Guidelines for Planning a Wedding

Words from Pastor Wells:

Congratulations on your decision to be married. We pray that you will allow Jesus Christ to dwell with you so that you may experience all that God has in mind for your life together.

This marriage brochure will hopefully help you as you begin to make decisions concerning your wedding service. Please read it carefully. If you have questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Grace and Peace to you in Christ.

Sincerely,
Pastor Roland Wells, Jr.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

A Statement of Our Values Concerning Marriage

Marriage is a covenant of fidelity between a man and a woman grounded in the steadfast love of God. God's faithfulness is the model.

Couples wishing to be married at St. Paul's should discuss with the pastor in advance of the setting of the wedding day the nature of the marriage and the requirements of the pre-marital preparation.

Couples who plan to be married at St Paul's will covenant with the pastor to be in a pre-marital relationship for at least six months prior to the date of marriage.

Couples planning to be married at St Paul's will be required to participate in the "Prepare" marriage inventory. "Prepare" is a tool for evaluating their relationship to assist the pastor and couple in their counseling. It is normally administered at the first session of counseling.

The pastor reserves the right during the pre-marital period to counsel the couple against being married.

Marriage is a service of worship in which the guests are not mere spectators but participants in the service. The worship experience will be so shared to glorify God in music, word, and Sacrament. Any final decisions regarding the worship are entrusted to the pastor and organist.

Important Steps for Your Marriage Ceremony

1. Call St. Paul's (612-874-0133) at least six months in advance of the marriage date.

2. Ask for a Marriage Information Form. Be prepared to discuss with the pastor a definite date and time for the rehearsal, wedding, and reception.  List your witnesses.

3. St. Paul's sanctuary seats 400. The balcony seating adds approximately 200 for a total capacity of approximately 600.

4. The parish organist normally plays for all weddings. Notify the organist immediately after setting the date with the pastor. (Lois Bodurtha: 651-452-1686)

5. The number of people that can be accommodated for receptions depends upon the type of reception desired. Please see the Wedding Coordinator for details. (Patt Jevning Augst: 612-722-3538)

6. The bride and groom will be required to take the "Prepare" Marriage Inventory test in their first visit with the pastor. ("Prepare" processing fee - $35.00)

7. A minimum of three pre-marital conferences are suggested prior to marriage.

8. The suggested fee schedule is listed on the last page of this booklet.

9. Marriage licenses should be obtained by calling the County Clerk's office in the county of your residence. Bring the license with you to the wedding rehearsal so that the pastor may prepare it before the wedding.

10. Strongly encourage all wedding participants to attend the rehearsal.

Planning Your Worship Service

SCRIPTURE - Suggested Biblical Texts

You should consult the organist at St. Paul's before making decisions or arrangements concerning music or musicians. Use this list of suggested processionals, recessionals, vocal selections, and hymns as a guide, but know that it is by no means an exhaustive listing. During the Christmas season or other special times of the year, you may want to use seasonal music. Consider also including congregational singing so that your family and friends may actively participate in this joyous event. The pastor must approve choice of music.

ORGANIST - Lois Bodurtha 651-452-1686
It is the norm that St. Paul's organist play at all weddings. Contact her as soon as possible after setting your date. If a guest organist is desired, this should be arranged with the pastor.

In addition to playing for your wedding service, the organist will hold a consultation with you to select music, rehearse with the soloist, and be present at and play for your rehearsal. The suggested honorarium for the organist is $125.00.

THE SOLOIST/SPECIAL MUSIC
Please make arrangements for a soloist and notify the organist of your plans. Honorarium should be $50.00 to $75.00

Additional Information and Suggestions

1. Facilities 
There is no charge for the use of the building by members of St. Paul's. Non-Members who are using the sanctuary only will pay a fee of $100.00. If the reception is held at the church a minimum of $50.00 additional will be charged.

2. Wedding Coordinator - Patt Jevning Augst 612-722-3538
The Wedding Coordinator will be happy to assist you in your wedding plans. The honorarium should be determined by the amount of time and work involved (suggested minimum $100.00) Contact her as early as possible. The coordinator helps the wedding party get ready for the wedding day, helps with security, sets up the rooms and generally just takes care of any "loose ends."

3. Custodian – Call the Church Office 612-874-0133
The Custodian should be reimbursed for the time and work involved. Is the reception as well as the ceremony to be held here? Is the custodian expected to be at the rehearsal? $15.00 per hour is the suggested fee. A minimum of $75.00 is required. More should be given if you wish the custodian to operate the dishwasher for the reception.

4. Sound Technician - Call the Church Office 612-874-0133
Arrangements must be made with the sound technician for lighting, sound, recording, etc. A minimum of $75.00 is suggested. 

5. Worship Assistants
You may wish to include members of your family or friends in the service as assistants or lectors (readers). If you do, choose them according to their ability to read loudly and clearly so that the assembled congregation

If the member of the family or friend is a pastor of another congregation, they would normally be asked to serve as an Assisting Pastor. It is proper for the pastor of the congregation in which the wedding takes place to serve as the Officiating Pastor.

6. Decorations 
The season of the church year determines the color of the altar paraments and in some cases banners as well. Banners may sometimes be changed, or you may want to design your own banner for your wedding.

7. Aisle cloth 
An aisle cloth is not necessary. If you desire to use one, arrangements should be made with your florist. The length of the center aisle is approximately 50 feet.

8. Flowers and Candles
Flowers are not permitted on the altar. There are flower stands available, and/or flowers may be placed on the stair railings if you wish to use them.

A set of candelabra is available for use. Each one holds 7 candles, and its arms may be repositioned as desired. There are also 12 pew candle holders, which may be used. All candles used must be a good-quality, dripless candle. If pictures are taken with the candles lit before the ceremony, you may wish to have fresh candles for the ceremony. There is also a 3-candle candelabra that may be used for the unity candle ceremony. The unity candle is not permitted on the altar.

9. Worship folders (bulletins): 
The pastor must check the material for accuracy before having it printed. If you wish to have the material prepared at St. Paul's, there will be a $25.00 fee for preparation plus the cost of materials. Please allow at least two weeks preparation time.

Miscellaneous Information

1. Our building is a smoke-free, alcohol and chemical-free building.

2. Our main floor is handicapped accessible (via the parking lot door), but the upper and lower levels are not.

3. There are 13 rows of pews in the middle sections, 8 & 10 full rows on the sides.

4. If throwing of rice might occur at the wedding, please do it outside.

5. The stair railings on the sanctuary steps may be removed if you desire.

6. The large fans in the balcony may be used in hot weather; however, they are very noisy and you should be aware that their sound does pick up on video recordings.

7. Make arrangements with the pastor for the time you wish the building open. This also includes for rehearsal.

8. The women usually use the nursery as a dressing room. The men usually use the rooms on the south end of the lounge. Consult with Wedding Coordinator if something different is necessary.

9. If you wish to provide nursery service, it is suggested that it be in the youth room on 2nd floor, thus allowing the women to use the main floor nursery. See Wedding Coordinator.

Policy for Use of Dining Room and Kitchen

1. Our building is smoke-free, alcohol and chemical-free.

2. There is no charge for use of the kitchen and dining room by members of St. Paul's. There is a minimum charge of $50.00 for non-members.

3. The custodian should be reimbursed depending on the time and amount of work needed for events other than weddings. $15.00 per hour is the suggested fee. A minimum of $75.00 is suggested. If you wish to have the dishwasher used, you must make specific arrangements in advance with the custodian. Contact him directly.

4. Items in the kitchen may be used with these restrictions:
   

   • Silver service. These are in delicate condition and must be used with care. Consult Wedding Coordinator.
   • Linen tablecloths. If these are used, they must be professionally laundered at the expense of those using them. Currently the cost is approximately $10.00 per cloth. Consult with Wedding Coordinator.

5. Other items available for use are a punch table and punch bowl.

6. It is understood that those using the facilities will pay for any breakage or damage.

Suggested Honorarium Fee Schedule

Names and Telephone Numbers