WEDDING GUIDELINES

Weddings at St. John's and Membership
Either the bride or groom or both are expected to be members of St. John's Lutheran Church before arrangements are made for a wedding at St. John's. However, arrangements may be made with the pastor for a wedding for those who may be joining in the near future, for those who have had a family connection to St. John's and who wish to renew their membership, or for geographic reasons. Membership arrangements are usually made at the first meeting with the pastor.

Reservations and Preparations
No wedding reservations can be made more than a year in advance of the date being considered, and the congregation, pastor and couple is not usually able to prepare for a wedding in less than four months. Weddings are tentatively scheduled on a first come, first serve basis, using a preliminary reservation form by calling the church office during normal business hours. A tentative reservation becomes final when a $50.00 non-refundable deposit is received in the church office and when the pastor has agreed to preside at the wedding.

Pre-Marital Meetings and Counseling
All couples planning a wedding at St. John's are expected to participate in a premarital workshop offered by either Lutheran Social Services or Lutheran Campus Ministry, in addition to meeting several times with the pastor before the wedding.

The Pastor Presiding at Weddings
Generally, currently called pastors of the congregation preside at a wedding. The use of other pastors, joint presiding, and the involvement of former pastors must be approved by the pastor.

The Wedding Service
The format for weddings at St. John's usually follows the order for marriage in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Often the Marriage Service resources in the Renewing Worship resources of the ELCA are also used in planning the service. Usually couples in consultation with the pastor adjust the service to meet their family needs.

The order generally involves a prelude, processional, invocation, opening prayer, lessons, homily, sharing of intention to marry, exchange of vows, exchange of rings, announcement of marriage, blessings of the church and family, prayers, the Lord's prayer, benediction, recessional, and postlude. Lessons for the service are usually chosen by the couple in consultation with the pastor. Holy Communion may be offered at wedding services if it is offered to the entire congregation. Couples often write their own vows, use a unity candle, involve family members as readers for the lessons, and provide opportunities for family members or parents to bless the couple. Throwing rice, birdseed or other substances is not permitted.

Music
The congregational organist or pianist is designated to provide music consultation, rehearsal time, and wedding music for all weddings at St. John's. Couples are encouraged to meet with the organist/pianist as soon as their wedding is scheduled. Arrangements for soloists and other musicians may be made at the music consultation. Decisions regarding wedding music are made by the organist or pianist of the congregation used by the wedding party in consultation with the bride and the groom. Although traditional and contemporary music is often used at weddings, recorded music is not used in worship services at St. Johns, and some songs are not appropriate for worship services. Recorded music, however, is often used at wedding receptions.

Bulletins
St. John's does not print wedding bulletins. The pastor, however, will work with the couple in developing an order of service for the bulletin and will assist with proof-reading as needed.

Photographers and Videotaping
Normally flash photography does not take place during the service between the processional and recessional. Photographers should consult with the pastor at the rehearsal or before the wedding for camera placement.

Dressing
The bride and her party use the library lounge area for changing. Dresses may be left overnight at the church, the night before a wedding, at the wedding party's own risk. The groom and his party may use the mens room and social area in the lower level.

Legal Requirements
A valid license for marriage in Wisconsin must be presented to the pastor no later than the wedding rehearsal. Usually the wedding license is brought to the church at the beginning of the week of the wedding.

Fees for the Wedding
Custodial Services
The basic fee for a custodian at the wedding is $50.00. An additional $25.00 is charged for an evening wedding. An additional $50.00 is charged for the use of the church for a reception.
Aisle Candles
$25.00 is charged for the use of the aisle candles.
Music
The fee for these services is $100. A separate check should be made out to the organist. Additional soloists and instrumentalists most likely will set their own separate fees and financial arrangements for music at the wedding.
Congregational Gift
There is no fee for sanctuary use. Many couples give a gift to the congregation as well as the pastor at their wedding.
Fees Due at Rehearsal
All outstanding fees are due at the rehearsal and are to be given to the pastor. All payments can be made to "St. John's Lutheran Church" except the check to the organist and other musicians involved in the wedding.

If you would like to discuss your upcoming wedding,please drop us a line at mailbag@stjohnsmadison.org. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.


John 2:2: Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.