The First Christian Wedding Packet Online

Below is information contain in First Christian Church's Wedding Packet which is given to couples after they've booked their wedding at our church.

Congratulations! We think you have made a wonderful decision in selecting First Christian Church as the location for your wedding. We look forward to working with you to make the day special. We hope the follow guidelines will assist you with the planning.

Rehearsal
You will have a rehearsal one to two days prior to your wedding. During the rehearsal the minister and hostess will walk the wedding party through the ceremony. Rehearsals usually last between 45 minutes and an hour. Musicians are generally not at the rehearsals.

Please ask all participants to arrive a few minutes early, so that we may begin on time. This is especially important as there is usually more than one rehearsal scheduled.

Wedding Assistants
We strongly suggest that you arrange for the following assistants:

One guest book attendant (also responsible for getting the book to the reception)
One or two persons to take gifts
Someone to pin on corsages and boutonnieres.
Someone to transport the flowers to the reception.
Someone to transport gifts from the church after the wedding.
Someone to be responsible for the rings

Invitations
When ordering your invitations, use the following address as the location of the church:

First Christian Church
Southwest Park Avenue at Columbia
Portland, Oregon

Do not use the office address as listed in phone books.

For a map and directions CLICK HERE.


Wedding License and Fee Balance
Be sure to obtain your wedding license at least three days prior to the wedding date. No witnesses or medical exams are necessary, but you will be expected to pay in cash (no personal checks). For up-to-date information, call (503) 988-5027 for a pre-recorded message. The balance for your wedding is due no later than one week prior to your wedding date.

Parking
There is street meter parking and garage parking. Nearby parking garage locations are: 1301 SW 5th Ave; 1211 SW 5th Ave; 1400 SW 4th Ave.; 1000 SW Broadway; 1100 SW 6th Ave; and 515 SW Salmon St. (We recommend you check with the city regarding any special events that may impose parking difficulties on your wedding day.)


Minister
Be sure to call and arrange an appointment with our minister who will be performing your ceremony. (See the Wedding Cermony Outline sheet below) (S)he will want to meet with you at least once to get acquainted and to talk over the ceremony. If you do not know which minister is performing your wedding, please contact the church’s wedding coordinator, Johanna Kennelly Ullman at 503-228-9211, ext 104 or weddings@firstchristianpdx.com.

If you have another clergyperson participating in the ceremony, please have him/her contact our minister so they can discuss details.


Flowers, Candles and Decorations
Doors will be opened for flower delivery and decorating three hours prior to the wedding. If available, you may schedule additional set-up time at a rate of $50/hour (or portion of) on the day of your wedding. Please contact the church’s wedding coordinator, Johanna Kennelly Ullman at 503-228-9211, ext 104 or weddings@firstchristianpdx.com for availability.

Floral arrangements may be placed on the altar, baptistery rail, pedestals in the chancel area, and the candelabra. Arrangements placed on the altar should not obstruct the organist’s view over the reredos (the partition which hides the organ console from view).

Absolutely no floral decorations or candles are to be placed on the piano or organ.
Flowers girls may drop silk floral petals only, as real flower petals stain the carpet.

Please give the Information for Florist sheet found below to your florist. It outlines our requests concerning flowers.

For a floorplan and measurments of the sanctuary CLICK HERE.

If you plan on using our pew candle holders, you will need to provide eight 12- to 14-inch tapers. If you plan on using a unity candle, you will need to supply one pillar candle and two 12-inch tapers.

Only the church’s candles may be used in the spiral brass candelabra.

All candles must be non-drip and storing them in the freezer helps minimize dripping. Please take care to place cloths or dishes under candles to protect furniture and floor surfaces from dripping wax.

Because they are a hazard for high heels and long dresses, we do not permit aisle runners.


Photographs and Video Recordings
We require that your photos be taken before the wedding. See the “Suggested Wedding Day Schedule” sheet in the packet for more information.

Flash photos are not permitted once the ceremony has begun.

Video Cameras are welcome, so long as the technician does not require additional lighting, and does not create a distraction to the ceremony.

Please give the Information for the Photographer/Videographer sheet found below to your photographer/videographer. It outlines our requests concerning photos and video recordings.


Music
A church wedding is also a service of worship, and we feel that both instrumental and vocal music should be of the highest quality and appropriate for a church sanctuary. Our staff musicians are professionals who have spent their lives perfecting their craft, and will play music chosen especially for your wedding. See the Suggested Wedding Music sheet below. You are welcome to bring in your own musicians (other than an organist), but pre-recorded music is not permitted. The church’s musician generally does not attend the rehearsal.


Other Important Details
No smoking is permitted in any part of the building.

The use or possession of alcoholic beverages/illegal drugs is not permitted in any part of the building, including outdoor church property.

The moving and/or rearranging of furniture in the sanctuary is not permitted. Oak flower pedestals are an exception.

Because of safety concerns on our front steps, neither bird seed, rose petals, nor rice may be thrown. Also, no animals (doves, butterflies, etc.) may be used. Bubbles, sparklers, and crushed lavender are permitted.

Purses and other valuables should always be left in someone’s care and not in the dressing rooms during the ceremony. First Christian Church is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

You and your guests are welcome to use the church’s Fellowship Hall. It is, however, your responsibility to assign someone to monitor the room and straighten it after the wedding.

The church does not supply table cloths or other linens.

We want your wedding to be a beautiful and memorable experience. Please don’t hesitate to call (503-228-9211, ext. 104) if you have any questions, or if there is any way in which we may be of assistance.