Dear Friends:
Congratulations! May God bless your intended union.
We are glad that you are considering Bethel Lutheran Church as the place for you wedding. This booklet is designed to give you some basic information, including fees, and other expectations.
Please fill out the "Wedding Application" if you would like to continue this process and enter into a more formal arrangement.
Personally, I look forward to getting to know you and assisting you to build a strong foundation on which you will build your marriage.
Don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns, God bless you and your life together!
Rev. Peter I. Ray, Pastor
| Wedding Application Form |
1. Lutherans understand marriage, and especially the love it is based upon, to be a gift from God. Since it is a gift from God, Lutherans treat marriage with respect and honor. The ceremony, therefore, is first and foremost a worship service. During the service we will give thanks for all God's blessings to us. We will remember God's faithfulness as the basis for the wedding vows.
2. The Order for Marriage, provided by official Lutheran resources, will be used as the basis for all weddings. It provides flexibility of music, length of service and congregational involvement. Celebration of the Holy Eucharist is encouraged, but optional, and if selected, will be extended to the entire congregation. The sacrament is never to be offered exclusively for certain persons in the wedding party.
3. Because marriage is a worship service, any special music or readings should be sacred in nature. "Love songs" by your favorite recording artists would be more appropriately planned for a reception. Readings and poems (other than from the Bible) need to be reviewed and approved by the pastor.4. The colors of the church year for worship furnishings do not change for weddings.
5. The altar and pulpit remain on the chancel, in their position based on the season of the church year. The baptismal font is permanently fixed in the center aisle. These are central furnishings of the communty of faith and not to be rendered insignificant by other wedding furnishings.
6. Flowers and candles may be placed on in the chancel area with appropriate care for wax drippings and water damage to furnishings and floor surfaces.
7. Chairs may be removed or added in the worship space, on the condition that they are replaced by the wedding party prior to leaving the wedding ceremony.
8. Flash cameras are prohibited during the wedding service. No photography equipment shall be placed on or behind the chancel area during the worship service.
9. Should you choose to have your wedding videotaped, the videographer will need to speak to the pastor in order to find a position to the side of the sanctuary.
10. The scheduling of weddings will be done in coordination with the church calendar. Members shall have priority of scheduling up to 18 months in advance of the wedding. Non-members may reserve the sanctuary 12 months prior to their wedding with their deposit. Because of the penitential nature of the season, weddings are usually not held during Lent and never during Holy Week (Saturday of Palm Sunday through Easter).
11. The sanctuary seats approximately 225 people, but can be expanded to 350.
12. The church building is usually open 1-1/2 hours prior to the start of the wedding. If a florist or the bridal party needs admission prior to this time, arrangements will need to be made in advance with the pastor.
Pre-Marital Counseling
13. The understanding of marriage implies that some form of pre-marital counseling will benefit couples in planning for married life together. The pastor will meet with all couples for 2-3 counseling sessions. These sessions will provide you with the opportunity to meet with the pastor and plan the marriage service. In addition, you will be selecting the scripture lessons to be read, agreeing on the wording of your vows, music decisions, etc. Secondly, the premarital counseling sessions will give you an opportunity to explore your unique relationship. What are its strengths? How well do you communicate? How do you plan to mix the traditions that each of you brings from his or her family? How effectively do you affirm and show appreciation for one another?
Facilities
14. Please inform the bridal party that confetti, rose petals, rice, and/or birdseed are not to be thrown outside the church.
15. Please secure all belongings at the church. Bethel Lutheran Church is not responsible for stolen or lost belongings.
Rehearsal
16. There is typically a rehearsal prior to the wedding. Everyone in the wedding party and parents of the bride and groom should plan to be present and prompt.
17. Please bring the marriage license to the rehearsal. According to the laws of the State of Ohio, the wedding cannot take place unless the pastor has possession of the license. All wedding fees are also given at this time.
Fees
Since the upkeep of our facility is funded by the congregation's offerings, non members are required to pay a building usage fee for weddings and receptions. A refundable security deposit is required for receptions only.
Building Usage fee - $500.Hardship consideration: Bethel never desires to exclude the services of the church based on the ability to pay. If you cannot pay the expected fees, please consult the pastor.
Reception Hall fee (if desired) $300. (includes refundable $200. security deposit)
A $200. minimum deposit at time of reservation, is required to reserve wedding date. All fees must be paid by rehearsal date.
Members may wish to pay the pastor an honorarium, at the discretion of the family.
Organist:
Our organist, Mark Pinnick, has the "first right of refusal" to play for weddings held at Bethel Lutheran Church. Should you choose to have another organist or instrumentalists or musicians, a $100 fee will be payable to Mark, as per American Guild of Organist guidelines. Please contact Mark directly for music arrangements. He can be reached at Mark@bethel-lutheran.org or at 614.875.0510.
| Wedding Application Form |