| Church details | About the church | Gates Chapel |
Weddings
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| Address: Parking: Contact: |
Ceremony
Capacity for The Sanctuary: |
Availability: Year-round, daily, 9:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; closed most major holidays |
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Catering:
BYO
with approval |
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Restrictions: Alcohol:
non-alcoholic beverages only |
Insurance: Not required for weddings; for meetings, a certificate of insurance is required |
In our post-millennial, hyper-tech world of fast-paced turnover, the only constant is change. Add to this the whirl of preparing for a marriage that's meant to last a lifetime, and you may feel a longing for a sense of stability, for something secure and traditional from which to launch your future. You are hereby invited into the welcoming atmosphere of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, whose faith and endurance began over 130 years ago. The very experienced staff will help you plan your wedding and ease you through the many necessary steps for making your day a joyous one. The congregation has a long history of active community involvement, including outreach programs and a health ministry that provides for those in need. When you celebrate your marriage here, you share in First United's "spirit-filled fellowship," and open and loving attitude that will set the right tone for your wedding. In 1953, the congregation built their current church on a lovely treelined street in a quiet Santa Monica neighborhood. A group of traditional brick buildings clusters around a garden courtyard of small lawns, shrubbery, and bright splashes of colorful flowers. Most couples are drawn to First UMC because of the striking Sanctuary with a wide center aisle. Rectangular light fixtures with white crosses hang from a vaulted wooden ceiling. The decor is clean and uncluttered, and soothing earth tones allow the dramatic stained-glass windows, loaded with colorful symbolism to have maximum impact. Intimate services can take place in the Chapel, lined with contemporary stained glass panels that look like abstract mosaics. The wooden A-frame Chapel also has a loft with a genuine pipe organ. First UMC has developed one of the most active and talented music programs in Southern California; you'll be grateful for the expert advice of their Music Director in planning this aspect of your ceremony. For receptions, First UMC has a large social hall that looks out onto the courtyard. Smaller receptions feel comfortable and cozy in the fireside Room, whose hearth is framed with brass and brick. There are many thoughtful touches that have earned praise for First UMC. In a nationwide search, the Parish/Congregation Study chose First United Methodist as an "Excellent Church," and the book Excellent Protestant Congregations also paid homage to First UMC. Even if you decide to take advantage of one of Santa Monica's many reception sites, you'll still want to consider First United Methodist for a meaningful church ceremony. |
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