Weddings & Receptions

We receive many requests for event receptions and weddings to be held here at Peace Lutheran. These are the general guidelines we follow. Please contact the church office with all inquiries regarding availability for your event.

Non-Member Receptions – $375

The fee includes coffee/tea/creamer/sugar, the use of table cloths; punch bowl/cups, an honorarium for the reception hostess, and use of the facilities. We request that this be paid prior to the wedding.

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. We are able to accommodate receptions of the same size as the seating capacity of the sanctuary. We are not, however, able to accommodate sit-down receptions of more than 80 people. The facility is not able to accommodate receptions which include dancing, nor the serving of alcohol.

We request that weddings be scheduled so that receptions be concluded by 7 pm on Saturdays and 8:30 pm on other days.

Non-Member Wedding – $800.00

These fees include the use of the building, and honoraria for the pastor, organist/pianist, wedding consultant and custodian. These fees do not include receptions.

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.

Please bring the envelope with the wedding license & certificate to the church office at least 5 days prior to the wedding date.

Arrangements for any soloist or other special music are to be done directly with those providing the special music.

We generally discourage the use of visiting pastors as a logistical issue, though it may be worked out between Pastor Kempe and the pastor in question.

Decorations that are available through the church:

· 2 – tall wicker baskets

· 1 – wedding banner

· 2 – 7-candle candelabras

· 10 3-candle pew end candelabras ($5 non-refundable fee per candelabra)

· 2 – rod iron spiral plant holder

A formal Christian ceremony, preparation, and guidelines are followed including:

I. Wedding Prayer
Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

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. Peace Lutheran Church wants to help you get the right beginning. Here are a few suggestions and guidelines for planning your wedding.

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 Peace Lutheran Church is normally asked. Exceptions need to be arranged with the Pastor. The couple should meet with the organist/pianist as soon as possible and feasible after the wedding date is confirmed to discuss the music.

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 Lutheran Church. Scripture and prayer will be included in every service. If, as a sign of Christ’s presence in the marriage, Holy Communion is desired, it will be offered to all in attendance who are accustomed to receiving the bread and the wine. It will not be limited to just the wedding party or bride and groom.

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.