All weddings at St. John’s Lutheran Church shall be arranged in consultation with the Pastor. The following guidelines will be followed:

1. Typically the Pastor will conduct the service. You may request permission to have other clergy assist at the wedding. In special circumstances, you can request permission for an outside minister to conduct the service. These requests shall be made to the Pastor, and approved by the Congregation Council.
2. When one or both persons to be married are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, fees or gratuities for the Pastor and the use of the building are not required but may be given at the discretion of the couple.
3. When the couple are not members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, there will be a fee of $300 for the use of the sanctuary, including a rehearsal, paid in full by the rehearsal. Preparation rooms for the wedding party are available. For use of the social hall for a reception, there will be an additional fee of $200.
4. For all weddings, the organist will be paid a minimum of $175 which includes 2 rehearsals with a soloist. Suggested minimum fee for a singer is $100. The custodian will be paid $125; if the social hall is used for a reception, the custodian will be paid an additional $75. When the couple are not members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Pastor will be paid $350, including marriage preparation.
5. Photographers and attendees are to refrain from taking pictures with flash during the service, although time exposures may be taken from the narthex or sound booth during the service. Photos may also be taken during the processional and recessional. Pictures may be posed before or after the service. A stationary video camera is permissible. The sanctuary must be vacated no later than 4pm on Saturday afternoons.
6. Typically the Director of Music will play at weddings as available. If the Director becomes ill or is on vacation, the congregation will work with the couple to find a suitable replacement. In cases where a relative or friend is an organist and you desire them to play, permission can be secured through the Pastor and the Director of Music.
7. Music considered unsuitable for a worship service will not be permitted at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Selection of music, including solos, shall be done in consultation with the Director of Music and the Pastor.
8. No rice or birdseed will be used on the premises, and balloons will not be released. For safety reasons, the use of a crash/aisle runner is prohibited. Only silk flower petals may be scattered, if desired.

Policy For Weddings

Weddings conducted by the Pastor at locations other than St. John's

1. The Pastor, as available, may officiate at weddings in other locations if the wedding(and associated travel time) does not conflict with worship services at St. John's.
2. The Congregation Council will consider request from members for the Pastor to be absent from Saturday worship only.  Should the Council grant the request, the couple will pay St. John's the cost of a substitute pastor, including mileage.  
3. The Pastor is not available for non-member weddings requiring absence from Saturday or Sunday worship.
4. The Pastor is not available for non-member weddings requiring absence from Saturday or Sunday worship.
5. For all weddings at locations other then St. John's, the Pastor shall be paid $350 plus mileage if marriage preparation is included; $250 plus mileage if marriage preparation is declined.  Overnight accommodations, if required, shall be provided by the couple.