Planning Your Wedding or Holy Union at Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church

Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church is a progressive Just Peace, Open and Affirming congregation where whoever you are or wherever you are on life’s journey you are welcome here. Accordingly, we affirm equal marriage rights for all couples regardless of gender. All couples are welcome here.

Holy Unions & Weddings
Lesbian - Straight - Gay

The Facility
We are located in the Los Feliz historical area near Griffith Park. Our beautiful sanctuary has an old Hollywood feel reflecting the architecture of the 1920s and is filled with light from stained glass windows and skylights. The seating capacity is 229 on the main floor and 98 in the balcony.

Wedding Coordinator
The Wedding Coordinator is your main contact with the church for your needs as you prepare for your union. The coordinator will assist with all aspects of your ceremony which pertain to our church facility. The coordinator will help guide you through the rehearsal and work with you, your florist, photographer and other professionals the day of the union.

Minister
Your service will be officiated by one of the ministers on our staff, according to availability. Our denomination ordains both men and women to ministry and either may be assigned to your service. We want you to be comfortable with this before you book your union. If it is your desire to use another minister to officiate or assist at your union, please discuss this with our pastor who will be happy to extend an invitation to your pastor/officiant, as this is in keeping with good ethical practices of ministry. All outside clergy must provide credentials affirming they are recognized by the State of California to perform weddings. You should plan on meeting with the pastor at least two weeks prior to the union to plan the service. Additional pre-marital counseling may be scheduled.

You may write your own service or vows with the assistance of the minister. In most cases, the minister will use the United Church of Christ order of worship for weddings/holy unions, modifying the service to meet your needs and preferences.

Musician
The wonderful acoustics of our sanctuary will enhance all the music offered at your service. The church has a very fine Yamaha grand piano which will be played to provide music for the union. You must use the Mt. Hollywood Church musician or your musician must be cleared in advance with our musician. Our musician will play traditional musical selections for the prelude, processional and recessional. For any special music that requires additional rehearsal, please contact the musician. Musical selections are subject to review for appropriate context for a religious ceremony. If sheet music needs to be purchased, that is the responsibility of the couple.

Photography
The service is a religious worship service and therefore flash pictures are not permitted during the service. The still picture photographer and/or videographer may take posed pictures before and after the service. The photographer may take natural light pictures from the balcony during the service and from the rear of the sanctuary during the recessional. The videographer may take natural light video from the balcony or from either doorway at the front of the sanctuary. Whatever location is selected, the video camera is to be mounted on a stationary tripod at that location for the duration of the ceremony. The use of extra lighting is not permitted. Photographers and videographers must be professionally clothed.

Florist
You and/or the florist of your choice make arrangements for floral decorations in addition to candelabra and candles. Either you or your florist should provide any containers or stands that may be needed. If you wish the use of a kneeling bench that should also be provided by you.

The florist should plan on arriving no earlier than two hours before the start of the service. If living flowers or petals are to be dropped during the service a runner is required to protect the carpet. We do not encourage the use of a runner as it is very difficult to anchor on the carpet and steps. If a runner is used, you are responsible for providing it and disposing of it. Flowers or other decorations may be attached to the pews; however, no tape or adhesive of any kind may be used on the pews.

Wedding License
A couple wishing to have a legal marriage under the laws of the State of California must have a wedding license. The church does not issue marriage licenses. They must be obtained from a designated Los Angeles County courthouse. Marriage ceremonies must be performed in the county in which the license is issued; that is, only a Los Angeles County license is valid for marriages performed at Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church. The license should be presented to the coordinator at the rehearsal in order to have adequate time to complete information the officiating minister must provide.

General Guidelines
The throwing of birdseed, rice or confetti in or outside the church is not permitted. The church and grounds are a smoke free facility. Alcoholic beverages of any kind are not permitted on the church site and we suggest alcohol not be consumed prior to arriving at the church. Food and drinks are only permitted in the reception area if you have pre-arranged for a reception there. Our desire is for your service to be a memorable experience for you without mishap - a day of joy as you celebrate your life together.

Timetable of the Rehearsal and Service
The rehearsal usually takes one hour and is held on the Thursday evening prior to the ceremony. Please try to have all the participants on time so neither you nor the staff have to wait. The couple, attendants, relatives and any others who will be participating in the service should be present. It is important for a well flowing service that everyone is aware of where they will be standing or sitting and how they will get to that spot and exit that spot at the conclusion of the service.

The total time reserved for your use the day of the ceremony is four hours. This includes time for dressing, picture taking and the ceremony. Please plan on two hours prior to the scheduled starting time and approximately two hours after the ceremony has begun. The florist should plan on arriving two hours before the ceremony; the photographer(s) and participants about 1 ½ hours prior and the parents and guests about ½ hour before the ceremony.

Receptions
A stand up reception may be held in the Ryland Room for small receptions following the ceremony. The reception may be scheduled for up to two hours for an additional fee. Your caterer will have use of the east end of the Ryland Room for a preparation area. Alcohol may not be served at receptions.

Chapel Weddings
A small chapel accommodating up to 66 persons is available for small weddings at a discounted fee. All other services as listed above will still apply.

Fee and Payment
For current rental fee information, please contact our office at 323-663-6577.

4607 Prospect Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tel. 323-663-6577
E-mail: mail@mthollywood.org

Worship service takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. There is plenty of on-street parking and the bank parking lot close to the church is also available.

Rev. Rachel Ciupek-Reed, Pastor
E-mail: pastor@mthollywood.org

Rev. Dan Genung, Pastor Emeritus
Mr. Joe Lawrence, Musical Director
Mr. Ron Taylor, Moderator