Celebrate Your Wedding
Weddings at First Church
First Church is a very special wedding venue located in the heart of bustling Uptown Oakland. The church’s campus can accommodate anything from very large weddings and receptions to smaller, more intimate gatherings. First Church will work with you to select a wedding venue package that is right for your special day.
A Center for Celebrations
The Sanctuary
Fellowship Hall + Kitchen
Reception Room
Session Room
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is an incredible space designed to make gatherings look incredible and feel special – just what you want on your wedding day! This historic, iconic space is perfect for a classic traditional wedding. We also welcome and perform same-gender and trans wedding ceremonies.
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is an incredible space designed to make gatherings look incredible and feel special – just what you want on your wedding day! This historic, iconic space is perfect for a classic traditional wedding. We also welcome and perform same-gender and trans wedding ceremonies.
Fellowship Hall + Kitchen
Fellowship Hall is a great place for large receptions and parties. When decorated for your special event, and filled with your family and friends, the Hall comes alive with celebration.
This space is frequently used for banquets, dances, large presentations, community activism/organizing, and musical recitals.
Reception Room
The Reception Room is great place to prepare a wedding party before the big event. It can also be used for small wedding receptions, with access to our commercial kitchen right across the courtyard.
The 1,500 square foot space can come equipped with microphones and an audio system, a large TV monitor and a grand piano. We can also provide table and chair set-up.
Reception Room
The Reception Room is great place to prepare a wedding party before the big event. It can also be used for small wedding receptions, with access to our commercial kitchen right across the courtyard.
The 1,500 square foot space can come equipped with microphones and an audio system, a large TV monitor and a grand piano. We can also provide table and chair set-up.
The Session Room
The Session Room comes included with every wedding venue rental. Located adjacent to the Sanctuary, this room serves as a convenient bridal ready room or as location for gathering the entire wedding party before or after a ceremony.
A small workroom adjacent to this space can be used for preparing floral arrangements and decorations. A small, private restroom is also a convenient amenity for a bridal party preparing for a ceremony. This room is comfortably furnished.
Wedding Venue Packages
All wedding venue packages come with the following items included:
- Microphones, public address system
- Table and seating set-up as needed
- Janitorial and security service
- Restrooms
- Parking (up to 38 vehicles in our lot/garage)
- Use of commercial loading zones
- Use of the front lawn for gathering, photos, event overflow
- Use of the courtyard for gathering, event overflow
- Beer and wine is permitted with some packages, liquor is not permitted by the city on our premises.
- Minimum of three hours for all venue rentals, additional time reserved hourly.
The Wedding Venue A(just the wedding)
This package includes the Sanctuary and the Session Room, and adjacent work areas. Includes one hour of rehearsal in the Sanctuary the day before plus 2 hours of decoration time.
- First three hours is $1,950
- Additional time is $350 per hour
- No food or beverage service for wedding guests is permitted
The Wedding Venue B(just the wedding with light entertaining)
This package includes the Sanctuary, the Session Room, adjacent work areas, Kitchen + the Reception Room. Includes one hour of rehearsal in the Sanctuary the day before, plus two hours of decoration time.
- First three hours is $2,350
Additional time is $500 per hour
Food and beverage service for wedding guests is permitted in the Reception Room & Session Room
The Wedding Venue C(a small wedding)
This package includes just the Reception Room, Session Room, adjacent workrooms, and Kitchen. Includes one hour of rehearsal in the reception room the day before plus two hours of decoration time.
- First three hours is $1,200
Additional time is $300 per hour
Food and beverage service is allowed
The Wedding Venue D(the wedding & the reception)
This package includes the Sanctuary, the Session Room, adjacent work areas, Kitchen and the Fellowship Hall. Includes one hour of rehearsal in the Sanctuary the day before, plus three hours of decoration time.
- First three hours are $3,250
- Additional time is $500 per hour
- Food and beverage service is allowed in the Fellowship Hall
The Wedding Venue E(this package includes the all spaces)
This package includes the Sanctuary, the Session Room, adjacent work areas, The Reception Room, Kitchen, and the Fellowship Hall. Includes one hour of rehearsal in the Sanctuary the day before, plus four hours of decoration time.
- First three hours are $4,125
- Additional time is $600 per hour
- Food and beverage service is allowed in the Session Room, Reception Room, and in Fellowship Hall
Additional Fees & Requirements
Clergy/Officiant & Other Staff
- Use of the church’s clergy is not included with your Wedding Venue Package. The venue rental is for use of space only. Requests for religious services involving the church’s clergy can be forwarded to the clergy.
- The church will provide one staff member to serve as wedding event coordinator for the duration of your event.
- The church will provide security and janitorial services.
Food & Beverage
- All caterers and beverage servers must have their own insurance policies. Certificates of insurance must be submitted three weeks prior to your wedding date.
- Liquor service or sales are not permitted.
- Use of the kitchen is for warming and cooling of food prepared elsewhere (i.e. “catering kitchen”). Cooking is not permitted.
- Smoking is not permitted on campus grounds.
Music & Instruments
- Use of the church’s musicians (organ or piano) – $300 per hour
- Use of the church’s pianos with your own musicians – $50 flat fee
- Use of the church’s organ with your own organist – $100 flat fee (organist must be approved by the church’s Director of Music).
- Live music or DJ music must conclude at 10 pm. Music at receptions must be consistent with the City of Oakland Noise Ordinance.
Decorations & Flowers
- No decorations of any kind can taped, stappled, nailed or otherwise affixed to the walls or furnishings of any venue space on the church campus.
- Throwing rice, birdseed, etc. is not allowed.
- Use of the sanctuary candelabra is allowed. You may also use your own “unity candles.” No other candles or flame are allowed anywhere on campus during the ceremony or reception.
- Use of the church’s flower stands and urns is allowed.
- Flowers, bunting and other decorations are allowed but may not be attached to walls or furnishings.
Tables, Chairs, Audio Equipment
- Table and chair set-up is included with your Wedding Venue Package. You may also use tables and chairs provided by your own catering company. No discount will be provided.
- The church will provide microphones and speakers for use during ceremonies. Inspection of the church’s audio equipment and microphones should be made prior to your event to determine suitability for your use
Reservations, Deposit, Insurance & Damages
The church will not hold reservations without receipt of deposit, insurance, and damage deposit as follows:
- A deposit equal to one-half of the Wedding Venue Package you have chosen must be submitted with your reservation. The remaining cost must be paid within three weeks of your wedding day.
- A damage deposit of $1K must be submitted with your reservation. This will be returned in full following your event if no damages have been reported to church property.
- Purchase of $1M event insurance is required. Certificate of insurance must be submitted within one week of your deposit and reservation or your reservation date will be forfeited and your deposit returned.
- Your reservation must include the amount of time needed for both set-up and take-down of your event.
- Exceeding your reserved time will result in additional charges.
Have Any Questions?
Please download the Weddings Application form PDF and fill out all the necessary fields. Send a copy of PDF by email or call 510-488-3810.