YOUR WEDDING AT THE OLD SCOTCH CHURCH
(TUALATIN PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH)
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

"Marriage is instituted by God, and regulated by His commandments." These words are part of the traditional Presbyterian service of marriage and whether they or some other words are used as a beginning to the marriage ceremony, they indicate the spirit and nature of marriage. Marriage was a part of God's original act of creation and through the years it has continued to be held in reverence by those who acknowledge God's participation in all of life. The marriage service, as performed by the ministers at the Old Scotch Church, is an act of Christian worship and should be entered into reverently and prayerfully.

The Session of the Old Scotch Church hopes that the information and suggestions in this brochure will be helpful to you as you plan for this significant event. We pray that God's blessing may be added to the time spent in preparation for your wedding, as well as during the ceremony itself, and all the days of your future life together.

As you plan for your wedding day, here are some things that we of this congregation would ask you to consider.

1. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SERVICE

In order that the wedding may go smoothly, and provide the greatest amount of happy memories please:

a.      When booking your wedding, make it clear to the church secretary whether or not you desire a reception at the church following your wedding.

b.      Make an appointment to discuss the wedding ceremony with the minister as soon as possible after confirming your wedding. These discussions will cover all aspects of the service, including options and alternatives. They will deal with the Christian understanding of marriage, the meaning and purpose of the wedding ceremony, and what to look for and work for in marriage.

You may have another minister share in the wedding service, but a Presbyterian minister must be the officiating minister.

c.      Choose your music with care to ensure that it is suitable and reverent. Plan the music with the minister.

d.       Make your own arrangements with an organist, or other musicians (i.e., instrumentalists, and soloist) for participation in your wedding. If you need help in contacting such persons, ask for assistance. We cannot allow extremely loud musical instruments (i.e., synthesizers, electric guitars, etc.).

e.      DO NOT smoke in the church building, DO NOT use alcoholic beverages in or around the church building.

f.       Since this is a regular worshipping church community, please check with the minister or wedding hostess before rearranging any church furnishings or removing any pictures or decorations.

g.       Please refrain from using nails or tape for any floral decorations used for the wedding (this includes: putting floral decorations above the cross). After the ceremony, please remove all flowers from the church, unless you have made previous arrangements with the wedding hostess. We do not allow decorations to be attached to walls, light fixtures or ceilings.

h.      If you are intending to hire professional wedding planners, please make sure that all plans for decoration of the sanctuary and/or Fellowship Hall are submitted in writing to the church for approval at least two months before the wedding date.

i.       Take flash pictures only before or after the wedding ceremony, not during. Such activity interrupts the solemnity of the service and is distracting. (The couple should instruct the photographer and guests about this.) Videotaping is permitted if it is not intrusive. Please arrange for this at the rehearsal.

j.       DO NOT throw rice, petals or bird seed in the church building or church yard.

k.       If you have any questions about the arrangements listed above or any other matter pertaining to your wedding, please contact the wedding hostess.

a.       The sanctuary seats about 150 (maximum) people. It has two side aisles, with ten pews in the center section. There is no center aisle.

      The following are also provided:

     1) Two candelabrums (adjustable stand which handles seven candles each) for the front of the sanctuary. By order of the Fire Marshall, the church candles must be used. The church supplies the candles.

      2) An organ, piano, guest book table, and a place for wedding gifts.

      3) Dressing rooms for both the bride and groom and their attendants.

b.      There is room downstairs for receptions. Included are a kitchen, dining hall, and tables and chairs for about 100 people.

Experience has shown that the rehearsal is a vital part of your wedding and will assure that all things will run smoothly. Therefore, it is expected that all of the following people will attend: the bride and groom and their attendants; the bride's parent(s) and the groom's parent(s); the ushers, soloist, organist or other musicians. If there are others to participate, such as ring bearers, flower girls, candle lighters, etc., they should also attend the rehearsal. Please bring your wedding certificate with you to the rehearsal. The minister will guide you through the ceremony. The wedding hostess will be there as well to coordinate arrangements you have made.

The wedding hostess is available at the rehearsal, at the wedding, and prior to your wedding for consultation. She will contact you after your wedding date is confirmed, or you may contact her with any questions you have. The wedding hostess has final say and responsibility for the wedding.

All receptions are catered by members of our church. No wedding receptions can be catered by outside personnel wishing to use our facilities; however, food may be brought in by a caterer and served by our members. If you are interested in having your reception here please call the church office at 503-648-9573 to request a brochure.

The cake, punch and coffee are usually served by friends of the bride at the reception. Our caterers are not responsible for this.

Many guests bring their gifts for the bride and groom to the church, especially when the reception is held at the church. Since the church cannot be responsible for the safety of gifts, it would be advisable to designate a specific individual of the bride or groom's acquaintance to be in chare of these gifts. It is suggested that these gifts not be opened at the reception.

Your $775.00 fee to the church not only confirms your reservation, but also pays for the use of the sanctuary, bride's and groom's dressing rooms, and the services of the minister and our wedding hostess. This entire fee is due when you reserve the church.

Rental of reception facilities is an additional $150.00 fee to be paid when you book your wedding. The fee for the Tripps' catering services is additional and is paid directly to them. Please discuss the date of payment with them.

Organist, pianist, soloist and other musicians selected by the wedding couple set their own fees, generally running between $50 and $100. Please ask for exact fees when hiring musicians.

Our church is not only used for weddings, but also as a meeting place for our congregation many times each week. When you visit, you may see a class, fellowship group, business meeting or worship service in progress. Because we want to share "Old Scotch Church" with wedding couples and their families, as well as serve the needs of our own congregation, we schedule our building for maximum use. On some dates two weddings may be scheduled.

When you confirm your reservation, we will reserve the use of weddings rooms for your use for a limited time. As you plan the arrival of cakes, flowers, and people, please schedule them to match one of the plans below:

PLAN A
(Pictures before service)
two hours ahead:      wedding party arrives, dresses at church, cake and flowers arrive

1½ hours ahead:       formal portraits, signing of wedding certificate

½ hour ahead:           rest and relax, organist arrives and begins prelude, ushers begin seating people

as scheduled:            WEDDING SERVICE

after service:              move to reception, clean up, clear away personal belongings, flowers and accessories

PLAN B
(Pictures after the ceremony)

one hour ahead:       wedding party arrives, dresses at church, flowers and cake arrive

½ hour ahead:           bride and groom relax, sign certificate, organist arrives and begins prelude, ushers begin seating people

as scheduled:            WEDDING SERVICE

after service:              formal portraits, clean up, clear away personal belongings, flowers and accessories, move to reception

PLAN C (no formal pictures)

one hour ahead:       wedding party arrives, dresses at church, flowers and cake arrive

½ hour ahead:           bride and groom relax, sign certificate, organist arrives and begins prelude, ushers begin seating people

as scheduled:            WEDDING SERVICE

after service:              clean up, clear away personal belongings, flowers and accessories, move to reception

Please do not plan for flowers or cakes to arrive more than two hours ahead of your wedding time. If your needs call for you to have access to the church earlier than is scheduled, feel free to ask the wedding hostess if special arrangements can be made.

8. RESCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS

If your wedding plans change, you have the option of rescheduling your event to another available date if you notify the church at least thirty days prior to your scheduled wedding date. If you choose to cancel your reservation, refunds of $500.00 will be granted minus any expenses incurred (including, but not limited to , counseling fees, wedding hostess consultation fees, staff time costs) if the request for cancellation is made at least thirty days before your scheduled wedding date. No refunds will be made if cancellation request is made less than thirty days before your scheduled wedding date. Please notify the church Office Administrator of any desire to change your date or time.

9. CONFIRMATION OF WEDDING

If, after reading through this information, you would like to have your wedding here, please fill out a reservation form (available by contacting the church office at 503-648-9573) and your remittance of $775 (or $925 if a reception is also booked), by the date mentioned on the form. You will receive a confirmation letter and a copy of your reservation form after your remittance is received. Included will be the name and phone number of the officiating minister, the wedding hostess' name and phone number, and the rehearsal date and time.

A registration form, list of musicians and a map to the church is available by contacting the church office.