Third Lutheran Church - Louisville, Kentucky

PLANNING YOUR WEDDING

So you have decided to be married! Congratulations! We hope that not only your wedding but also your marriage will be everything you want and hope it will be. This should be a time of planning for your wedding and for your new life together. This should be a joyous time for you, full of dreams and excitement.

There is no more sacred place to be married than before the altar of God. Third Lutheran is a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but we welcome all people and all weddings, no matter what religion.

Third Lutheran is located in the Clifton neighborhood, on Frankfort Avenue, across the street from the School for the Blind. At Third, your wedding can be large or small, simple or formal, as you would like.

USE OF THE FACILITIES

Because the church is a special place where God meets people, appropriate reverence should be maintained in the preparation for and in the celebration of the marriage.

You will need to consult with your church coordinator to assure proper arrangements are made so the church is ready for your wedding on the day of the service. Your coordinator will be a member of the congregation, and will be available to answer questions such as building use, decoration, arrangements for times when the church building is to be open and to help you with all other details.

Following your wedding, the wedding coordinator will make sure that the sanctuary is ready for the next worship service. However, it is your responsibility to have someone clean up the rooms used for dressing, the nursery and any other rooms that may be used.

Please notify the church coordinator as soon as possible of any unusual needs (handicap accessibility, large attendance, etc.) Presently the church building is only marginally handicap accessible.

PICTURE TAKING AND VIDEOS

We suggest your photographer/videographer contact the church if they have not worked in our church before. Being an older building, there is limited access to electrical outlets.

FLOWERS

Flower arrangements may be placed in the chancel (the space between the communion rail and the altar) on appropriate stands. Bouquets may be placed on the flower shelves on either side of the altar. Anything placed on the communion rail that contains moisture (such as live plants) must have a protective barrier underneath to protect the wood. Candles and/or floral arrangements are permitted on the ledges of the side windows. The narthex (the entrance area of the sanctuary) may also be decorated.

The placement of all flowers is to be determined in consultation with the church coordinator.

AISLE RUNNERS

A florist can provide an aisle runner if desired. It is 60-feet from the altar to the door. Generally 5-1/2 yards or 66 feet are used. This is your responsibility.

AISLE CANDLES

The end of the pews may be decorated with candles and/or floral arrangements. The church has fourteen (14) candle holders (standard size taper candles) available for the ends of the pews. You would be expected to purchase the candles for these holders. Please let your coordinator know if you would like to use the candle holders.

ALTAR CANDLES

The church has six oil burning brass candles that can be placed on the altar. You are welcome to bring other candles to place around the church, provided that they are in containers that will not drip wax.

INSTRUMENTALIST

The church organist does not come with the rental of the building. If you need an organist, we will be glad to provide you with the contact information for our church organist and you can make separate arrangements.

If you are bringing an organist, they will need to contact the church coordinator to schedule practice times to familiarize themselves with the organ. There is a Kurzweil electric piano and an acoustic piano also available in the sanctuary.

Other types of instrumentalists are welcome, and our sounds system can also accomodate CDs.

SOLOS

A lectern with a microphone is available for a vocal solo or other special music.

SMOKING

The entire building is smoke-free. Smoking is permitted outside, but smokers are asked not to throw their cigarette/cigars butts in the yard or on the parking lot.

ALCOHOL POLICY

Wine and beer are regularly permitted in the fellowship hall during the rehearsal dinner or reception. Permission can also be granted for other alcoholic beverages to be served, after discussion with your coordinator.

BUILDING SPACE

Third Lutheran Church can accommodate up to 250 guests with use of the sanctuary pews and the balcony. Third has a long center aisle leading from the enclosed narthex to the altar. We also have a fellowship hall which can accommodate 150 people for a reception or rehearsal dinner. A bride’s room is available for dressing of the bride/bridesmaids and a library is available for dressing of the groom/ groomsmen. There is a nursery available for children, but you are responsible for having an adult stay with the children and clean up.

FEES (non-member)

1. The fee of $750.00 is for the use of

the sanctuary and $500.00 for

the use of the fellowship hall. This

includes a custodian fee, and a

church coordinator fee for both the

wedding and the rehearsal.

2. Any incidental cost to the church

(such as bulletins, candles, etc.)

is the responsibility of the couple and

payable in advance.

3. A separate $250.00 security deposit

is also required. This check will not

be cashed unless there is damage to

the building. The check will be mailed

back to the couple the week after the

wedding.

PAYMENT

A deposit of $200.00 and the security deposit are due at the time of confirmation of the date on the calendar. Final payment is due at least seven (7) days prior to the wedding. The checks should be made payable to Third Lutheran Church.

REHEARSAL

The rehearsal is usually held the night prior to the ceremony, but may be at another convenient time. The rehearsal should begin promptly on time. Every member of the wedding should be present for the rehearsal, including musicians, readers, and parents.