Weddings

We are happy to offer the Laurance Cross Memorial Chapel for your wedding. You do not have to be a member of Northbrae Community Church or agree with our religious philosophy to have your marriage ceremony at Northbrae. After reading this information, you may wish to phone our office for more information, to get a printed copy of the information below mailed to you, or to determine available dates and times. Below you will find information regarding Northbrae Community Church's services and policies with regards to having your wedding at the church - we look forward to hosting your wedding! Call us at 510-526-3805, FAX 510 562-3923, or e-mail northbrae2@aol.com

A non-refundable $100 deposit should be paid to the church when the reservation is made for your wedding. The balance to the church is due no less than 30 days before your wedding. Fees subject to change, please call the office to confirm them.

The fee of $275 to Northbrae's minister for wedding services and consultation is not included in the fees listed below. Pay this directly to the minister at the time of your consultation.

This is the most popular service. It includes the organist, wedding director, custodial services, two white floral arrangements, two sets of candelabra (28 candles), and a rehearsal. The wedding party may be of any reasonable size and the guest list up to the building's capacity (The Chapel seats 320+ guests), one and a half hours prior for dressing and pictures in the Parlor; 30 minutes following the ceremony for pictures in Chapel.

This service is for those who plan a wedding with fewer than 100 guests and a wedding party which includes a Maid/Matron of Honor, Best Man, two bridesmaids and two ushers. The church provides the organist, wedding director, custodial services, one pair candelabra (10 candles), two white floral arrangements and a rehearsal. One and a half hours prior for dressing and pictures in the Parlor, and 30 minutes following the ceremony for pictures in the Chapel.

A less-formal service for couples having fewer than thirty-five guests and a wedding party consisting of Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, one usher and an escort. The Wedding may be done "in-the-round", with guests seated in the choir areas. Our wedding director conducts the rehearsal one hour prior to the wedding whenever our calendar permits or at another time if our calendar is crowded. 30 Minutes following the ceremony for pictures in the Chapel. Organist, custodial services and two white floral arrangements are provided.

A small, informal service with one attendant each, not more than twelve guests. Two white floral arrangements are provided. The minister directs the wedding party to their places prior to the service. No music or rehearsal is provided.

(Couples planning on an evening wedding may arrange for a candlelight wedding service. Over 50 candles light the altar area, with minimum artificial light. Stained glass windows and garden areas are lit from outside. The additional charge is $150.

The bride and bridesmaids should arrive one and one-half hours before the agreed time of the wedding to dress here. Hair, makeup, nails, etc. should be completed before arrival. We project half an hour to get dressed; then one hour for pictures. A large dressing room is available for the bridal party. Everything should be removed from the dressing room and Parlor before the wedding, so nothing is lost or stolen. Don't leave valuables unattended!

The groom's party should plan to arrive at the Chapel dressed for the wedding, forty-five minutes before the ceremony.

Our scheduling of weddings at Northbrae allows, in our experience, adequate time for pictures both prior to and following your wedding.* We provide one full hour for pictures with your photographer before the wedding in the Parlor or the Gallery. Following the wedding, we allow up to one-half hour for pictures in the Chapel with the bride and groom, their wedding party, and family members. (*Late arrival at the church or late start of the wedding will reduce picture time after the ceremony.)

Pictures and video during the service are restricted. "Available light" photographs from the foyer (or behind the last row of guests) may be taken during the ceremony, and a flash picture of the bride and groom as they recess.

Flowers Two large silk floral arrangements are available for all weddings. These high-quality artificial floral displays are white, and for a specific reason: white flowers stand out against the multicolored background of the stained-glass at the front of the Chapel.

During the Christmas season, red poinsettias and other seasonal decorations are used in the Chapel. On the Saturday before Easter, white Easter lilies decorate the Chapel. You can add more flowers or replace the silk floral arrangements at your own expense.

Florists' installation of flowers should be one hour prior to the wedding. The silk flower arrangements remain at the Church.

We can provide white satin pew bows. We will place them on every second or third pew on each side of the center aisle. The cost is $80. If your florist provides pew decorations, no tape, wire or tacks may be used to secure them to the pews. Pew clips, rubber bands or ribbons work very well. Installation should be one hour prior to wedding. There are 21 pews on each side of the center aisle.

Aisle runners can be obtained through your florist. We don't recommend their use, since securing them is difficult in the Chapel. We ask that no tape or tacks be used on the carpet.

Northbrae's Wedding Director will conduct the rehearsal and coordinate the wedding. You are asked not to bring any other wedding consultant or director to the church. Schedule your rehearsal by calling the church office. We will notify the Wedding Director of the date and time of the rehearsal. If you have arrangement questions prior to rehearsal time, raise them with the church office.

Northbrae will provide an organist for all weddings except "Altar" weddings. The organist's fee is included in the cost of your wedding. You can contact the organist through the church office. It is our experience that the organist is not needed at the rehearsal. If you feel it necessary to have the organist at the rehearsal, the additional fee is $65. Although guest organists are restricted, a Mason-Hamlin grand piano is available for soloists and accompanists.

If your guest soloists are accompanied by our organist, there is a rehearsal fee of $65 per rehearsal. Soloists should not plan to rehearse or perform during your wedding rehearsal.

If you have a song(s) to be sung but no one to sing it, Northbrae soloists are available. They will be glad to consult with you on appropriate solos for your wedding. The additional cost is $150.

Reservations for the reception should be made at the time your wedding date and time is set. We have two rooms available for wedding receptions. The Parlor will accommodate 80 guests (60 if seated at tables.) Haver Hall will accommodate 250 (175-200 at tables.) The use fees for a three or four-hour reception (plus 2 hours set-up time) are $500 for the Parlor and $725 for Haver Hall. Request the information/reservations sheets on receptions from the church office.

We presume your caterer will prepare food elsewhere, bring it to the kitchen, and use our kitchen as a staging point from which to serve food. Disposable utensils, plates and cups should be used.

The ceremony is performed by a minister of Northbrae Community Church. An appointment with Northbrae's minister is required, four to eight weeks prior to the date of your wedding, (or as soon as possible if less than one month remains before the date of the wedding.) Allow 1hour for this consultation to review the mechanics and content of the ceremony. The minister will present material from which you will be free to compile your own unique wedding ceremony. The minister may be reached through the church office.

Guest officiants approved in some instances, but subject to additional requirements, fees and restrictions. Before approving a guest officiant, we will need his/her name, address, phone and religious affiliation.

If you will not be using a Northbrae minister, we ask that you meet with the wedding director 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding. This is an opportunity to go over the arrangements for using the facilities. Call the church office to make an appointment with a wedding director. There is a Guest Minister surcharge fee of $225 paid to the church when using a guest minister.

· Please ask guests to throw rice only as you leave the church after your wedding. No birdseed, confetti or flowers.

· The wedding license should be given to the Wedding Director on the night of the rehearsal.

· Audio tapes and CDs can be played at your wedding. We request that you designate a person from your wedding party to be in charge of playing the tape/CD. The Wedding Director will show the equipment to your designated person.

· Flower girls are not to throw petals or flowers inside or outside the church. Silk petals are OK for the Processional... not outside.

· We ask that you have your receiving line at the reception rather than at the Chapel.

· You are responsible for seeing that family and friends who help with your wedding know of our guidelines, as outlined. [TOP]

· Promptness is important. Our schedule requires weddings and rehearsals to start on time.

Northbrae's chapel is located on Los Angeles Avenue, behind our office and classroom building. The clearest directions for out-of-town guests are: University Avenue exit from US 80; east on University to Martin Luther King Jr. Way; left on King Way; continue north (1+ miles) on King Way (the name changes to The Alameda) to Los Angeles Avenue; right on Los Angeles Avenue, one block and left into the parking lot.

There are two parking lot entrances: behind the Chapel on Los Angeles, or off Solano Avenue just beyond the bus stop above The Alameda. There is also ample weekend street parking around the Chapel.

As a community church, Northbrae is open to more than its own members for landmark celebrations such as your wedding. We feel this kind of ministry is important. We agree to provide facilities and services to you before, during and after your wedding as outlined. Other events scheduled by the church prior to and following your wedding may make it impossible to extend the contracted time.

Northbrae may be involved in repairs, remodeling or renovation of our facilities and/or gardens from time to time. We will make every effort not to have these projects interfere with your activities, and to have our facilities in order and ready for your use. Nevertheless, Northbrae will make no guarantee as to the condition of grounds and/or facilities due to remodeling, renovation or unforeseen repairs.

Basic cost of wedding	$__________
Soloist	$______
Organist at rehearsal	$__________
Candlelight service	$__________
Reception Hall	$__________
Pew bows	$__________
Guest Officiant surcharge	$__________
MINISTER FEE	$