RESERVING YOUR WEDDING DATE
A Reservation Fee/Deposit of $150 is required to reserve Trinity for your wedding. Your date is NOT secure until this deposit is paid.
The Reservation Fee also serves as a Damage Deposit and is refundable after your wedding. Loss of the Damage Deposit will result (in whole or in part) if:
- Cancellation of wedding within 3 months of the wedding date;
- Damage incurred to building or property;
- Smoking within church facility by wedding party;
- Drinking in or on church property;
- Unpaid bills in regards to your wedding.
To reserve your wedding date, please call Ellen at (763) 295-2092.
PRE-MARITAL INVENTORY
Trinity, together with the other churches and pastors in Wright County, uses a pre-marital inventory in preparation for marriage. The inventory is a valuable tool in the counseling sessions, and will be used as a guideline in discussion. The pre-marriage workshop is done in two sessions. Cost is $150 payable at first session. Completion of the workshop entitles you to a $75 deduction on the cost of your marriage license.
USE OF THE CHURCH (SANCTUARY)
Church Use Fee - $300
Custodial Fee - $100
Total - $400
The above fees include the use of the church sanctuary, narthex area, and dressing rooms. This includes cleaning and setting up prior to your wedding and the cleaning afterward. The church use fee must be paid prior to or at the time of the wedding rehearsal.
AISLE CLOTH
Trinity does not have an aisle runner. Check with your florist. Avoid paper and plastic runners (they are slippery and do not stay in place). The aisle cloth needs to be at least 50 feet in length.
FLOWERS
Flowers may be used within the chancel of the church. Flower stands are available for your use. Flowers are NOT to be placed on the altar, credence table, piano, organ, or any other appointment in the church at any time. Instead of flowers, many couples are using potted plants, palms, or ferns.
CANDLES
ALTAR TORCHES
These two candles flank the altar and will be used in your wedding.
CANDELABRAS
Trinity has two seven-candle candelabras which could be used at your wedding. There is no charge for their use. Candles can be purchased through Trinity -- approx. $25.
AISLE CANDLES
Trinity has 10 single-candle Aisle Candle Holders. These are free-standing and may be used for your wedding. Purchase candles through Trinity -- approx. $10.
UNITY CANDLE (MARRIAGE CANDLE)
If a unity candle is to be part of your wedding, you are responsible for providing the unity candle, two side candles, and candle holders. Most of the time the unity candle set is placed on the credence table. If you prefer a unity candle candelabra, you will have to rent it from a florist or a rental store.
Note: Candles are not to be carried by any of the wedding party and are NOT TO BE USED AS PROPS by photographers. Candle wax is very difficult to remove from the carpet.
WEDDING BULLETINS
If a wedding bulletin is to be part of your wedding, the pastor will assist you with the copy. Wedding bulletins can be found at most church supply stores or may be purchased through the church office. Ask to see samples of wedding bulletins.
CHURCH SUPPLY STORES
The stores below handle many kinds of wedding supplies (candles, bulletins, music, etc.)
AUGSBURG FORTRESS Luther Seminary Bookstore 1490 Fulham St. St. Paul (651) 641-3440
ST. CLOUD BOOKSHOP 23 7th Ave. North St. Cloud (320) 252-1150
NEW LIFE BOOKSTORE 33rd & Division (Midtown Square) St. Cloud (320) 253-5812
AUDIO/VISUAL
VIDEO RECORDINGS
Video recordings/cameras are allowed ONLY FROM THE REAR OF THE CHURCH. (Video cameras are not allowed in the front of the church or in the middle of the church). Important: Video recorders must check with pastor prior to the service.
TAPE RECORDINGS
Tape recordings can be done through the church's PA/cassette system. A 90-minute cassette tape (45 minutes per side) is required. 100 or 120-minute cassette tape could also be used.
MUSIC
ORGANIST
The church organist normally plays for all services in the church. If another organist is desired, be sure to clear this with the pastor. Your organist will be putting a great deal of time and work into your wedding (preparation, rehearsal, and the wedding itself). Honorarium: $175-200.
The following music will be needed for your wedding:
- Prelude (played while people are being seated);
- Processional;
- Hymns (optional);
- Recessional;
- Postlude (played while people are leaving).
A wedding music excerpt tape is available to you in the selection of appropriate wedding music. Ask for a copy and accompanying worksheet.
Obtain from your organist the title and name of the composer of each piece of music to be played in your wedding.
SOLOISTS
Carefully work with your soloist(s). Choose music that they can handle. The title and the name of the composer of each piece will be needed by the pastor. Honorarium: $50-75 per soloist.
MUSIC NOTES
- Carefully choose the music for your wedding. All music should be fitting for use in the church. Many "pop numbers" were not written or intended for use in church. Consider using this type of music at your reception. The pastor and church organist will be happy to assist in music selections.
- If the piano is moved or turned for the wedding; microphone(s) used; music stand used; etc., return all items to their normal position following the wedding.
PASTOR
The pastor of Trinity officiates all weddings. If you wish to invite another clergyperson to participate in the ceremony, this should be made known to the pastor. A written invitation will be sent to the guest pastor to participate in your wedding.
Feel free to consult with the pastor about any question/detail which you have in the planning of your wedding. Honorarium: $225.
PICTURES
The marriage service is a sacred service of the church. Flash pictures are NOT TO BE TAKEN during the wedding. "Flash shots" during the service are in bad taste and always mar the beauty and solemnity of the wedding. Photographers are not to run up and down the aisles to get "the shot" during the wedding.
Suggestion: Have all formal pictures taken prior to the wedding. Parts of the service can be re-enacted if desired.
Please note:
- NO APPOINTMENTS IN THE CHURCH ARE TO BE MOVED AT ANY TIME BY PHOTOGRAPHER OR WEDDING PARTY FOR ANY REASON (i.e. altar torches, altar, candelabras, baptismal font, etc.).
- DO NOT PLACE ON ALTAR: flowers or candles (they often leak/drip).
- PLEASE ALERT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER to all of the above policies.
- THE FLASH-PICTURE POLICY can be appropriately noted in your wedding bulletin.
WEDDING REHEARSAL
All persons in the wedding party SHOULD BE PRESENT at the rehearsal. This includes the bride, groom, attendants, ushers, and parents. Other relatives, such as grandparents, are welcome to attend.
DECORATIONS
All decoration of the church and/or Fellowship Hall must be cleared. Tacks, nails, scotch tape, or magic tape are NOT to be used on any woodwork, walls, or pews. Helium balloons CANNOT be used in the Fellowship Hall.
DRESSING ROOMS AND RESTROOMS
Rooms will be made available for dressing. The women usually use the loft in the Fellowship Hall. Room #12 in the lower level of the building can be made available for the men. CAUTION! DO NOT HANG ANYTHING ON THE SPRINKLER HEAD BRACKETS! Suggestions: Bring (have handy in the car) a sheet for the floor, ironing board, dependable steam iron, distilled water, and a sewing kit.
Restrooms are located on both the main and lower levels of the building.
SMOKING/DRINKING
Smoking is not permitted in the building.
Drinking is not allowed in the church building or on the church property (including the parking lot). Failure to observe the policy will result in loss of damage deposit and persons not allowed to participate in the wedding.
MARRIAGE LICENSE
The marriage license must be given to the pastor at least one day prior to the wedding in order for it to be inscribed. Licenses may be obtained from any county courthouse or from a satelite license office. A marriage license can be obtained six (6) months prior to your wedding date.
Important: When picking up the license (or if it has been mailed to you), immediate check to make certain that all of the information on the license is correct. Only the license bureau personnel can make changes or corrections.
PAYMENTS AND DUE DATES
All church fees are due the day of the rehearsal. Please make checks payable to: "Trinity Lutheran Church." Suggestion: Give honorariums to participants on the day of the rehearsal.
SUMMARY OF FEES AND HONORARIUMS
Not all fees may apply to your wedding
REQUIRED FEES
- $150 -- Reservation Fee/Damage Deposit
- $150 -- Pre-Marriage Workshop
- $400 -- Use of sanctuary
HONORARIUMS
- $175-200 -- Organist
- $50-75 -- Soloist
- $225 -- Pastor
OTHER FEES
- Aisle Cloth
- Flowers
- Candles
- Bulletins
- Audio tape
- Marriage license
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
If you have any questions or would like to reserve your wedding date, please call Ellen at (763) 295-2092.
