Weddings at First UMC

Begin your wedding planning with us!

We believe marriage is a physical and spiritual commitment entered into within the worshipping community of faith and intended to be life-long.  We are committed to the equal treatment of all couples presenting themselves for the rite of marriage.  We welcome same-gender couples and guest couples of other denominations. All weddings will be conducted by the ordained clergy of FUMC.

Situated in the heart of downtown Pasadena, the church’s traditional Gothic-style Chapel and amphitheater-style Sanctuary feature beautiful pipe organs, glowing stained glass windows and convenient access to all of the city’s amenities. The Chapel features a center aisle, an open-beamed ceiling and seats 180 guests. The Sanctuary is a majestic space that seats up to 1400 under its soaring, vaulted ceiling. The Cloister, an open-air space enclosed by beautiful stone columns and architecture, is another option for smaller weddings.

Because the Sanctuary is not air conditioned, weddings may not be held there from May through September. The Chapel is air-conditioned and available during the summer months.

Scheduling and Fees

We would be happy to show you the Chapel and Sanctuary any time Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please phone the church office to let us know you are coming. 

To schedule your wedding, please contact the church at (626) 796-0157 or fill out the form to your right.

You will be asked to make a deposit of $500 and fill out a wedding application to make the reservation. When your wedding date and time have been confirmed, our Wedding Director will  confer with you on all the details concerning your ceremony. Weddings may be scheduled up to 12 months in advance. All  weddings must be booked no less than three months in advance. 

The fee for the wedding ceremony is $2,525 which includes the use of the church and fees for the Minister, Wedding Director, Organist, Sound Technician, Custodian Services ($1,675 for church members; the minister’s honorarium and amount is  discretionary for members). Any additional services are to be paid directly to the provider at the time of their service. The final  balance is due one month prior to your wedding date without exception. Your initial deposit will not be refunded if the wedding is canceled within three months of the wedding date. The church facilities will be available to you one hour before and two hours  after the service time printed on the invitation. If you require additional time for the service, you may request it in your wedding agreement at the rate of $100.00 per hour if the space is available. 

Other Details

  • All photographers, videographers, florists, ushers, guest attendants, outside wedding coordinators etc., are to cooperate directly with First UMC’s Wedding Director regarding the placement of their equipment (where applicable) and their decorum at the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony.  

  • We believe a wedding that takes place in a church is a service of Christian worship. Therefore the music for the service should be selected with the understanding that it is offered to the glory of God. Appropriate examples include musical settings of words from  Scripture or Christian prayers. Secular music may be included in the prelude and processional music if desired, provided that it does  not detract from the dignity of the setting and occasion. 

    The playing of recordings of any kind is not generally allowed during the  service. The fee for the church’s organist is included in the standard wedding fee. Additional musicians may perform, as discussed with the Organist, and are to be compensated separately, as appropriate. 

  • If you are interested in holding your reception at First UMC, please contact our Facilities Manager for more information and a fee schedule. In compliance with the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited on the church grounds at all times. First UMC is a smoke-free facility. 

  • We encourage you to decorate the ceremony space so long as your decorations do no harm to the facilities. Please use only non permanent methodologies to affix the decorations that will not damage wood, paint or other surfaces, as approved by the Wedding Director. We provide two brass candelabra, candles, and a stand for a unity candle (unity candle is not included). 

    Flowers (and catering, if holding a reception) are to be delivered no earlier than three hours and no later than one hour before the  service to: 

    The Sanctuary or the Chapel and your wedding party’s name. 

    FUMC Pasadena 
    500 E. Colorado Blvd. 
    Pasadena, Ca 91101 

    Please ensure that your floral decorations do not contain water that may spill and that only well-wrapped floral sponges are used to  keep live flowers hydrated. We request that only silk or other artificial flower petals be used by flower girls or for floor decoration. 

    For safety reasons, the use of aisle runners are not permitted on the premises.  

    For the safety of your wedding party and guests, no rice, birdseed or confetti may be thrown on the church premises. However,  bubbles are an acceptable substitution provided they are used only outside the building. 

  • Ample parking is available in the church parking lot on the southwest side of the building, accessible from Green or Los Robles next  to the church. Additional parking can be made available to accommodate your guest’s needs. 

  • In order to preserve the spirit of reverence and worship, photographs will not be taken during the wedding ceremony except from predetermined locations as discussed with the Wedding Director prior to the ceremony. Flash photography is only permitted before  & after the ceremony (not during). We encourage you to take your formal poses prior to the ceremony. Videotaping is allowed using existing lighting only in consultation with the Wedding Director. 

  • The United Methodist Church allows same-gender weddings to be held in church facilities and supports LGBTQIA+ clergy in officiating in worship services, including weddings. We welcome you to be married at First UMC, an affirming and welcoming space for all.

  • Wedding Deposits may be returned due to cancellation: 

    • 3 months or less to wedding date: NO refund 

    • 4-6 months to wedding date: $250 refunded 

    • 6+ months to wedding date: FULL refund