Appendix A Wedding Guidelines 

Pre-marital Consultation

All persons who desire to be married at Calvary, without exception, are required to prepare for marriage through pre-marital counseling with the Pastor or another person designated by the Pastor. The purposes of the counseling are to thoroughly discuss the covenant of Christian marriage, inquire into the health of the relationship, explore aspects related to the couple’s faith and expectations of marriage, and to assist the couple in preparing for a life together. 

Initial Arrangements

It is recommended that wedding dates be scheduled through the Pastor and church office at least six months prior to the desired wedding date. A full year’s notice is preferable. Availability of facilities is on a first-come basis. Ordinarily, only one wedding will be scheduled at Calvary per day. Wedding celebrations are not ordinarily held during the penitential seasons of Lent or Holy Week. 

Once a wedding date has been established, those to be married and their coordinator will make arrangements for all on-site activities through the assigned Calvary Lutheran Church wedding coordinator. Working with the CLC Wedding Coordinator is essential in arranging for ceremony details, whether the ceremony is to be performed on the Church grounds or in the sanctuary. Private coordinators must work through the CLC Wedding Coordinator and under no circumstances will the private coordinator replace Calvary’s coordinator. The CLC Wedding Coordinator has final authority on all on-site issues 

The maximum capacity of the Sanctuary is 400. Guest lists should be kept within that maximum.

Weddings are to be conducted by the Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church. Invitations to additional clergy are extended only through the Pastor’s office. 

The fees for facilities and services are at the end of this guide. 

Holy Communion

If the Bride and Groom desire to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion as part of the marriage liturgy, the entire wedding party and all guests must also be invited to receive the Sacrament. Calvary practices open communion, and all baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord’s Table. 

Special wedding needs, such as Holy Communion, must be decided at least one month in advance of the wedding date so CLC volunteers can be notified and preparations can be made. 

Music

The marriage service is first of all a service of Christian worship. Therefore, wedding music is chosen that will give honor and glory to God. Calvary’s Minister of Music shall be consulted for planning and coordinating the music for the wedding. The Minister of Music and the Pastor will approve musical selections for the service. 

If available, Calvary’s Minister of Music will play for the wedding, and is compensated for his/her services. See the final page of this guide for the fee schedule. These fees are based on the time, consultation, and preparation involved for the ceremony. Contact the Minister of Music as soon as the wedding date has been scheduled through the church office to arrange a time for planning and selecting the music for the service. 

An audio mixer is required to be on hand. Only Calvary Lutheran sanctioned audio personnel shall be used. Every effort will be made to provide a stereo audio mix to a videographer if requested. We are equipped to provide both stereo and multi track recordings of the service and while every attempt to record an accurate representation of the service, no guarantee of quality can be made due to the many variables not under the audio operator’s control.  

Bulletins / Programs

The wedding couple may choose to provide their own service bulletins, or arrange with the Office Manager for bulletin design and preparation. A minimum of four weeks is required for bulletins prepared by the church office, and costs are borne by the wedding couple. 

Paraments

Paraments on the lectern and pulpit are those designated for the seasons of the Church year, and are placed in the sanctuary by the Altar Guild. Liturgical colors do not change for marriage celebrations. 

Photography

Scheduling of photography at the church (before and/or following the ceremony) is done in consultation with the CLC Wedding Coordinator. It is permissible to take photographs in the sanctuary during the service; however, instruct the photographer that flash pictures are not permitted during the ceremony. Pictures of the wedding party as they enter (prior to the invocation) and leave (following the benediction) the Sanctuary are permitted. 

Videotaping is permitted as long as additional lighting is not required. A second condition is that the videographer not be moving, but remain stationary during the ceremony. Placement of video equipment is arranged only after consultation with the CLC Wedding Coordinator.

 Please instruct guests not to take flash photographs from the pews during the ceremony.

 Decorating

All decorations are the responsibility of the wedding couple, with the exception of the Altar candles and Paraments, and must be approved by the CLC Wedding Coordinator.

If the bride and groom wish to have a unity candle as part of the ceremony, they will be provided with two non-drip tapers (with holders) and the Unity Candle. The wedding couple may provide additional non-drip candles and candelabra if approved by the CLC Wedding Coordinator and proper care is taken to protect any exposed carpeting below. The candles will be placed on a separate table or stand, not on the altar. Only non-drip candles are to be used. 

Flower arrangements and other decorations will be chosen and placed in consultation with the CLC Wedding Coordinator. Simplicity in decorating is appreciated, as the flowers are to adorn the beauty of the sanctuary and not be a focal point. The altar surface is to be kept free of floral arrangements or other decorations. Nails, tape, aisle runners, rice and bird seeds are not allowed. 

If the wedding is scheduled during the Advent or Christmas seasons, the sanctuary may already be decorated for the occasion. These decorations are not optional or changeable.

Decorations are to be removed immediately after the ceremony (or final photographic session). Flower arrangements may remain in the sanctuary for the following Sunday worship services. All pew decor must be removed following the wedding service. If you desire to leave flowers, please notify the Office Manager in advance to make notation in the Sunday Church Bulletin.  

Rehearsal

The Pastor, the CLC Wedding Coordinator, and the wedding couple determine the time of rehearsal. All plans, details, and decisions regarding the ceremony will be agreed upon prior to the rehearsal. The rehearsal will take place prior to any pre-nuptial dinner that might be scheduled. The Pastor, assisted by the CLC Wedding Coordinator, is responsible for directing the rehearsal and facilitating an atmosphere of good order and reverence.  

Receptions

Calvary’s Fellowship Hall may be used for receptions. The Hall can accommodate up to 100 seated guest or 150 standing guests. It is also reserved on a first come basis. A usage/cleaning fee schedule appears on the final page of this section.  

Catering and serving is the wedding couple’s responsibility. The church furnishes tables and chairs upon request. The wedding couple or their caterer will furnish any other equipment, such as tablecloths, punch bowls, glassware, etc.

Wine, champagne, and beer are the only alcoholic beverages permitted on the premises. Also, the entire church grounds and all church buildings are non-smoking areas.  

Other Facilities

The library is available to be used as a Bride’s Room. Other rooms can be made available if needed. The nursery can be made available for children with staffing the responsibility of the wedding couple. 

Alcohol is never allowed in the sanctuary building.

The wedding couple is totally responsible for their guests and accepts liability of same. Calvary Lutheran Church is to be held harmless for any and all events and actions of persons on the premises for which the property is being utilized; including any function related to the wedding and the wedding itself.

Directory of Church Personnel

Calvary Lutheran Church Wedding Package (Non-Members) 

A $1500 fee covers:

• Sanctuary and Ceremony

• Pastoral pre-marital counseling, service planning & preparation (required)

• Pianist

• Audio Technician (required)

• CLC Wedding Coordinator (required)

• Candelabra

• Unity Candle

Soloists and/or instrumentalists may be contracted through the Minister of Music; fees to be determined by the Minister of Music. 

A non-refundable deposit of $800 is required at the time the church is reserved. The $700 balance plus a $300 refundable security deposit are due 5 weeks prior to the wedding date. 

The Fellowship Hall is available for reception activities. The usage fee is $500.

For internal use only. The distribution of fees to the appropriate participants is as follows:

• Pastor   $300

• Pianist   $200

• CLC Wedding Coordinator $150

• Audio Technician $150

Calvary Lutheran Church Wedding Package (Members) 

A $300 fee covers:

• Sanctuary and Ceremony

• Pastoral pre-marital counseling, service planning & preparation (required)

• Pianist

• Candelabra

• Unity Candle

• Audio Technician $150 (required)

• CLC Wedding Coordinator $150 (required)

Soloists and/or instrumentalists may be contracted through the Minister of Music; fees to be determined by the Minister of Music. 

A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required at the time the church is reserved. The $150 balance is due 5 weeks prior to the wedding date. 

For internal use only. A $150 refundable security deposit due 5 weeks before the wedding date may be enacted if necessary.

Any honorarium for the Pastor is at the discretion of the wedding couple. 

The Fellowship Hall is available for reception activities. The usage fee is $50. 

Cleanup

The fee includes clean up for normal usage. The need for extraordinary cleaning or damages to property will be assessed against the security deposit. All unused security fees will promptly be returned. 

It is the wedding couple’s responsibility to check the dressing rooms for dress bags, hangers, flower boxes, supplies or any other personal belongings. Items left following the wedding will be disposed of by the cleaning crew.