La Habra Hills Presbyterian Church  

 

Weddings at La Habra Hills Presbyterian Church

We are pleased you are considering La Habra Hills Presbyterian Church (LHHPC) as the place to celebrate your wedding.

Our highest expectation is that each wedding ceremony, as a Christian wedding performed in a church, will be first and foremost a service of worship. It is a time to celebrate, before your family and friends, the gift God has given you in each other, and to ask His help and blessing as you begin your journey of learning to love each other as husband and wife as God has first loved you.

Scheduling Your Wedding
If you are interested in scheduling your wedding at LHHPC, please call the church office to check availability on the church calendar. At the same time, we ask that you schedule an initial meeting with Pastor Geoff Pfaff. This brief meeting (about 30 minutes) is a time for the couple and pastor to become acquainted, to dialogue about your wedding plans, and to ask any additional questions about the wedding policies of LHHPC. After this meeting, you will be able to make a final determination about whether to have your wedding at LHHPC, and to set up a schedule for pre-marital sessions in the months ahead.

Pre-marital sessions typically include 3 or 4 meetings with the pastor as well as a separate pre-marital assessment survey and evaluation with a certified advisor. If you desire another pastor’s involvement in your wedding ceremony or pre-marital sessions, this can be discussed with Pastor Geoff during your initial meeting.

After your initial meeting with the Pastor, we will ask you to complete a Marriage Information Sheet and pay your $150 deposit (refer to Fees below). When these steps have been completed, your wedding can be finalized on the church calendar. A church wedding coordinator will contact you to discuss the details of your ceremony as your wedding date approaches.

We are unable to accommodate Sunday weddings at this time.

Fees
The wedding fee is $1000 for non-members and inactive members, and $700 for members or their children. The first $150 of this fee is due at the time the wedding is scheduled and is non-refundable. The remainder of the fee is due on the day of the wedding rehearsal. Please make checks payable to La Habra Hills Presbyterian Church.

Included in the wedding fee are pre-marital sessions with the pastor and the pre-marital assessment survey and evaluation, honorariums for the LHHPC pastor, organist, sound technician and wedding coordinator, as well as all charges for set-up, clean up and supplies. An additional fee may be charged if a second technician is needed. The church reserves the right to add an additional charge if church property is damaged or excessive clean up is necessary. If you arrange to include another pastor in the ceremony, you must negotiate an appropriate honorarium directly with him or her. Please refer to the “Receptions” below for fees and information regarding receptions in the church Social Hall.

Pictures
Moving photographers and flashing cameras should not be a noticeable part of a wedding and distract from the focus of this sacred ceremony. Therefore, the wedding photographer must remain in the narthex or balcony during the ceremony, using timed exposures only. No flash pictures or other illumination equipment may be used during the ceremony. During the processional and recessional, the photographer(s) may position themselves in the aisle to get pictures of the party entering and exiting.

Video tape recording may be done from the balcony or the back of the sanctuary. A remote controlled camera may be set up at the front of the church in a position that will not distract from the ceremony.

Music
We are blessed to have a highly experienced organist available to provide the music for every LHHPC wedding ceremony. He has a large repertoire, and can assist you in making your musical selections. Other special music, taped or live, can also be incorporated into your ceremony. Please discuss your desires with your church wedding coordinator.

The Rehearsal
Rehearsals are performed on the Thursday or Friday before the wedding and usually last for one hour. It is important that the bridal party arrives promptly, as we cannot begin until everyone has arrived. The LHHPC pastor does not necessarily attend the rehearsal. If you are having an outside pastor assist in your wedding, he/she MUST attend the rehearsal.

The rehearsal does not include any of the wedding music, as the organist and sound technician do not attend. A rehearsal and sound check for any vocal soloists will take place one hour before the wedding ceremony.

Decorations and Church Equipment
The sanctuary is open weekdays from 8:30am -12:30pm and 1:00pm- 3:00pm for the couple or florist to visit. The sanctuary has a seating capacity of 400. There are eleven pews on each side of the center aisle.

The bride’s room is available for the women in the wedding party. The men may dress in the church library.

Your church wedding coordinator will decorate the sanctuary if our typical set-up is desired. The florist is responsible for setting up the flowers. Our decorations include white pew bows, ribbon and candles for the center aisle. (Aisle runners may not be used.) The chancel area is decorated with 5 candelabras and white lights in the planters. Two candles plus the unity candelabra are typically placed on the chancel table. A kneeling bench is available. Two white columns are available for floral arrangements, as well as the chancel table (33 by 90 inches).

Receptions
If you are considering holding your reception in the church Social Hall, please contact the Reception Hostess. The Social Hall accommodates approximately 150 people. The Hall charge is $500 for non-members and $250 for members for groups under 100, and $2 per person above 100. This fee includes: use of the hall, paper goods, coffee, tea, cream, sugar, candles, non-alcoholic punch, nuts, mints, set-up and clean up, and cutting and serving the cake. The cake, table covers and flowers are not included. Special arrangements must be made for receptions that exceed 3 hours.

Other Information
No church equipment shall leave the church at any time. Alcoholic beverages may not be served on the church premises, including the parking lot. Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings of the church, including the bathrooms and bride’s room.

No rice, birdseed, or confetti may be thrown. We suggest bubbles as a fun alternative.

The Bride and Groom are not permitted to take communion during the wedding ceremony unless it is offered to the whole congregation.

If you have any questions, please call the church office or consult with Pastor Geoff during your initial meeting.


Important Names and Numbers
Church Office:   (562)691-3296
Pastor: Rev. Geoff Pfaff / revgeoff@verizon.net
Administrative Assistant: Sara Kelly / lhhpcstaff@verizon.net

Wedding Coordinators:
   Kelly Haraguchi   KellyGuch@aol.com
   Joyce Heffernan
   Marlene Dobrenen

Reception Hostess:
   Jacque Murray   murrayjacque@hotmail.com

Organist:
   Tim Doran   TimCDoran@aol.com

 

 

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