OUR FACILITY
In addition to the sanctuary, the church provides a comfortable room (the Fireside Room) in which to relax prior to the ceremony. This room is also suitable for pictures. Below are links to a virtual tour and a slideshow of St. John's beautiful facility.
CHURCH COORDINATOR
A St. John’s Church Coordinator will be assigned to you once your $200 facility deposit and $250 security deposit along with the completed wedding agreement has been turned in. Their function is to welcome you as our guests, help you feel comfortable in our church home, answer any questions that you may have regarding your ceremony at St. John's, arrange any reasonable requests and needs, coordinate details of your ceremony (if necessary), and is ultimately responsible for insuring the safety of all guests and the building during the rehearsal and wedding.
THE REHEARSAL
The rehearsal is usually the evening before the wedding, however exceptions can be made. The rehearsal will begin when all the principal participants are present, but may last no more than one hour. Please stress to your party the importance of being on time, and make your plans keeping in mind that traffic is unpredictable. The officiant directs the first half of the rehearsal, the church coordinator directs the second half. All ceremony details should be worked out before the rehearsal, so that there is no confusion or erroneous cues for the ceremony.
RECEPTION
St. John’s has two reception halls. For fees, availability and restrictions, please request information from the church office.
DIRECTIONS:
For directions and a map to St. John’s, go to www.stjohnssf.org/directions.html.
SANCTUARY USE: AMENITIES
SOUND SYSTEM:
While the acoustics in our sanctuary are superb, we can provide a microphone for the officiant and any readers to be heard. Upon request, our staff will be glad to provide headsets for the hearing impaired.
SET-UP:
For an extra fee, extra chairs may be set up in the sanctuary for extra guests. A request for extra chairs must be arranged in advanced with the church coordinator.
KNEELER:
A kneeling bench is also available for your use. Please make prior arrangements for the use of the kneeler.
FLOWERS:
There are no restrictions regarding flowers in the sanctuary. However, as St. John’s sanctuary has its own beauty, excessive flowers are not necessary. Florist can deliver flowers one hour prior to the ceremony time.
CANDLES:
Two seven-branched candelabras with white candles are included in the fee. If you would like a Unity Candle, you must provide it. Insurance restrictions permit only the use of candles provided by the church with the exception of the Unity Candle.
BRIDE’S DRESSING AREA:
The Library is made available to the bride to get ready, change, or just relax without be disturbed. The library/changing room can be locked to secure any valuables or gifts during the ceremony. St. John’s is not responsible for valuables and clothing brought to the church. St. John’s is completely accessible to those with physical challenges.
RESTROOMS/WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:
There are adequate bathrooms on the lower level of the building plus a wheelchair accessible bathroom located on the main floor. There is ramp access at the entrance of the church.
PARKING:
There are two nearby handicapped spaces. A “white area” in the front of the church is available for drop-off or for a waiting limousine. There is a fair amount of on-street parking east of the church. As an added precaution, you may suggest in your invitation that guests plan to arrive early enough in case an event near the church makes parking two or three blocks away necessary. However, we have not found parking a problem, even for very large weddings.
RESTRICTIONS
SANCTUARY DECORATIONS:
Throughout the church year, seasonal decorations will be displayed in the sanctuary. While these will be changed without notice, they will always be tasteful and appropriate. For an extra fee, the decorations can be removed.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOTAPING:
So that you are not disturbed during the ceremony, photographs must be taken from the back of the church only (down the center and side aisles) throughout the ceremony and no flash used during the ceremony. Entrance and exit photos may be taken from different positions. Both before and after the ceremony, the sanctuary is available (during your scheduled 3 hours) for photographs. Video taping is welcomed, but must remain stationary and unobtrusive.
RICE, ROSE PETALS AND AISLE RUNNER:
For insurance reasons, the church does not permit the throwing of rice or birdseed, releasing of balloons, etc., inside the building or anywhere on church property. Rose petals, fake or real, are also not permitted. An aisle runner may only be used with proof of insurance taken out by the wedding party.
CHAPEL USE
Amenities and restrictions are similar to those for the use of the sanctuary. One major difference is the set-up of 50 chairs which is included in the fee. Please contact the church office for a tour of the chapel.
|
