Weddings

As you begin to think about your wedding day visions of the perfect day manifest in your mind. A Christian wedding should be one of the happiest and holiest moments of a new family. It is a worship service focused on God fulfilling His design for marriage as the bride and groom and joined together as one. 

A wedding does not have to be big or elaborate to be beautiful, because it is the attitudes of those present and the spirit of those participating that provide true beauty to the service. 

As planning begins there some things to include in your planning. These things are pre-marital appointments with the pastor, planning the wedding ceremony, and obtaining a marriage license. All of these things are explained in more detail below. 

The Rehearsal 

The pastor will be in charge of the rehearsal. ALL who are in the Wedding Party should attend. Generally, this includes the bride, groom, parents of the bride and groom, maid/matron of honor, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, and ushers (at least two). The rehearsal is for the benefit of the wedding party, so that they can get comfortable with the service and with the space. It is strongly encouraged that musicians and soloists be present at the rehearsal. Please be prompt. The rehearsal will begin at the appointed time. 

Rehearsals are usually held the evening prior to the day of the wedding. The rehearsal normally takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Rehearsals are not the time for last minute changes in the service.

The Ceremony 

Your Marriage Service will be a sacred service and all matters pertaining to your service should be planned and celebrated in that spirit with the counsel of the pastor. This sacred nature should be reflected in the selection of the vows and other choices pertaining to the content of the service and in the selection of vocal and instrumental music.

As a worship service, every wedding performed under the auspices of Lutheran Church will include, at minimum: prayers, Scripture readings, a homily (short sermon that proclaims the Gospel), vows, and blessing/benediction. A variety of worship services are available for couples to choose, but these elements will be part of every service. Unless there are no seats available at the location, the congregation, including the wedding party, will typically be seated for Scripture Readings and the homily.

The celebration of Holy Communion is always an option for a wedding service. Bread and wine for communion will be provided by the pastor. If Holy Communion is desired, it will be offered to all baptized Christians as is the practice of Lutheran Church. The sacrament is always for the gathered congregation and will not limited to the bride and groom or the wedding party. 

The marriage service found in the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) book is followed. The pastor will be happy to help you plan for personalized vows and the use of the unity candle, etc.

Decorum 

A service of Christian marriage is at its core a worship service. Everyone involved, particularly members of the wedding party, are expected to guide their actions and attitudes with this in mind. Some celebrations are better left for the reception. The pastor reserves the right to exclude from participation any member of the wedding party who is under the influence of alcohol or other substances. The pastor also has the authority to refuse to preside at a wedding in which either of the couple is under such influence.

The Music 

Music selected should reflect the praise of God, God's steadfast love in Christ as the foundation of and model for marriage and the asking of God's presence and blessing. There is a wealth of music available which fits the occasion and focus. Some modern music, although not traditional for the church, does provide the same direction. Music which focuses on the couple or on a romantic vision of love and marriage, however, is not appropriate for the service. If you desire them, make arrangements for their inclusion in the day someplace other than the service. The pastor should be consulted before final decisions are made about music. Final judgement on the suitability of music rests with the pastor, using these criteria: Is it God-centered? Could you pray it? Are its words and implied meanings reverent?

Appendix II provides a list of possible hymns. All vocalists or instrumentalists should perform music that enhances the worship service.
 

It is entirely appropriate for the guests at your Christian wedding to sing a congregational hymn. Your wedding is not for you alone. It is a public worship service. People who come to celebrate with you are worshipers, not simply spectators. Another way to involve the congregation in the wedding ceremony is through unison prayers.

Scriptures 

You will be asked to select scripture passages for inclusion in the wedding ceremony. Couples may choose any number of passages, usually 2 or 3. Readers of the scripture may be a friend or relative, and need not be the pastor. Appendix I provides a list of possible Scripture texts. Non-biblical readings may also be used, but not in the place of scripture, and need to be reviewed by the pastor.

Photography

You are welcome to have the wedding photographed or video-taped. All photographers and videographers are to speak with the pastor in advance of the service. The photographer is not permitted to move up and down the aisles once the service has started.

Excluding the processional and recessional, all photographs during the worship service are to be taken with available light only. Flash photography can be disruptive to the service and distracting for the pastor and couple. Any portion of the wedding service may be posed after the service is over. Any pictures that are to include the pastor should be taken before group photos of the wedding party and families. This allows the pastor to unvest after the service and tend to the Sacristy. If the schedule permits, pictures can be taken prior to the wedding service, but must be concluded at least 30 minutes prior to the starting time of the wedding.

Video equipment may be set up in a location in consultation with the pastor. No artificial light is permitted. All video cameras are to be placed on a tripod. Moving about the sanctuary is not permitted. Guests at the wedding should also be informed that flash pictures are not to be taken during the worship service.