Contact the church office
Weddings need to be scheduled on the church calendar at least 3 months prior to the desired date, with pastoral approval.  Meet with the receptionist to receive a packet of wedding information and to make a deposit to hold the date.

Reserving the Date
Following confirmation of the date, a deposit of $100.00 is required to reserve the date and time of the wedding on the church calendar.  There is a limit of one wedding per day.  Weddings may not occur any later than 3:00 PM on Saturday as there is a 5:30 worship service each Saturday evening.  (The wedding date is not guaranteed until your deposit is received.  Non-members - please see special fee schedule and deposit instructions below.)

Marriage License
A valid marriage license is required for all weddings and must be turned in to the church office with all remaining fees one week prior to the wedding date.  After completing PREPARE marriage counseling, the pastor issues a certificate which reduces the cost of the license.  The license is valid 6 months prior to the wedding date.

Pre-Marriage Counseling
The wedding couple will meet with the pastor a minimum of three times prior to the wedding date to share thoughts about the dimensions of Christian marriage and to plan the wedding service.  The PREPARE marriage inventory will be used as a guide for discussion in these counseling sessions.  If you live a long distance from Alexandria, arrangements can be made for counseling with another facilitator after discussing it with a pastor from First Lutheran.

Officiating Pastor
A Pastor will officiate and preside at all weddings held at First Lutheran.  It is the normal practice for the pastors of First Lutheran to alternate the scheduling of weddings.  Should the bride and groom wish to invite another ordained clergy-person to assist and participate, they should make this known at the first meeting with the Pastor so that an invitation to the guest pastor may be extended from First Lutheran.

Wedding Rehearsal Date
A wedding rehearsal is usually held on the evening before the wedding, and should be scheduled with the Pastor.  Rehearsals last one hour.  The rehearsal will include the wedding party, ushers, and other participants.  The organist will make arrangements for the rehearsal of music prior to the wedding rehearsal date.

Behavior
Behavior of the wedding party and all participants is expected to be in a manner consistent with a worship service of the church.  Except for use in the Sacrament, the consumption of alcohol is not permitted on church grounds, either inside or outside the church building.  The wedding party is also asked to refrain from using alcohol or any chemicals prior to the wedding service.  The entire building is a non-smoking facility.  No rice or confetti is allowed on the church premise - bird seed or bubbles are okay for outdoor use.

The Sanctuary

• Seats 350 (maximum capacity)
• The church aisle is 100 feet long
• There are 20 pews on each side of the center aisle
• The altar paraments will remain the color of the church season
• No flash photography is allowed during the wedding service
• Videos can be taken from the balcony or either side transept

Dressing Area and Family Room Use
Designated dressing rooms are provided for both the bride and groom and their attendants if requested.  The wedding party is responsible for clean-up of the dressing rooms.  If the Family Room or Fellowship Hall is used or food is served the wedding party is responsible for clean-up.

Wedding Music
Music is an important part of any wedding.  Because the wedding is a worship service, all music and lyrics should enhance the worship experience.  All music needs to be approved by the Pastor or the Director of Music.

At a meeting with the Director of Music, the wedding couple will have an opportunity to:

• Review all wedding service music including anthems and vocal music
• Discuss all special music and sound reinforcement needs
• Discuss musicians and vocalists recommended by the wedding couple

Fees Associated with a Wedding at First Lutheran

A wedding at First Lutheran involves certain basic costs.  The following are fixed fees.  There is a different scale for a non-member wedding. 

Fees for Members and Active Participants:
Pastor - $150.00
Organist - $150.00 (if provided by the church)
Soloist - $100.00 (if provided by the church)
Custodian - $100.00 *
Facility Use - N/C

* Following confirmation of the date, a deposit of $100.00 is required to reserve the date and time of the wedding on the church calendar.

Fees for Non-Members:
Pastor - $300.00 *
Custodian - $100.00 *
Facility Use - $500.00 *

Organist - $150.00 (if provided by the church)
Soloist - $100.00 (if provided by the church)

* A deposit of $900 must be received by the church within one week once the date is scheduled with the office and approved by the pastors in order to secure the date for non-member weddings.  If the full deposit of $900 is not received within this time frame, the date will not be held.

• The Wedding date is not guaranteed until your deposit is received.
• The deposit will be refunded if wedding is cancelled 30 days prior to the scheduled date.

Church Supplies Available for your Use

• 2 candelabras, each with 7 candles OR 2 granite bases, each with a single 3 inch diameter candle (all use oil which we supply).  Candles have a burning time of approximately 4 hours.
• Unity candle stand
• Microphones for the Pastor, soloist, scripture reader, other
• Guest book table or easel
• Gift table

The information packet you received when you scheduled your wedding date includes the above, as well as a wedding checklist, advice for scheduling the organist, soloists, and decorating.  This information is provided to help ensure your wedding day is as special and relaxing as possible.  Contact the Pastor or church secretaries if other questions arise regarding your wedding plans.