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© 1999-2006 Messiah Lutheran Church
Messiah
Lutheran Church
7740 Hwy 72 West
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 721-0041
7740 Hwy 72 West
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 721-0041
Wedding Information and GuidelinesWhat does it mean to have a church wedding?
A wedding is, first of all, a service of
worship. We worship a God who calls a man and woman together in
marriage. Recognizing this as you plan your ceremony will give
you a clearer vision of what your wedding service should be.It is appropriate that your marriage begin in the church, which is the community of faith gathered around God's Word and Sacraments. When a couple is married in the church, the community is being asked to share in asking God's blessing on this union and thank God for that blessing.
The marriage service is a reflection of the relationship of the bride and groom to their Lord. The service should be an act of joyful worship. As such it should not become a display or production to impress friends or to conform to social customs.
As you prepare to become husband and wife may God bless your preparations, your wedding, and the life-long commitment you are making to one another. We believe the Church has much to offer in enabling a strong, growing marriage relationship. In view of the many marriages that are troubled or have failed, your pastor and congregation with to be a resource to help you. What follows are not hard and fast rules, but guidelines set forth by the council of Messiah Lutheran Church to help couples prepare for an orderly and joyous life together.
Pre-Marital Counseling
All couples should complete some formal marriage
preparatory program. A number of preparatory programs for
marriage are available and may be utilized. Pastor Peterson can
provide the “Prepare” pre-marriage inventory which is
designed to identify relationship strengths and work areas. The
cost for the computerized processing of this program is $30 per
couple. Please discus your plans for this with the pastor.A minimum of three meetings with the pastor will be necessary to make preparations for your wedding. Meetings may be used by the pastor to determine your readiness for marriage. If the pastor cannot in good conscience perform the marriage service, he will inform you of his decision.
Planning Your Wedding
The PastorAll weddings performed in connection with this congregation will be performed by the pastor unless approved by him and the church council. You should let the pastor know of your marriage intentions, and work with him in setting the date to allow ample time for him to prepare.
The Organist
The church organist is to be the accompanist at the wedding unless special arrangements are made with her. No taped music will be allowed. Only music appropriate to a service of worship will be used. Most contemporary love songs do not fit into this category. The organist will be able to recommend appropriate songs and also may be able to recommend other soloists and/or instrumentalists. All musical selections will be approved by the organist.
The Altar Guild Representative
If you wish, a representative from the Altar Guild may be assigned by the pastor to work with you in planning the church aspect of your wedding. This person’s job is to relieve the pastor of some of the decorating and planning details so that he may be free to concentrate on your counseling sessions and your service of worship. Please direct all questions not relating to the service to her.
Details of a Church Wedding
Altar ParamentsThe Altar paraments (the colored altar coverings) are always the liturgical color of the church season and cannot be changed to go with your color scheme. When you choose your date, the pastor can tell you what color will be on the Altar that day.
Flowers
Please coordinate all arrangements for flowers with the Altar Guild Representative. Flowers may be placed in many areas of the churc. Our Sunday services use a shelf behind the Altar area to hold flowers. Flowers may be placed on the Altar but should not be so massive as to overpower the cross. You are free to choose any florist that you wish.
Candles and Candelabras
Candelabras may be rented for the ceremony. Unity candles are very popular. We do not have a candleholder for Unity candles, but one may be rented or arrangements for a table can be made. Please choose someone to light the candles. The Altar Guild representative can show him or her how to do it.
Other Decorations
Other decorations, appropriate for a Christian wedding, may be permitted as long as they can be attached without the use of scotch tape or nails. Delivery and pick-up of rented items should be discussed with the Alter Guild Representative. All items must be removed the day of or the day following the ceremony.
The Wedding Party
When choosing your number of attendants, please take into account the size of the front of the church. If your party includes a flower girls and ring bearer, they should be able to act in a dignified manner.
Ushers
All ushers should arrive ready for
duty at least one hour prior to the wedding or at the designated
time for pictures to be taken prior to the ceremony. It
is good church custom for the usher to precede those being
ushered, rather than to have the lady take his arm. However,
you may choose whatever custom you desire. It is not necessary
to ask those entering if they are “friends of the bride” or “friends
of the groom.” (The night of rehearsal, ushers will
be instructed to watch to the best of their ability to see
that there are an even number of guests on each side of the
church.) There are places designated for the immediate members
of the families, but for all others, there is no special “side.”
Following the recessional, selected ushers are to return at
once to escort first the parents from the nave and then the
congregation. Ushers are responsible for lighting the candles
unless the bride and groom have chosen this area to include
other special friends or family members.
In order to preserve the sacredness of the wedding service, no pictures by family or friends are permitted during the processional, the service, or the recessional. The official photographer may take pictures from the back of the church (no flash) during the service and from the back of the church by the double doors during the recessional. Altar pictures may be taken before or after the service. Photographs may be taken before the service. You look your best and are able to give attention to your guests and the reception following the service.
Videos
Videos of the service may be taken from the back of the church or behind the Baptismal font. To prevent distractions, the photographer should plan to remain n one spot during the ceremony.
Dressing at the Church
There are several rooms available for dressing at the church. The Altar Guild Representative will assist you in finding space. She knows where many items like irons and a full-length mirror are stored in the church so be sure to ask her if you need anything. Purses may be locked in the sacristy.
The Rehearsal
The time of the rehearsal will be set in consultation with the pastor and the organist. It is important that the entire wedding party and ushers be present at the scheduled time. The wedding license should be brought to the rehearsal and given to the pastor.
Wedding Consultants
The pastor is your primary wedding consultant at the church. If you choose to employ a wedding consultant please make sure she understands this.
The Reception
If you desire to have your reception at the church, please talk with the pastor.
Smoking
The inside of the church is a non-smoking area. Please ask your guests to go outside to smoke.
Alcohol
The church’s insurance policy prohibits the consumption of any alcoholic beverages on church property.
Rice Throwing
Rice throwing is not allowed at the church because it is dangerous to the birds. Birdseed may be substituted.
Clean Up
The Altar Guild will remove all items from the Altar area and will discuss with you where they will be stored. Remember that all rented items must be picked up the day of or the day following the ceremony. You are responsible for removing all items from the dressing areas after the service. Please assign a friend to make sure this gets done. The church janitor will be contracted to clean the facility after weddings.
Wedding Costs
The PastorThe pastor is called by the congregation to preach and teach, administer the sacraments, serve as a counselor, and is paid by the congregation for his work. Normally the pastor will devote about 20 hours to a wedding. He is pleased to work with members preparing for marriage and to preside at the service. Any gifts to him are left to your discretion.
The Organist and Soloists
All couples should remunerate the accompanist(s) and soloist(s). Please talk with them about their fees or ask the pastor to make a suggestion on an appropriate amount.
Bulletins
If you wish to use bulletins you may purchase them from a separate source or through the church. The pastor can help you select something appropriate and inform you of the cost.
Janitor
The church janitor will be contracted to clean up after weddings. The charge will be determined by the size of the wedding and the facilities used. The pastor will let you know the amount of this service.
Facility Usage
The Church Council may require a deposit for the use of the church facilities.
FEES MUST BE PAID NO LATER THAN THE REHEARSAL.
This includes payment for the organist, soloist(s), accompanist(s), and the janitor. The cost to repair any damages done to the facility will be the responsibility of the bridal couple..