Weddings at First Pres

First Steps

Congratulations on your engagement!

If you’re interested in getting married here at First Pres, the first step is to contact Kara Avila, the Wedding Coordinator. Let Kara know what date you are thinking and which FPC pastor you’d like to officiate. She will check the availability of your requested date.

You will also need to complete the Wedding Ceremony Application, by clicking the button above.

Initial Questions

  • No, we welcome members and non-members!

  • At First Pres, we require that one of our pastors on staff officiate the wedding ceremony, or at least co-officiate along with another outside pastor. We strongly value and believe in building strong relationships with all couples. Premarital counseling with the officiating pastor is also required.

  • One of our pastors will be the officiant of your wedding. However, you are welcome to have one of your family members play a different role in your ceremony.

  • Yes, provided there are no other events going on at the church. The rehearsal will then be on Thursday evening.

  • No, Sundays are reserved for our worship services and day of Sabbath.

The Sanctuary

Wedding ceremonies are a special time of worship and will take place inside the Sanctuary. The Chapel is an available alternative to the Sanctuary, if you’d prefer a smaller, more intimate setting.

  • 450 people.

  • There are 18 row of pews on both sides of the center aisle. (That’s 36 total)

  • No, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Music

Wedding ceremonies are an act of worship and all music used for the wedding should be appropriate for the worship of God Almighty. Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church. Secular love songs, prerecorded music, and music inappropriate for worship will not be permitted. The officiating pastor has final approval of all music performed before and during the service. String instruments and soloists are permitted.

  • Sorry, but no. We firmly require all music to be done by live musicians.

  • We truly believe that wedding ceremonies are an act of worship before God Almighty. Therefore, we do not allow any secular music during the ceremony.

  • With the base package, you automatically get our organist/pianist to play for your ceremony. Any additional musicians will need to be discussed with Jay Arnn, our Director of Music Ministries.

  • Music for your ceremony includes Processional and Recessional pieces. Prelude music is to be played as guests are seated. Music during the ceremony can be arranged according to the desires of the bride and groom. To assist in planning music, you must contact Jay Arnn, our Director of Music Ministries.

Other Commonly Asked Questions

  • Rehearsals are scheduled for the day before the ceremony. You are welcome to set your own time for the rehearsal. The Wedding Coordinator and Pastor will be present to direct your rehearsal. You will need to make sure all your wedding party and anyone playing a role in the ceremony is present at the rehearsal.

  • Rehearsals are one hour long. You will need to make sure that everyone participating in the rehearsal is there on time.

  • Pricing packages for weddings differ for members and non-members. Our pricing packages can be found at the top of this page.

  • As indicated on the invoice, all fees are due at least one week prior to your scheduled wedding rehearsal.

  • No. In order to secure your wedding date, a non-refundable deposit is required. For members, the deposit is $100. For non-members, it is $200.

  • Yes! We have an oil unity candle that you may choose to use in your ceremony if you’d like.

  • Parking is available in the north and south lots (on the sides of the Sanctuary) and the west lot (in the back).

  • Yes, handicap parking can be found in all our lots.

  • No. These items are not to be used or thrown on the church premises, including the exterior grounds. If you have a flower girl, she must only toss fake silk petals, not real flower petals. Nothing may be flown into the sky, in accordance with the Village of North Palm Beach.

Meet the Wedding Coordinator

Kara Avila

Administrative Assistant to the Pastors & Wedding Coordinator

Kara’s job is overseeing weddings and taking on the role of Wedding Coordinator during the rehearsal and ceremony. She will be your go-to person for all things here at the church, acting as a liaison between the bride and groom, the pastor, the musicians, the AV team, and facilities for set-up. Day of, she will make sure everyone is where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Email: kavila@firstpresnpb.org

Phone: (561) 622-8818, ext. 119