WEDDINGS AT ELIM
Elim Lutheran Church has developed the following Wedding
Policy in order to inform and assist those desiring to be married at the church. We know
how important one’s wedding day is and we will work to make sure it is as memorable
as possible. Together with your family and friends we will lift up and celebrate the gift
of marriage that God has blessed from the beginning of time.
We consider it a privilege to serve you in the planning of your service.
MARRIAGE AND THE CHURCH
Marriage does not belong exclusively to the church. It belongs to all
humanity. It is a social contract, governed and regulated by the state.
But to a Christian, it is more than that. We trust that your plans to be married at Elim Lutheran Church indicate
that you are committed to celebrating a Christian marriage that will be blessed by God.
We believe that marriage should be rooted in the steadfast love of God
and that God’s faithfulness and self-giving love are the model for the relationship
between husband and wife. We believe that God, along with the church, desires marriage to be
characterized by faithfulness, joy, love, growth and fulfillment. We at Elim Lutheran want to help make sure that your wedding ceremony is
very meaningful and inspiring. We want your ceremony to be conducted as smoothly as
possible.
WHO MAY BE MARRIED HERE
Normally one person needs to be a worshipping member of Elim Lutheran Church.
If neither of the couple are a member, we would like you to be in the next New Member Class.
(If the person who is not a member is an active, participating member of another Christian
church, this is not necessary.)
No wedding will be scheduled if one of the above statements does not apply, unless
there is special consultation with the Pastor.
If you are not a member of Elim Lutheran Church at the time you schedule your wedding,
you will be assessed the non-member fees.
SOME FIRST STEPS
1. The Date
Call the church office (624-2690) to see if the date is available for your wedding.
Allow at least two months before the wedding. If the date is available, it is necessary to
come into the office and have the Office Manager put it on the church calendar. At that
time some basic information will be taken. If a clergy person, other than the one from
Elim, is to preside at your wedding it must be cleared through the Pastor.
Non-Members Please Note: No dates will be set for non-member weddings before January
of the year in which the wedding will take place. This policy is to allow members first
opportunity to set dates for their weddings.
2. Preparatory Sessions
It is a policy adopted by our church council that all couples planning a wedding
at Elim
participate in pre-marriage counseling. Our parish requires all couples attend a
"Growth for Marriage" workshop sponsored by Lutheran Social Service. The purpose of the
workshop is to help you plan a worshipful wedding; celebrate your hopes and dreams, enrich
your relationship, strengthen skills for marriage such as communication, and discuss
roles, attitudes, sexuality, faith and commitment. It is very important that you register
right away and make plans to attend one of these workshops. For information on available
dates, contact Lutheran Social Service at 726-4769.
A meeting should be scheduled for the purpose of music planning and preparation with
our Organist. Discussion on music and soloists will be handled at that time.
A session will be scheduled individually with the pastor for the purpose of getting
better acquainted and going over wedding plans.
3. Rehearsal
Ordinarily, a rehearsal is necessary. It is about a half hour long and is usually held
the night before the wedding. The following people should be present for the rehearsal:
members of the wedding party, the ushers, the parents of the bride and groom, and the
organist.
4. The Pastor
The pastor of our church will normally officiate at all weddings and will meet several
times with the couple during the planning process and rehearsal. Should the wedding party
desire another pastor to participate or officiate, such arrangements
must be made in
advance.
5. Musicians
The church organist at Elim Lutheran Church should be contacted
as soon as possible
to plan for weddings where organ music is desired. Because our church organ is a complex
and expensive piece of equipment, we do not allow the use of the organ by anyone who is
not trained to play such an instrument. An appointment must be made with the organist
to discuss the wedding music and reserve his/her time on the wedding date. The organist
does not automatically play at every wedding.
Before arrangements are made with a vocal soloist, please read the section on church
music in this booklet.
PLANNING THE WEDDING
1. The Coordinator (Office Manager)
The coordinator will assist you with details including such things as flowers,
candles, ushers, seating of guests, receiving line, church equipment available for the
wedding and reception, etc. The bride should contact the coordinator no later than 6 weeks
before the wedding to arrange a meeting. The coordinator will help you in
the planning of your
wedding and reception. The coordinator will answer questions and offer
suggestions.
2. The Liturgy for Marriage
The wedding is, first of all, a worship service. It is an occasion for worship and
praise - not just a ceremony for spectators to watch. The focus is on God. That
understanding of the marriage service must be clear at the outset for your
planning.
The order for the worship service is not rigid. There may be variety and flexibility,
so that it may be adapted for a variety of situation.
The pastor presides at the wedding service and will make the final decision as to what
is appropriate. Assistants may be used in the service to read lessons, or to assist in the
prayers. Approval must be given by the pastor presiding at the service.
3. Decorations
If floral decorations and/or an aisle runner are desired (neither are necessary), they
must be provided by the couple. Live flowers should be used in the chancel. If you are
willing to leave the flowers for our Sunday worship service, it will be greatly
appreciated and acknowledged in the Sunday bulletin. Live flowers, silk flowers, ribbons,
or greens may be used on the candelabra pews and aisle candles. The aisle is 100 feet
long.
Ten aisle electric candelabra are available upon request for use in the Sanctuary at no
charge. The couple is responsible to furnish a set of three candles which are used for
the unity candle lighting ceremony (if the couple wishes to have this included in their
service). There are also two large brass candelabra
and two white candelabra that hold seven candles each that can be used in the altar area.
The couple is also responsible to provide those candles.
4. Bulletins
Some couples make or purchase worship folders to be handed to their guests before the
ceremony. These provide an outline for the service and help worshipers to participate.
This bulletin must be prepared by a professional printer after approval from the Pastor
5. Time Allotment
A maximum of four hours has been set for each wedding, including picture taking,
preparation, ceremony and receiving line. If extra time is needed, this must be set up far
in advance as to not conflict with other activities that might be scheduled on the same
day.
6. Photographs
Photography and videotaping at your wedding are certainly important, but should not be
distracting or disrupting of the ceremony. No flash photography will be taken once the
wedding procession has entered or at any time during the service, professional or
otherwise. Pictures may be taken before or after the church service only. Ushers should
remind guests having cameras with them of this ruling.
Video cameras may be used from
the balcony only. If you have a printed bulletin, please include this request in it.
Formal pictures may be taken before or after the ceremony. The time should be discussed
with the coordinator. If more time is needed, this must be set up in advance. The
photographer must be through at least 20 minutes before the wedding to allow the bride to
finish getting ready and the attendants to be in place in time for the ceremony.
7. Food
No food or beverages shall be taken into the Sanctuary.
8. Booze & Butts...
The use of alcoholic beverages on the church premises is prohibited (indoor or
outdoors, including parking areas.) Elim is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is only
allowed outside. We believe your wedding is far too important an event for its meaning to
be clouded by chemicals or smoke.
9. Rice & Seed...
Rice, confetti, bird seed, etc. are not allowed to be thrown
inside or outside
the facility. Please include this request in your bulletin.
10. Gifts
Gifts brought to the church are not the responsibility of the church.
Someone should
be in charge of the gifts at all times.
MUSIC
We feel the selection of music for a wedding service is an important part of
planning for a wedding. That is why a separate meeting should be held with the organist to
assist you with this part of your wedding. The music should have a Christian focus. The
organist will be happy to discuss your ideas with you at a private meeting.
If you can answer "yes" to the following questions, the music is probably
appropriate.
1. Does this music/text reflect praise and/or thanksgiving to God?
2. Is it based on, or does it reflect, a scriptural theme?
3. Would this song be appropriate for a Sunday morning worship service?
A prelude will be played prior to the beginning of the ceremony. The organist can help
you select appropriate music.
A processional can consist of one or two selections for the entrance of the wedding
party and bride.
A vocal solo or organ solo may be used during the lighting of the Unity Candle.
The recessional will be followed by postlude music. Again, the organist will select the
music unless a special request is made.
Throughout the ceremony, there are appropriate places for vocal music or for
congregational hymns.
The Organist’s role as accompanist is to provide a final run-through with the
vocalist to put finishing touches on the music, not to teach the music. If further
rehearsal time is necessary, please be in touch with the organist to make arrangements.
The vocalist is not required to sing through the chosen solos at the rehearsal.
The organist will make arrangements to meet with couples and play pieces to help the
couple select processional and recessional music. It is the responsibility of the couple
to make an appointment with the organist.
Sound System
You will need to contact the church office, 624-2690 if the vocalists will need to use
the sound system.
Fees
Please call the Church Office for current fee schedule.
If you are not a member of Elim Lutheran Church at the time you
schedule your wedding, you will be assessed non-member fees. |
