Circular Congregational Church joyfully extends to you the use of our sanctuary for your wedding. For over 300 years, couples have met on this site to make their vows of faithfulness in love. We welcome you to meet here also to make public your marriage commitment in the context of Christian worship.

Making Contact
     Your initial contact will be with our Events Coordinator, Robin Denny. She is in the church office Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., telephone 577-6400.  She will answer any initial questions you may have and check the date availability of your request. She is also available to set up an initial appointment for you to tour our facilities if necessary. Upon deciding to have your wedding at Circular, you will need to contact our minister, Bert Keller, who authorizes all weddings at Circular. He can be reached directly at (843) 723-8808.   We will hold your date as a tentative reservation for two weeks. This gives you time to make contact with Dr. Keller for authorization and submit your non-refundable deposit of $250. (See information under Usage fees and Honoraria). A reception for up to 150 people may be arranged at the church (Lance Hall) if desired.
Ministers
     The pastor of Circular Church is the Rev. Albert H. Keller, Jr.  The pastor is available for members of the church who wish pastoral services in preparing for marriage.  The pastor also tries to be available for friends and newcomers to the church. Restrictions on Dr. Keller’s time sometimes prevent him from counseling and performing weddings for persons not related to the congregation. In the event he is unavailable, Circular has a collegium of clergy who share in pre-marital counseling and officiating at weddings.
Music and Organist
      The music is an integral part of the wedding service.  Its selection and the invitation of soloists should reflect the meaning and the tone of worship.  Please don’t invite a soloist merely because they are a friend or acquaintance. Our church organist, Judy Hammett, will confer with you about your preferences for appropriate music at the wedding.  She can be reached at 843-849-0233.  If she is unable to be present at the wedding, she can recommend another organist or other musicians.
Wedding Director
     You will not need a wedding rehearsal director, as the pastor will conduct the rehearsal and ceremony with reverence and attention to aesthetic detail.  For larger weddings, it is helpful to name a coordinator who can help line up the procession and prompt the entrance.
Photography
     Videotaping the service is allowed. Arrangements must be made in advance with the minister and the organist as to location of the video recorder.  Flash photography is not permitted during the service, either by professionals or guests.  If you print a bulletin or program for your wedding service, please include a note to indicate that flash photography is not permitted.
Floral and Other Arrangements
     Simplicity in floral arrangements or live plants work best with the simplicity of the sanctuary and the service.  An aisle cloth is not necessary and sometimes clumsy.  If candelabra are used, dripless candles should be placed in them.  Candles or torches should not be carried down the aisle or displayed on the ends of pews. Rose petals can be dropped but must be white or baby pink as red rose petals stain the carpet if they are stepped on. Furniture on the pulpit platform should be moved only with agreement and assistance from Mr. Stender, Church Custodian.  The marble cross should not be moved from the front panel.
Throwing Rice
     The tradition of throwing rice at the departing couples, while charming, can cause great harm to local birds, as can the release of helium balloons.  We suggest other alternatives, such as having wedding guests “shower” the couple with bubbles.
Parking
      Circular Congregational Church does not provide parking. Guests can park for a fee in the Cumberland Street Parking Garage, which is a very short walk to the church.
Pre-Marital Counseling
Marriage in the church is not just “making it legal,” nor is it a big show.  The wedding is an event of serious reflection, spiritual meaning, and personal growth.  We spend time making it so.  The couple should anticipate meeting with the pastor at least twice (three times if possible) prior to the rehearsal and ceremony.  These sessions allow the pastor to:

(1)       get to know you (and you to know him) and explore with you your familial models of marriage and the values and beliefs that shape what marriage means to each of you.

(2)       design a worship service (wedding ceremony) with you that expresses the uniqueness of you as individuals, the nature of your commitments to each other, and the integrity of Christian marriage as understood in our tradition.

Circular Church has a long tradition of embracing simplicity in its life and worship, and we encourage couples getting married at Circular to plan their wedding in the spirit of simplicity.
Policy Regarding Marriage of Divorced Persons
     This church honors marriage and in its fellowship and ministry tries to strengthen marriages, but when marriages dissolve we do not treat divorced persons judgmentally.  If you have been divorced, you may begin your new marriage here with our blessing and our help in making a new beginning.
Final Word to All
     Some couples who use this sanctuary are not actively involved with this or any other church.  We welcome you to have your wedding here, but we would be withholding if we did not also invite you to start your marriage as active participants in this congregation.  Inviting you to use our building, we also invite you into the church family.

Usage Fees and Honoraria

 

The Council of Circular Church authorizes the following fee* schedule based on average annual giving by members to the church.  After all appropriate honoraria are paid, the remainder of your fee is divided between the special ministries of the church and the building maintenance fund.  Your contribution helps keep the church vital and the building beautiful for others.

 

For persons not related to the church by membership or regular attendance:

 

Wedding Package*                              $     2250.00

Lance Hall (reception w/ wedding)        $       500.00 (up to three hours)

Lance Hall (reception only)                   $     1000.00 (up to three hours)

 

* Wedding Package includes:

 

The date is not confirmed until a deposit fee of $250.00 is paid.  That deposit fee is subtracted from the total leaving a remainder of $2,000.00 due one week prior to your wedding.

 

Please mail deposits to:

Circular Church

PO Box 776

                                                                                      Charleston, SC 29402