voice phone: 626) 799-6161              fax: 626) 799-9968                     E-mail: wedding information..

Dear Bride and Groom: 

            Please accept our congratulations for your upcoming wedding!  We thank you for your interest in Oneonta Congregational Church as the site for your ceremony!  It is our desire to help make your wedding day special.  The following will give you some basic information regarding Oneonta’s wedding policies.

            The following is a breakdown of useful information for weddings at Oneonta: 

          Fees:          (* FEES are  variable and could change during the year.  Call Church office.) 

-Sanctuary (500 seats, with average size wedding being 100-200 guests) is  ($.)  This fee includes:

                        Wedding Director

                        Wedding Coordinator

                        Organist (both wedding and rehearsal)

                        Custodial service

                        White runner, white bows and swags for center aisle

                        Decorative white candles and candelabra           

                        Three white unity candles along with unity candelabra (optional)

 

-Redwood Chapel (65 seats) is ($.)  This fee includes all of the above, except no runners or bows and swags can be used.

-Minister’s Honorarium is a minimum of  ($.) and he/she officiates all Oneonta weddings. 

-Deposit: a ($) non-refundable deposit, which is deducted from the church fee, is required to book a wedding.  Weddings are booked on a first-come basis.

Here’s a breakdown of time allotments:

Each wedding party is given a time allotment of three hours on the church grounds, and weddings are scheduled at these set times of the day:      To print out your own copy --  

Saturday –

-1^st time allotment: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, with your choice of 10:00 am or 11:00 am wedding.

                                                            OR

-2^nd time allotment: 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with your choice of 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm wedding.

                                                            OR

-3^rd time allotment: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with your choice of 4:00 pm or 5:00 wedding.

 

Evening weddings may be scheduled at 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm, in which case you would have from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm as the three-hour time allotment.

Sunday  -Only time allotment: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, with your choice of 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm wedding.

            The ceremony usually lasts between 25 to 30 minutes.  Couples wishing to come to the church before their appointed time or to stay after their time limit must make prior arrangements with the Wedding Director.  An additional fee of $100.00 per hour will be charged for extra time.  If there is another wedding before and/or after your scheduled time, no additional time may be available.

            All weddings and rehearsals begin promptly at your scheduled time. We often have several weddings and rehearsals scheduled for the same day, so we must ask your cooperation in making sure that you keep to the schedule.  For those rehearsals that begin late, an additional fee of $50.00 will be charged for every fifteen minutes or portion thereof.  For any wedding ceremonies that begin late, an additional $100.00 will be charged for every fifteen minutes or portion thereof.

 

Meeting with the Minister

            The Minister no longer meets individually with each wedding couple. Instead, every few months he/she meets with several couples at a time during a Wedding Seminar. At the two-hour Seminar, which is a required meeting, details are discussed about the wedding (and reception, if yours is planned at the church); and important guidelines are distributed concerning music, photographs, videography, and the wedding service itself. 

            If you would like pre-marital counseling, it is available on an individual basis.  You can make those arrangements with the minister who will be performing your wedding.  For non-members of Oneonta Congregational Church, there is a fee.  We can also refer you to several qualified pre-marital counselors.  The fees for professional services range from $300.00 to $500.00.  You will pay the person who conducts those services directly.

            The Minister and Wedding Director will also be available to answer any specific questions you may have.  When you make your initial deposit, the date and time of the next scheduled Wedding Seminar (in advance of your wedding date) will be given to you.

 

Photography

            Enclosed is a time schedule for the taking of professional photographs.  Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony, even by your guests.  Your professional photographer may take still photographs without a flash during the wedding ceremony, but only from the rear of the church.  A wedding ceremony is a religious service and distractions of any kind are not allowed.  The Minister will remain immediately after the ceremony for any re-enactment photos to be taken.  Flash photography is permissible before and after the service.  You are welcome to use both the sanctuary and the grounds for your photographs.

 

Videography

            You may have a videographer record your wedding.  The videographer must remain stationary throughout the ceremony.  There is a place designated in the front of the church where a video camera mounted on a tripod may be placed.  No auxiliary lighting is permitted.  Guests with video cameras must remain seated in the pews.  Both your professional photographer and videographer must meet with the Wedding Director before the ceremony for instructions.

 

Music

            Our Organist plays at all weddings, and our professional church Soloists are available to sing.  The fee for one of our Soloists is ($.)  If you wish to have another professional soloist sing at your wedding, and that soloist is approved by the church, our Organist will be happy to accompany him/her.  A list of approved music from which you may choose will be available at the Wedding Seminar.  If you request music not listed, it will also be subject to approval. All music arrangements must be finalized at least two months in advance of your wedding. Soloists may sing up to three selections during your ceremony.

Wedding Party

            The maximum number of bridesmaids and groomsmen allowed is seven each, plus a flower girl and ring bearer.  Ring bearers and /or flower girls may NOT be under the age of three, but each will be evaluated at the time of the rehearsal to ensure that the child is capable of following directions and fulfilling his/her responsibilities.

Church Rules and Policy

            Balloon releasing or throwing of rice, confetti, birdseed, etc., is prohibited on church grounds.  We are concerned about the safety of your wedding party and guests, as well as those who follow you.  Food and drink are not allowed inside the Sanctuary or Chapel buildings.  Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the church grounds.  A limited amount of wine or champagne may be permitted for the Bridal Toast in the Reception Hall.  Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings. 

Availability of Reception Facility

            Space may be available for a reception following your wedding, provided it has not already been booked by another group or wedding party on your date.  Fees for a reception vary depending on the number of guests expected and the individual arrangements desired.  A ($) deposit is required to reserve the hall for your reception.  Reception fees and policies may be discussed with the Wedding Director.