Guide to Weddings at St Mark Lutheran Church
Thoughts on Christian Marraige
We are delighted you might consider being married at Saint Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church. The information on this page is presented as an aid for you to make a host of decisions leading up to your wedding day as well as inform you as to what is expected with a wedding within the church setting.
Christian marriage is more than two people in love publicly declaring their intention to join together in marriage. As representatives of the church and Christ we believe that God institutes marriage, whether the order for marriage includes four people or four hundred. We strive to make each wedding comfortable, special, and holy. The church is not a company that performs weddings as an industry; it is an organization that sets time and people apart as holy.
It is God who has brought two people together through His gift of love. It is God who will bind two people together in the oneness of marriage at His altar. Therefore we come before His altar and presence to seek his blessing on the marriage; a blessing at the altar is only a beginning for a life together that seeks and desires God's presence.
We ask that you, as couples and participants, share the spirit of joy, blessings, and concern so that the service will be meaningful and give glory to God.
THE WEDDING IS NOT A PERFORMANCE, BUT A GATHERING OF PARTICIPANTS WHO COME TO PRAY, WORSHIP, AND LOOK FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS.
The "Pastor's Rules":
1) Christ will be mentioned during the counseling sessions and during the wedding. That's the pastor's job.
2) The wedding is for the couple and will be done, in good taste and decorum, as the couple wishes. The pastor will suggest ideas that the couple can choose from.
3) We smile a lot.
4) What is said in the counseling sessions is for the couple and the pastor only. The couple's history will not be shared with others.
5) The pastor would like to meet with the bride and groom a minimum of three times for premarital counseling sessions. Have no fear; these premarital get-togethers are for 1) the pastor to get to know you; 2) work out the details of the service; and 3) lay a good foundation for a Christian marriage. If there are special problems, other meetings can be arranged.
6) The use of drugs or alcoholic beverages during the rehearsal or wedding is prohibited.
7) Smoking is not allowed in the buildin
g.8) It is important that all participants are informed of the correct dates and times of the rehearsal and wedding, and that the church has your wedding on their calendar. Hand out written notes informing people of your schedule as well as instruct them to be on time. You don't want to get stressed out waiting for them.
9) The wedding is for the bride and groom and will be done as they have worked out ahead of time. Last minute changes by family or friends will not be tolerated; it only causes stress and anger.
10) Please follow the wedding coordinator's directions on the day of the wedding.
11) Please make sure the music for the wedding fits the mood of the occasion and that the lyrics are not anti-Christian or degrading to people.
12) No aisle runners. They trip brides in high heels.
13) Only smokeless and dripless candles may be used on the altar (i.e. "Unity Candle") - this is to protect the 'fair linen' that covers the altar. The Wedding Coordinator will have the final say on placement of any candle on the altar.
14) No confetti or glitter will be scattered in the sanctuary or on any other carpets in the building. Birdseed or bubbles are the preferred alternative to rice or confetti. Rice and confetti, when mixed with rain, becomes a gelatinous mass that is slippery and it's not good for the birds.
15) If pew bows are going to be used, they must have a plastic hanger attached.
16) Weddings that are not officiated by St. Mark’s pastors must be requested in writing and signed by St. Mark’s pastors before they can take place at St. Mark.
