Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
Kensington Wedding Location1 Lawson Road
Kensington, CA 94707
Phone: 510/525-0302 x302
www.uucb.org
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Description
Although the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley is not actually in Berkeley, it’s right next door in neighboring Kensington, high in the hills overlooking a good portion of Berkeley, El Cerrito, Kensington and beyond. Several elements make this 1960s church popular for weddings: a large central atrium, an adjacent sanctuary with a magnificent Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, and an outdoor brick terrace with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay.
Larger ceremonies usually take place in the Sanctuary, whose one-of-a-kind, 2,752-pipe organ will make your walk down the aisle a memorable one. Nineteen rows of wooden pews face a recessed chancel area which functions as an altar. The chancel is dominated by a huge oak table with two bronze candelabras resting on its surface. To one side is a portable lectern, and to the other a wooden pulpit, decorated with fiery orange ceramic tiles. Smaller weddings use the Terrace or the Atrium with spectacular views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
When the ceremony’s over, the Atrium can be used for the reception or for champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Four towering rubber trees create a leafy canopy, and light from skylights filters in through the branches. In the room’s center, a black marble fountain lined with azure tiles bubbles softly while guests mingle. If you need more space or you’d like an outdoor reception, tables can also be set up on the Terrace. On a clear day, it’s one of the few places in the East Bay where you can dine while admiring vistas of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges or a divine sunset.
Two additional reception options are the Social Hall, which has room for more guests and a stage for a band, and the Fireside Room, which has a working fireplace and is suitable for small gatherings. You don’t have to be a Unitarian or a member of the congregation to be married here, and you may bring in your own officiant.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
|
Max. Seated Indoors: 400 Max. Seated Outdoors: 130 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 400 Max. Seated Outdoors: 130 Max. Standing Indoors: 300 Max. Standing Outdoors: 175 |
Max. Seated: 400 |
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CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Sanctuary holds 400 seated, the Atrium 175 seated, the Terrace 130 seated, and the Fireside Room up to 75 seated. |
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Fees & Deposits
A $100 nonrefundable booking deposit is required to secure your date. Half of the total fees are due when the room reservation agreement is signed; the event balance is payable 1 month prior to the event.
Room rental fees for ceremonies range $480–1,000; fees for ceremonies with receptions range $1,200–3,000. There is a $250 refundable security deposit; organist/pianist charges are additional.
Availability
Year-round, daily. Events are scheduled around the Church’s programmed functions. Events on Saturdays take place 10am–10pm and on Sundays 3pm–10pm. Fees increase sharply after 10pm.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOSites UsesBusiness Functions/MeetingsCeremonies Wedding Receptions Rehearsal Dinners Special Events, Parties Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYO, must be approvedKitchen Facilities: fully equipped, no utensils Tables & Chairs: CBA, extra fee Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO Restrooms: wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: in Social Hall, Atrium or Terrace Bride's & Groom's Dressing Area: yes Meeting Equipment: PA, VCR and screen Parking: large lot, 200 spaces Accommodations: no guestrooms Telephone: emergency use only Outdoor Night Lighting: access only Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no Cleanup: caterer or renter View: panorama of SF Bay and region |
MusicIndoorsw/ Restrictions Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsCityscapeOcean/Bay Panoramic RestrictionsAlcohol: BYO; beer, wine and champagne onlySmoking: outside, designated areas Music: amplified OK indoors only until 10pm Wheelchair Access: yes Insurance: certificate of insurance required Other: no hard alcohol, rice, glitter, birdseed or confetti; no open flames |
Wondering what CBA or BYO means?
510/525-0302 x302
www.uucb.org
Email or request a proposal for your event from Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
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