Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage, a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and man to each other, publicly witnessed, and acknowledged by the community of faith.
Explore what Grace Lutheran has to offer your wedding within the tabbed panels below.
- Facilities
- Confirmation of Date and Consultation
- Music/Photography
- Rehearsal/Decorations
- Wedding Service
Facilities
In order to rule out the possibility of conflict of dates, the sanctuary or chapel may be reserved for particular dates only after staff consultation. A tentative clearance may be given by phone, but a final reservation can be confirmed only when the Wedding Registration Form and a non refundable, non-deductible registration fee of $100.00 has been returned to the office manager. The date is then entered on the church’s master calendar and may be considered confirmed.
Weddings may not be scheduled for the following days:
- Sundays
- Friday or Saturday prior to Christmas
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- During Lent (40 days prior to Easter)
Reservations for weddings are scheduled on a “first come, first serve” basis for members of Grace Lutheran Church.
The church is available on a limited basis to nonmembers for weddings. No confirmed date will be given to non-members until there has been a consultation with the Pastor and the Wedding Registration Form and registration fee have been returned to the office manager. The registration fee is non-refundable after confirmation is given for the wedding date.
The chapel seats approximately 90 people; the sanctuary approximately 500. Both Memorial Assembly and the Church parlors are available for receptions following weddings at Grace. Memorial Assembly can accommodate approximately 75 people; the Church Parlors approximately 350.
Arrangements for the reception, if held at the church, are to be made in consultation with the Grace Wedding Coordinator. This representative may be contacted through the church office for details on receptions.
As a matter of policy, no alcoholic beverages are allowed at wedding receptions held in church facilities. Also, no “red” beverage (i.e. punch) may be served. No rice, flower petals, birdseed, or confetti may be thrown, either in the church building or on the church grounds. If dancing is part of your celebration, we recommend that you find a facility outside of Grace Church for your reception.
Confirmation of Date
In order to confirm the date you have chosen for your wedding, please return the completed form to the church office along with the non-refundable, non-deductible registration fee. It is important to note that the date is not confirmed on our calendar until these are received.
Pre-marital Consultation
Marriage Preparation before-the-promises, and marriage enrichment during the promise-keeping, are times of realistic self-assessment of your relationship, of building a vision for your marriage, and of planning for the constant renewal of your life together. The success of your marriage is based on your growing relationship, not on one particular, although important, day in your relationship.
Marriage preparation is required for all couples. It should be initiated six months before the wedding. These classes focus on faith development and faith enrichment for couples, the purpose of weddings in the context of worship, and the crafting of marriage promises. The marriage preparation tool is an assessment and conversation starter with emphasis on personal and family issues including communication and conflict management, personalities, friends, and sexuality.
It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to make sure that marriage preparation is done well before the wedding. Please contact Lutheran Social Services in Eau Claire, 715.838.8440, to schedule an appointment for the Prepare/Enrich program. There is a cost of $30.00 for the program. If you live outside of the Eau Claire are, please discuss your Marriage preparation plans with the pastor and wedding coordinator.
Wedding Coordinator
The wedding coordinator assists the pastors of the church in directing the wedding rehearsal and in conducting the wedding. The wedding coordinator will contact you six (6) weeks before the wedding to set up an appointment. The wedding coordinator will explain wedding procedures at Grace Lutheran Church, answer questions, and help your families prepare for the wedding. On the night of the rehearsal, the wedding coordinator will be present to instruct ushers, place members of the wedding party and assure that they get in and out of the church at the appropriate time. On the day of the wedding, the wedding coordinator will help with any unforeseen difficulties and get members of the wedding party in the church in proper order and on time.
Music
The Director of Music will assist the bride and groom in planning suitable music for their wedding. The Director of Music at Grace, or an assistant, will be the organist or pianist for all weddings. Processionals and recessionals for the bridal party are normally instrumental, with one or two solos by singer or solo instrumentalist included within the service. Additional music may be played or sung as guests are being seated and as they depart. Live music is requested.
Because a wedding is a worship service, all music must be appropriate to Christian worship. Music which gives glory to God is one criteria as to which musical selections are appropriate.
Some things to look for in vocal music are
- Praise or thanksgiving to God
- Is it scriptural?
- Does it invite God’s blessing in your life?
Couples who have favorite music which is not appropriate in a setting of worship might consider having such selections played at their reception.
Photographs and Video Tapes
No flash photographs may be taken during the wedding. many photographers are familiar with appropriate photographic opportunities within the setting of a church wedding. Make sure that your photographer is familiar with the church before the wedding so they may remain as inconspicuous as possible. There may be No pictures taken from the altar area during the wedding. We strongly recommend, because of scheduling, that all posed wedding pictures be taken before the service. Allow at least two hours for this. Picture taking should be concluded 30 minutes before the wedding service begins.
- Video machines may be used to record the service if the following guidelines are observed:
- The equipment must be placed in the balcony.
- The equipment must not obstruct the view of the worshippers sitting in the balcony.
- No lights may be used.
- The church does not provide video taping service.
The Rehearsal
The wedding coordinator will be responsible for directing the wedding rehearsal. You will have filled out a “Rehearsal Information” form prior to the time of the rehearsal. This information will be used by the wedding coordinator in directing an orderly and expedient rehearsal. If all members of the wedding party are punctual, a rehearsal should take no longer than 45 minutes.
Members of the wedding party are expected to be present at the time set for the rehearsal. Since the rehearsal cannot proceed without all members of the party, latecomers cause the entire party inconvenience and delay the other events of the evening. The wedding coordinator will remain 15 minutes after the appointed time of the rehearsal. If all participants have not arrived by that time, the wedding coordinator will depart, and the rehearsal will be canceled.
Decorations
The chapel and sanctuary of the church are designed for worship and incorporate symbols of the Christian faith. The church has twelve pew candle holders, four candelabras, and a unity candle holder which are compatible with Sanctuary decor. These are optional and may be rented. If additional decorations are desire, they must not obscure or damage furnishings and symbols in the worship area.
The facilities will be available for putting up decorations prior to the time of the wedding depending on the church schedule. Please consult the wedding coordinator to make arrangements.
- No nails or screws will be driven into walls, floors, pews or furnishings.
- No tape may be used to secure decorations to the pews.
- Pew bow holders may be rented from your florist or Grace Lutheran.
- Protective cloths or plastic must be placed under all plants containing moisture.
- No Aisle Runners may be used.
- No theatrical lights shall be used, nor any other lighting than that which is already part of the sanctuary lighting system.
- All non-church owned decorations must be removed from the facilities immediately following the wedding. The church has no storage areas for such items and will not be responsible for loss or damage.
- There will be no artificial flowers on the altar.
If families wish to leave wedding flowers for use in worship on the Sunday following the wedding, arrangements should be made through the church office no later than two weeks prior to the wedding. An acknowledgment will be placed in the Sunday bulletin.
Rooms for Dressing
The wedding coordinator will direct the wedding party to the available dressing rooms. Please have all personal items removed from the dressing area immediately after the service. Personal attendants and ushers should assume this responsibility.
All weddings held at Grace Lutheran Church will be officiated by one of the ordained pastors of the church staff. The participation of another pastor/priest in the service is an option to discuss with the presiding pastor. Ordinarily the wedding service includes:
- Greeting and Prayer
- Scripture readings
- Homily
- Exchange of vows and of Rings
- Blessings
- Prayers and Lord’s Prayer
- Holy Communion (optional)
- Benediction
The rite offers some variety and flexibility and may be adapted for a variety of situations. We encourage you to read the service carefully and to discuss together what the service says about marriage. Your choices will be respected and incorporated into the liturgy as is appropriate. The entire service will be discussed during the Marriage Preparation, but we encourage you to acquaint yourselves with it now.
Assisting pastors or friends may be invited to read the lessons or to assist in prayers.
Holy Communion
If Holy communion is desired, distribution is made to all worshippers who choose to receive the sacrament.
Wedding Bulletins
Wedding bulletins are the responsibility of the bride and groom. Grace does not provide this service. The pastor will need to be consulted regarding the bulletin format.