Thank you for your interest in using space within Arlington Street Church. The members of the congregation are blessed with a beautiful structure, which must be preserved and maintained in such a manner that honors its rich history. In our continuing effort to preserve our building, its furnishings, and grounds, we ask that all who use our building honor the policies and guidelines as outlined on this page.

Arlington Street Church is an incredibly active Unitarian Universalist congregation with a demanding schedule. However, we make every effort to accommodate requests for the use of our space and gladly share our building with many outside groups and organizations.

Arlington Street Church provides space for the celebration of weddings and services of commitment, but does not dictate the specific content of these services.

Because of very high demand, the ministerial staff of Arlington Street Church is only available to officiate for the weddings and commitment services of members of the congregation. The facilities manager can provide you with contact information for available clergy, if you do not have a minister of your own. It is not, however, the responsibility of Arlington Street Church to find a minister for any ceremony.

All weddings at Arlington Street Church must, however, be conducted by one of the church’s ministers, or by a guest clergyperson approved in advance by Arlington Street Church.

All requests to reserve space in the church for the wedding, rehearsal, and reception dates must be made through the Facilities Manager.

Process:

To begin the process, please contact Jeffrey Bouchard, Assistant to the Administrator, at 617-536-7050, ext. 14 or JBouchard@ASCBoston.org. You may arrange a visit to see the available space, usually guided by Jeffrey. At this visit, you can discuss available dates and times.

If you wish to reserve the space, please print, complete, and mail the Ceremony Agreement Form (link above, or below). This form should be mailed to Jeffrey Bouchard, care of Arlington Street Church, Unitarian Universalist, 351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116-3303.

Jeffrey will provide a written confirmation of your reservation upon receiving your completed application, a signed building usage agreement, and a deposit for one-half the amount of your total rental.

Facilities:

Sanctuary (for ceremony)  Fee: $3,800  Seating Capacity: 900

Hunnewell Chapel (for ceremony)  Fee: $2,000  Seating Capacity: 60

 

Fees are for any part of four hours. For rentals over four hours, additional fees may apply.

Access for decorating must be included within the allotted time. If additional time for substantial decorating is required, advance arrangements with the Facilities Manager will need to be negotiated regarding scheduling and fees.

The sexton (custodian) is present to open and close the doors and monitor heating and security, but not to set-up or clean-up wedding materials.

Time for a rehearsal is included in the rental fee-please arrange for the rehearsal to occur within a week of the ceremony. (Please note that because of the church’s schedule, rehearsals cannot always be held the day or night before the ceremony.)

Only the spaces agreed to in the contract may be used by the wedding party. Wedding fees do not cover the rental of the entire church building, but only individual spaces within the church. Other activities may be taking place concurrently in the building and in the church yard.

 

Personnel:

Ministers

Wedding fee — honorarium amount determined by each minister.

Music

Organist for a Wedding Ceremony: $400 (includes a one-hour consultation with couple)
Rehearsal: $100
Guest organist fee: $75

Organ music for weddings at the church is provided by the Arlington Street Church organist or Artist in Residence. If you prefer to engage a guest organist, you must inform the Facilities Manager in writing, providing a resume of the guest organist, at least six weeks before the ceremony. If the guest organist is approved, the Arlington Street Church organist will be paid a bench fee of $75 for instructing the guest organist on the use of the instrument.

If you would like additional music or solo musicians during the ceremony, Arlington Street Church’s organist or Artist in Residence are available to serve as music coordinator for a fee. This service provides for arranging and rehearsing with other musicians. This fee is negotiable. Otherwise, you are permitted to engage other instrumentalists at will.

Sexton

A minimum fee of $400 for the first four hours (rehearsal and ceremony combined), and $150 for each additional hour or part thereof. On a public holiday, the sexton will be paid $800 for the first three hours and $250 for each additional hour or part thereof.

Others (Florist, caterer, etc.)

Arlington Street Church does not provide or recommend any particular floral or catering services. However, please make sure that the companies you choose are in touch with our Facilities Manager to coordinate access to the building. Please note that church office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

 

Payment of Fees:

Facilities

A deposit of one-half the total rental fee shall be paid upon the initial reservation. The remainder of the total fee must be paid two months before the wedding takes place. No reservation will be confirmed until the deposit is received. All checks should be made payable to: Arlington Street Church. The church is also equipped to receive payment through MasterCard and Visa. If the remainder is not received two months before the event, the date will be forfeited.

Personnel

For the services of personnel, checks should be made out to the individuals engaged the minister(s), organist, and other musicians. All personnel fees shall be paid one month in advance of the event, either in person or mailed to the church office.

Cancellations

If notice of cancellation is given more than 180 days in advance of the ceremony date, the total fee, less a $500 cancellation fee, will be returned. For cancellations within six months of the scheduled ceremony, no refund will be given.

Other Details

Arlington Street Church does not own a runner for the main aisle of the Sanctuary, though your florists can provide one. The length of the aisle is 103 feet.

Arlington Street Church does not have any air conditioning and can be uncomfortable in the warmer months.

Ringing the Bells

Arlington Street Church can ring the steeple bells for your wedding for an additional cost of $100.

 

Ceremony Agreement Form (PDF)