Third Lutheran Church - Louisville, Kentucky

PLANNING YOUR WEDDING

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

Legally you could be married by civil officials, but you have chosen a church wedding. There is no more sacred place to be married than before the altar of God.

Your wedding can be large or small, simple or formal, as you would like. There is plenty of opportunity to make your wedding your own.

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.

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. There is a nursery available for small children, but you are responsible for having an adult stay with the children and clean up afterwards.

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

Alcoholic beverages are permitted on the grounds or in the church building.

DECORATIONS

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 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 altar candles are oil burning. The church also has a pair of brass seven-candle standing candelabras. If you wish to use these, you are responsible for the cost of these special-order no-drip candles. These may be decorated with greenery or flowers. Again you should consult with your 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.

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 acoustic piano also available in the sanctuary.

SOLOS

Use and placement of a vocal solo or other special music in the service should be planned with your Pastor.

FEES (NON-Member/ use of own Pastor)

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.

2. Any incidental cost to the church (such as bulletins, candles, etc.) are 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.

FORMS TO BE SUBMITTED

1. Bridal Party Information: Return to the office as soon as information is known, to be used for rehearsal coordination.

2. Building use: Return as soon as information is known.