Wedding Handbook

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PLYMOUTH

3695 County Road 101 N

Plymouth, MN 55446-2907

763-478-9406

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A wedding is an act of worship of God,who calls a man and a woman together in marriage. It is a celebration of your lovefor one another and for your Lord Jesus

Christ.

Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth andher pastor are pleased to share this happy

occasion with you and wish to make it amemorable experience as you prepare

for your life together.

Your desire to have a church weddingindicates that you see your marriage as

a commitment made before God and that the ceremony is in harmony

with the principles of Christian worship. We suggest you read the information in this booklet carefully. This booklet is

meant to provide the guidance you need to make planning easier and more enjoyable.

We hope the following guidelines will be helpful as you plan for your wedding.

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SETTING THE DATEContact one of the Pastors to see if he

is available to officiate at your wedding. Contact the church secretary to have your rehearsal/wedding date and time placed on the church calendar. It is well to have an alternative date and time in the event the church is in use.

If you would like other clergy to participate in your wedding, discuss this with the pastor at Peace before arrangements are made.

PRE-MARITAL COUNSELINGMake an appointment with the pastor

at least three months in advance of your wedding date.

An important part of wedding planning is the preparation for marriage. The pastor will administer a Pre-Marital Inventory to determine the strengths and growth areas in your relationship. Three to four additional meetings with the pastor will be scheduled.

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TELEPHONE NUMBERSChurch Office: 9:00-5:30 763.478.9406

Pastors:Andris SedlinsJeff Heiderscheit

Wedding Coordinator:Jeanette Colligan

Organist and Music Consulting:Ruth Holm

Sound Technician:Bob Samuelson

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WEDDING COORDINATOR

The wedding coordinator will help with any questions you may have about the wedding plans. She is available to meet with you after your date has been set, to discuss details and answer your questions. You should contact the wedding coordinator at least three months prior to your wedding. The wedding coordinator or an assistant will be at your wedding to assist the bridal party in any way necessary and to keep the wedding running smoothly and on schedule.Marriage License Since weddings are regulated by the state,

you must secure your license in Minnesota. There is a minimum of five days waiting period in Minnesota and it can be applied for no more than six months in advance. The license should be given to the wedding coordinator or church secretary five days before your wedding. No wedding can proceed without a license.

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Marriage License cont.

You must apply for a marriage in person at the county registrar’s office (for complete listing see: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/osr/registrars). At least one of the contracting parties must be present to apply. If either of the parties is not present, their signature must be notarized on the application. You may pick up the license after a five-day statutory waiting period. Licenses are valid for six months from the issue date. No refunds are issued on unused licenses at any time. Both parties are required to provide their Social Security numbers.

If either or both of the applicant(s) has/have been previously married, information regarding the termination of the most recent marriage is required at the time of application. If the most recent previous marriage was terminated by death, the exact date, as well as the state and county in which the death occurred, must be provided. If termination was by divorce or court annulment, the exact date, county, state, and type of court are required. If termination by divorce or legal annulment occurred within 30 days of the date of the application, a certified copy of the decree must be presented for viewing.

You are required to show one form of valid ID when applying for a marriage license.Acceptable documents include:

Current drivers license (Minnesota or other state)Clipped Minnesota license with yellow receiptCurrent passportCurrent Minnesota ID cardCurrent ID issued by INSMilitary IDNaturalization papers with current photo

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Marriage License cont.The name you provide on the application must exactly match the name on your identifying document.

The regular fee for a marriage license is currently $100. It is best to be prepared to pay with cash. This fee is reduced to $30 for couples who complete 12 hours of premarital education. A licensed or ordained minister or the minister’s designee must provide the education or a person authorized to practice marriage and family therapy. To be eligible for the reduced fee, a premarital education statement must be submitted when the couple applies for the license. This statement can be given to you by the counseling pastor.

You must give your marriage certificate to your wedding coordinator 7 days prior to the wedding.

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SanctuaryThe sanctuary will seat approximately

250 people. There are 8 rows of chairs on either side of the center aisle.

Please ask about the colors of the various seasons of the church year. Photos are available of the various banners, etc. Paraments are changed at the specified time of the year and will be not be changed for wedding services.

The church will be open and available for your wedding party, florist and photographer three hours prior to the start of the service.

Fellowship HallOur fellowship hall can comfortably

seat 150 people and is available for receptions. Please contact the pastor if you wish to make an inquiry or reservation.

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DRESSING ROOMSRooms are available for your use on

the day of the wedding. These rooms are secured during the ceremony. Mirrors will also be provided. This and all other rooms used by the wedding party are to be left in good condition. Any trash should be cleaned up and disposed of properly before wedding party leaves the building.You may bring snacks and or non-alcoholic beverages for the wedding party on the wedding day. (Please note that you will need to furnish plates, napkins, cups or glasses)Food and drink must stay in the fellowship hall.

NO ALCOHOL or SMOKING

No consumption of alcoholic beverages or smoking is permitted in the building or on the grounds of this facility at the time of the rehearsal, prior to or during the wedding and at the reception if it is held at Peace. Please remind your attendants and guests of this request.

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MUSICMusic is an important part of any

worship service. Our director of music will help select music that will be a prayerful expression of faith, trust and love for God and each other. Since the wedding is a sacred ceremony and a service of worship, the music is to glorify God as manifested in Jesus Christ. Music may be provided by voices or instruments. Hymns may be selected, as well as vocal solos, choral numbers and chamber literature. Secular music is to be approved by the pastor and/or the director of music. It is necessary for you to make arrangements for planning music well in advance of your wedding date.

If you would like to have a guest organist or pianist for the service, this may be arranged if the person has familiarity and competency playing the church organ/piano. Arrangements are to be made with the church office for use of the organ if a guest organist is used (practice time, rehearsal and wedding times).

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FlOWERSWe recommend your floral

arrangements be in keeping with the dignity of a church wedding. All floral arrangements should be in self-contained vases or provide a stand. Peace does have a few flower stands. The florist is invited to discuss details with the wedding coordinator prior to the wedding. Delivery of flowers should be during the hours the church is open on the wedding day. You are welcome to have specific flowers or flower arrangements displayed in honor or in memory of loved ones. You are welcome to leave some flowers in the sanctuary for Sunday services.

CANDLESYou may want to include the lighting

of a unity candle. If so, you are asked to secure the candle of your choice. (Long drip- less tapers - Colonial Brand - work best) Peace has a unity candle holder that is contemporary in style.

A kneeling bench is also available.

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PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHYWe suggest you arrange to have any

formal pictures taken before the ceremony. Two hours are available in the church before the wedding; photography should be completed 45 minutes before the wedding is scheduled to begin. We ask that flash pictures not be taken during the ceremony. Time exposure is permitted during the ceremony. If you have a wedding bulletin printed, include a statement that flash photographs not be taken during the ceremony. Video taping is permitted; one stationary camera and operator in the sanctuary. A sound technician is available for recording the ceremony.

WEDDING BULLETINIf you plan to provide an order of

service bulletin for your guests, you will arrange for your own typing and printing. When choosing a format, consider whether the folder is easy to open and read. Please keep your elderly guests in mind and whether they will be able to easily read it, when considering your font sizes.

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REHEARSALThe rehearsal is usually scheduled for

the evening before the wedding. It lasts approximately one hour. The complete wedding party, including ushers, parents, readers and others with special roles should be present. Please be prompt. The rehearsal will be conducted by the pastor.

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LICENSE AND FEES

Your marriage license and all fees are to be turned in to the wedding coordinator or church office no later than seven days before the wedding.

FEE SCHEDULENon-Member fees

* Sanctuary $300 Fellowship Hall $300 * Custodian $100 * Wedding Coordinator $150 * Organist $200*Sound Technician $ 75(if outside Pastors are used) * Pastor $300(Officiate, preach, pre-counseling and inventory) * Damage deposit $200 * Non refundable deposit $100 (To be used toward wedding)

If you become an active member by the time of your wedding, member fees will apply. All non-members will be billed as non-members. If you are interested in membership please speak with a pastor.

NOTE: * INDICATES NECESSARY SERVICES AND FEES

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Member FeesSanctuary $ 50Fellowship Hall $ 50

* Custodian $ 100* Wedding Coordinator $ 150* Organist $ 200

Pastor Honorarium optional* Damage deposit $ 200 Made out to Peace Lutheran (Will be held and mailed back if there are no damages)

NOTE: * INDICATES NECESSARY SERVICES AND FEES

**Please make checks payable to the individual. They will be distributed by the wedding coordinator.

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CHECK LIST FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM__________ Has the pastor been contacted?

__________ Has the church been reserved with a definite date and time?

__________ Has the rehearsal date and time been set?

__________ Has the entire wedding party (parents included) been notified to be at the rehearsal?

_________ Has the Peace Director of Music been contacted regarding your wedding music?

__________ Has the wedding coordinator been contacted?

__________ Have you made arrangements with a florist?

__________ Have you made arrangements with a photographer?

__________ Has the marriage license been given to the wedding coordinator(seven days prior)?

__________ Have you made arrangements for removal of wedding gifts and decorations from the church?

__________ Have all necessary fees been paid?

__________ Wedding bulletins?

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