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Marriage is a commitment which a man and woman make to share their lives together as husband and wife. Christian people usually choose to exchange their vows of fidelity within the context of a wedding service in the church.

The service is intended to give all who participate—the bride and the groom with their attendants and the entire gathered congregation—an opportunity to worship joyfully and pray for God’s blessings upon the newly married couple. Therefore wedding services at Woodlake will be conducted according to the Rite of Marriage in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book and may, when appropriate, include a celebration of Holy Communion.

Those who intend to marry at Woodlake must inform one of the pastors well in advance so the date can be reserved by the parish secretary on the church calendar. Normally one of Woodlake’s pastors will preside at the service, although other clergy may be included. The bride and groom will meet with the pastor several times before the wedding in order to plan the details of the service and to explore together the meaning of marriage and family relationships.

Within the Rite of Marriage, couples may choose from a variety of readings, Scripture lessons, prayers, wedding vows and hymns. Couples may choose to prepare worship folders outlining the order of service and naming the members of the wedding party, but these must be approved by the pastor before they are sent to the printer.

Music for the wedding should be chosen carefully, in consultation with Woodlake’s director of music, in order that music appropriate for the worship of God and for use in the church may be used. Thus the singing of hymns by the congregation is encouraged, although solo offerings may also be sung. Sacred music should be chosen, in preference to such opera music as Wagner’s "Bridal Chorus" or Mendelssohn’s "Wedding March" or secular romantic songs or show tunes. Couples are encouraged to allow the congregation to pray the Our Father, rather than have the Lord’s Prayer sung by a soloist.

Normally Woodlake’s organist or one of the congregation’s assistant musicians will play the organ for the service. Other instruments may also be included. In any event, all vocal and instrumental music must be approved by Woodlake’s director of music.

The size of the wedding party, their gowns and tuxedos, as well as the candles, flowers and other decorations should be kept in proportion and good taste so they will not detract from the people’s worship. Decorations appropriate to the church season and used by the congregation during its regular worship will remain in place.

The main sanctuary seats approximately 600 worshipers, with 21 pews on each side. If an aisle runner is used, it should be at least 80 feet long, to reach from the baptismal font to the narthex. (The font is permanently anchored at the head of the center aisle and will not be moved.)

Candles may be placed in the chancel in two large candelabra of 14 candles each, in 24 pew candle holders along the center aisle, and in a unity candle stand with 3 candles. Any, none, or all of the candle arrangements may be used. The wedding couple must supply the candles (totaling as many as 55), which are standard 10- or 12-inch dinner tapers. Someone in the wedding party should assist Woodlake’s custodian by actually putting the candles into the holders after they are set up. The two large candles on the altar will not be lighted unless the service includes a celebration of the Holy Communion.

In addition to any flowers carried by the bridal party, flowers may be used to decorate the candelabra, the pew candle holders and the unity candle stand, or placed on stands in the chancel. No flowers may be placed on the altar.

The chapel seats approximately 65 worshipers in 9 pews on either side of a 35-foot aisle. The pew candle holders are not adaptable for use in the chapel.

The conduct of all participants at the wedding and the rehearsal, which will be directed by the Wedding Coordinator, must be in keeping with a respectful sense of worship. In particular, rice should not be thrown inside the building, and alcoholic beverages may not be consumed anywhere on the premises.

If formal photographs are taken before the wedding, they should be completed at least a half hour before the service. Flash photographs may not be taken during the service itself, whether by the photographer or by guests. The service may be videotaped from a location in the choir loft behind the organ console.

The fees for a wedding at Woodlake—with the services of the pastor, the organist, the wedding coordinator, the custodian, and building rental—total $750. (Extra fees may be charged for additional musicians or vocalists.) If either the bride or the groom is a member of Woodlake, the building fee will be waived, reducing the total to $650. A non-refundable $100 deposit must be paid to reserve the date for the wedding on the church calendar. The balance should be paid one month before the service, when the marriage license is brought to the church office. If the fees present a financial hardship, the couple should discuss this with the pastor.

The Fellowship Hall and Fireside Room are available for receptions with the payment of the appropriate additional fees.

Wedding Reservation Form