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WEDDING POLICY Marriage in the church is a religious service and all elements of the service have significance whether it is a informal wedding in the sanctuary or a large formal affair. In order that you may have a sacred wedding service, you are urged to make thorough preparations - spiritual as well as temporal. The Pastor and staff of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church wish to extend every possible assistance so that your wedding service will be a memorable experience. These guidelines have been adopted by the Worship and Music Committee and the Congregational Council as the official guidelines and procedures for wedding and receptions. Keep in mind that photographers, florists, caterers, musicians, directors, and family members do not necessarily know the guidelines of the church. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform all those participating in the service. Please read the following material carefully so that all may cooperate fully with these guidelines. Service Formal – A wedding which requires the use of the sanctuary for the wedding and, if desired, the Fellowship Hall for the reception. Bridesmaids and ushers will be used as well as church musical instruments. Decorations and/or candles may be used if desired and acceptable with the pastor of St. John’s. Rehearsals for the wedding are required. Informal – A single ceremony in the sanctuary in front of the pastor of St. John’s with limited guest attending.
Holy Communion The Marriage service may be placed within the context of the Holy Communion, and doing this enhances and makes vivid the wedding imagery of the Eucharist and the Eucharistic intimacy of the marriage. When Holy Communion is celebrated, however, it must be open to the congregation and not be limited to the bride and groom or the wedding party. The sacrament is always for the gathered congregation. If circumstances prevent including the congregation, the Marriage Service should be used by itself, and if the bride and groom wish to receive the sacrament they should receive it at a regularly scheduled service of the congregation. St. John’s uses wine and wheaten wafers. The wedding reception may be understood as an extension of the banquet shared in the Lord’ Supper.
Conduct The wedding rehearsal, vows and service are the responsibility of the pastor of St. John’s. There may be some innovations, but sacred vows will be used in all wedding services. The bride and groom will be held directly responsible for any of the church’s facilities used and the conduct during the rehearsal and wedding. There is to be no use of tobacco or alcohol products of any kind in any part of the church’s buildings or facilities. Theft or Damage The church is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal
items such as wedding dresses, clothes, wraps, purses, or silver and glassware
brought to the church for use during the wedding or reception.
However, the church will use every reasonable effort to assist the wedding
party on protecting such property.
You may call the church office to find out if a date is available, however, no reservations are confirmed before the bride and groom’s first premarital counseling appointment with the pastor of St. John’s. The date and hour of the wedding and rehearsal should be arranged as soon as possible and placed on the church calendar. It will also be necessary to reserve the fellowship hall or any other facility needed at this time. Reservations will be made on a first-come, first served basis. All rehearsals will be scheduled on the day preceding the wedding service unless otherwise arranged by the pastor of St. John’s. Again, no reservations are final until confirmed by the pastor. Pastor’s Responsibilities The pastor of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, ELCA, Walhalla, SC has full responsibility for weddings in this church. The pastor requires a time for counseling and general discussion regarding
marriage and the wedding; usually four or five appointments totaling eight
to ten hours. The bride and groom should schedule all appointments
with the pastor as soon as possible so that adequate time is planned for
counseling.
The pastor of St. John’s has the responsibility for conducting rehearsals and weddings. St. John’s will provide a wedding director to assist with the church ceremony and church related matters at no charge. However, if an outside wedding director is desired, her/his role must be discussed with the pastor and church wedding director prior to the rehearsal date. During the rehearsal and wedding service all directors will operate under the direct supervision of the pastor of St. John’s. Outside Minister The pastor of St. John’s has the responsibility and final approval of all wedding services performed in this church. If another minister is conducting the wedding service, he/she must meet with the pastor of St. John’s to have the service plans discussed and approved. The bride and groom also must meet with the pastor to make sure all guidelines are clearly understood and followed. Furniture Removal The church sexton must be contacted and is strictly responsible for moving or directing the moving of any sanctuary furniture and ONLY by the approval of the pastor. Should furniture moving be necessary, the bride and groom are responsible for providing adequate help. Decorations Nothing is to be taped or stuck to the church pews or furniture. Pew clamps are to be non-abrasive. Decorations should be placed so as to eliminate the danger of fire. Rented candelabra must have protective floor coverings such as clear plastic. If attendants hand carry candles, drip guards are to be used. Floral arrangements, candelabra, etc., may not be placed so as to obstruct the view of the altar or detract from the chancel. Floral arrangements may not be taller than the cross. Artificial flowers are not to be used on the Pulpit and no flowers at all may be placed directly on the Altar. Live flower petals may not be dropped in the sanctuary by flower girls to prevent staining of the carpet. No artificial platforms or any kind of carpentry work may be used on any surface. Rice or confetti are not to be used inside or outside because of the difficulty of cleanup. Bird seed may be thrown outside as the bird and groom exit. The bride and groom are responsible for having the sidewalk and steps swept following the exit. Room Use Other than the church offices, any room in the parish building or Sunday School building may be used for dressing and waiting if the use has been discussed with the pastor or church wedding director. Heat and air-conditioning Thermostats for heating and air conditioning in the sanctuary, parish buildings and fellowship hall are not to be adjusted without first contacting the pastor or church wedding director. Cleaning
Music Wedding music should be consistent with the sacred meaning of the wedding service. All music is to be discussed with the pastor and musicians well in advance. With the consent of the pastor and church organist, an outside organist/pianist may be used. Pictures No flash pictures may be taken during the service. Video taping of the service will be allowed from the choir loft only without additional lighting. Rehearsals and Receptions The rehearsal should begin promptly at the time scheduled. Delay in beginning consumes the time of the pastor, organist and others, and delays arriving for the rehearsal dinner. The bride and groom should insist that all members of the wedding party, including parents and any guests who will be seated before the mothers, be present for the rehearsal. Fees Payment of all fees for the use of the church facilities and services listed below are required to be paid by the last counseling appointment. Separate checks made payable to each provider should be given to the wedding director to be distributed on the day of the wedding. All expenses related to your wedding will be the responsibility of the bride and groom. Organist: $200 fee for rehearsal and wedding service. An additional fee of $50 is charged if the organist has to spend time rehearsing with vocalists or instrumentalists. Handbell Choir There is a fee of $200 fee for rehearsal and wedding service. An additional fee of $50.00 is charged if the Handbell Choir has to spend time rehearsing with vocalists or instrumentalists. Vocalists and Musicians Individual and group fees made with these individuals shall be a separate cost apart from church expenses. The bride and groom should discuss fees directly with them.
$50 minimum charge for church only or $150 for both church and hall
– total cleaning time 1 ½ hours. Note: there will
be some extra pay involved if sexton is required to work after 9PM.
Wedding Director For non-member or inactive member $100 minimum charge for Meeting – 1 hour total, Rehearsal
– 2 hours, and Wedding – 3 hours
Pastor For active members a donation to Pastor's discretionary fund or honorarium is at the discretion of the bride and groom. For inactive members or non-members, realizing the time in prep sessions ins approximately 12 hours, rehearsal 2 hours, and the day of the wedding 2 hours, the fee in $150.00 Counseling The Pastor also uses prepared counseling material. The cost of this material is $35.00 The Pastor may utilize a professional counselor for the pre-marital counseling sessions. The fee for this is $150.00 to be given to the church. Sanctuary $100 fee for non-members and inactive members only. The sanctuary is free for the use
of active members, or a donation to the Church General Fund may be made.
Fellowship Hall $150 fee for non-members and inactive members only. The fellowship hall is free for the use of active members. Conclusion A wedding is a beautiful and sacred part of life. The pastor of St. John’s and the congregation want it to be a special beginning for the bride and groom and their family and friends. We hope that these guidelines help you to prepare for your wedding service and life together as a family. |
