YOSEMITE CHAPEL WEDDINGS AND MARRIAGE RENEWALS

ONLY official website www.yosemitevalleychapel.org
(This is our ONLY official website and we do not honor any other sites who claim to be the Yosemite Chapel).
Questions? Call: 209-372-4831 (ask for Faith)

Congratulations as you make plans for your wedding or marriage renewal ceremony!  We are pleased that you are considering the chapel as a possible site for this special occasion.  For over a century, this humble house of God has served as both beacon and clarion, brightly shining and triumphantly declaring the love of God to those who live here and those who visit.

By way of introduction, we want to familiarize you with us in a general way and specifically as it relates to the use of the chapel for weddings and marriage renewals.  Doing so will allow you to have the information you need to determine if the chapel is the most suitable location and setting for your special day.

OUR BACKGROUND
The History of Yosemite Community Church: The chapel was built in 1879 by those who recognized that the God who created our wonderful surroundings is even more incredible than His creation.  As the psalmist declares “O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places” (Psalm 68:35).  The chapel would serve as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike who understood that by opening to God’s love and embracing His plan for our lives we can know Him personally, fellowship with Him ongoing and worship Him eternally.  Over the years we have maintained that emphasis and, to this day, Yosemite Community Church continues to be a church where God’s children are welcome, Christ Jesus our Savior is exalted and His Word is proclaimed.  All for the glory of God.

The Mission of Yosemite Community Church: Be a caring community of believers serving as a center for spiritual growth and renewal where those who live, work and visit in Yosemite National Park may encounter the living Christ through joyful worship, Bible study and regular fellowship. While striving to bring others to Christ by invitation and example, we are called to minister to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of every person as God gives us strength and direction through the Holy Spirit.

The Ministry of Yosemite Community Church: Our ministry, the activities associated with the chapel, are by definition an outflow of our mission which, in turn is born out of the purpose for which the chapel was originally established.  Therefore, services and ceremonies conducted in the chapel, by nature, must reflect that mission and purpose which adhere to the basic tenets of the Christian faith.  As that relates to weddings and marriage, God tells us in His Word that He ordained the union of a man and a woman in holy matrimony and marriage represents the relationship between Christ and His Bride, which is His Church.  The information provided below, outlining practices and policies consistent with our mission and ministry, will ensure that we have met our responsibility to help you have a meaningful ceremony and that you have established a foundation upon which you can grow together in your new life as husband and wife.

GETTING STARTED
We are able to make reservations for up to 13 months prior to your wedding or marriage renewal. NO WEDDING MAY BE CONDUCTED ON THE CHAPEL LAWN OR GROUNDS.  THIS IS NOT A SITE WHERE WEDDINGS MAY BE CONDUCTED AS PER THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL PERMITS.

The National Park Service requires that you obtain a Special Use Permit for all weddings and renewals in Yosemite National Park.  For information and application, please call the Special Park Use Office at 209-379-1854.

CHAPEL FACILITIES
The chapel seats approximately 125 persons and has a center aisle (approximately 4' x 40'), altar, organ, baby grand piano, and simple worship setting. There is only one rest room, which is used by the public. Because this bathroom must meet the needs of not only the wedding or marriage renewal party, but also guests, the church staff, and the public in general, it is not possible to use the rest room as a dressing room to prepare for your wedding or marriage renewal.  You should arrive at the chapel already dressed and fully ready for the ceremony.  There is no side room for the Bride to wait in prior to the ceremony.  The chapel is wheelchair accessible by a wheelchair lift (elevator).
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OFFICIATING MINISTER AND CEREMONIES
Our commitment to the mission and ministry of Yosemite Community Church carries with it our desire to bless you, encourage you and assist you in this important planning process.

We book wedding every day of the week.

PRE-MARRIAGE COUNSELING
We wish for you to have a lovely, memorable wedding day and we pray that you have a good, solid, growing marriage. Premarital counseling is intended to equip you with the tools and skills you will need to grow together.  Therefore, premarital counseling is required before your wedding in the chapel.  To facilitate this valuable aspect of your future health and vitality as a couple, and to provide you an opportunity to meet with the minister prior to your wedding, we offer a one-day Marriage Enrichment Seminar.  This seminar is held in the chapel the first Saturday of each month (there is no seminar in January, July or September).  History, experience and feedback from participants tells us you will find the seminar time well worth your while.  The seminar begins at 8:15 a.m. and is over at approximately 4:30 p.m. There is a one-hour break around noon for lunch. Due to the limited lunch hour and the driving time involved to return to the chapel on the one-way loop, we encourage you to bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on the chapel grounds.  In addition, we provide two refreshment breaks.  Typically, 5 to 20 couples attend the seminar. Unfortunately, child care is not available and we ask that you do not bring infants or children to the seminar.

The seminar consists in part of the following:

• Practical, positive ideas to further enhance marriage communication and conflict resolution skill

• The “death” and “rebirth” of a marriage

• Informal discussions

• Thought-provoking and fun worksheets

• The potential of a “maximum marriage” through the nurturing of our three basic human dimensions

• Christian values in marriage

• Review of the wedding ceremony and comments on rehearsals

• Distribution of books and materials

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FEES AND SCHEDULING
The following fees, payable to Yosemite Community Church, may or may not be applicable to your given situation, but are listed here for your information:

Using Our Minister:

USING YOUR MINISTER:

I will need one of these three items from your minister.

1. Proof of ordination    2. Proof of license   3. A letter on your ministers letterhead. You pay the minister yourself. 

All checks should be payable to YOSEMITE COMMUNITY CHURCH

To confirm your reservation immediately, you may send a check for the total applicable amount along with your CHAPEL RESERVATION REQUEST FORM.  This will allow us to confirm your reservation immediately assuming the date and time requested are available. You may call the church office to check the availability and arrange a tentative date and time.  We will hold tentative reservations for 30 days to allow couples time to firm up their plans.  To confirm a tentative reservation, please return the pink CHAPEL RESERVATION REQUEST FORM, along with your payment for all applicable fees.  Please make your check payable to the Yosemite Community Church and mail to P.O. Box 456, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389.  We will send you a confirmation of your reservation via your e-mail address.
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CANCELLATIONS AND SCHEDULE CHANGES
We hope you do not have to cancel your reservation; but if you do, please let us know in writing as soon as possible so we may make the chapel available to others. If we receive the notice of your cancellation at least 30 days before your wedding reservation, 50 percent of the chapel and minister's fees and 100 percent of all other unused fees will be refunded. If you notify us of your cancellation or schedule change less than 30 days before your wedding reservation, all fees are non-refundable. Mail cancellation to: Yosemite Community Church, P.O. Box 456, Yosemite CA 95389.
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ON YOUR WEDDING OR MARRIAGE RENEWAL DAY
Please arrive at the chapel 30 minutes before the starting time of your ceremony to meet with our minister so the ceremony can begin on time. Weddings and renewals are scheduled 90 minutes apart. You will have the chapel reserved one-half hour before, and ending one hour after, the scheduled time of your ceremony. For example, if your ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m., then your reservation is from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. The last ten minutes of your reserved time must be set aside for clean-up.  Remember that the road in front of the chapel is one-way. If you are driving from the Yosemite Village area, give yourself plenty of time to drive to the El Capitan crossover and then to the chapel. There will be ample time for your wedding and pictures if you begin on time. Your chapel reservation is only for the time that has been set and it is likely that the chapel will be in use for other services during the periods immediately preceding and immediately following your wedding.
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REHEARSAL
Because rehearsals are reviewed during the Marriage Enrichment Seminars, our minister does not usually attend rehearsals.  However, special arrangements for his attendance may be made directly with him.  Please note that a rehearsal fee is charged to cover his time and travel.  You will have the opportunity to discuss the ceremony with him at the Marriage Enrichment Seminar or the private counseling.  If you wish to schedule a rehearsal, please contact the church office 209-372-4831.  There is no additional rental fee for scheduling a rehearsal.  Rehearsals are scheduled for one hour only.  They are usually scheduled at 6:30 PM or at 7:30 PM (although sometimes our calendar allows an alternate time).
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MUSIC
You are free to provide whatever music you wish for your ceremony (including instruments, tape players, etc.) as long the volume and selections are within reason of what one would expect to hear in a chapel. A list of local area musicians (and other services) is enclosed for your reference.
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CHAPEL DECORATIONS AND FLOWERS
Because the chapel is small, we recommend that flower arrangements be kept to a minimum. The chapel has two freestanding candelabras for your use. Candles are rented (see FEES AND SCHEDULING).  If you plan to light a Unity Candle during the ceremony, bring one 3" base candle, the side candles will be rented and are the chapels property.  NO tape or tacks are permitted in decorating. Nothing is allowed that will leave any remaining "print" on the chapel. No decorations are permitted on the piano or organ and these instruments are not to be moved from their fixed locations.  No use of candles is permitted outside the altar area.  NO REAL FLOWER PETALS CAN BE USED INSIDE THE CHAPEL, YOU MAY USE SILK FLOWER PETALS ONLY.

RICE THROWING, ETC.
The throwing of rice, birdseed, flower petals, balloons, confetti, etc., is not permitted, either inside the chapel or on the chapel grounds.

NO RECEPTIONS AT THE CHAPEL
There is no area in which you are permitted to have a reception at the chapel.  PARK SERVICE PERMITS NO refreshments or food of any kind, NO EATING OR DRINKING AT THE CHAPEL OR ANYWHERE IN THE GROUNDS INCLUDING THE PARKING LOT.

PETS
PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CHAPEL!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

PARK ENTRANCE FEE
Please inform your wedding or marriage renewal party and guests that everyone will be required to pay applicable National Park Service vehicle entrance fees to enter the park.

MARRIAGE LICENSE
You must bring your California Marriage License (issued within 90 days of your ceremony) with you to your wedding ceremony (California residency is not required for a marriage license).  The minister must have your license before your ceremony can begin.  A Standard License may be obtained from the County Clerk in any California county.  (If you should desire a Confidential License for use in Yosemite, you must obtain that license at the Mariposa County Courthouse (209-966-2007) in the town of Mariposa, CA.)

RECEPTIONS AND LODGING
The chapel has no facilities for wedding receptions and none are allowed on the chapel grounds or in the parking lot. Arrangements for a reception can be handled directly with Yosemite Concessions Services Corporation. You can call their Special Functions Department at (559) 253-5673. For hotel reservations within the park, call (559) 252-4848.

SEASONAL CONSIDERATIONS
During winter, be prepared for snowy and icy conditions by carrying the required tire chains in all vehicles. The local 24-hour recorded road and weather information telephone number is 209-372-0200.  It is especially important during the winter months for all those who attend your ceremony to be prepared with outdoor footgear since the paths to the chapel may be snow or ice covered.

IN WINTER TIRE CHAINS ARE REQUIRED.  THEY MUST BE CARRIED IN YOUR VEHICLE EVEN IF CONDITIONS ARE NOT SNOWY OR THE ROADS SHOW NO SIGNS OF SNOW OR ICE.

Please also be aware that during peak visitation periods, such as holidays and the summer months, you should plan for extra travel time due to increased traffic into the park and possible delays at the park entrances.

In planning your travel to Yosemite National Park, please call the recorded Road and Weather line of the park at 209-372-0200 for the most up-to-date information.

QUESTIONS?
If you have further questions, please call our office at (209) 372-4831. If we are not available to take your call when you phone, please leave a message on our voice mail and we will call you back as soon as possible.

Thank you for your interest, for allowing us to share with you and for respecting the policies and practices outlined above.  We pray that God will guide you as you plan and bless you as you honor Him in your lives.
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YOSEMITE COMMUNITY CHURCH
P.O. Box 456
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
(209) 372-4831

Rev. 08-25-05

LOCAL FLORISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, MUSICIANS, & HAIR

The Yosemite Community Church as a courtesy provides this list of local resources if you desire floral, photography, hair and makeup or music services for your wedding.  All arrangements and fees are made directly with the individuals.  The Yosemite Community Church cannot be held responsible for arrangements or correctness of information.  We recommend that you perform your own due diligence prior to signing a contract.

 Revised 8-24-05                                                

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Last Updated:09/09/2006