Weddings

Thank you for considering Fort Washington Collegiate Church (FWCC) as part of your special day. Fort Washington Collegiate Church is a beautiful Hudson Heights setting for weddings of all kinds. Our historic sanctuary can be used for ceremonies, or bring the reception into our recently renovated Pavilion or Fellowship Hall. We are an open and inclusive church where your celebration of love can be a spiritual, unique and memorable event. We offer various spaces to have a ceremony, cocktail hour, outdoor photos, and reception. We have smaller rooms that can accommodate the bridal party as they prepare for the ceremony. We also have a state-of-the-art kitchen for use by your caterer. LGBTQ weddings are welcome here! We recognize that your event may not directly reflect the faith perspective of FWCC. However, space will not be rented for any event that may oppose the principles and values of FWCC.

If you would like to have your ceremony here, our officiating ministers will meet with you for pre-marital counseling sessions and review ceremony details. Should you have or want other licensed officiants to perform your ceremony, we will need their information and the pastor must meet with them prior to your wedding. Again, we reserve the right to determine if your event opposes the principles and values of FWCC.

SPACES & FEES

You can view our wedding spaces below or make an appointment for a tour of the space and to check availability. Consider where you want to have the ceremony and reception based on the size of your wedding. Room capacity is listed. Fees are provided upon request.

Once you review the spaces and have an idea of what you need, the next step is to fill out our online wedding request form. We will get back to you to discuss your options.

Please note: All requests MUST be submitted through the form below.

Helpful Info

We ask that no rice, confetti, birdseed, or other materials be thrown as the Bride and Groom leave the church or anywhere on our facilities. We recommend using wedding bubbles blown by guests as the couple exits the building. (Not only is it fun for your family and friends, bubbles make for lovely photographs.)

FAQ’s

Ready to reserve? 
Submit your rental request here.

Not sure which space is right for your event? Email rentals@fortwashingtonchurch.org for viewing appointments.

Sanctuary

(up to 290)

Tiffany stained glass windows adorn the space with exposed wooden beams and wood paneled ceiling. The space has a center aisle for bridal entry and a spacious front area with a raised pulpit. An overhead projector and screen are mounted from above.

Fellowship Hall

(up to 212)

This room offers natural lighting on two sides as it is adorned with stained glass windows and refinished wood floors. This open space has two entrances and can be set up many ways to accommodate a seated or standing reception and dancing. An overhead projector and screen are mounted from above.

Pavilion

(up to 144)

This open space is surrounded by all glass windows and marble tiled floors. It is directly connected to the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. The glass doors open out into the gated garden which allows for a scenic view. If you have a larger party, the space opens into the Fellowship Hall.

Class Rooms, 204 & 208

(up to 15-20)

Located on the 2nd floor, these two rooms are set up as small class rooms but can be used as dressing and holding rooms for a wedding party. There are also bathrooms located on this floor . Room 208 can hold up to 30 people.

North Room

(up to 20)

This room is located on the same level as the Sanctuary. It is used for small meetings. The room can be used for holding a wedding party. It has a center table with chairs and two smaller tables in the corners. There is a bathroom located on this level.

Kitchen

This room is available on request as part of a catered event for use by a professional chef or culinary staff. It includes a three-compartment stainless steel sink, food prep station, hand-wash station, a six-burner gas range stove, a double convection oven, a large refrigerator and freezer and two dish sanitizers.

Class Room, 209

(up to 56)

Located on the 2nd floor, this is the largest of the class rooms . It can be used for holding, wedding parties and meeting space. This space can hold up to 40 people with tables and chairs.

Magaw Room

(up to 12)

This room is located on the same level as the Sanctuary. It is currently used for our Sunday nursery. It features child sized furniture and toys for very young children. There is a bathroom located on this level.

Worship Arts Room

(up to 63)

Located on the Cellar level, this room can be used for smaller services or a holding space for special events. It has a love seat with two chairs. It can be equipped with chairs and tables.

Gymnasium

(up to 178)

This gym can be used for sports programs, theater programs, various events and ceremonies. The space can hold up to 160 people seated with tables and chairs.

Garden

We are fortunate to be one of the few, if not only Churches with a green garden space. We have held various musical events, ceremonies, retreats and children’s activities. the summer time has beautiful floral blooms. The garden is located directly outside of the Sanctuary and Pavilion.

Equipment Available for Rent

• Pulpit

• 2 Candelabras

• Microphone & portable speaker system

• Piano/Organ

• Projector (Fellowship Hall & Sanctuary only)

• Easel

• Flipchart

• Wifi Access

Please note: Tobacco and alcohol are not permitted on the church premises.
This includes all event participants, guests, caters, photographers, florists, or other individuals.

Wedding & Reception Space

Wedding space covers 3 hours of use, one hour before the ceremony to arrive and prepare; one hour for the ceremony itself; and one hour after the ceremony for photographs in the sanctuary and garden. Generally a ceremony may take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the music and readings chosen, and whether or not communion is included.

Reception space covers 5 hours allowing an hour for set up/decorations and and 1/2 hour for clean up. Generally, receptions are slotted for 4-5 hours after the wedding ceremony. Reception fees include use of chairs and tables. Additional time is billed hourly at 25% of the stated fee schedule. Multiple rooms rented for the same event can be adjusted at the discretion of the appropriate FWCC representative.

Deposit

A rental deposit of $500 is required for use of the church facility. The deposit must be received with the fully completed and signed Facility Rental Agreement Form. If the deposit is made by check, the check must be posted at the Bank before the request for the facility rental will be approved and/or the church accessible for any portion of the event. All checks are to be payable to Fort Washington Collegiate Church.

Hours

All room rentals are available within the following timeframes:

• Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

• Saturdays 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Sundays 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If your event goes beyond the above listed times, you will be billed for additional labor hours per worker at the rate of time and a half.  If the nature of your event requires additional crew, e.g: security or a sound technician, FWCC will pass on the additional labor charges to you. These will be discussed and agreed upon in advance of your event.

Food

Kitchen cannot be used for cooking food – but may be used by professional caterers for serving food. A vendor list of caterers can be provided upon request.

Decoration Guidelines

• No nails

• All tape must be removed as part of clean up –blue painters tape ONLY

• No candles

• Renters may not remove any existing items or displays without permission of facility staff.

Additional Terms

• An FWCC facilities staff person must be notified both when a renter arrives for an event and when the event has ended and they are departing.

• All A/V equipment must be operated by FWCC staff. Cords and equipment must be returned after use.

• No throwing of rice or birdseed on or around church grounds.

• Weddings and memorial services must be officiated by an FWCC Pastor or outside clergy must be approved by our pastor.

• All decorations, flowers, rental equipment, renter’s property, or other items brought into the church facility for the event must be removed at the end of the event and completion of Contract term unless previous arrangements have been made, and FWCC shall not be responsible for the renter’s personal property in any way during or after a rental period.

• Florists may use the kitchen located in the cellar floor, but they must clean it before leaving the facility and leave the kitchen in the same condition in which it was found.

• Professional caterers/chefs may use the kitchen located in the cellar floor, but they must clean it before leaving the facility and leave the kitchen in the same condition in which it was found.

• Only rooms reserved and paid for may be used by the renter. No additional space will be granted less than 48 hours in advance.

• Areas left unclean or damage to property may result in forfeiture of the entire Rental Deposit.

• All property shall be left in as good condition as when received.

• The church’s name may not be used as a sponsoring entity in any advertisement or promotional literature unless it is approved in writing prior to the event.