Weddings at Charity

Premarital counseling is mandatory for all weddings. The cost of materials for this program is $35 and not included in any other fee schedules. Please call the pastor six months in advance to schedule your first appointment.

The Pastor’s availability will be determined upon receipt of the form information below.

Non-Charity Pastors are welcome to use our facility to perform weddings as long as they are ordained, serving in, or retired from a Christian church. That pastor will involve the couple in premarital counseling sessions

Your choice of music should reflect the dignity and spiritual importance of marriage. First consideration should be given to appropriate songs focused on God. Congregational songs should include hymns and songs that reflect the Christian heart of worship. The worship leader or pastor may have some ideas for appropriate music.

Your selection must be cleared by the officiating pastor. Music and associated fees are the responsibility of the wedding couple. Music may be live or recorded, but bring your music on CD to rehearsal.

If your ceremony includes a PowerPoint presentation or other slide show you will need a technical assistant. There will be an additional cost for this service because audio visual persons need to be present at both the rehearsal and the actual ceremony.

The capacity of the fellowship hall is 75. The bride and anyone assisting in the planning of your reception should meet with the wedding coordinator to plan the event details. The wedding coordinator will have ideas and suggestions and will be available to answer questions at any time before the wedding.

Please see the Fee Schedule for the cost of using the fellowship hall for receptions.

There are no fees for members when planning a renewal of vows, wedding blessing, or a small private ceremony with no facility use, decorations, rehearsal, sound, video, reception, or clean-up.

Non-member fee $100.

Charity’s sanctuary can accommodate approximately 300 people. There are a few guidelines for sanctuary use that wedding groups are expected to follow:

1. Do not fasten decorations to the furniture and/or the altar with nails, staples, screws, clamps, etc.

2. Do not use safety pins on the chairs.

3. Do not move permanent fixtures. Floral arrangements may be used on candelabras. You must provide your own candles.

4. Wedding flowers may be donated to the church for Sunday services. Please discuss this with the pastors or staff.

5. The church office is not responsible for preparing or printing wedding programs, however the pastor will provide the order of service.

6. No food is allowed in the sanctuary.

7. Report all accidents, spills, or breakage in the church to the pastor or staff. You are responsible for replacement or repair costs.

8. Please vacate the sanctuary as soon as possible so it may be cleaned for Sunday services.

9. Decorations need to be removed immediately. Please do not leave any decorations, food, or gifts in the church overnight.

10. Do not leave valuables unattended. Inform your photographer of your wishes for formal photos before or after the service.

11. Charity will not be responsible for missing, lost, or stolen items. If you have valuables, please ask if they can be locked in the church office during the ceremony.

The entire wedding party should be present at the rehearsal including: the bride and groom, attendants and ushers, musicians, pastor, and parents of both the bride and groom.

The officiating pastor is in charge of the rehearsal. They will explain where everyone stands and what to do, followed by a practice ceremony. It is very important that all participants attend. The wedding coordinator will be there to assist and answer questions. Rehearsal should be scheduled after 5:30 p.m. the evening before the wedding.

You may not throw rice or other objects indoors or outside the church building. You may not use bubbles, real flower petals, glitter, or confetti inside the building.

Any debris in the parking lot is the responsibility of the wedding party and should be cleaned up prior to exiting. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform the wedding party and family about these guidelines.

THE USE OF ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED ON THE CHURCH PREMISES, INCLUDING THE PARKING LOT. If anyone exhibits inappropriate behavior or appears to be under the influence, the rehearsal and wedding will be put on hold until the wedding couple deals with the situation.

A church wedding requires staff, pastors, and other assistants in addition to your dress, food, invitations, decorations, etc. The church will provide the wedding coordinator contact person when you schedule your wedding date. All planning, questions, etc. should be brought to the wedding coordinator as you plan your event.

Your wedding license must be brought to the church five days before the wedding along with the following non-refundable fees, payable in two checks: one to the church and one to the pastor.

PASTOR
Member - $350
Non-Member - $350
This check payable to the pastor.

CHURCH
Member - $325
Non-Member - $425
This check payable to Charity Lutheran Church.

ADDITIONAL FEES
All additional fees payable to Charity Lutheran Church.

WEDDING COORDINATOR
Member - $75
Non-Member - $75

JANITOR
Member - $75
Non-Member - $75

RECEPTION
Member - $50
Non-Member - $100

RENEWAL OF VOWS
Member - No Fee
Non-Member - $100