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Trinity Lutheran Church, Pasadena CA |
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All are welcome! |
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Weddings at Trinity |
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General Information
Weddings are Worship Services Trinity Lutheran Church is an active congregation. We are members of a wider church body, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In our tradition, a Christian wedding is a sacred covenant witnessed by both God and the congregation gathered to support and celebrate with you. All weddings conducted at Trinity Lutheran Church are considered to be services of worship. While it is not a requirement to be a member of the church; it is important that you understand the solemnity of the worship service and space. Faith in Christ will be reflected in the prayers, through scripture readings, the music, and the message as we partner with you in asking the Lord to bless your wedding day, as well as your married life together.
The Sanctuary you are seeking to be married in is space set aside for worship. This is not a Wedding Chapel, the money that you spend for the use of the Sanctuary goes directly to the upkeep of the church property related to your wedding. Because it is space set aside for worship there are rules for its use. Both the bride and groom need to initial and sign the statement of understanding found at the end of the Wedding Guidelines.
Wedding Facilitator A Trinity Wedding Facilitator will assist you with your wedding arrangements at the church. No weddings are held at Trinity without the assistance of a Trinity Wedding Facilitator. The first step is to contact the Facilitator. If you are not a member, you will want to set a time and date to meet to see the facilities. We suggest an appointment as we can not guarantee you will be able to see the church and facilities by just dropping by. The Facilitator will also work with you regarding the availability of the church; this includes the date and time you would like. The Facilitator will talk with the Pastor, the Music Director, and check the church calendar before letting you know if the date you have chosen is available.
Once your wedding date has been confirmed by Trinity’s Wedding Facilitator and your non-refundable deposit has been received by the church office, you should:
Make an appointment with Trinity’s Pastor to discuss your thoughts and ideas regarding the wedding ceremony and set up a pre-marital counseling schedule.
Make an appointment with Trinity’s Worship and Music Director to discuss your musical preferences and receive guidance with music selection.
You are responsible for communicating with Trinity’s Wedding Facilitator. You must clear any changes with her prior to confirming them with a vendor or sending invitations. . Clergy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Senior Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church has charge of all wedding ceremonies. Arrangements should be made to meet with the Pastor as early as possible. All decisions on the content and form of the service must be made in consultation with the Pastor.
Clergy other than Trinity’s Pastors Presiding at Weddings If you desire to have clergy involved in your wedding who are not ministers of Trinity Lutheran Church, please inform the Wedding Facilitator. The ELCA has a “pulpit and altar relationship” with the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church, USA, the United Church of Christ, the Methodist Church, and the Reformed Church in America. Notwithstanding those agreements, all clergy not called to serve at Trinity Lutheran Church must make arrangements for a consultation with Trinity’s Senior Pastor for approval to preside at a wedding here, prior to the wedding ceremony. Weddings may only be performed by clergy licensed in a Christian church or denomination. Contact with the Senior Pastor should be made as soon as possible in order to insure that your Pastor may conduct the ceremony.
Communion It is the practice of Trinity Lutheran Church that when communion is included in the Wedding Service all are welcomed to the Lord’s Table. We believe that in receiving the bread and the wine, we also receive the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; who welcomed all people. Therefore, we do not permit communion for just the bride and the groom [or wedding party] during the worship service. We suggest that if you would like private communion you arrange with the Pastor to receive it as part of your wedding rehearsal or prior to your marriage.
Music All music for your wedding at Trinity Lutheran Church should be in keeping with a Christian Worship Service. There is a vast variety of appropriate music available. Trinity’s Music Director is a wonderful resource to help you find meaningful and appropriate music. All wedding selections must be approved by Trinity’s Music Director. Discussion regarding selection of music should be done immediately following the confirmation of your wedding date at Trinity.
Trinity’s Organist normally plays for all weddings; if an outside musician is requested, Trinity’s Music Director will meet with and approve their music selections; this includes soloists [instrumentalist(s)]. The wedding rehearsal is not the best time for musical rehearsals; time to rehearse should be arranged with the Music Director prior to the week of the ceremony.
The sound system includes two wireless and one hand-held microphone. The Facilitator will assist in making sure that the sound system is working.
We do not have the equipment for playing CD’s or tapes for the ceremony.
Furnishings and Decorations
Church Furniture Church furnishings is not to be moved; and may only be moved in consultation with the permission of the wedding Facilitator. Furnishings include: Pews, Baptismal Font, Altar Frontal and matching Paraments. The church is decorated in accordance to the church’s liturgical calendar. You will be notified if the church will decorated for a special holiday on the date you have chosen. Those decorations will remain in place. For example: during the Christmas Season there will be a tree in the chancel next to the altar.
Flowers As you make decisions regarding floral arrangements please convey the following guidelines to your florist:
o No floral arrangements may be placed on the altar or obstruct chancel furnishings.
o Floral arrangements and/or draping (i.e., fabric or ribbon) may be used on the pews.
o Trinity has a 65- foot runner available (see fee schedule) or you may want to discuss a runner with your florist. Runners may only be secured with T-pins. In the interest of safety, no paper or plastic runners may be used.
o There are 34 pews in total, 17 rows on each side of the aisle.
o Decorations begin on the second pew if using flowers or draping, while every third pew if the aisle candles are used.
o Trinity has Aisle Candles and a 65 foot while runner available.
o Nails, tacks, wires, screws or fasteners that leave marks, holes or coloring are not allowed to hold decorations on any furniture or architectural element in the church.
o Please discuss and set the time to decorate the church in advance. There are many activities taking place and this time also needs to be reserved.
Candles Please discuss the use of candles with the Wedding Facilitator. As you prepare for your wedding please keep the following in mind: o The Church furnishes the altar candles.
o If you choose to use a Unity Candle: You may furnish your own The church has a unity candle holder that you may borrow.
o Pew Candles are appropriate for late afternoon or evening weddings only.
o There are 12 pew hurricane candles. To establish balance and symmetry, pew candles are set on every third pew beginning at the second pew row.
Please consult the Fee Schedule for special charges regarding the set up and use of candles.
Photography Photographer and Videographer When you are making arrangements with your photographer and videographer; please make him/her aware they are to observe the following rules. If possible it would be desirable for the photographer and videographer to attend the rehearsal in order to become familiar with the church policies and facilities; in an effort to cut down on any confusion on the day of your wedding.
o Your Photographer should arrive at the church with plenty of time to meet with the Wedding Facilitator on the day of the ceremony.
o The photographers should be dressed appropriately for a church wedding.
o You wedding is a worship service; once the service begins photographers will not be able to move through the sanctuary. The Wedding Facilitator will be able to direct photographers to appropriate places from which to photograph the ceremony [usually the balcony, rear of the church, or side of the chancel.]
o Video equipment may only be place on a tripod located at the back of the church, in the balcony, or at the side of the chancel.
o Flash is inappropriate during the wedding service. The ceremony begins when the music starts.
o The photographer may take pictures of the processional; however, the photographer may not walk down the aisle in front of the bride; and should be completely discrete, making sure not to be a visual distraction during any part of the ceremony.
o Posed pictures in the chancel may be taken before and/or after the service.
o Pictures may be taken in the dressing room or outside the church before or after the service.
No Cameras are to be used by guests during the ceremony.
Your, your guests and your photographers cooperation of the above will is gratefully appreciated.
Service Bulletins A sample of your proposed wedding bulletin must be submitted to a Trinity Pastor for approval prior to printing.
Capacity The church can accommodate between 300 – 350 total guests.
Rehearsal The two hour rehearsal is held prior to the wedding [normally a Thursday [must be approved by the music director] or Friday evening. It cannot conflict with other scheduled church activities.
The wedding party should arrive on time for the rehearsal. Time for travel and traffic delays should be taken into consideration.
Prohibited The following items are strictly restricted on Trinity Lutheran Church premises:
o Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the rehearsal or at the wedding.
o Rice, confetti, birdseed or silly string is not to be used on church property.
o Cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off or placed on vibrate.
Marriage License and Wedding Fees
The marriage license must be brought to the rehearsal. No Exceptions!
If you would like a copy of your marriage license sent directly to you from the County, please follow the directions you received with the license. A check made payable to the County must accompany your signed request; please stamp the return envelop and include a stamped self – addressed envelop to return a copy of wedding license to you. All must be given to the Pastor presiding at wedding ceremony. The Pastor is responsible for returning the license to the county in a timely manner; you will not receive it back following the wedding.
All wedding fees are to be given to the wedding facilitator at the rehearsal. The facilitator will distribute them accordingly. Fees should be in separate addressed envelops [for example: Trinity Lutheran Church, Pastor, Wedding Facilitator, Organist, Custodian.] Fees should be paid in cash.
Wedding Fees
Deposit A non-refundable deposit of two-hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) is due at the time of booking the date of your wedding. Please make your check payable to Trinity Lutheran Church. Your date is not confirmed until the agreement and deposit are received and accepted by the church. You may deliver your deposit and signed application to the church office [Monday – Friday between 9:30 am – 2:30 pm; calling ahead to be sure someone is in the office is advisable.] or mail it to:
Trinity Lutheran Church 997 East Walnut Street Pasadena, California 91106 626-792-1212
Contact the church for phone numbers for the Wedding Facilitator, Pastor, and Music Director.
Fee Schedule
Non-Refundable Deposit 250.00 Sanctuary 750.00 Refundable Security Deposit 500.00 Pastor 350.00 Wedding Facilitator 400.00 Organist 250.00 Vocalist 125.00* Instrumentalist to be announced** nursery attendant 10.00 per child per hour; minimum 100.00 Custodian 100.00 Unity Candle 75.00*** Aisle Candles 125.00*** Linen Aisle Runner 150.00*** Receptions see fellowship Hall
*one selection; two or more selections 200.00 **based on Instrumentalist fees and request ***Please consult with the Wedding Facilitator regarding these optional fees.
Fees Include The fee for the church covers two (2) hours for the rehearsal and three hours on the day of the wedding. If more time is needed (and available) there will be a $50.00 additional charge for each hour or part there of beyond the agreed to time. There is no charge for the time that is approved for musicians to practice, however, all practice times must be approved in advance and fit within the normal schedule of the church. If it requires someone to make a special trip to open and close the church; the hourly charge will apply.
Fellowship Hall The church has a fellowship hall with a large kitchen that is appropriate for receptions and may be used for an additional fee. Caterers using our facility must be approved by the Wedding Facilitator.
Property Damage Any property damage shall be the sole responsibility of the person scheduling the wedding. The cost of the damage will be assessed and if it surpasses the $500.00 deposit; the additional costs will be submitted to the responsible person for immediate reimbursement to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Please contact the church office to get the wedding application, statement of understanding and contact information for the wedding facilitator. |
