Wedding Info. Page
August, 2006
MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
WEDDING POLICY
The Lord God in great goodness created us male and female, and by the gift of marriage founded human community in a joy that begins now and is brought to perfection in the life to come (from the Lutheran Book of Worship Service of Marriage.)
Marriage is an earthly sign of God’s great love for us. Husband and wife, in the best circumstances, help and support each other in every circumstance. They join each other in hope and encourage each other when there are disappointments. They show the love of Christ to each other.
Your desire to be married at Messiah Lutheran Church shows the importance of keeping promises before God and the community of the faithful. The wedding policy at Messiah Lutheran Church is meant to help make the planning of your wedding as easy and worshipful as possible.
All couples must complete pre-marital counseling with a pastor before the wedding can take place.
Marriages for non-members will be subject to a different fee schedule.
CONTACT PEOPLE
Pastor
Thomas Fox - 440-442-6941
Organist
Esther Hodgkinson – 440-461-8550
Church Secretary
Peg Ager - 440-442-6941
Check with Pastor about order of service and suggested
lessons, psalms, and prayers
MUSIC
The wedding is held in the church in order to recognize the importance of the promises made in marriage and in order to request the blessings of God and the community, which belongs to Christ. Therefore, music chosen for a wedding should be appropriate for a Christian worship service. The pastor and organist must be consulted about music and its placement within the service, so that your music will be a blessed addition to your marriage service.
ORGANIST/ SOLOIST/ INSTRUMENTS
It is the couple’s responsibility to secure the organist for the service. Messiah’s current organist has first right of refusal. All arrangements for practices, wedding rehearsal, and the service itself must be made directly with the musicians. The couple is also responsible for securing any soloists. Messiah may be able to offer the services of a soloist, please inquire if interested. If the couple wishes to use special instruments (trumpet, flute, cassette player, etc.) in addition to the organist, the couple will be expected to coordinate these arrangements with the pastor and organist.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Picture taking should be completed 30 minutes prior to the service. The photographer should be inconspicuous during the service. Flash pictures are not to be taken during the service, but may be taken during the processional and recessional. If a video camera is used, it is to be operated from the balcony or the sacristy (stationary camera only). No additional lighting is allowed.
DECORATING THE SANCTUARY
COLORS
The rhythm of the church year remains the same. All special events within the life of the congregation take their place within the seasons of the church year. Parament colors will not be changed and will follow the traditional seasonal color.
CANDLES/ CANDELABRA
Altar candelabra is available for use. No aisle candles are permitted.
FLOWERS/ PLANTS/ DECORATIONS
Flowers or plants provided by the couple are welcome, but not necessary. Several flower stands are available for your use.
Decorations (bows, wreaths, etc.) should be attached using masking tape only. It is the responsibility of the couple both to decorate and to remove decorations (including tape residue).
GUEST BOOK ATTENDANT
Guest book attendant should be on duty 30 minutes before the service begins.
CANDLELIGHTERS
If candelabras are used they should be lit either by candle lighters or ushers 15 minutes prior to the service, lighting from center to outside.
USHERS
Ushers should be on duty 30 minutes before the service begins. All guests are seated before the grandparents and mothers are ushered in. Ushers are responsible for ushering out family members and then the congregation after the recessional. If there are no candle lighters, ushers should light the candles.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
BULLETINS
You are responsible for providing your own wedding bulletins and their printing. Blank bulletins may be ordered through the church office if desired.
PERSONAL ITEMS
It is the responsibility of the wedding party to arrange for the care of their property before, during and after the service. Leave all valuable personal belongings and gifts in the care of parents, friends or attendants during the service and make sure all these things are removed from the building when you leave. The church cannot be responsible for lost or stolen articles.
The Brides room will be available for the bride and her attendants.
Couple should provide childcare for any young children during the rehearsal, picture taking, and service.
If the couple would like the pastor (and spouse) to come to the rehearsal dinner, there should be an invitation extended.
RESPECT FOR THE FACILITY
The following WILL NOT be allowed:
-Food or beverages in the sanctuary during rehearsal or pictures
-Scotch tape used on pews in Sanctuary
-Alcoholic beverages on church property
-Throwing of rice. Any bird seed thrown must be swept after the service.
-Smoking in the church---our facility is smoke-free!
You are responsible for church property used—such as candelabra, candle lighters, flower stands, etc. You will be charged for any items found damaged or missing after your wedding and/or reception.
Please pass these instructions along to your guests. Thank you!
MEMBER FEES
All fees due one week before the wedding unless otherwise designated.
Use of facility—no charge.
Pre-marital counseling—no charge.
Wedding deposit--$150 (Paid at time of scheduling, refunded one week after the wedding.
Any damages will be taken out of deposit)
Custodial Fee - $50.00 for use of sanctuary only. $100.00 for use of sanctuary and fellowship hall.
Organist - $100.00 minimum. This would normally include one rehearsal and the service. Departures from this schedule would involve a change in the fee. Couple must negotiate final fee with organist.
Pastor - an honorarium is customary. Suggested honorarium - $150.00.
Soloist – If Messiah provides the soloist the suggested honorarium is $50.00.
GUIDELINES FOR NON-MEMBERS
The Messiah Lutheran Church Council has established the following guidelines for non-members who wish to rent our facilities for weddings.
1. Such rental shall take place only with the approval of the Church Council.
2. The rules governing proper behavior, music, etc. which apply to members shall also apply to non-members
3. Such rental shall not conflict with or supercede programs or activities of the congregation.
4. There will be a rental charge of $200 for the use of the sanctuary. For the sanctuary and fellowship hall both, there is a $400.00 charge. All fees to be paid at the time of scheduling.
5. The Fellowship Room may be rented for showers and other similar activities for a fee of $50. Charges for the use of these facilities for community activities shall be left to the direction of the Pastoral Staff or the Church Council.
Use of facility --- $200.00 for sanctuary. $400.00 for sanctuary and fellowship hall.
Wedding deposit -- $150.00 (Paid at time of scheduling refunded one week after the wedding. Any damages will be taken out of deposit.)
Custodian - sanctuary only--$100.00, sanctuary and fellowship hall--$150.00
Organist - $100.00 minimum. This would normally include one rehearsal and the service. Departures from this schedule would involve a change in the fee. Couple must negotiate final fee with organist.
Soloist - $50.00 guideline—this fee will vary greatly depending on individuals and musical needs. Couple must negotiate final fee with musicians.
Pastor - $250. This includes three sessions of pre-marital counseling and all other services.