Planning Your Wedding or Holy Commitment Ceremony At Westmoreland

"Our ideal is the church of the open mind, the warm heart, the aspiring soul, and the social vision, which ever seeks to express the mind and spirit of Jesus."

We see God's will in any two adults' decision to form a new family. We are pleased that you are considering our Church as the location for your Christian wedding or commitment ceremony.

The Role of Our Minister

Westmoreland requires one of its ministers to act as primary liaison in making arrangements with the Church. Reverend Rich Smith, our Senior Minister, will be happy to help you. Our minister work directly with the couple and does not meet with professional wedding planners. Among the issues you should discuss with our minister are:

• The number and types of in-person meetings you should expect to have with the minister, music director and other staff;
• The role that guest clergy, family, and friends may play in your service;
• The necessary elements of a Christian service, and your particular selections for those elements;
• If appropriate, integrating those elements in an inter-faith service;
• The vows you will make;
• Securing a license, if civil recognition of your union is possible and desired;
• Rehearsals; and,
• Policies for using the Sanctuary and other facilities of the Church.

The Role of Our Music Director

In conjunction with the minister, the Music Director will be available to help you choose and coordinate the music for your service. Our Aeolian-Skinner organ is a Church treasure, and it is Church policy that it must be played by the Music Director or an approved organist.

You may wish to have other instrumental or vocal performers in your service. The Music Director can make recommendations if you wish, or will be happy to work with qualified performers of your choosing. We ask that your musical selections honor the sanctity of our Church sanctuary.

The Role of Our Church Administrator

In coordination with the minister, the Church Administrator will be responsible for the logistical details of your ceremony. These may include:

• Coordinating the calendar for your ceremony day and rehearsal;
• Arranging custodial services, including cleaning, and special arrangements in the building;
• Acting as contact for florists, caterers, and photographers or videographers;
• Arranging for security, if needed; and,
• Collecting all payments owed the Church.

Your Reception and Rehearsal Dinner

Our social hall may be available for your reception and rehearsal dinner. You will need to arrange for an outside caterer, who will prepare all food off-site and will provide necessary heating equipment. Beer and wine may be served to guests of legal age, if you ask us to arrange a temporary license from Montgomery County. Hard liquor may not be served.

Reserving Your Date

Please phone the Church Office to make a tentative reservation for your date. This will hold your date for seven days, giving you time to confer with a minister and to settle remaining questions you may have. A contract detailing your obligations and those of the Church will be provided to you for your signature. At the end of the seven-day period, the contract and a non-refundable deposit of $250 must be returned to the Church office to maintain the reservation on our calendar.

Approximate Fees and Honoraria

Fees will vary depending on the nature of your event. Please consider these to be only estimates. Your deposit of $250 will be applied toward:

• Sanctuary use...$750
• Custodial services $30 per hour including before, during, and after event, but not less than $125 total
• Organist/Music Director $275
• Social Hall rental (if desired)...inquire for price
• C-1 Liquor License $30

The Church does not charge a fee for the minister's services, but an honorarium of at least $300 is customary.

Your Future Relationship With Us

Whether you are a member, friend, or new to Westmoreland, we hope that your ceremony deepens your connection to our Church and that your new family makes Westmoreland its spiritual home in the Washington, D.C. area.

Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ
1 Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 229-7766