Weddings First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

605 Morewood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412.621.8008 www.first-unitarian-pgh.org

Unitarian Universalist Principles

We covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in our congregations and in society at large. The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The living tradition we share draws from many sources: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life. Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love. Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves. Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit. Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Wedding Reservation Form at end of guide.

Congratulations! 2 The Church Building and Gardens 3 The Schedule 4 Wedding Coordinator 4 Financial Arrangements 5 Religious Considerations 5 Ministers 6 Music 7 Rehearsal 7 Flowers and Other Decorations 7 Photography and Videography 9 Receptions at the Church 9 Checklist for Arrangements 10 Directions to First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 13

Congratulations! You are about to embark upon a very important, very emotional, very exciting process — planning what we hope will be remembered as one of the happiest days in your life!

Because this can also be a stressful time, we at First Unitarian Church hope that this booklet will help answer some questions, aid your planning, and generally remove some of your stress.

Whatever your situation, walk of life, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender, we are honored to walk beside you in this meaningful journey and hope to assist you with this joyful celebration of life and love.

If you need any further guidance or information, please feel free to call the call the Wedding Coordinator on ext. 315. A list of telephone extensions is listed below for your convenience. Congratulations again!

Barb Gengler, Wedding Coordinator………….(412) 621-8008, x315

Rev. David Herndon, Senior Minister………....(412) 621-8008, x102

Rita Gates, Business Manager…………..……..(412) 621-8008, x101

www.first-unitarian-pgh.org

Revised on May 31, 2018

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The Church Building and Gardens Sanctuary Most weddings at the church take place in the Sanctuary, a Norman Gothic structure with a wood-beamed ceiling and extensive carved woodwork. The Sanctuary, built in 1904, has a wide center aisle and holds about three hundred (300) people. Three large stained glass windows illuminate the Sanctuary.

Sanctuary rental fee: $750.

Church Garden The Church Garden, secluded behind the church building, can accommodate about eighty (80) people.

Church Garden rental fee: $300.

Schweitzer Room Overlooking the Garden with a panoramic view, the Schweitzer Room accommodates up to forty (35) people and offers a stained-glass window and double wooden doors.

Schweitzer Room rental fee: $200.

Rooms are available where both parties can dress and relax privately before the ceremony.

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The Schedule Wedding ceremonies will typically last 25-30 minutes. Sometimes, we schedule more than one ceremony at our church on the same day. Our policy is to allow three (3) hours for each event. If your ceremony is at 2:00pm, for example, the Sanctuary would be reserved for you between 12:30 and 3:30pm. For ceremonies that take place in the Garden or Schweitzer Room, the couple is responsible for setting up chairs for the guests. The church does not provide this service.

Wedding Coordinator The Wedding Coordinator's job is to be helpful to the wedding couple and at the same time to represent the church and facilitate the services which the church offers the couple: securing the reservation for the ceremony; preparing spaces for the wedding party's needs and comfort; attending to the details of preparation leading right up to the ceremony; and being on hand as the wedding procession makes its entrance. The Wedding Coordinator acts as a combination midwife and producer!

The Wedding Coordinator does not book ministers, musicians, florists, photographers, videographers, caterers, transportation, printers, and so on. These items are the responsibility of the couple, although the Coordinator may be able to make recommendations.

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Financial Arrangements

BUILDING RENTAL A deposit of one-half of the rental fee is required to reserve your date and time. If you cancel your reservation for the Sanctuary or Garden with at least four weeks’ notice, all but $100 of your deposit will be refunded. You may pay by check, either in person at the Church Office or by mail. You may also pay online at our website (www.first-unitarian-pgh.org).

Full payment is due to the church one month prior to the ceremony. Checks should be made payable to First Unitarian Church. Rental fees for the building use are as follows:

Sanctuary: $750 Garden: $300

Schweitzer Room: $200

These rental fees include the services of the Event Coordinator and security guard.

Financial arrangements for the minister and musicians should be made directly with them.

Religious Considerations You need not be a member of First Unitarian Church to be married here, but we do ask that you attend one of our Sunday morning services sometime prior to your ceremony. If you live outside Pittsburgh, attending a Unitarian Universalist church in your area will satisfy this request. We impose no restrictions regarding previous marriages or present living arrangements.

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Ministers We encourage you to use a Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister, but you are not required to. Please contact one or more of these ministers directly. Do not hesitate to contact the Wedding Coordinator if you are having difficulty contacting a minister.

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Officiant The Rev. Dr. David Herndon performs ceremonies for those who are pledging members of First Unitarian Church. Members can contact him at 412.621.8008 x102 (church).

Other Unitarian Universalist Officiants The Rev. David McFarland

Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church (412) 322-4261

The Rev. Joan Sabatino First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, PA (724) 349-2776 joansab@comcast.net

The Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker Radiant Vows Marriage Ministry: Ceremonies and Marriage Preparation (412) 727-6870 (home study-preferred) (978) 505-7245 (cell) rzflowingforce@gmail.com http://www.flowingforce.com/radiantvows_home.htm

If you choose to work with a minister who is not UU, we ask that you respect our religious beliefs. For example, avoid language that is sexist, racist, and homophobic. We encourage you and your minister to look at our UU Principles at the beginning of this booklet.

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Music We encourage you to use live music in your ceremony — the acoustics in our sanctuary are prized by artists performing in our two concert series, Tapestry (www.facebook.com/uutapestry/) and SongSpace (uusongspace.com). We also have facilities for live performance in the more intimate Schweitzer Room and Garden.

Keyboard musicians for our church include: Ellen Gozion , ellen@ellengozion.com Donna Greco, donnamariegreco@gmail.com William Larson, wwlarson@verizon.net or (412) 661-8985

Please contact these musicians directly for their availability and rates.

Pre-recorded music can be played through our sanctuary sound system from a CD or digital audio player (e.g. iPhone, MP3 player). Please discuss with the Wedding Coordinator how such music can be incorporated into your ceremony.

Rehearsal We require a rehearsal for all weddings taking place in the Sanctuary. The rehearsal allows all details to be worked out so that there is less stress on your wedding day. For Saturday weddings, we normally schedule rehearsals on Fridays between 4 and 7pm. The rehearsal may take as long as an hour, depending on how many people are involved in your wedding party. Please bring your marriage license with you to the rehearsal.

Flowers and Other Decorations We have found that guests typically begin to arrive about half an hour before the ceremony begins. All decorations and other preparations should be finished by that time. The church will be open during the hour and a half before your ceremony.

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Please ask your florist to be prompt, and be sure your florist will have enough people on hand to complete their work in the allotted time.

No tape is to be used on the pews or other surfaces to secure flowers or other decorations. Please inform your florist about this. A loop of wire works well to hold pew decorations in place.

If you are using candle stands for a unity candle, please have the florist or person responsible for decorations supply clear plastic squares that can be placed under the candle stands to prevent wax from dripping on the carpet. The church does not supply unity candles or large candle stands.

If you are using a crash or aisle runner, you will need one at least sixty (60) feet long. In keeping with the “green philosophy” of First Unitarian Church, meaning that we try to be environmentally responsible in all areas, we ask that if an aisle runner is to be used that it be a recyclable one (please ask your florist about this) or that none be used at all.

We request that you remove all decorations and programs including the aisle runner after your ceremony.

We regret that we do not allow rice, confetti, sparklers, or bird seed to be used in or on the church property.

We also do not allow the use of open flame candles for decorations, except for the unity candle.

There are seasonal decorations in our Sanctuary at least twice per year (Christmas and Easter). If your ceremony is during one of these holiday seasons, our decorations must remain in place. You are, however, encouraged to add your own flowers and decorations. To avoid an unwelcome surprise, we advise you to come in and look over our decorations ahead of time if you are getting married during one of these holiday seasons.

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After your ceremony, you may leave your altar flowers to be enjoyed by people attending church on Sunday morning. If you wish to take your flowers with you but would find it more convenient to pick up your flowers on Sunday afternoon or during church office hours on Monday, we would be happy to look after them.

Photography and Videography Flash photography is allowed during the service, but we ask that your photographer stay outside of the action: after all, your photographer is there to record the event, not to become part of it. There are several spots suitable for a video camera to be set up. If your photographer and/or videographer arrive early, we will be happy to suggest what we have found to be the best vantage points.

Receptions at the Church We can accommodate receptions for up to 150 people in the Undercroft Gallery. The rental fee is $350 for four hours. This includes the use of the Undercroft Gallery, the adjacent kitchen, tables, chairs, and the presence of a security guard. You will need to provide your own plates, glasses, tablecloths, silverware, and decorations. You will also need to do your own set-up and clean-up. First Unitarian Church does not provide this service. Please note that if you need more than four hours for your reception, there will be an additional fee of $40 per hour. Receptions may also be held in the Schweitzer Room which overlooks the garden, and is adjacent to a small galley kitchen. The Schweitzer Room accommodates 40 people. The rental fee is $200 for three hours. The same directions for use of the Undercroft Gallery apply also to use of the Schweitzer Room. Please note that if you need more than three hours for your reception, there will be an additional fee of $30 per hour.

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Checklist for Arrangements

1. CONFIRM YOUR DATE AND TIME. Once you have decided that you would like to get married at First Unitarian Church, complete our online request form at http://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/space/wedding or call the Wedding Coordinator to check availability of your date and time. Once your date and time’s availability has been confirmed, please send the Reservation Form at the end of this booklet along with a deposit of one-half the rental fee to reserve the space for your wedding. If you cancel your reservation with at least four weeks’ notice, all but $100 of your deposit will be refunded. You may pay by check, either in person at the Church Office or by mail. Checks should be made payable to First Unitarian Church. You may also pay online with a credit card at our website’s donation page: http://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/stewardship/donate. The donation form has a checkbox for Wedding Deposits. When paying online, the reservation form should be mailed to the Wedding Coordinator.

2. MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MINISTER. Make your arrangements directly with your minister. First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh endorses the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association standard fee guidelines for Unitarian Universalist ministers. Our Minister’s fees for weddings are $450.00, which includes the ceremony and the rehearsal. (Off-site weddings may have travel fees added.)

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3. MAKE MUSIC ARRANGEMENTS. Work out the details with your musician(s) and Wedding Coordinator. Please remember that it is your responsibility to make musical arrangements for your ceremony. The church does not do this on your behalf.Since music is integral to your ceremony, musician(s) and/or pre-recorded music should be included in your wedding rehearsal.

4. OBTAIN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE. In Allegheny County, call (412) 350-4230 for information about how to obtain your marriage license. A Pennsylvania license must be used for all weddings in Pennsylvania, but any Pennsylvania marriage license may be used anywhere in the state. The church keeps the first part of the license. You keep the second part, after the Minister has completed it. The State receives the third part, after the Minister has completed it. The Minister will give the completed certificate of marriage to you or a designated person in your wedding party. The Minister will take care of mailing the completed State’s portion of the license to the appropriate address as well as filing the church’s portion with the church records. Your license should be obtained within 30 days prior to your ceremony, and you need to bring your marriage license with you to the rehearsal (or to the ceremony if you are not having a rehearsal).

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Did you remember to…

Contact your Minister?

Be in touch with our Wedding Coordinator?

Contact your musician(s)?

Send in your deposit with your Reservation Form?

Let your florist, photographer and videographer know what our Church’s policies are?

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the First Unitarian Church Wedding Coordinator at 412.621.8008 ext. 315.

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Directions to First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

IN PITTSBURGH Heading East on Forbes Ave. (from downtown through Oakland), pass the Cathedral of Learning (University of Pittsburgh) and The Carnegie Museum. Cross a short bridge and at the 2nd traffic light, turn left from Forbes onto Morewood Avenue. Go 2 more lights on Morewood to First Church. Parking is along the streets. Use the Ellsworth Avenue entrance to the church.

FROM THE NORTHTake I-79 S to I-279 (after Wexford interchange); bear left onto I-279 and follow into Pittsburgh. With the skyscrapers in view, stay right and watch for I-579; bear right onto I-579 (up the double-lane ramp — DO NOT TAKE THE EAST ST. EXIT before it) and cross the Allegheny River. Stay in one of the two left lanes past the 6th Ave, and 7th Ave. exits. Get into the far right lane (OAKLAND); this will loop around and merge into the Blvd. of the Allies. Stay on the Blvd. For about 3 miles until AFTER you pass the Monroeville and I-376 exit. LOOK CAREFULLY, and take the very next off-ramp (it’s easy to miss) onto Forbes Ave. (If you miss it, you can continue on and make a left on Halket St. and a right onto Forbes.) From here, follow directions above for IN PITTSBURGH.

FROM THE EASTTake PA Turnpike (I-76) to Monroeville exit. Then I-376 to Oakland Exit. Take ramp up hill on Bates. Bates ends at Bouquet St. Turn left on Bouquet, take Bouquet to Forbes Ave. Turn right on Forbes and follow directions above for IN PITTSBURGH.

FROM THE SOUTHTake I-79 N, EXIT 14 to Pittsburgh, I-279. As you come out of the Fort Pitt Tunnel onto the bridge, stay in one of the 2 right lanes and exit right to I-376, Monroeville (the Parkway East). Go approximately 3 miles, get into the far right lane and follow it up the ramp to Oakland-Forbes Ave. Follow directions above for IN PITTSBURGH.

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FROM THE WESTTake I-70 to I-79 North. Follow directions above for FROM THE SOUTH. FROM ROUTE 28: 28 N to EXIT 6 (Highland Park Bridge/Aspinwall). BEAR LEFT for bridge onramp. Cross bridge in the left lane, exit to left on 8 South (Washington Boulevard). Turn right at first traffic light onto Washington Boulevard (8 South). Travel through 5 traffic lights on Washington Boulevard, past the Driver’s License Center. Cross Penn Avenue at 5th traffic light, and travel 3.9 miles. Turn right onto Morewood Avenue, and travel to the 2nd traffic light. First Unitarian Church is on the right. Street parking.

PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY: There is ample street parking close to the church. You may wish to set aside parking spaces on Morewood Avenue, outside the main entrance, for any special vehicles. First Unitarian Church is fully handicapped-accessible. We encourage anyone who might have difficulty with steps to use our Garden Lobby entrance, which can be reached from the small parking area off Morewood Avenue. There is an elevator which provides access to all three levels of the church. Accessible restrooms are located on the bottom level.

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First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

Wedding Reservation Form If you have decided to use the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh for your wedding or union ceremony, please fill out and return this form with your down payment of one half the rental fee indicated in parentheses.

Date of Ceremony:___________________________ For our ceremony, we would like to reserve:

_____ Sanctuary ($750) _____ Garden ($300) _____ Schweitzer Room ($200)

For our reception (if applicable), we would like to reserve: _____ Undercroft Gallery ($350/ 4hrs.) _____ Schweitzer Room ($200/ 3hrs.) _____ No reception at First Unitarian Church.

Total rental amount: $ ___________ (Please add the totals noted in parentheses next to your choices.)

Total deposit enclosed: $______ (One-half of your total rental amount is required to secure your reservation.)

Names of the Couple:

Name 1: Name: 2

Address: Address:

Phone: Phone:

Mobile: Mobile:

Email: Email:

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Payment Options:

______ By CHECK

Please make your check payable to First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh and note “Wedding Ceremony” and the date of your ceremony on the check’s memo line.

_____ By CREDIT CARD

You may also pay by credit card through our website by going to http://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/stewardship/donate. Click the DONATE NOW button and choose “Wedding Deposit Payment.”

Send the completed form (along with check, if applicable)

Wedding Coordinator/First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 605 Morewood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Signature:_____________________________________________

Date:_______________________________

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