RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Weddings - Mt. Ararat Church
[email protected]
Your ultimate wedding experience begins at Shoal Creek Living History Museum where the powerful vision to honor and teach about Missouri's past comes to life in a romantic setting. At this historic destination in Hodge Park, the museum features 21 buildings established between 1807-1885. The log cabins and homes create an olden day village feel allowing you to walk around the museum while enjoying the scenery and the trails that line the park. Enjoy the shaded areas with your friends and say 'hello' to the wildlife that litter the park in the fall, spring, and summer.
For your wedding, Shoal Creek Living History Museum invites you into their wedding chapel called Ararat Church. It seats 100 people and makes for the perfect small and intimate wedding. Imagine yourself walking down the halls, past the pews, and onto the altar with a cross at the center as your share you vows in an intimate space. Experience the greatest collaboration between history and simplicity at Shoal Creek Living History Museum where your romance comes to life!
-Chapel Weddings-
Availability:
May through October excluding event weekends. Days available during the week are Friday evening and all day Saturday.
Required:
1. Complete the Facilities Rental Form and Facility Use Agreement Form.
Then submit the completed form to [email protected].
Rental Fee:
Chapel rental fee is $400. A $200 deposit must be paid by credit or debit card at the time the reservation is made. All invoices will be sent via Square. In the event of cancellation, the $200 deposit is non refundable. The remaining $200 rental fee must be paid within one week of reserved wedding date. The rental fee covers 2.5 hours to include your setup and cleanup times. The church must be left the way it was found.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR WEDDINGS AT SHOAL CREEK LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM:
(Please note that Shoal Creek Board members will be present to assist with all wedding activities)
1) Only 2 cars will be allowed to enter the park. Cars are to be parked behind the Thornton Mansion.
2) Golf carts can be provided to transport handicapped or elderly, from the parking lot to the church. We usually have 2-3 carts. Will just depend on how many volunteers we have to assist.
3) The wedding party would need to advise guests to wear comfortable shoes as the walk to the church is gravel.
4) Bathrooms are available and are located close to the church. They are heated and cooled.
5) If needed, the wedding party can change in the bathrooms.
6) The buildings in town can be opened however the gates would be locked and would allow for viewing only. Please request ahead of time.
7) Reenactors and skits will not be available during weddings.
-CHURCH-
1) The church does not have air conditioning so please keep that in mind when planning date and time.
2) The church does have electricity.
3) Decorations can be placed inside the church however no pins, tacks, nails, or tape can be used on any items or walls inside the church.
4) Candles are allowed and must be flameless.
5) Church must be left in the condition it was prior to the wedding.
-Outdoor Weddings-
Availability:
January though December excluding event weekends
Required:
1. Complete the Facility Use Agreement Form. Submit the completed Facility Use Agreement form to [email protected]
Outdoor Rental Fee:
Outdoor rental fee for a wedding is $200. A $100 nonrefundable deposit must be paid by credit or debit card at the time the reservation is made. All invoices will be sent via Square. The remaining $100 rental fee must be paid within one week of reserved wedding date.
Hours:
2.5 hours. This includes setup and cleanup
Suggested areas for Outdoor Weddings
A. Behind the Thornton Mansion.
B. Open field area next to the Grist Mill.
C. Front porch of the Thornton Mansion.
D. Arbor area next to Arnold House.
E. Any open area on the Museum grounds.
General guidelines for outdoor weddings.
1. Bathrooms are available and are located close to the Church. They are heated though out the winter months.
2. Weddings will be scheduled during daylight hours only. The park closes at sunset.
3. Cars will not be allowed to drive onto the museum grounds.
4. Golf carts will not be provided.
5. The buildings will not be opened.
6. Assistance will not be provided by Shoal Creek Association Members before or during the outdoor wedding however SCA Members will monitor at the conclusion of the wedding to ensure that the area used has been cleaned and that guests can exit Hodge Park, as the front gate is locked at sunset. Please bring trash bags, if needed, as they will not be provided.
7. Wedding arches, chairs, or other wedding decor may be used however decor cannot be nailed, tacked, or taped to any of the historical structures or items. If using canopies, prior approval from SCA is required for the use of ground stakes.
8. Use of open flame via candles or lanterns is prohibited however may use any type of flameless candles or lighting.
9. The wedding party would need to advise guests to wear comfortable shoes as the main walkways are gravel and there is a good distance from the parking lot to the buildings.
-Receptions-
1) We currently do not have a designated place to hold a reception however KC Park and Recreation does have a large shelter area that is located closer to the parking lot. Please view their website if interested in reserving.
2) If reserving the shelter, all vehicles would need to be removed from inside of the park. Shoal Creek Association does not assist with receptions.
