Unity Center
600 Palm Drive, Hamilton Center
Novato, CA 94949
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Contact: Event Manager
Phone: 415/475-5000
www.unityinmarin.com
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Why We Like This Place
Step back in time to the sun-kissed days when California belonged to Spain and town centers displayed flowing fountains, colonnades, bell towers, gardens and charming baroque façades. The Unity Center invites you to do just that. Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Novato, this Marin County wedding venue includes a chapel; the spacious Unity Hall for receptions; a commercial kitchen; and a lawn and courtyard with fountain, garden and shaded colonnade.
The chapel, which blends pleasingly with the Spanish Colonial-style buildings in the adjacent town center, is surrounded by roses, wisteria, palms and a broad lawn. Its charming interior welcomes ceremonies and/or receptions, with light-colored walls and cushioned chairs for flexible seating. Windows line the top of each side wall, bringing in views of the ever-changing sky. Pendant chandeliers, suspended from a spectacular exposed-wood-beam ceiling, cast up and down lighting. The room’s ambiance is further enhanced by an ethereal half-dome ceiling over the maple-floored chancel/stage area.
The balcony is backlit by a colorful stained-glass window with an arch of clear glass beneath it. Old pews from the original Hamilton Chapel have been restored for additional seating. To the side, a state-of-the-art media booth controls a world-class sound system, theater lights and a rear-lit projection screen. The 8′ x 10′ screen, designed to be a discreet architectural element over the chancel area, appears as an opaque window when not in use. With this sophisticated AV system, you can project favorite photos, engagement pictures, videos or background images prior to or during the ceremony or reception.
In the vestibule area, there’s a soundproof family or “cry” room. This carpeted area has a picture window that allows families with babies or crying children a comfortable place from which to view the ceremony. Adjoining the chapel is a bride’s room with its own bathroom and full-length mirror, perfect for treasured moments of privacy and as a place to change before and after the wedding.
Unity Hall is ideal for receptions and banquets, and can also be partitioned into four smaller meeting rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple doors offer views of the courtyard, while other windows look out to the back hillside. The countertops and granite serving counter work well for buffets, and the adjacent full-size commercial kitchen—with all new appliances—can accommodate any caterer.
Outdoor weddings are easily arranged here because Unity, in a masterstroke, added a grassy courtyard with a fountain as its centerpiece, then built a covered walkway to enclose it. With unobtrusive built-in lighting and sound, the courtyard can be used any time of day.
The campus’ newest addition is the Meditation Garden, a beautiful backdrop for photos. A wisteria-covered trellis beckons you down a winding path through naturally landscaped gardens. Wooden benches along the way encourage you to relax and enjoy the surrounding native trees, flowers and greenery.
Unity Center is both romantic and spiritually uplifting. When you come by for a visit, take a moment to sit on a bench near the fountain and appreciate how deftly this venue has melded past and present together. We think its combination of carefully rendered classical Mission architecture and cutting-edge facilities is hard to beat.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
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Max. Seated Indoors: 300 Max. Seated Outdoors: 300 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 210 Max. Seated Outdoors: 300 Max. Standing Indoors: 275 Max. Standing Outdoors: 400 |
Max. Seated: 300 |
|
CEREMONY CAPACITY: Several spaces accommodate 50–300 seated guests. EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Unity Center can accommodate 80–210 seated or 150–275 standing guests indoors, and 80–300 seated or 400 standing outdoors. MEETING CAPACITY: The chapel holds up to 300 seated theater-style, 200 for a sit-down banquet or up to 80 seated classroom-style. Unity Hall holds up to 145 seated theater-style, 120 for a sit-down banquet or 50 seated conference-style. |
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Fees & Deposits
50% of the rental fee is required to reserve your event date. The rental balance and a $150–900 refundable security deposit are due 30 days prior to the event. Venue rental fees start at $1,200 and vary depending on spaces selected, date of your event and guest count. Optional catering packages with preferred vendors start at $85/person and include: several menu options to fit your taste and budget; beverage and coffee service; linens; table service; wedding cake; DJ; event waitstaff and banquet coordination.
Availability
Year-round, daily, 7am–midnight; extended hours can be negotiated.
CateringProvidedBYO AlcoholBYOLocation UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/AmenitiesCatering: provided, or BYO licensed and full-service |
Amplified MusicIndoorsOutdoors w/ Restrictions Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsFountain/Water FeatureGarden Patio/Courtyard Hills Landscaped Grounds Venue TypeBanquet Hall/Events FacilityChurch/Chapel/Temple Conference Center Garden RestrictionsAlcohol: BYO or through caterer |
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