Marriage Ceremonies at
ORINDA COMMUNITY CHURCH (United Church of Christ)
10 Irwin Way, Orinda, CA 94563, (925) 254-4906
Congratulations!
We are pleased that you are considering Orinda Community Church as the place for your wedding. The marriage ceremony is a religious service for couples who desire to affirm their wedding vows and celebrate the beginning of married life in the hopes and traditions of the Christian faith. Orinda Community Church (OCC) offers its pastoral staff and services to members and nonmembers alike, and considers it a privilege to be involved in this important time in your lives.
Preparation for the Wedding:
1. The couple contact the OCC Office Administrator to reserve a date for the Wedding, Wedding Rehearsal, and Reception and to review the OCC Wedding Brochure. The proposed wedding date will be held on the church calendar, but will not be considered confirmed until after the couple meet with the Pastor of the wedding.
2. The Pastor of the wedding will be one of the OCC Pastors. The Pastor of the wedding will contact the couple to arrange for a first meeting. The Wedding Service will be planned collaboratively between the Pastor and the wedding couple.
3. Meetings with the Pastor of the wedding are typically an hour in duration. There are usually 2-3 meetings. The Pastor will provide names and numbers of the Director of Music and the Wedding Coordinator.
4. The couple will contact the Music Director and Wedding Coordinator after the first meeting with the Pastor.
The Rehearsal:
The Rehearsal is usually held the day before the Wedding and lasts about an hour. All members of the Wedding party are requested to attend.
Wedding Program:
OCC will prepare a simple program of the Wedding Ceremony, if requested. This program, coordinated with the Pastor and the Office Administrator, enables attendees to follow the elements of a Wedding Ceremony.
The Wedding Coordinator:
The Wedding Coordinator is knowledgeable about the church facilities and the marriage ceremony, and will advise you about traditions, procedures, child-care, accessibility, ushers (if needed) and decorations such as candles and flowers. The Wedding Coordinator assists in the smooth functioning of the rehearsal and the wedding. Outside wedding consultants hired by the couple do not change the key role played by the OCC Wedding Coordinator.
Music:
Wedding music is discussed at the initial meeting with the Pastor and at a subsequent meeting with the Director of Music. The OCC Music Director is the Organist for all weddings (or provides for a capable substitute). A concert grand piano is also available. The Director of Music will make suggestions with regarding music selections, instrumentalists, and soloists, in accordance with the preferences of the couple and the religious character of the ceremony.
The couple may wish to have their own instrumentalists or vocalists, which must be discussed with the Director of Music. OCC does not encourage recorded music, soundtracks and special sound systems.
Facilities:
For the Wedding, the Sanctuary seats up to 300 guests. The Chapel seats approximately 40 persons. For the Reception, Fellowship Hall will accommodate as many as 150 at tables for a dinner reception; considerably more people will be accommodated if table service is not required. The Fireside Room-Board Room can be used for receptions of less than 50 guests. It is necessary that Saturday night receptions conclude by 12 midnight to provide time to prepare the church facilities for Sunday morning activities.
Accessibility:
Most areas of the church are accessible to persons with disabling conditions. It is advisable to alert the Wedding Coordinator if special accessibility planning or assistance may be required by guests or members of the wedding party.
Children:
A nursery room is available, if requested, for infants and toddlers. Arrangements with babysitters are the responsibility of the wedding couple.
Smoking/Alcohol:
OCC is a non-smoking facility. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought on OCC grounds, except in connection with the Wedding Reception being held at OCC.. Wedding parties are asked to limit the serving of alcoholic beverages to wine or champagne. We suggest that, when wine or champagne is served, alternative non-alcoholic beverage be offered.
Rice:
Rice may not be scattered on the church premises, as this becomes a safety hazard. The use of bird seed or flower petals may be considered as an alternative.
Parking:
There are several parking lots available for wedding guests. Please note the off-limit parking area adjacent to the church used by residents of Orinda Senior Village. The Wedding Coordinator will provide a map locating the available parking. Large weddings may be asked to designate a parking coordinator to help direct traffic.
Candles, Flowers, and Decorations:
OCC will provide one pair of large white candles for the altar; a selection of candelabra; and a pair of brass candle lighters. Additional candles, including a Unity Candle may be provided by the wedding couple for use in the altar area. Fire regulations prohibit candles or glass lanterns in or near the aisles.
The Wedding Coordinator will provide a list of local shops that have supplied weddings here. The church has flower vases and bowls which may be borrowed for the wedding. Please have the florist notify the Office Administrator about a delivery time for the flower.
Families or friends of the wedding couple are welcome to help decorate the church. Please arrange this with the OCC Office Administrator.
Wedding couples are invited to leave their altar flowers for use during OCC Sunday worship.
A kneeling bench is available upon request. A non-slipping aisle runner or bridal carpet may be used in the center aisle.
The Caretaker will prepare the Sanctuary or Chapel for the marriage ceremony. Special hangers are available to attach bows or floral pieces to the aisle pews; please do not use nails, tacks, staples or tape. The Wedding Coordinator or the Caretaker will gladly demonstrate recommended fastening methods.
Photography:
Photography during the Wedding Ceremony will be limited and requires the permission of the Pastor. The Pastor will meet with the wedding photographer regarding these limitations, which include, but are not limited to: presence of a photographer near the altar or front of the sanctuary, flash pictures, close-ups, floodlights, and hand-held video cameras . The photographer must complete the pre-wedding pictures and remove all equipment at least 30 minutes before the scheduled beginning of the wedding ceremony.
Dressing Rooms:
The Fireside Room is furnished with chairs, tables, a clothes rack, and a full-length mirror. Wedding attire may be delivered to the Fireside Room for hanging ahead of the ceremony. The wedding party may also use the Sanctuary Vestry room for dressing, if desired.
Directions to OCC:
From the West: Route 24 East, through the Caldecott Tunnel. The third exit after the tunnel is for Orinda. At the bottom of the exit is a light – turn left onto Camino Pablo. Go to the second light on Camino Pablo. At the second light, turn right onto Camino Sobrante and proceed past Safeway. At the first stop sign (one block) the Church will be visible on the hillside directly ahead. Turn right onto Orinda Way, and take the first left onto Irwin Way (about ½ block). The Church is up the hill on the left. The main parking lot is directly across from the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Reserve lots are located above and below the church.
From the East: Route 24 West, toward Oakland. The Orinda Exit is the next after St. Stephens Road. When the exit forks, bear right toward Orinda Village and Richmond. At the bottom of the exit turn right onto Camino Pablo. Pass through the first light at Santa Maria. At the second light, turn right onto Camino Sobrante and proceed past Safeway. At the first stop sign (one block), the Church will be visible on the hillside directly ahead. Turn right onto Orinda Way, and take the first left onto Irwin Way (about ½ block). The Church is up the hill on the left. The main parking lot is directly across from the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Reserve lots are located above and below the Church.
WEDDING CHECKLIST
1. Visit the OCC Office Administrator. Check availability of your date.
2. Read the OCC Wedding Booklet and return the application.
3. The Pastor of the wedding will contact you to plan meetings.
4. Meet with the Pastor of the wedding.
5. Pay the required deposit to hold your date.
6. After first meeting with the Pastor, contact the Music Director and the Wedding Coordinator
7. Make specific plans with photographer and florist.
8. Confirm availability of all wedding party members and inform them of the date/time for rehearsal and wedding.
9. Secure a wedding license at any California county courthous
10. Pay balance of fees at least two weeks before rehearsal.
11. Bring wedding license to rehearsal.
12. Remind everyone of Rehearsal time.
13. Have your wedding. Celebrate your marriage!
Please notify the church office immediately about any change in plans or dates.
SCHEDULE OF COSTS
Members of OCC
Sanctuary Wedding $ 485
Regular Chapel Wedding $ 455
Includes use of the Sanctuary [or Chapel] for the wedding and rehearsal; use of the Fireside Room and the Vestry for the wedding; use of candelabra and candles; services of the Wedding Coordinator, Director of Music, and Caretaker (who also handles the sound and light controls).
Informal Chapel Wedding $ 210
Fewer than 25 guests; no Wedding Coordinator or Director of Music required.
Non-refundable deposit due with application $ 150
Deposit applies to sanctuary or chapel services and is credited against any balance due.
Optional Services
Soloists (Instrumental, Vocal) $ 150
Reception in Fellowship Hall $ 200
Includes use of kitchen and basic service equipment
Board Room (adjacent to Fellowship Hall) $ 50
Fireside Room adjacent to Fellowship Hall $ 40
Additional set-up and clean-up for dining $ 60
Includes table and chairs, place settings and utensils
Friends of OCC
Sanctuary Wedding $ 725
Regular Chapel Wedding $ 500
Includes use of the Sanctuary [or Chapel] for the wedding and rehearsal; use of the Fireside Room and the Vestry for the wedding; use of candelabra and candles; services of the Wedding Coordinator, Director of Music, and Caretaker (who also handles the sound and light controls).
Informal Chapel Wedding $ 300
Fewer than 25 guests; no Wedding Coordinator or Director of Music required.
Non-refundable deposit due with application $ 250
Deposit applies to sanctuary or chapel services and is credited against any balance due.
Optional Services
Soloists (Instrumental, Vocal) $ 150
Reception in Fellowship Hall $ 400
Includes use of kitchen and basic service equipment
Board Room adjacent to Fellowship Hall $ 100
Fireside Room adjacent to Fellowship Hall $ 80
Additional set-up and clean-up for dining $ 110
Includes table and chairs, place settings and utensils
Total Due _____
Means of Payment
Payment in full are due two weeks before the date of the ceremony. Please make the checks payable to Orinda Community Church and send to the Office Administrator, c/o OCC, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda CA 94563.
Pastor Honoraria Honoraria for the Pastor of the wedding are determined by the Pastor and wedding couple.
WEDDING APPLICATION
Please complete this page and return it to OCC
Full Name: __________________________________________________________
Full Name: ________________________________________________________
Day and Date of the Wedding: _____________________________________ Time: _______
Day and Date of the Rehearsal: ____________________________________ Time: _______
Place of the Wedding: Sanctuary Chapel Elsewhere: ____________________
1. Address: _______________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ______________ Work Phone: ____________ E-Mail ___________________
Age: _____ Church Affiliation: _________________________________________________
No. this marriage: _____ If divorced, when and where? ______________________________
2. Address: ______________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _____________ Work Phone: _________ E-Mail ______________________
Age: _____ Church Affiliation: _________________________________________________
No. this marriage: _____ If divorced, when and where? ______________________________
Is either party or anyone in his or her family a member of this church? Yes No
If Yes, Who? __________________________________________________________________
Number of Attendants: __________ Number of Guests ___________________
Photographer? ______________ Videographer? __________________
Florist: _________________________ Reception?___ Number attending: _____________
Total Due: ____________________ Payment Record: ______________________________
Date of Application: ________________________________________