wedding planner - Christ Lutheran Church

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
WEDDING PLANNER
Congratulations!
Dear Bride and Groom,
Congratulations and God’s richest blessings to both of you as you plan
your wedding here at Christ Lutheran!
We believe that Christian marriage was designed by God Himself. A
marriage that is firmly founded on Christ and His Word is one of the
closest things to heaven on earth. It deserves careful preparation and
planning. The Bible says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its
builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
This booklet will be particularly helpful as you begin the planning
process. It will answer many of your questions and provide useful advice and information. Please read it carefully in preparation for your
upcoming meetings. We look forward to helping you plan your wedding and prepare for Christian marriage.
Blessings in Christ!
Pastor Daryn
Pastor Andrew
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Table of Contents
Initial Planning Process
Date ........................................................................................................ 4
Pastor ...................................................................................................... 4
Musician ................................................................................................. 4
Premarital Classes .................................................................................. 4
Marriage License .................................................................................... 5
Wedding Guidelines
Worship Environment . ........................................................................... 6
Wedding Party ........................................................................................ 7
Rehearsal ................................................................................................. 8
Wedding Day .......................................................................................... 9-11
Planning the Wedding Service
Order of Wedding Service ...................................................................... 12
Wedding Bulletin ................................................................................... 12
Suggest Scripture Readings ................................................................... 13
Music at Your Wedding .......................................................................... 14
Wedding Reception ......................................................................... 15
Fees ........................................................................................................ 15
Christ Lutheran Church
1208 West 14th Street
Marshfield WI 54449
Phone: 715-384-3535
Fax: 715 384-6945
Website: www.chr istmar shfield.or g
Pastor Daryn Email: pastor _dar [email protected]
Pastor Andrew email: pastor [email protected]
Church email: chr ist.mar [email protected]
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Initial Planning Process
Date
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Select several tentative dates/times.
Call church office to discuss dates/times and to complete short information form that
reserves your date/time. (A ny changes made to rehearsal/wedding date or time must be
submitted in writing to the church office no later than three months before the date).
Reserve date at church before any other plans are made.
Check with the Pastor prior to making arrangements with your photographer, florist,
videographer to clarify any initial concerns.
If you do not have a time picked out, please inform the office as early as possible.
Pastor
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The Pastor is responsible for and officiates all weddings.
If, for personal reasons, you wish to have other clergy participate in your wedding,
please discuss with the Pastor.
Musicians
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The engaged couple will be responsible for contacting musicians and arranging a
meeting to select music for their ceremony. (The Pastor can offer suggestions of
organists/pianists).
Recorded music can be played with approval from the Pastor. (Make sure to assign
someone the job of hitting play and stop. They should attend rehearsal).
Premarital Classes
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All couples married at Christ Lutheran are required to complete at least three
Premarital Classes. The engaged couple sets up times for the classes with the Pastor.
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Marriage License
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Apply for license up to thirty days before the wedding.
You will receive a License Worksheet from the County Office. Give the Pastor the License
Worksheet the night of your rehearsal.
The following requirements must be met upon making the application:
1. Birth certificate with your mother’s maiden name.
2. Driver’s license or Wisconsin I.D. with your current address.
3. Judgment of Divorce if either party has been divorced. A six month waiting period
is required in the State of Wisconsin.
4. Death Certificate if spouse is deceased.
5. Blood tests are no longer required.
6. Applicants between the ages of 16-18 must have parental consent of legal guardian’s
consent. The consent forms are available in the County Clerk’s Office for a fee of
$.50 and must be signed by both parents of legal guardian.
7. License fee: $75.00.
Application must be made in the county where at least one party has resided for at least
thirty days. They may be married in any county in the state.
License worksheet is signed by best man and maid/matron of honor, or two other people
chosen by the couple.
After the marriage, the Pastor will send the signed worksheet to the Register of Deeds in
the county in which you were married. Their office will then produce your official
marriage license.
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Wedding Guidelines
Worship Environment
Christ Lutheran Church is used by many groups in a variety of settings. Staff involved in
wedding services will support you, your family, and guests to make this day a wonderful
memory for all. A set of guidelines has been established to ensure that all services/events run
as smoothly as possible, with a minimum of last minute surprises and/or complications. The
Pastor can assist you with any additional items that may not be covered in this planner.
General Information
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Rearrangement of church furnishings is not permitted.
Altar paraments/banners/seasonal floral arrangements/greenery/seasonal decorations may
not be rearranged or removed. Most decorations should not adversely affect the service or
photos. (Please inform your florist and photographer of these policies).
No decorations are to be fastened to the woodwork of furnishings of the Sanctuary.
Arches/trellises and balloons will be allowed only in the Narthex.
Use of rice, birdseed, glitter, or similar items, is not permitted inside the building or outside
on Church grounds.
No animals permitted in Church building or on Church property. (Service dogs allowed
with permission).
No smoking per mitted anywhere in the building or the outside grounds, including
sidewalk areas and under the canopy entrance.
There will be NO DRINKING OF ALCOHOL OR USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS in the
building or on Church property. Please note: If any members of the wedding party show
evidence of alcohol or drug use, they will NOT be allowed to participate in the wedding
ceremony. It is the couple’s responsibility to see that the wedding party abides by this
policy.
Decorations
Candles: The following candles are available for a $50 donation to the Church.
 Pew Candles
 Two Standing Candelabras (six candle)
 Two Altar Candelabra (three candle)
Flowers for the Chancel area may be placed on the floor or on flower stands.
 No flowers should be placed on or attached to Altar furnishings.
 Please inform the office if your flowers will remain for Sunday Worship Services.
Aisle Runners are per mitted and should be provided by the couple. The aisle is 100 feet
long. Vinyl plastic runners are NOT recommended. Be prepared to securely fasten the aisle
runner to the front of the aisle by the stairs.
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Wedding Guidelines
The Wedding Party
General Information
Please inform your wedding party of the following guidelines:
 Your wedding is a worship service.
 Arrive on time for all activities. (Provide map.)
 No food or drink permitted in the Sanctuary.
 Please leave rooms that are used for dressing or snacks as you found them.
 The Church is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Keep valuables in a safe place.
 Rehearsal and wedding day arrival attire may be informal, but respectful of the premises.
 It is helpful to have a written agenda for your wedding party so they know expectations/
procedures/dates/places/directions/times for each activity.
A Dressing Room will be available the day of your ceremony. The Br ide’s Room is
available the day before to hang the gowns.
 Male attendants can use the Fellowship Hall or Music Room to gather and relax
 Female attendants may dress at church in the Bride’s Room. (There is direct access to the
women’s bathroom from the Bride’s Room).
 Please leave these rooms and restrooms as you found them.
 Please take all personal items with you after the wedding.
Ring Bearer/Flower Girl: Any plans to include children as r ing bearer or flower gir ls
needs to be discussed with the Pastor
 The children will be seated with an adult relative after the processional.
 We request that the rings be held by the best man.
 If the flower girl will be scattering flowers, they must be silk or dried flowers.
 The couple is responsible for cleanup of scattered flowers.
Ushers are included in the wedding par ty and should ar r ive at the same time as the
wedding party for photographs. They have many responsibilities on the wedding day.
 Please select mature persons who are decisive and able to inspire confidence.
 One usher for every 50 guests is recommended and may be male or female. Groomsmen
should not act as ushers.
 Duties include seating guests, distributing wedding bulletins, and assisting persons with
special needs.
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Wedding Guidelines
Wedding Rehearsal
The Rehearsal is to help prepare the wedding party for the wedding service.
General Information
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Rehearsal date/time is set in conjunction with the Pastor. Rehearsals are usually held the
day before the wedding.
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Rehearsals begin on time and take approximately 45 minutes depending on the number of
participants in the wedding party.
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We will pray for your marriage and ceremony, review the church wedding guidelines, explain arrival times, practice the service, and discuss wedding day procedures.
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Attire at the rehearsal may be informal but respectful of the premises.
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Men’s hats/caps should be removed when entering the Church facility.
Who Should Attend?
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All participants are requested to be present, including parents, ushers, and Scripture readers.
A stand-in is required for anyone arriving late.
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Musicians are encourage to attend the rehearsal.
Suggested Items To Bring
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The wedding dress and bridesmaids gowns
Bulletins
Decorations
Marriage License Worksheet
Rehearsal Dinner
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If you would like your rehearsal dinner to be held at church, please let the Office Manager
know. A fee may be required.
See page 15 (under Wedding Reception) for additional guidelines for using the Fellowship
Hall.
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Wedding Guidelines
The Wedding Day
Congratulations! The day has ar r ived and all your planning will allow you to enjoy ever y
moment of this day. The following items will assist you in the final details.
General Information
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The building will be opened as needed prior to the wedding service. (Please inform the
Pastor at what time you plan to arrive so that the door can be unlocked).
Christ Lutheran is a smoke free building, including outside property, sidewalks and
entryways.
No alcohol or illegal drug use permitted on the premises (including the parking lot). No
one under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be allowed to participate in the wedding.
If you would like to invite the Pastor, organist and/or other participants to your wedding
reception, an invitation should be sent to them.
Decorations
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Under some circumstances you may be able to set-up decoration the day before the
ceremony. Please let the Pastor know if this is something you would like to do. Otherwise
decorations should be set-up the morning of the service.
All decorations must be removed before leaving the church.
Snacks
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It is strongly recommended that couples provide a light snack (non-sticky
finger food) for the wedding party. Suggested snacks: small sandwiches,
cheese and crackers, cookies, grapes (or other non-staining fruit), bottled
water, lemonade. Please provide paper products for the snack items.
An area will be designated for the wedding party to enjoy a light snack. Please designate
persons to clean this area prior to the wedding service.
No food or drink is permitted in the Sanctuary at any time.
Host/Hostess
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You may choose to designate a host/hostess to greet guests, direct them to the Sanctuary,
and take any cards/gifts.
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Wedding Gifts
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If requested, a room can be designated to place wedding gifts.
Christ Lutheran is not responsible for gifts; they are the couple’s responsibility.
Please designate persons to be with the gifts and remove gifts after the wedding.
Photographs
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Photos may be taken before or after the service.
Please have wedding party, ushers, and family members on time for the photo session.
Please inform the Pastor if you desire him to be in your photos.
Video Taping
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Video taping is permitted but must not intrude on the ceremony.
No cameras are permitted on the chancel floor or steps during the ceremony.
Video taping must be done from a stationery tripod at the side of Sanctuary. Hand-held
video cameras are permitted at the rear of the Sanctuary.
No extra lighting may be set-up.
Audio CD
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An audio CD of the service will be made and given to you.
Projector
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The projector in the Sanctuary may be used only for song/service related texts.
Overnight Parking
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Vehicles, cars, trucks or motorcycles, left on the Church grounds overnight need to have
their license plate number given to the office or the police may tow them away at the
owner’s expense.
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Seating of Guests
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Ushers begin seating guests approximately 20 minutes prior to the service.
The couple may determine special seating arrangements and assignment of ushers for
family and honored guests which may include:
Grandparents of Groom
Grandparents of Bride
Parents of Groom
Parents of Bride
Other honored guests
Special seating of designated persons begins ten minutes prior to the ceremony.
Keep the pews balanced
Final Instructions
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Please try to make every effort to start the Wedding on time.
No gum chewing during service
Men should keep hands in front of them. No change or keys in pockets.
The wedding party forms the processional line in the Narthex two minutes prior to the
service.
Ushering Guests After Service
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Ushers may assist ushering guests from the Sanctuary.
The couple may usher in place of a receiving line.
Receiving Line
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Receiving lines are requested to be kept simple.
Please have the church vacated two hours after the service so the church can be set up for
Sunday Worship Services.
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Planning the Wedding Service
Your wedding ceremony is a worship service which contains many of the fundamental aspects
of Christian worship. The Pastor will review a sample wedding service with you during one of
your first appointments with him. That sample wedding service allows for Christian music
and Scripture passages which may be particularly meaningful to the two of you. A basic order
of service would look like the following:
Order of Service
Prelude
Processional
Invocation
Salutation and Prayer
Giving of the Couple/Bride (Optional)
Song (Optional)
Scripture Readings
Message
Song (Optional)
Exchange of Pledges
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Pronouncement of Marriage
Blessing
Lighting of Unity Candle/Sand Ceremony (Optional)
Song (Optional)
Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Benediction
Presentation of the Couple (Optional)
Recessional
Wedding Bulletin
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All wedding bulletins should reflect a distinctively Christian emphasis in appearance and
wording.
The Pastor needs to approve your bulletin prior to you getting them printed.
If you would like the church office to prepare your bulletin, please tell the Pastor.
Information to be included in the bulletin must be submitted to the office no later than two
weeks prior to your wedding date. There is a $25 fee for two hundred bulletins.
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Suggested Scripture Readings
The following are some suggested Scripture readings which work well at a Christian wedding.
Old Testament
Genesis 1: 26-31
Genesis 2: 18-24
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
Isaiah 63: 7-9
Jeremiah 32: 38-41
Male and female created by God
God created man and woman
A cord of three strands
The steadfast love of God
God’s faithfulness
Psalms: 33, 100, 117, 127, 128, 136, 150
New Testament Gospels
Matthew 7: 24-27
Matthew 19: 4-6
Mark 10: 6-9
John 2: 1-10
John 15: 9-12, 16-17
Building on the Rock
Faithfulness in marriage
Faithfulness in marriage
The wedding at Cana
Love one another
New Testament Epistles
Romans 12: 1-2
1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
Ephesians 3: 14-19
Ephesians 5: 21-33
Colossians 3: 12-17
1 John 4: 7-12
A living offering
Divine love
A prayer for Christ’s love
Marriage and the church
Live in love and thanksgiving
The source of true love
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Music At The Wedding
Worship Service
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The wedding service is an act of Christian worship and all music should reflect this fact.
Music Selection
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All music is subject to approval by the Pastor.
Music selected and approved may be Christian or secular, but must be appropriate for a
church setting. It may also reflect the following: praise of God, God’s steadfast love in
Christ as the foundation of His model for marriage, and seeking God’s presence and
blessing.
Congregation as Participants
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The congregation is an active participant in the service through prayer, word, and music. A
congregational hymn/song (optional) is a statement of faith that encourages the
congregation in their marriages and Christian faith life.
Recorded Music
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You can use pre-recorded music that has been burned to a CD.
Please designate someone to hit play and stop. They should attend rehearsal if possible.
Bring the CD to rehearsal to test it.
Musicians
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It is the couple’s responsibility to contact the musicians
Musicians should rehearse before the wedding date. They can schedule a time to practice in
the church prior to the wedding date. If possible they should also come to rehearsal to do
sound check. Check with the Pastor about how to adjust the church sound system.
Musicians may use church microphones, music stands, piano, and organ.
Guest Organists
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The organ at Christ Lutheran requires a trained organist.
The Pastor can give you the names of the people familiar with our organ.
If you choose someone unfamiliar with our organ, please let the Pastor know so that they
can be trained how to use it and can practice on it prior to the wedding day.
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Christ Lutheran’s Wedding Reception Information
If you would like to have your reception at Christ Lutheran, please contact the Church Office,
715-384-3535, to discuss your plans and reserved the Fellowship Hall.
General Information
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Number of guests cannot exceed 160 due to space limitations.
The food is provided by the couple, family, or caterer, and served by the couple, family , or
caterer. The couple will provide all the necessary equipment, dishes, table skirts, and table
cloths. (The Church coffee makers may be used).
If the food is catered, please discuss plans with the office before signing a contract with a
caterer.
There will be a fee to use the Fellowship Hall. Please discuss this with the Pastor.
Wedding Fees
Fees relating to the wedding are to be paid and given to the office at least 30 days prior to the
wedding date.
Deposit (Deposit is non-refundable)
Due upon request of Wedding date
$100.00
Required Fees
 Church rental (non-members only)
$200.00
 Pastor’s Honorarium (can be paid directly to the Pastor)
$200.00
 Prepare and Enrich
$35.00
(If you get hard copies from the Pastor you will pay the church. Most couples, however,
complete the materials online. The Pastor will explain).
Other Fees
 Organist/Soloist/Instrumentalist
 Wedding Bulletin Printing
Up to 200
Over 200
 Pew Candles, Altar Candelabra and/or Standing Candelabra
 Use of Church for reception
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At their discretion
$ 25.00
$ 40.00
$ 50.00
Discuss with Pastor