Email: zlc@ktc.com
Ph.
830-997-2195
Greetings!
We congratulate you upon your engagement. Your wedding day is one of the most important dates in your lives, and your church and your pastors are glad to share this happy occasion with you.
After selecting a tentative date with our Office Administrator, please contact one of our pastors to confirm that date and to schedule your initial appointment. Please do not plan any part of your wedding service until it has been cleared with the pastor.
The pastors of Zion Lutheran have made a covenant not to
marry anyone without counseling. For nonmember weddings a minimum of two counseling session after the initial appointment is necessary. For member* weddings a minimum of three counseling sessions after the
initial appointment is necessary.
Exceptions are at the discretion of the
We know that you will want to avoid the many secular customs that have infiltrated wedding ceremonies. You will be pleased to know that our church emphasizes the Christ-centered character of the wedding service; thus there are certain areas in which the church speaks with clarity and finality so that the proper emphasis may be maintained. Please read the attached “Wedding Policies and Guidelines” thoroughly. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
May God bless you as you plan for your wedding day and your new life together.
Sincerely,
THE CHURCH COUNCIL
*A member
is defined as anyone who is on the active membership roles of
WEDDING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
USAGE, PRESIDING
MINISTER AND SCHEDULING
1. A wedding at which a Lutheran pastor presides is a worship service. The guests are not mere spectators but participants in the service—a congregation of God’s people gathered in prayer around God’s Word and the central actions of exchanging promises and rings.
2. Members of
3. Non-members are also welcome to
speak their vows in the sanctuary of
4. One
of the pastors of
5. Ministers of other Christian denominations may,
with the consent of
6. Your wedding date is only “set” when it is confirmed by one of the pastors.
7. No wedding dates are scheduled during HolyWeek or Easter weekend. Weddings on holidays will depend upon the availability of the pastors.
8. Weddings may begin no later than 7:00pm on Saturdays.
9. The
couple must contact
BUILDING POLICIES
1. There is to be no smoking in the church facilities.
2. The use of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on the church property, or inside the buildings
3. The throwing of rice is not permitted either inside or outside the church buildings.
4. The Zion Pastor must approve the use of our decorations and their placement. Careful consideration should be given to the use of any additional candles in the sanctuary area.
5. There must be clear plastic liners placed under candleholders and candelabras used in the sanctuary.
6. The pulpit is the place from which God’s word is proclaimed. It may not be used as a stage for soloists or readers. Scripture readings may be read from the lectern with permission from the presiding pastor.
7. The color of the altar paraments will not change for weddings.
8. Arrangements must be made in advance for the ringing of the church bells.
9. Arrangements must be made for the proper lighting of candles.
10. Professional wedding consultants must make arrangements to meet with an Altar Guild coordinator at least two weeks prior to the wedding. The consultant must understand that he or she plays no part in directing the rehearsal or wedding service.
11.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND
VIDEOGRAPHY
1. The taking of flash pictures by anyone during the service is strictly forbidden. Please inform the photographer, your family and your friends.
2. The photographer is not permitted in the chancel (altar area) during the wedding. He/she may take flash photos during the processional and recessional.
3. Photographs before the wedding are allowed and recommended. Please keep the photo session after the wedding brief (maximum 30 minutes).
4. Please inform the pastor if he/she is to be included in a photograph. This photo is to be taken first, after the wedding.
5. The wedding
may be videotaped. The camera must be
positioned in the balcony, or on an unattended
stand in the transept (side seating area).
WORSHIP AND MUSIC
1. The wedding service is brief, usually 30-40minutes. This time, out of all the weeks of preparation, is to be dedicated to honoring and worshipping God. For this reason the pastor and/or the music director will screen all the music during this period. Congregational hymns are also encouraged.
2. Any personal or special music during the wedding ceremony must be limited to the beginning of the service or at the point in the service where a Unity Candle is lit (if one is used). Please select this music carefully. The reception is the appropriate place for popular music to be played or used.
3. Traditions or customs based on good or bad “luck” are not appropriate in a Christian worship service or at rehearsal.
FLOWERS AND CLEAN UP
1. The
placement of flowers and other decorations must be coordinated with
2. Any flowers or petals dropped down the aisle should be picked up after the wedding. All flowers and greenery must be taken down immediately after the wedding so the custodian may begin cleaning the church for Sunday worship.
3. If you are leaving the flowers for Sunday, notify the office administrator in advance.
4. The sanctuary must be left in the condition in which you found it.
LICENSE AND INVITATIONS
1. The
marriage license may be purchased from any courthouse in
2. The marriage license must be presented to the pastor before the wedding begins.
3. The
couple has no obligation to invite the pastor (and spouse) to either the
wedding reception or the rehearsal supper.
It is, however, an honor and valuable for the pastor to attend these
events if the schedule permits. Please
formally indicate your wishes for the presence of
FEES
1. See the attached fee schedule for member and non-member fees.
2. A deposit is required to secure both member and non-member wedding dates. The congregation reserves the right to change the date up to three-weeks prior to the wedding in case of a congregational need. This is extremely rare and all efforts will be made to work with the couple should this take place.
3.
The balance of the fees for non-member use of church facilities is due two weeks prior to the wedding. These fees do not include the organist, soloist, or pastor.
WEDDING FEES AND CHECKLIST
SERVICE: MEMBERS NONMEMBERS
1. Church Sanctuary
Usage fee $ Donation $1000
(Grandchildren of members) $ 200
(These fees include the services of the Altar Guild wedding coordinator)
$100 of the Church Sanctuary fee is due in the church office when the church is reserved. For non-member weddings, the balance is due two weeks prior to the rehearsal.
(Make checks Payable to: Zion Lutheran Church)
2. Pastor’s Honorarium $ Donation $200+
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
(Note:
3. Zion
Other musicians $ 50-$100 $ 50-$100
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
RECEPTION FEES:*
FELLOWSHIP HALL: MEMBERS NONMEMBERS
Hall Use: (1 to 4 hours) $100 $275
(All-day) $100 $375
*Fees do not include the use of
Remember
PLEASE LEAVE THE PREMISES IN THE SAME CONDITION, OR BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. THANK YOU.
WEDDING
RESERVATION FORM
YOUR NAME:_________________________________________________
YOUR FIANCE’S NAME:
_______________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________________
PHONE:___________________Day /
Home__________________________
EMAIL:______________________
Date you wish to reserve:
_____________________
I HAVE READ THE AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF THE
FACILITIES AND I AGREE TO ABIDE WITH THE CONDITIONS SET
Signature:____________________________________ Date:____________
$_______Amount Paid
$___________Balance Due to: “Zion Lutheran Church”
Received by: __________________ Pastor’s Confirmation:______________________
Remember: no dates are final until we receive your $100
deposit and you receive a written confirmation from the office of
Thank
you,