Weddings
Weddings at Holy Trinity
The celebration of marriage is a blessed and holy event, and we rejoice in the opportunity to share this event in the baptismal life with you! We know that marriage in the church is only one option some consider. Couples have a plethora of options for locations and venues and even who presides over the ceremony. We offer the following to help with some of these decisions. We do so for the sake of clarity, honesty, and to avoid misunderstanding.
The celebration of marriage is a blessed and holy event, and we rejoice in the opportunity to share this event in the baptismal life with you! We know that marriage in the church is only one option some consider. Couples have a plethora of options for locations and venues and even who presides over the ceremony. We offer the following to help with some of these decisions. We do so for the sake of clarity, honesty, and to avoid misunderstanding.
- To be married in the church is, first and foremost, an acknowledgement that you bind yourselves to one another by your promises before God and in the presence of the gathered community.
- To be married in the church is to recognize that the wedding ceremony is primarily a worship service shaped by the tradition and teaching of the church. It is a rite with God as the primary subject of attention. Secular wedding practices may primarily focus on the couple and family with God as a secondary concern. This is a choice every couple must make. In these cases, a secular setting should be considered.
- To be married in the church is to lead to a shared life lived in the embrace of the Body of Christ, the Church. If a couple has no intention of a continuing relationship with the church, which will be the source and ground of the promises made in the service, then the couple may wish to seek a civil ceremony in a venue that is more suited to their expectations.
Please review this information about weddings at Holy Trinity:
Who can be married at Holy Trinity?
What are the costs for having a wedding at the church?
How do we reserve a date?
Who will preside over the wedding?
Who will provide music?
What about the Marriage License?
How do we plan the service?
What are the costs for having a wedding at the church?
How do we reserve a date?
Who will preside over the wedding?
Who will provide music?
What about the Marriage License?
How do we plan the service?
Who can be married at Holy Trinity?
Holy Trinity celebrates weddings as a part of our communal life together. That means you may be married in the church:
C8.02.03. Confirmed members who do not commune and contribute for a period of two years shall no longer be considered voting members of the congregation and may be removed from the record of membership of the congregation. These members shall remain persons for whom the congregation has a continuing pastoral concern and will be welcomed to re-establish membership at any time.
Any couple who can legally obtain a license to be married in the State of Iowa may be married in the congregation, including same-gender couples. Pastors reserve the right to decide if they will or will not, in good conscience, perform a wedding for any couple.
What if one of us is of another faith or different Christian tradition?
This presents no problem. The pastor assigned to the wedding will work to make sure that the faith of both persons is honored and respected, while at the same time ensuring that the ceremony is faithful to the teachings of the Church.
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Holy Trinity celebrates weddings as a part of our communal life together. That means you may be married in the church:
- If at least one of the persons getting married is an active (communing and contributing) member of the congregation, or
- If a parent of one of the persons to be married is an active (communing and contributing) member of the congregation.
C8.02.03. Confirmed members who do not commune and contribute for a period of two years shall no longer be considered voting members of the congregation and may be removed from the record of membership of the congregation. These members shall remain persons for whom the congregation has a continuing pastoral concern and will be welcomed to re-establish membership at any time.
Any couple who can legally obtain a license to be married in the State of Iowa may be married in the congregation, including same-gender couples. Pastors reserve the right to decide if they will or will not, in good conscience, perform a wedding for any couple.
What if one of us is of another faith or different Christian tradition?
This presents no problem. The pastor assigned to the wedding will work to make sure that the faith of both persons is honored and respected, while at the same time ensuring that the ceremony is faithful to the teachings of the Church.
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What are the costs for having a wedding at the church?
Prices are subject to change & the pastor may adjust fees as prudent.
Given the large investment that most make in the wedding festivities, the congregation’s fee for a wedding held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is $1,250. The $100 non-refundable deposit made when the date is reserved is part of this fee. The remaining amount is due two weeks before the wedding. A wedding fee is not a tax-deductible donation. Couples who cannot pay the fee need only talk with the pastor to discuss alternate arrangements.
This fee includes:
Wedding Fees - Off-site Weddings
The fee for a wedding that takes place offsite is $450 plus travel expenses. This includes the pastor’s honorarium, counseling fees and premarriage resources.
Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator of the congregation will be assigned to be present for the rehearsal and wedding day. The Wedding Coordinator will arrange access to the building, set up space for the wedding party to prepare, make sure that the wedding party is lined up and ready at the appointed time and, assist the pastor at rehearsal and on the wedding day.
Sound System Tech
A sound system technician is required and will be assigned as the wedding date approaches. Playing recorded music is problematic because of copyright laws and the fickle nature of technical equipment. Any audio/visuals that have been approved by the pastor need to be at the church one week prior to the ceremony.
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Prices are subject to change & the pastor may adjust fees as prudent.
Given the large investment that most make in the wedding festivities, the congregation’s fee for a wedding held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is $1,250. The $100 non-refundable deposit made when the date is reserved is part of this fee. The remaining amount is due two weeks before the wedding. A wedding fee is not a tax-deductible donation. Couples who cannot pay the fee need only talk with the pastor to discuss alternate arrangements.
This fee includes:
- Pastor’s honorarium
- Organist/pianist/musician
- Wedding coordinator
- Custodian
- Building use and hospitality
- 1 hour rehearsal
- 5 hours wedding day
- Pre-martial counseling
- Sound system tech
- Reception at the church-$350
- Extra wedding coordinator for reception at the church-$100
- Additional musician for each additional song or solo-$50/each
Wedding Fees - Off-site Weddings
The fee for a wedding that takes place offsite is $450 plus travel expenses. This includes the pastor’s honorarium, counseling fees and premarriage resources.
Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator of the congregation will be assigned to be present for the rehearsal and wedding day. The Wedding Coordinator will arrange access to the building, set up space for the wedding party to prepare, make sure that the wedding party is lined up and ready at the appointed time and, assist the pastor at rehearsal and on the wedding day.
Sound System Tech
A sound system technician is required and will be assigned as the wedding date approaches. Playing recorded music is problematic because of copyright laws and the fickle nature of technical equipment. Any audio/visuals that have been approved by the pastor need to be at the church one week prior to the ceremony.
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How do we reserve a date?
The first step is to request use of the building and assignment of a pastor for the date of your wedding. Click here for the request form. The completed form and the reservation fee must be received before a date will be reserved.
After we receive the date request and fee, you will receive a Wedding Application form via email that will ask you to provide the necessary information about the persons to be married, contact information, etc.
Please note that there are some dates and seasons of the year that are unavailable due to the celebrations and mission of the congregation. Weddings will not be celebrated during the season of Lent (the 6-7 weeks leading up to Easter), during Holy Week, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Pastors reserve the right to not schedule weddings on holiday weekends. A wedding date and time should be reserved well in advance – think 6 months. A time shorter than this may lead to less availability of pastors and building use.
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The first step is to request use of the building and assignment of a pastor for the date of your wedding. Click here for the request form. The completed form and the reservation fee must be received before a date will be reserved.
After we receive the date request and fee, you will receive a Wedding Application form via email that will ask you to provide the necessary information about the persons to be married, contact information, etc.
Please note that there are some dates and seasons of the year that are unavailable due to the celebrations and mission of the congregation. Weddings will not be celebrated during the season of Lent (the 6-7 weeks leading up to Easter), during Holy Week, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Pastors reserve the right to not schedule weddings on holiday weekends. A wedding date and time should be reserved well in advance – think 6 months. A time shorter than this may lead to less availability of pastors and building use.
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Who will preside over the wedding?
A pastor of the congregation will be assigned once the Wedding Request form, initial fee, and Wedding Application have been received. The assignment will be made in consultation with the pastors and in consideration of the balance and timing of other weddings on the calendar. The pastors reserve the right to change the assignment if necessary up to and including the wedding day.
Ordained pastors or priests outside the congregation may be authorized by one of the pastors of the congregation to officiate if they are pastors in good standing with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) or one of the ELCA’s full communion partners (Episcopal Church USA, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church in America, United Methodist Church, Moravian Church). Other clergy must follow the policies and practices of this congregation.
Pre-Marital Counseling
All couples are required to participate in pre-marital counseling sessions with the pastor. Plan to meet for one-three sessions. The pastor assigned will be in contact with the couple before the wedding to arrange counseling sessions and a session to plan the ceremony.
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A pastor of the congregation will be assigned once the Wedding Request form, initial fee, and Wedding Application have been received. The assignment will be made in consultation with the pastors and in consideration of the balance and timing of other weddings on the calendar. The pastors reserve the right to change the assignment if necessary up to and including the wedding day.
Ordained pastors or priests outside the congregation may be authorized by one of the pastors of the congregation to officiate if they are pastors in good standing with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) or one of the ELCA’s full communion partners (Episcopal Church USA, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church in America, United Methodist Church, Moravian Church). Other clergy must follow the policies and practices of this congregation.
Pre-Marital Counseling
All couples are required to participate in pre-marital counseling sessions with the pastor. Plan to meet for one-three sessions. The pastor assigned will be in contact with the couple before the wedding to arrange counseling sessions and a session to plan the ceremony.
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Who will provide music?
The primary musicians of the congregation provide musical leadership at a wedding service in the congregation. The congregation will facilitate discussions between the couple and the musicians. If you wish to have someone from outside the congregation provide music, organists and pianists will need to consult with the music staff to ensure that they are capable and qualified to use the equipment of the congregation.
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The primary musicians of the congregation provide musical leadership at a wedding service in the congregation. The congregation will facilitate discussions between the couple and the musicians. If you wish to have someone from outside the congregation provide music, organists and pianists will need to consult with the music staff to ensure that they are capable and qualified to use the equipment of the congregation.
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What about the Marriage License?
Iowa law requires couples to secure a license to marry. You may apply for a license at the office of any County Clerk of Court in the state of Iowa. The license is due to the church office two weeks prior to your wedding along with all payments. The congregation will mail the completed certificate to the County Clerk in the week following the wedding service.
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Iowa law requires couples to secure a license to marry. You may apply for a license at the office of any County Clerk of Court in the state of Iowa. The license is due to the church office two weeks prior to your wedding along with all payments. The congregation will mail the completed certificate to the County Clerk in the week following the wedding service.
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How do we plan the service?
The pastor will set up a session with you to plan the wedding as a part of the pre-marriage counseling sessions. As you meet with the pastor to plan your ceremony, you are encouraged to bring ideas about ways to personalize your wedding. What is done in the service should be appropriate to a service of worship and consistent with the Christian understanding of marriage as expressed in the Order for Marriage, pages 286-291 of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal. Click here to review sample of the typical elements of the service.
Choose two or three scripture readings, including one from the Gospels, before your meeting with the pastor. Select a scripture that will be consistent with the theme you want to emphasize in your ceremony. You may wish to choose a psalm to be sung, either by a soloist or the congregation. Members of your family or wedding party may serve as the readers of the scripture that you select.
Please click here to review the recommended texts and let the pastor know your choices.
Music
The music for a worship service must honor God. Our musicians will give some guidance as to what is appropriate. All music selections need to be approved by the Pastor three to four weeks before the wedding. Music selections must be appropriate for Christian Worship. A couple’s favorite songs about love and romance are meaningful and important, but rarely focus our attention on the gift of divine love. They are excellent for use at the reception, but probably not the worship service.
Playing recorded music is problematic because of copyright laws and the fickle nature of technical equipment. Any audio/visuals that have been approved by the pastor need to be at the church one week prior to the ceremony.
Rehearsals
The rehearsal will take place the evening before the wedding at 5:30 PM unless an alternate time is agreed upon. All participants need to be present. The rehearsal needs to start on time to respect the schedules of those leading and will take usually no more than 30-60 minutes.
Bulletins
Printed bulletins will not be provided by the Church office but are to be approved by the presiding minister before printing.
Decorations
Conduct of Guests
THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE CHURCH PREMISES (BUILDING OR PARKING LOT). Persons under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances will not be permitted to participate in the wedding. Smoking is prohibited on the church premises. The Pastor reserves the right to halt the ceremony if a member of the wedding party or a guest is behaving in an inappropriate manner.
Please inform your family and friends that no pictures are to be taken during the service.
Photographers and Videos
Floodlights or flash are not permitted during the ceremony. Any pictures taken during the ceremony, after the processional, must be taken from the back of the church. All pictures should be taken prior to the wedding ceremony.
The videographer must be stationary during the service in a spot designated by the pastor.
Arrangements and Notes
Adopted by Congregation Council, December 2024
The pastor will set up a session with you to plan the wedding as a part of the pre-marriage counseling sessions. As you meet with the pastor to plan your ceremony, you are encouraged to bring ideas about ways to personalize your wedding. What is done in the service should be appropriate to a service of worship and consistent with the Christian understanding of marriage as expressed in the Order for Marriage, pages 286-291 of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal. Click here to review sample of the typical elements of the service.
Choose two or three scripture readings, including one from the Gospels, before your meeting with the pastor. Select a scripture that will be consistent with the theme you want to emphasize in your ceremony. You may wish to choose a psalm to be sung, either by a soloist or the congregation. Members of your family or wedding party may serve as the readers of the scripture that you select.
Please click here to review the recommended texts and let the pastor know your choices.
Music
The music for a worship service must honor God. Our musicians will give some guidance as to what is appropriate. All music selections need to be approved by the Pastor three to four weeks before the wedding. Music selections must be appropriate for Christian Worship. A couple’s favorite songs about love and romance are meaningful and important, but rarely focus our attention on the gift of divine love. They are excellent for use at the reception, but probably not the worship service.
Playing recorded music is problematic because of copyright laws and the fickle nature of technical equipment. Any audio/visuals that have been approved by the pastor need to be at the church one week prior to the ceremony.
Rehearsals
The rehearsal will take place the evening before the wedding at 5:30 PM unless an alternate time is agreed upon. All participants need to be present. The rehearsal needs to start on time to respect the schedules of those leading and will take usually no more than 30-60 minutes.
Bulletins
Printed bulletins will not be provided by the Church office but are to be approved by the presiding minister before printing.
Decorations
- Decorations are not necessary, but if desired must be provided by the couple.
- No flowers, pictures, extra candles, etc. are allowed on the altar. It is the table of Christ alone.
- Unity candles and other aspects of the ceremony can be used but again are not a necessary part of the service. They will be placed near the altar on an appropriate table.
- The color of the paraments on the altar and lectern are determined by the season of the church year. They cannot be changed or removed for weddings.
- Liturgical furniture cannot be moved.
- The candles on the wall behind the altar are oil candles and may be used for your wedding.
- Decorations may not be affixed to the pews in any way.
- No rice, confetti, real flower petals, or bird seed will be allowed inside or outside the church. Bubbles are allowed outside only.
- Avoid anything that could damage the interior or exterior of the church property, be a safety hazard to others, or damage or hurt God’s creatures or creation.
- Aisle Runners are NOT permitted.
Conduct of Guests
THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE CHURCH PREMISES (BUILDING OR PARKING LOT). Persons under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances will not be permitted to participate in the wedding. Smoking is prohibited on the church premises. The Pastor reserves the right to halt the ceremony if a member of the wedding party or a guest is behaving in an inappropriate manner.
Please inform your family and friends that no pictures are to be taken during the service.
Photographers and Videos
Floodlights or flash are not permitted during the ceremony. Any pictures taken during the ceremony, after the processional, must be taken from the back of the church. All pictures should be taken prior to the wedding ceremony.
The videographer must be stationary during the service in a spot designated by the pastor.
Arrangements and Notes
- Sanctuary: The Sanctuary seats a maximum of 320 people.
- The Fellowship Hall and Gathering Space are available for serving lunch or snack on the day of your wedding, but food is restricted to these areas only. You are responsible for the cleanup of leftover food and beverages in these areas. Designate someone to do this for you.
- Anyone planning to leave their vehicle at the church after the wedding should park in the overflow parking lot which is located on the east side of the church on Elm Street.
Adopted by Congregation Council, December 2024
