church where you live that you become active. It is the clergyperson of the church that you are active in who should do your pre-marriage counseling and conduct your marriage ceremony if at all possible. If you choose to have Fr. Mark officiate at your wedding you need to know that pre-marriage counseling usually involves at least three or four sessions. Most couples find that they are typically traveling to St. Paul’s at least that many times as they prepare for their weddings. Appointments are scheduled at the mutual convenience of the couple and the Priest. Fr. Mark very much emphasizes that the couple being married are the chief “celebrants” in the wedding service. Therefore it is their preferences which should decide the character of the wedding ceremony. The first time the Priest gets together with a couple, most of the time is spent discussing the various possibilities for their wedding that the couple might want to choose from out of different alternatives. It is preferred that arrangements be made at least six months prior to the intended date of the marriage. If one or both of you have previously been married it is preferred that arrangements be made eight months in advance.

Our church seats about 150 persons comfortably but with extra seating can hold up to 200. Our chapel holds 30 comfortably. The building is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible. It was completely restored in 2005 including a new Ahlborn-Galanti organ, and a 1934 Bradbury Baby Grand Piano.

Our organist may be scheduled to play for your wedding. We can also give you some recommendations for other musicians and vocalists. Typically you would meet with the organist after some Sunday service and choose your music from various selections available that suite your needs.

You can be as elaborate or as simple as the facility permits in your use of flowers or other greenery to decorate the church. We do ask that you fill the vases at the altar with cut flowers that will remain in the church after the wedding for Sunday services at which time prayers for your marriage will be offered.

Parking for large weddings can be a problem in Watertown. We ask that you be respectful of our neighbors and follow the parking restrictions that are posted. (One restriction that is not posted is that it is illegal to park within 4 feet of someone’s driveway.)

Photos can be taken before or after the ceremony but not during it, except from the back of the church and without the use of flash attachments.

Many competent florists and photographers are available in the Watertown area as are a whole range of interesting places for wedding receptions.

Our Guild Hall, max capacity 100 (seated), which is attached to the church, is available for catered receptions for small weddings only.

Church members need pay nothing to be married at St. Paul’s Church. Non-members are expected to pay a usage fee of $400 for building upkeep. For all couples it is ordinarily expected that a couple pay a personal honorarium of not less than $350 to the Priest. This compensates him/her for the time they spend counseling, participating at the rehearsal and wedding, and for time spent on a homily preparation. Our organist charges $225 to play for a rehearsal and wedding and $250 if they must accompany a soloist.

We wish you a wonderful wedding at this time of great joy. More importantly, we wish you a loving marriage in which your lives are spent in a growing relationship with God and one another.