Some Things You Should Know
The primary use of the Sanctuary is for congregational worship. The principal service is on Sunday morning. Liturgical decorations may be in place at the time of a wedding. They will remain in place. Weddings should be planned accordingly. For example, greens hung during the Advent season, poinsettias at Christmas, or lilies in the Easter season will remain in place for all services, including weddings.
CANDLES
The church has two pair of candelabra for use free of charge: a pyramid pair with seven candles each and a spiral pair with nine candles each. The church provides the permanent oil candles, which are required if the candelabra are used. Except for unity and memory candles, only the church candelabra may be used. City fire code forbids the use of any lamps or candles along the center aisles or attached to the pews. The bride must supply the unity tapers and candle and the memory candle; they may be wax.
CHURCH ACCESS
The wedding party has access to the church building for a four-hour [4] period. The access time will include all pictures taken at the church. The exact time period depends on whether pictures are taken before or after the ceremony. (As an example, if you choose to have your wedding at 5 p.m., and your pictures will be taken before the ceremony, you and deliveries pertaining to your wedding may have access to the church at 2 p.m. The entire wedding party will leave the church by 6 p.m.) Multiple weddings on a particular day will be scheduled a minimum of five [5] hours apart.
If the reception is held at the church, advance access remains the same. Three [3] hours are allowed for the reception after the time of the wedding and one hour for cleanup. (For example, the reception of the 7 p.m. wedding would conclude at 10 p.m., and the caterer would vacate the building by 11 p.m.)
DRESSING ROOMS
A cozy bridal dressing room is available for the bride and wedding party. Gowns and other items may not be left at the church prior to the allotted time for your wedding. An ironing board and iron are provided for your convenience.
The men in the wedding party may dress in the vestry area behind the chancel.
The Church and staff are not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Caution should be used.
FLOWERS
All floral decoration should be kept simple and complement Sanctuary decor. Flower arrangements should be discussed with the wedding coordinator.
Flowers are to be arranged off-site from First Presbyterian Church and delivered up to three [3] hours prior to the wedding time. Flower standards are not provided. The church has pedestal tops for flower arrangements on either side of the pulpit. The pulpit top may not be removed to form a pedestal for flowers. Flowers may not be placed on the Communion Table. No wire, tape, glue, or pew clips are allowed for attaching pew bows. Rubber bands and ribbon should be used for securing pew decorations. (There are 14 rows in the downstairs part of the Sanctuary.)
City fire code dictates that no ribbon or fabric (e.g., tulle) be draped from pew to pew, blocking center aisle access. Aisle runners are not permitted.
It is helpful for florists to leave boxes behind for the pew decorations that are to leave the church with the wedding party. Florists should contact the wedding coordinator if there are questions regarding decorations for weddings at First Presbyterian Church.
You are required to give your florist a copy of the floral guidelines.
GIFTS
Someone from the wedding party should be designated to oversee the gifts brought to the church.
INVITATIONS
Your wedding invitations should read:
First Presbyterian Church
1200 SW Alder Street
Portland, Oregon
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOS
The environment of the wedding service is one of worship. For this reason, staged photography and videotaping in the Sanctuary are only permitted up to forty-five minutes before the service and immediately after the service.
Photography and videotaping elsewhere in the building and plaza (including the dressing and waiting room areas) should conclude fifteen minutes before the wedding in order to give the bride and groom, their families, and the attendants time to prepare themselves in heart and mind for the service.
No flash photography is permitted during the service by professionals or guests.
During the service videotaping and still photography are permitted from the rear balcony only. Neither are allowed from the side balconies or the main floor of the Sanctuary. This keeps any photographer from being a visible distraction to any wedding guests.
Please give your photographer/videographer a copy of the photography guidelines.
RECEIVING LINES
Unfortunately, the church cannot accommodate receiving lines at the back of the Sanctuary or in the Chapel Narthex. The ensuing congestion violates city fire code.
RECEPTIONS/REHEARSAL DINNERS
Receptions and rehearsal dinners may be held at First Presbyterian Church and are scheduled through the church office.
Geneva Hall and Calvin Library are the areas most commonly used for receptions and rehearsal dinners. The maximum capacity is 300 people (per fire code). The basic charges are for a four (4) hour block of time. The charges set forth are for tables and chairs the couple may want to use and the room space only (no tablecloths, plates, silverware, kitchen utensils, pans, etc. are included in this fee). Use of the kitchen requires an additional fee of $100.00 for members and $150.00 for nonmembers. This allows the use of all kitchen nonfood items and equipment.
The Garden and Plaza are available for weddings and wedding receptions. If you are interested in this option, please ask for a copy of the Plaza and Garden Policy and fee schedule.
For a reception, three [3] hours are allowed after the wedding and one [1] hour for cleanup. Set up is allowed during the four [4] hour time block for the basic charge. This four [4] hours is to include set up, dinner, and cleanup. Any building use and/or custodial use, before or after these time blocks, will be charged on a per hour basis.
See below for a breakdown of fees.
SENDOFF
For safety and maintenance reasons, we do not allow rice or any other substances (birdseed, rose petals, and so on) to be thrown inside or outside the church.
SEATING CAPACITY
The sanctuary seats 600 downstairs in 14 rows of pews.
SMOKING/ALCOHOL
Smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages is not allowed in any part of the church at any time.
PARKING
A parking garage with direct access to the church operates immediately adjacent to the church. If you wish to provide parking for your guests, contact City Center Parking at 503-221-1666 and request information for the First Presbyterian Church at SW 12th and Morrison.
DIRECTIONS AND MAPS
Maps to First Presbyterian Church.
Wedding Fees
A nonrefundable deposit of one-third of the total fees plus a security deposit of $300, payable within seven [7] days of your wedding approval, are required to confirm and hold your wedding date. This deposit will apply toward the total payment. (The security deposit will be refunded providing no damage is incurred and vendors follow prescribed guidelines.) Please consult the table below for a breakdown of wedding fees. The remaining fees, including musician fees, are required to be paid in full thirty [30] days prior to your ceremony. Please make one check payable to First Presbyterian Church. Include the date of the wedding on the check, and address the envelope:
First Presbyterian Church
Finance Office-Wedding Fees
1200 SW Alder Street
Portland OR 97205
Checks covering musician fees should be made out to the contracted musician(s) and sent to the church at the same time as the wedding fees.
For couples seeking to be married at First Presbyterian Church, at least one person must be a member of First Presbyterian Church for at least a year to have member rates.
Wedding Fee Schedule*