WEDDINGS

We are delighted that you are considering having your wedding at Oak Hill. We share in your joy and excitement as you prepare for your wedding. In addition to being a time of celebration, a marriage ceremony is also a sacred act of worship. “…that they may build a home where no one is a stranger.” This prayer is part of the Presbyterian order for a marriage ceremony and it is our prayer for you. Whether you are a long-time member or a newcomer to Oak Hill, we pray that you will feel at home with us and we welcome the opportunity to celebrate with you in the wonder, mystery, and grace of marriage. When contacting the church about a wedding, please ask to speak with our pastor. The date and time of your wedding will be subject to the availability of the pastor, and the availability of the church building. The following information is designed to acquaint you with our church and offer you important information related to your wedding.

PASTOR

According to the Directory for Worship in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Section W-4.9003:

“Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the pastor and the supervision of the session. The marriage ordinarily takes place in a special service which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God and as an expression of the Christian life.”

Our pastor shall officiate at all weddings performed at Oak Hill. If the couple wishes that other clergy participate in the ceremony they should discuss this with the pastor so that an invitation may be extended.

Before the wedding, the couple will participate in pre-marital counseling facilitated by the pastor. Ordinarily the counseling is conducted during 3-4 one hour sessions. The pre-marital counseling is designed to provide the couple opportunity to deepen their relationship, to share with one another their hopes, dreams, expectations and of course to plan their wedding service.

MINISTER OF MUSIC

Quoting again from the Directory for worship in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Section W-4.9005:

“Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church.” Our minister of music shall play for all weddings. All music and guest musicians for your wedding ceremony must be approved by our minister of music. You should contact the minster of music with information about your music and any questions you have related to music in your ceremony. Music enriches the wedding service; therefore, such variety of hymns, hymn versions of psalms, solos (instrumental or vocal) shall be permitted. A pipe organ, grand piano, and electric keyboard are available for use in the ceremony.

WEDDING COORDINATOR

This person shall assist both the pastor and wedding party during the wedding rehearsal and throughout the day of the wedding.

PHOTOGRAPHS

We recognize the importance of pictures on the occasion of your wedding. Photographs may be taken anywhere within the sanctuary with the exception of the chancel. Flash bulbs are not allowed during the service. The photographer is allowed 60 minutes before and after the service for pictures to be taken. If more time is needed, arrangements must be made with our wedding coordinator (additional custodial fees may be involved). If you wish the service to be videotaped, you may designate a qualified operator to record the service from the back of the sanctuary or balcony, providing the videographer confers with the pastor and/or wedding coordinator before the service. It may also be permissible to place a video recorder on a tri-pod in the choir loft facing the wedding party for the service. All other picture taking is strongly discouraged. Photographs taken during the ceremony detract from the holiness and beauty of the service. The photographer and the videographer are to consult with our pastor and/or wedding coordinator upon arrival at the church on the day of the wedding.

DECORATIONS

Oak Hill’s sanctuary is a beautiful setting that can be enhanced by flowers, candles, and other appointments. Decorations should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance the worshipers’ consciousness of the reality of God, and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life. The sanctuary interior is painted a cream color and has red carpeting and pew cushions. We have a center aisle (with 12 rows on each side) and two side aisles, with seating for approximately 240. Our balcony will accommodate approximately 40 additional people. The center aisle is 5 feet wide and 45 feet long from back to the front chancel steps. Two pedestals for flowers are available, as well as the communion table. Aisle runners may be provided by the wedding party. Candelabras and pew candle holders are available for use for at a cost of $125. If they are used, the church will provide the candles. If a unity candle is desired, the wedding party will provide it. Decoration of the church may begin 1½ hours before the time of the ceremony. Following the wedding, all decorations must be removed from the premises within 1 hour of the ceremony ending. No tacks, nails, or metal shall be used by the florists or others in decorating the sanctuary. Any damage to the church will be repaired and the cost charged to the individual who signed the wedding reservation contract.

BUILDING USE

The church building will be open on the day of the wedding 1½ hours before the scheduled ceremony time, and departure will be 1 hour after the ceremony ends. Building entrance on the day of the rehearsal will be negotiated with the pastor. The red doors on the west side of the church are the only doors to be used for the wedding rehearsal. On the day of the wedding, the red front doors and the red doors on the west side of the church are the only doors to be used. All other doors will remain locked. Oak Hill is not handicapped accessible. A chair lift is available that can take a person from street level into the sanctuary or to the basement. There is a church parking lot on the west side of the church on Connecticut Street. Changing rooms are available for the bride and groom. Personal items should not be left unattended. The church is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. No smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the church building. Oak Hill does not have accommodations for wedding receptions.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

In order to be married, a couple must present a valid Missouri marriage license at the rehearsal. Two witnesses should be designated to sign the license and certificate immediately following the wedding service. St. Louis City Marriage License Department is located at 1200 Market Street (Tucker and Market Streets). Telephone (314) 622-3257. St. Louis County Marriage License Department is located on the 4th floor of the County Government Building, 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton. Telephone (314) 615-7180.

WEDDING FEES

A contracted fee of $1210 for non-members and $710 for members covers all expenses for the wedding including building use, pastor, minister of music, wedding coordinator, and custodian. Payment is made in two parts. A $550 non-refundable deposit for non-members or a $275 non-refundable deposit for members is required with the return of the completed, signed wedding reservation contract to confirm your wedding and rehearsal dates on the church calendar. The contracted balance of $660 for non-members or $435 for members must be received in the church office not later than 21 days before the rehearsal date.

All payments are to be made payable to Oak Hill Presbyterian Church.