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Weddings at First Unitarian
We at the First Unitarian Church of Portland are pleased to make our facilities available to our members and friends for weddings and commitment services. Please view the following information and click on the associated links to learn more about how to have your wedding at our facilities.
Facilities and Services
Eliot Chapel: The historic sanctuary seats 200 people on the main floor in 26 rows of dark wooden pews. The wall color is a dove gray with light gray-turquoise pew upholstery and gray carpeting. The overall appearance is stately and traditional. Bows or flowers may be attached to the end of the pews, using ribbon only. A pair of table-height candelabra (ask the Wedding Coordinator for details) and brass candle lighters are available for your use on the central table. Floor-height candelabra must be rented from a florist. For music, the sanctuary includes a grand piano, organ, music stands, chairs, electrical outlets, and a microphone.
Sanctuary (Main Street): The Sanctuary seats 650 people. Seating is more theater style, with balcony seating as well. The sanctuary is accented with dark wood and gold highlights. There is a beautiful pipe organ and a grand piano.
Channing Room: For smaller ceremonies, 30 people or fewer, the Channing Room may be used instead of the Chapel. This classic, tastefully decorated room has shaded windows, brass chandeliers and a decorative fireplace. The general feeling is that of being in a formal parlor. Before a chapel ceremony, the Channing Room may be used as a private gathering place for the ceremony party and family.
Reception Areas: You and your caterer will schedule to meet with our Wedding Coordinator beforehand to plan/review your set up needs for a reception. A sexton (or sextons if necessary) will be assigned for your event. With permission from our Music Dept., the pianos in either Hall are available for use.
- Fuller Hall, in our Main Street building, can comfortably accommodate 125 people sitting and 300 standing. Eight-foot long tables are available for serving beverages and food. Card tables and chairs can be used for seating guests. The overall appearance is functional, with off-white walls and black and white tiled floor. The Art display on the walls of Fuller Hall can not be moved or covered in any way.
- Buchan Reception Hall, in our new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Buchan Building, can accommodate 150 seated and 250 standing. Round tables and chairs can be used for seating guests. There are large windows street-side and windows to the inner courtyard. The ambience is light, spacious and modern. Adjacent to the Buchan reception hall is an outdoor courtyard. This inviting and contemplative space has a built in brick labyrinth and is surrounded by structures on all sides. Weather permitting, this space may also be used.
Kitchen: A staging kitchen, perfect for caterer use, is available in both buildings. Limited refrigerator and freezer space, a stove, an oven, cooking and preparation equipment, and utensils are available for your use. Please ask your caterer to meet with our Wedding Coordinator to view the facilities beforehand. All necessary equipment such as dishes, cups, silverware, punch bowl and cups, trays, and coffee urns are available. We strongly encourage you and/or your caterer to provide all assistants, consumables and linens. Extra charges will be assessed for these services.
Dressing Rooms: Our layout allows couples to avoid seeing each other before the ceremony if desired. The Channing Room is used by the bride’s party and the Nursery is used for the groom’s party. A secure area will be provided to the couple so all valuables can be locked up.
Booking Your Wedding Date
Call the church office, 503-228-6389, ext. 0, to make an appointment to view the facilities. After viewing the sanctuary and church facilities, check with the church office to see if the date you desire is available. If your date is available, you may reserve the space by paying a $300 deposit for ceremony only, $300 deposit for reception only, or a $600 deposit for ceremony and reception. The deposit is non-refundable for non-members and refundable less $50 for members. Your date will be reserved on our calendar only when your deposit has been received by the office.
At the time you book your date, we will need to know the date and time for both your ceremony and your rehearsal. (It may be possible to change the times if the need arises, however we can not guarantee that.) The office will send your information to the Wedding Coordinator. At this time, you may direct all of your questions to the Wedding Coordinator. You will receive an invoice for the balance of the fees approximately 90 days prior to your ceremony.
Fees
Associated costs are as follows:
Fees are due 90 days prior to the ceremony. Please make check payable to First Unitarian Church (write “wedding” on the memo line) and mail attention to First Unitarian Offices at 1034 SW 13th Avenue, Portland, Oregon; 97205. See enclosed information pamphlet, “Wedding Rates.”
(Member Rates: For purposes of weddings at the First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon, a MEMBER is defined as a person who has been a financial contributor to the church for at least six months immediately prior to reservation of the sanctuary and has signed the membership book. A son or daughter of a member of long standing [five years or more] pays the member rate.)
Cancellation: Deposits are not refundable for non-members. For members, deposits are refundable less $50. If canceling after payment of balance due (billed at 90 days prior to ceremony), balance refund is as follows:
60-89 days = 75%; 30 – 59 days = 50%; 1 – 29 days = 25%.
For more detailed information on our fees, policies, and facilities, view our complete wedding brochure.
Stephen Lewis Event