Marriage
A Planning Guide for
Weddings at Holy Trinity
Revised February 1998
Congratulations and best wishes! We at Holy
Trinity are eager to assist you in planning a marriage service that reflects the
true spirit of our faith.
Among the major emphases of the creation stories
in the book of Genesis is the assertion that God created the human person, male
and female, and in so doing offered the possibility for a woman and a man to
find fulfillment in each other. Thus it is that persons choose to enter
the covenant of marriage. At the beginning of this covenant stands a
wonderful event termed the marriage serve. It is a worship service--a
sacred rite. In the marriage service the assembled people of God join with
the bride and groom in asking for God's blessing as a new family structure is
created.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, its people and
staff members, take both marriage and the marriage serve very seriously.
Therefore, every effort is made to preserve the integrity of the worship service
that marks the beginning of the marriage relationship. This means that all
elements in the rituals of the service must be consistent with a Christian
understanding of marriage and must contribute to the atmosphere of worship.
The day of one's marriage is one of the most
important and exciting days in a person's life. It is appropriate that
there be an elegance to the celebration. Elegance does not, however mean
that it must be extravagant. In fact, there is a profound elegance in that
which is essentially simple. Christian people are called to simplicity in
living. This has implications also for its celebrations.
In order to assist with planning your marriage
service, we are providing the following requirements and guidelines for your
consideration:
1. Meet with
the pastor:
The pastor will help you prepare for your
marriage as well as officiate at your wedding. During your first
meeting, you will begin by choosing a date that is mutually acceptable to both
you and the pastor.
2. Take the
PREPARE Inventory:
You will be required to complete the PREPARE
personal awareness inventory at least three (3) months prior to your wedding.
This inventory takes about 40 minutes. It is not a test, but simply a
way that you can discover areas of strength as well as needs that you have as
individuals and as a couple. The results will often inspire some good
discussion!
3. Attend
the Marriage Seminar:
All couples planning to be married at Holy
Trinity are invited to attend one of the wedding seminars that are held every
four (4) months at the church. You will have an opportunity to gain in
your theological understanding of the marriage service and to deal with some
common issues in marriage. There will be other couples planning
marriages at Holy Trinity, as well as married and single members from the
congregation with whom you can visit and share a time of fellowship. It
is our intention that you fell supported and welcomed by this congregation.
4. Plan the
Wedding Service:
As we stated before, we take both marriage and
the marriage service very seriously. All elements in the rituals of the
service-music, text and liturgy-must be consistent with the Christian
understanding of marriage and must contribute to the atmosphere of worship.
In recent years there seems to have emerged a much more aggressive use of
service rituals that are sentimental, romantic and secular. It is the
policy of this congregation to refrain from allowing such things in the
marriage services it is asked to conduct.
A. The Music
Music Plays a major part in our praise and
worship of God. We will work diligently with you to find music that is
both meaningful to you and appropriate for a worship service. It
will be very helpful for you to consider the following questions when choosing
music:
1. Does this music/text
reflect praise or thanksgiving to God?
2. Is it based on, or does
it reflect, a Scriptural theme?
If you can answer "yes," your musical
selections will most likely be appropriate. So-called popular and
theatrical love songs are not appropriate for use in the Christian marriage
service.
It has long been traditional to have soloists
at marriage services. While there is the possibility that soloists can
add much to the richness of the marriage liturgy, this should not have the
result of eliminating congregational hymns. A congregation gathers at a
marriage celebration to witness the beginning of a covenant and to express joy
and praise to God. Hymns are wonderful ways this expression might be
made.
To assist you in selecting your wedding music,
Holy Trinity's organist and soloists have recorded some processionals,
recessionals and wedding solos from which you may choose. If you do not
find these selections to your liking or, if you have already chosen your
music, the pastor and/or Holy Trinity's music director will meet with you
either to offer more selections for your consideration or to review the music
you have chosen.
If soloists are used, special care must be
taken to assure that the music is performed with reasonably high quality.
Soloists should be selected on the basis of their musical ability and not on
the primary basis of personal friendship. Holy trinity does have access
to excellent musicians, both vocal and instrumental. The staff would be
pleased to make arrangements for you in this regard.
B. The
Texts (Readings):
As Christians, we rejoice in hearing the word
of God. The reading of appropriate scripture will set the tone for your
wedding service. The pastor has a list of these passages from which you
may choose or you may select readings that have special meaning for you.
C. The
Liturgy:
The pastor has several liturgies, both
Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic, that he can share with you for consideration
for your marriage service.
5. Obtain
Your Marriage License:
Minnesota State Law requires couples to secure
a license to marry. You may apply at any Clerk of Court office in the
state. You must produce proof of age for persons. Please note:
After application, it takes a minimum of one (1) week to receive your license.
We require the license to be presented to the church office at least one
(1) week prior to your wedding. THIS MEANS YOU SHOULD APPLY AT LEAST
TWO (2) WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR WEDDING.
*Plan to pay for your license fees by money
order or cash. The County Clerk will not process your license
application until your personal check has cleared the bank.
6. Pay all
Church and Personnel Fees:
All church and personnel fees are due in the
church office two (2) weeks prior to your wedding. Pay all fees in one
check made payable to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. If you have asked a
friend to sing or have arranged for a vocalist from outside the church, you
will be responsible for reimbursing them personally.
Suggestion Concerning Gifts:
Some persons who have been married at Holy
Trinity have taken steps to limit the giving of traditional gifts.
Sometimes guests have been encouraged to provide a contribution to the World
Hunger Appeal or another charity in honor of one's marriage.
Music
The Marriage Service is first of all a service of
worship. The music chosen needs to reflect care and sensitivity to the
sacredness of the worship of God. The following musical elements will need
to be decided upon in planning your wedding:
Processional
Solo or Instrumental Music
A complete and comprehensive listing of solos
appropriate for weddings at Holy Trinity is available from the pastor or
organist.
Suggested Scripture Readings
| Genesis 1:26-31 |
Male and Female created by God |
| Genesis 2:18-24 |
God creates man and woman |
| Song of Solomon 2:10-13 |
Love in the spring |
| Song of Solomon 8:7 |
The steadfast love of God |
| |
|
| Romans 12:1-2 |
A living offering |
| 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 |
The hymn of divine love |
| Ephesians 5:21 - 33 |
Marriage and the church |
| |
|
| Matthew 19:4-6 |
Faithfulness in marriage |
| John 2:1-10 |
The wedding at Cana |
FAQS (frequently asked
questions)
1. How many ushers will we
need?
If you are planning for more than 100 guests,
you will need at least three (3) ushers.
2. Will we need to order
altar flowers?
Holy Trinity does not order flowers for the
altar for use during Sunday services. You will need to order altar
flowers from your wedding florist. It is best to be modest - a single,
simple arrangement for the right side of the altar is sufficient.
3. We would like a
Candlelight Service. may we use the candelabras or aisle candle holders?
Yes. Arrange with the Pastor when you are
planning your wedding service. We will provide candles.
4. May we tape the service?
Yes, but the video-recorder must be set up in
the balcony. An audio-tape can be made through our sound system.
No flash pictures are allowed.
5. Whom do we contact for
last minute changes?
If there is a last-minute scheduling change,
you should contact the pastor, 612-729-8358.
6. May we have our reception
at the church?
Yes. You are welcome to use the church
for your reception. There is an additional fee. The church does
have dishes, bowls, silverware for you to use. You should note the
church policy against alcoholic beverages being served. You can make
arrangements with the pastor.
____________________________________________________
Fees for Marriage
Service/Reception
|
Marriage Service |
|
| Maintenance / custodial fee |
|
|
Active Members |
$100.00* |
|
Non-members |
200.00* |
|
or inactive members |
|
| Organist |
150.00 |
| Soloist(s) - minimum |
60.00 |
| Instrumentalists, per hour (based on
Guild rates) |
85.00 |
| Bulletins, First 100 or part thereof |
25.00 |
| Each additional 100 |
10.00 |
| PREPARE Inventory |
30.00 |
| |
|
| Reception Use - Members |
|
| Gym** |
$100 plus $15 per hour |
| Community Room ** |
$75 plus $15 per hour |
| |
|
| Reception Use - Non-Members |
|
| Gym** |
$200 plus $15 per hour |
| Community Room** |
$100 plus $15 per hour |
* These fee quotations assume up to 3.5 hours
of time. There is an additional fee for times in excess of this amount
of time.
** The Church Staff assumes the responsibility
for setting up tables and chairs in accordance with desire of persons using
reception area.
Pastoral Fee Policy
The pastor of this congregation does not retain
any financial gifts provided to him for pastoral services. Any gifts in
this connection are treated as gifts to the church.
___________________________________________
The entire Holy Trinity building is a
non-smoking area. Strict observance of this is requested. The use of
alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
