Your Wedding Guide
Saron Lutheran Church
311 Lake St S
Big Lake MN 55309
Phone: 763-263-2209
Fax: 763-262-6002
E-mail:
Website:
IMPORTANT NAMES AND NUMBERS
Pastor:
Organist:
Wedding Coordinator:
APPOINTMENT DATES AND TIMES
Pastor:1
2
3
Wedding Coordinator:
Music Consultation:
Soloist Rehearsal:
YOUR WEDDING
Congratulations on your engagement! May Christ bless you as you plan your wedding day and as your love for each other grows in the months and years ahead.
This Wedding Guide gives basic information to help make your wedding day meaningful to you, your family, and your friends.
First and foremost, the Christian marriage ceremony is a worship service. It celebrates God’s blessing upon the union of two people and God’s promise to always be present in that union.
Plan your wedding with careful and prayerful consideration. If you have any questions as you plan, we are here to help. We want you to truly enjoy your wedding day!
Basic checklist for your wedding at Saron:
♥Contact the Saron Lutheran Church office to request a date and time for your wedding and rehearsal. (You can probably check that one off already!)
♥Come to the church office to pick up wedding materials and to pay your deposit. The deposit must be made within one week of reserving the date or the date will be considered open and available again.
♥Roughly four months before your wedding you will receive a postcard with the names of the pastor, the wedding coordinator, and the organist.
♥After you receive your postcard, contact the pastor to set up three appointments for pre-marital counseling. (See page 4.) If you are planning to include another pastor or priest in your wedding, please discuss this at this time with the pastor from Saron.
♥After setting up your appointments with the pastor, contact your wedding coordinator to make an appointment for after your first meeting with the pastor. (See page 4.) Also contact the church organist for a music consultation for after your first meeting with the pastor. (See page 5.) If you would like to use an organist other the organist from Saron, it must be approved by the Saron organist. If you have other plans for music, other than an organist, please talk to the Saron pastor about this.
♥About six weeks before your wedding go to a county licensing office and apply for your marriage license. (See page 7.) We require that you bring the license to our officefive business days prior to your wedding day. Also, at your first meeting with the pastor you will receive a form that entitles you to a discount on the cost of the license.
♥Make sure that ALL FEES are remitted to the church office at least five business days prior to your wedding day. Individual checks should be made out to the coordinator, pastor, organist, custodian, etc. A list of names for these individual checks will be given to you when you meet with the coordinator.
The pastors of SaronLutheran usually require three premarital counseling sessions:
The first meeting will be approximately ten weeks before the wedding. This meeting is for both of you to meet the pastor, work with the pastor to plan the service, and then take the Prepare marriage inventory (a helpful tool in building a strong marriage.) Be sure to read through all the wedding materials in this booklet and talk through the wedding service before your first meeting with the pastor. Also, bring this Wedding Guide with you to the first session.
The second meeting will be about six weeks before the wedding and will be a time to go over the results of the Prepare inventory, to look for specific strengths and areas for growth in the relationship.
The third meeting will be sometime the week before the wedding, to wrap up conversation about Prepare, to go over remaining details about the wedding, and to think about the future!
MEETING WITH THE WEDDING COORDINATOR
The wedding coordinator is your main contact person as you plan all the details of your wedding service. At the meeting you will tour the building, plan a schedule, and discuss all of the physical aspects of the sanctuary, such as flowers, candles, decorations, the aisle runner, etc. Some of the duties of the wedding coordinator are:
REHEARSAL: The coordinator will conduct the rehearsal and will give instructions to the wedding party regarding procedures, where to stand, processional and recessional. (Generally, the organist does not participate in the rehearsal and the pastor may or may not need to be there, either.) Also, the ushers will have their duties explained to them. If a receiving line is desired, the coordinator will give you options to choose from according to proper etiquette.
WEDDING DAY: The coordinator will be at church prior to the wedding party, to unlock the church. Doors can be opened no more than three hours before the ceremony. The coordinator will assist the photographer and video operator in readying the sanctuary for pictures, and in keeping the bridal party together during the photo session. After the pictures, the bridal party should remove all of their possessions from the dressing rooms—the rooms need to be cleaned out before the ceremony begins. This will save you time after the wedding (during all the commotion) and will ensure that your belongings are kept safe. Just before the service is to begin, the coordinator will line up the bridal party and coordinate your entrance into the sanctuary.
MEETING WITH THE ORGANIST
The Saronorganist usually plays for wedding ceremonies at the church. If he/she is not available, or you wish to use a different organist, arrangements need to be worked out with the Saronorganist. Also, since the he/she is usually the primary musician for your ceremony, any other soloists or instrumentalists need to be coordinated through the organist.
Music takes time to prepare and rehearse, so please contact the organist as soon as possible. When you meet with the organist, you will be able to hear a selection of typical processionals and recessionals, as well as wedding songs, if desired. You may wish to do your own music research before this meeting in order to hear more possibilities. Talk to friends and family about music that they have heard, visit your local music store, or get a recording of wedding music from a bridal shop.
As you plan your music, keep in mind that the wedding ceremony is a worship service, and music must be chosen accordingly. Some pop songs (which often are about the physical side of love) may not be appropriate for worship, and some music may not work well within the ceremony. All of your music will need to be approved by the pastor and organist.
The organist will need a copy of the music to be used four weeks before the wedding, and at least one week before rehearsing with the soloist, whichever is greater.
The organist fee covers: the music consultation lasting 30 minutes; one rehearsal with soloist, instrumentalist, etc., if applicable (additional rehearsals will require an additional fee); and the organ music and accompaniment for the actual ceremony.
Generally, neither the organist nor the pastor attends the wedding rehearsal. Changes in this policy will be worked out individually between the organist and the couple.
CUSTODIAN/SOUND TECHNICIAN
A custodian is necessary at all weddings. The custodian will prepare and clean the sanctuary and building for your use, and return the building to its normal order after you leave. Please assist the custodian by being respectful of church property and cleaning up after yourselves. Also, the custodian is trained to run the sound system, which is critical to ensuring that the ceremony goes smoothly!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Flowers and Decorations
Discuss sanctuary decorations with the wedding coordinator.
No artificial flowers should be used at or on the altar.
For flower petals thrown by flower girls, however, use only artificial petals. Real petals get crushed into the carpet.
If you wish to use an aisle runner, a 75’ runner is adequate. You can purchase it from a paper store or your florist.
The color of the chancel (front of the sanctuary) paraments (altar cloths, etc.) and other hangings is determined by the season of the church year. The paraments are not changed for weddings. Please check with the coordinator to see what the colors will be on the day of your wedding.
Chancel furniture, including choir chairs, may not be removed from their designated area.
Candles
The two altar candles will remain on the altar for the service.
Aisle candles and spiral candelabra can be rented from Saron. The fee includes set up and take down. Saronis not responsible for set up or take down of any items rented from another source.
You may wish to use a Unity Candle in your ceremony. You will need to purchase the Unity Candle; it should be three inches in diameter and approximately 10 inches in height, in order to fit into the stand. You will be able to use the church’s stand and side candles free of charge.
Pictures
Formal pictures may be taken prior to the ceremony. Pictures can be taken up to 2½hours prior to the service but must end ½ hour before the service.
Allow 1 ½ - 2 hours for the pictures.
Flash pictures may be taken during the Processional and Recessional, but NOT during the ceremony.
Audio/Video
Discuss all arrangements for audio and video taping with your wedding coordinator ahead of time.
Miscellaneous
The day of the wedding can be a little long and tiring! You are encouraged to bring snacks and water, pop, etc. to keep your strength up. All food and beverages must, however, stay in the Fellowship Hall.
Please inform your family and friends that rice, confetti, birdseed, etc. are NOT allowed.
Alcoholic beverages/chemical substances are NOT allowed in the building or in church grounds. State law assigns liability to the wedding party or person(s) providing alcohol.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the church building.
SaronLutheran Church is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please do not leave personal items of value unattended. Also, do not leave valuable items visible in parked cars. Finally, special permission must be granted to leave cars in the parking lot after everyone has left from the wedding service.
1
Getting Your Marriage License
Rev. 8/21/09
Marriage licenses are available at any county license center. You may apply in any county of the state regardless of where you live or intend to have the marriage ceremony performed. Once the license is issued, you may use it anywhere in the state within six (6) months. It is not valid for use in states other than Minnesota. Both parties to be married must apply for the license. Identification should be brought for both parties.
If there are prior marriages that have been dissolved through dissolution or annulment, a copy of the final decree may be presented for verification.
Other information needed to complete the application includes the following:
- Legal names of both parties
- Address and state of residence
- Date of birth
- Information regarding previous marriages
- If a minor, the names and addresses of parents and legal guardians.
- Name and date of birth of children of the parties
- Full names the parties wish to use after marriage
- Social Security Numbers
You may download the Marriage License application form (Adobe Acrobat format) for AnokaCounty and then print it. (Other counties may have similar forms available for download.) Bringing the filled-out form will save time and effort; however you must wait to sign the form in front of a Deputy.
Cost of the License
The Minnesota State Legislature has set the fee for a marriage license at $110.00.
The marriage license fee for parties who have completed at least 12 hours of premarital education is $40.00. In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the parties must submit a signed, notarized, and dated statement on letterhead of the person who provided the premarital education confirming education was received. The statement must be presented at the time of application to qualify for the reduced fee. The premarital education must be provided by a licensed or ordained minister or the minister’s designee, a person authorized to solemnize marriages under section 517.18, or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy under section 148B.33. The education must include the use of a premarital inventory and the teaching of communication and conflict management skills.
Waiting Period
There are no blood tests or other requirements to marry in Minnesota. However, there is a waiting period.
Five day* waiting period:
- If applicant(s) do not have a felony conviction for a crime committed on or after August 1, 2000 under MN Law or the law of another state or federal jurisdiction or,
- If the applicant(s) have a felony conviction for a crime committed on or after August 1, 2000 but are not requesting a name change.
The waiting period means that once you have applied for the license, five days must pass before it can be issued.
This waiting period can only be waived by a judge in case of an emergency or extraordinary circumstances.
At the conclusion of the five days*, you can either pick up the license or leave directions where it should be mailed.
*The five day wait is five business days. For example, if you apply on Monday, the license will be issued the following Monday.
Thirty day waiting period:
For any applicant who answered YES to the question “Does one or both of the parties have a felony conviction for a crime committed on or after August 1, 2000 under MN Law or the law of another state or federal jurisdiction,” and is requesting a name change. See MN Statute 259.13 Sections 3, 4, and 5 for proper procedures.
Witness/Certificate
The law requires that your marriage ceremony be witnessed by two people who are sixteen (16) years old or older. The person solemnizing the marriage (e.g. pastor, judge, etc.) will prepare two certificates of marriage. One certificate will be given to the parties and the other filed with the Director of Licensing of the county where the license was issued. The Director of Licensing records the marriage and mails a certified copy to the married parties.
THE WEDDING SERVICE PLANNING OPTIONS
(The following is a typical order of worship for the wedding service. Some parts provide different options for the service, or you may have thoughts of your own about how you want to word sections like the vows, etc. Look this over before you first meeting with the pastor and bring this Wedding Guide with you so that you can discuss your decisions.
Also, use this to plan your bulletin for the service.)
The Wedding Service of
______
Date ______
Prelude
Processional
Greeting
P:We gather today for the joining in marriage of[grooms name here] and [brides name here],in the name of the Father, and of the Son, andof the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer
P:Let us pray: Gracious God, whose love was ourbeginning, and whose love will never end,thank you for the love you have created between[grooms name here] and [brides name here]. May they always rejoice in its beauty and mystery,and may their life together embrace and reflect thefull promise of this moment, so that all who know themwill call them truly blessed. Amen.
Scripture Reading[choose from the readings on the back pages of this Wedding Guide, unless you already have some in mind, for this reading and the one after the optional Solo or Hymn. Also, if you would like, a friend or family member can be invited to do these readings.]
Solo or Hymn — optional
Scripture Reading
Pastor’s Message
Vows
P:[brides name here] and [grooms name here], if it is your intention to share with each otheryour joys and sorrows and all that the years will bring,with your promises bind yourselves now to each other…
[circle which of these vows you prefer or write your own]
The bride and groom face each other and join hands. Each repeats:
I love you name of bride or groom as I love no other. All that I am I share with you. I take you to be my wife/husband;
to laugh with you in joy,
to grieve with you in sorrow,
to grow with you in love,
to be faithful to you alone,