Plan A Wedding

Who May Be Married at Trinity?

All members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran may use the church for marriage. Others may use the church on such occasions at the discretion of the Congregation Council.

Scheduling Arrangements

Couples who contemplate marriage should contact the pastor well in advance of the planned wedding, generally four to six months before the actual wedding date. The date will be placed on the church calendar and shall be considered tentative until the couple has met with the pastor. Confirmed wedding dates have priority over tentative wedding dates. Only one wedding will be scheduled for any given day.

Weddings will not be scheduled during the season of Lent, Advent, Holy Week, Easter Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the day before Pentecost or Pentecost. Exceptions to this policy require the approval of the pastor.

Arrangements for the wedding rehearsal should be made with the pastor as early as possible.

Premarital Counseling

Both the bride and groom shall receive premarital counseling. The number and scheduling of counseling sessions shall be at the discretion of the pastor.

Officiating Pastor

The pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran will officiate at all weddings at the church. Other pastors may participate at the request of the wedding couple, and with the consent of the pastor of Trinity Evangelical

Decorating the Nave

The color of the paraments shall be the seasonal color of the liturgical year.

While not prohibited, aisle runners are discouraged for reasons of safety.

Only live flowers and plants may be used within the sanctuary (the area around the altar on the raised area in the front of the nave).

If candles other than altar candles are to be used, the pastor must be consulted. All wax candles must be of the no-drip type and must be protected by globes.

Decorations must be used in a way that does not damage furnishings or the facility. Please do not use tacks, nails or tape on church walls, furniture or floors.

If a unity candle is used, then the two candles used to light the new candle are not to be extinguished, but rather they are to remain lit, and replaced in their holders. If a unity candle is used, a sheet of plastic shall be placed under the arrangement to protect the fair linen from dripping wax.

Reception Location

The church social room is available for the reception if desired. However, the space is limited and may not be sufficient for other than a small group. If you do wish to use the social hall, please notify the pastor when scheduling the church so he can notify the Service Committee which supervises the kitchen area.

Music

Within the Lutheran Church, weddings are worship services. Accordingly, music must be carefully chosen for a service of praise and thanksgiving. Texts of vocal selections should be in harmony with the religious nature of the marriage service, reflecting both the joy and solemnity of the occasion. The use of favorite “popular” songs may better be included in the reception planning. As Trinity Evangelical Lutheran does not have paid musicians on staff, the wedding couple should arrange for the musicians and pay them directly for services rendered. Music will be approved by Pastor.

Wedding Bulletins

The wedding couple shall arrange for its own wedding bulletins.

Care of the Church

The church is not responsible for securing the property of guests or members of the wedding party.

Guests should be informed that rice, birdseed or confetti may not be used on the church grounds.

Smoking is prohibited in the church building. Alcoholic beverages shall not be served, consumed or brought onto the church property by the wedding party or their guests. An exception to this rule is the use of wine for communion if part of the wedding service.

Fees

Church use fee: Members (none) ; Non-Members ($100)
Pastor: Members (discretionary); Non-Members ($200 minimum)

Sexton:
Nave only $50 Social Hall $50 *Includes a nonrefundable deposit of $50 which shall be paid at time of reservation of date on church calendar.

All fees are to be fully discharged at the time of the wedding rehearsal.