Monthly Calendar Driving Directions Pastor's Piece Service Schedule and Worship Assistants
Wedding
Guidelines
For Non-Members
Voice:
(253) 845-8819
E-mail: office@peacepuyallup.org
The Rev.
Ronald Kempe,
Pastor
I.
Wedding
Prayer
In
your favor look upon this man and women about to be joined in marriage,
and
grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate
with
Christ the marriage feast which has no end.
Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)
II.
“Jesus Also Was Invited”
Those words were written by the apostle
John
in the second chapter of his Gospel account.
It was to a wedding that Jesus and his disciples were invited to
share
the joys and festivities. In fact it was
there, in a time of need, that he performed his first miracle.
By
expressing a desire to be married at
Peace in a Christian wedding service you are inviting Jesus here too. Certainly he should be invited for he alone
can bring out the true meaning and give lasting joy to your marriage.
Jesus
comes, not only to the ceremony,
but into the home of those celebrating their love for each other.
III Preparation
A. Counseling
Planning
together begins with a meeting
of the prospective bride and groom with the Pastor.
This meeting should be arranged as soon as
possible after the couple has decided to be married.
At this meeting the pastor and couple will
get to know another better, discuss marriage and the expectations for
completing preparation.
As the
primary concerns are the
relationship of the couple and a good foundation for the marriage, the
couple
is expected to participate in premarital preparation.
Normally, this will include a premarital
workshop and at least one additional session with the Pastor to discuss
the
workshop experience and to finalize plans the wedding service.
If
participation in a premarital
workshop is not possible, then additional sessions with the pastor will
be
scheduled.
B. Organist/Pianist
The regular organist/pianist of
C. Wedding
Consultant
The couple will be given the name of a
wedding consultant with whom they should meet as soon as possible and
feasible
after meeting with the Pastor. The
consultants
responsibility will be to assist the couple in planning the decorations
to be
used in the sanctuary, answer questions about church policies,
assisting with
the rehearsal, opening the building on the wedding day, assisting with
pre-wedding service preparations, helping get the bridal party down the
aisle,
and helping with post-wedding service clean-up.
D. Rehearsal
Rehearsals
are encouraged for weddings
with (a) more than 1 attendant for each of the bride and groom, and (b)
in
which there is to be a processional/recessional. Rehearsals
usually take place the evening
before the wedding service.
IV. The Wedding
A. The Service
For a couple
intending to establish a Christian home, a wedding service in the
church
building is appropriate. The church
wedding is a worship service in which people gather in the name of the
triune
God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Behavior of the wedding party and guests is expected to be
appropriate
to such an occasion.
The
Service follows the basic order of
the wedding services of the
Within the
basic order of the service
the couple has a variety of options.
These include, among others, the form of the procession, the
choice of
scripture and vows, the use of a unity candle, and the music.
In all
cases the policies of the
congregation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will apply. The Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church will
participate at weddings performed at this church building, and all
arrangements
are to be made with the Pastor. It is
possible for other pastors to share in weddings.
B. Music
Music
will be coordinated with the
organist/pianist and with the approval of the Pastor.
While not using a strict definition of sacred music, music
appropriate
to a worship service should be chosen.
Favorite contemporary songs can be used prior to the beginning
of the
service.
C. Bulletins
If
you desire, wedding service bulletins
can be prepared in the church office.
You are responsible for providing a bulletin cover which can be
obtained
at various church supply stores in the area.
D. Other
Considerations
·
The Sanctuary seats a
maximum of 180 for weddings.
·
The use of alcoholic
beverages in any part of the
church building or grounds is not permitted.
·
Please do not throw
rice or bird seed in the
building or near the entrances. Bubbles
work well.
·
Please do not drop
flower pedals on the carpet.
·
No food or drink in
the sanctuary please.
V. Pictures
The couple is strongly encouraged to have
all pictures taken prior to the wedding service. Pictures need to be
completed
1/2 hour before the service. This allows
for a smooth flow from the service to the reception.
It can also make for a more orderly
process. Guidelines for photographers
are available.
Only
photographs and videos using
natural light may be taken during the service.
Camera operators (both photographic and video) are requested to
stay
away from the chancel area during the service.
VI. Decorations
All decorations
will be coordinated through
the wedding consultant. They shall be
appropriate to a service of worship and shall not obscure or dominate
the altar
or cross. The distance from the flower
shelf to the cross behind altar is 22”.
All colors on the altar coincide with church seasons and cannot
be
changed or removed.
All
decorations and equipment brought
for any wedding shall be removed immediately following the wedding so
as not to
interfere with the use of the church building for other purposes. Floral arrangements may be left for the use
of the church. Please let your wedding
coordinator know if you plan to do so.
The
wedding party is responsible for providing candles used during the
service, with
the exception of the two altar candles and the red sanctuary lamp. This includes, but is not limited to, candles
for all candelabras, and the unity candle.
No
damaging materials may be used of the
pews, floors or walls to hold flowers, bows, candles, etc.
Persons reserving the church building shall
be responsible for any damage done to the building, furniture or
equipment by
florist, decorators, or members or guests of the wedding party.
Decorations that are available through the church:
·
2 - wicker baskets
·
2 – pink silk fuchsias in
hanging baskets
·
1 - wedding banner
·
1 - silk fern in hanging
basket
·
2 - brass vases for behind
altar
·
2 - 7-candle candelabras
·
10 3-candle pew end
candelabras ($5 non-refundable fee per candelabra)
·
2 - rod iron spiral plant
holder
VII.
Receptions
It
is possible to use the kitchen and
gathering areas for receptions.
Arrangements, including the use of an outside caterer, may be
made
through the reception hostess. The
caterer, or whoever is providing the food, will be responsible to the
reception
hostess and work within the guidelines of the congregation.
*Fees and things to
consider for
weddings held at
Peace Lutheran
Church
Non-Member--$750.00
These fees include
the use of
the building, and honoraria for the pastor, organist/pianist, wedding
consultant and
custodian.
Deposit:
We require a $125
deposit
within a week of your request, ($25 is non-refundable)
If you cancel more than 90 days before your
date, $100 will be refunded to you; 90 – 45 days, $50 refunded,
and if less
than 45 days before the wedding date, there will be no refund.
Balance of fees, including any candelabra fee, is due 5 days
prior to wedding.
These fees do not
include
receptions.
Wedding
License and Certificate:
Please bring the
envelope with
the wedding license & certificate to the church office at least 5
days
prior to the wedding date.
Soloist
or Other Special Music:
Arrangements for any soloist or other special music are to be done directly with those providing the special music.
Visiting Pastors or officiates:
We generally discourage this as a logistical issue, though it may be worked out between Pastor Kempe and the pastor in question.