GUIDELINES FOR WEDDINGS AND RECEPTIONS OF GLORIA DEI MEMBERS

  1. Upon a couple's decision to be married, the pastor needs to be contacted immediately so that dates for the wedding, rehearsal, and any counseling sessions can be set. Approval to marry at Gloria Dei must come from the pastor.

  2. A wedding reservation form should be completed and returned to the church office as soon as possible.

  3. The Church Secretary will be able to provide answers to other questions concerning wedding details. Feel free to call 338-2893, email, or stop by the church office.

  4. The Custodian will be responsible for cleaning and lock-up before and after the wedding service.

Fees

  1. The fee for a wedding at Gloria Dei is $300 plus a $30 deposit. This is to be received no later than one month before the wedding in two separate checks. Any additional fees owed are due the day before the wedding. The fee covers the Pastor and Custodian. The $30 deposit will be returned following the service, provided no extra-ordinary damage has occurred. If conditions of the facility require additional cleaning, a charge of $15 per ½ hour will be assessed. If a reception is to be held at the church, additional fees will be charged as well as specific guidelines to be followed.

  2. The fee for the organist at Gloria Dei is $175. The organist will arrange any additional fees relating to practice with soloists and other musicians at a per half-hour rate.

Music

  1. It is expected that our staff musicians will be asked to play. Their services include consultation time with the couple in order to plan the wedding music. If the staff musician is not available for the date of the wedding, please contact the Director of Music, who will direct you to other qualified musicians. In circumstances in which a non-staff musician is desired, such requests should be made to the Director or Music. Exceptions will be granted only on rare occasions.

  2. Regarding music for the wedding service: The first thing to remember is that this is a worship service in which God's people gather to give thanks for the love which draws people into relationships, and to celebrate the faithfulness of God who is the source and strength of all faithful relationships between human beings. We gather in God's presence to ask God's daily nurture and blessing on this new relationship.
          Vocal music or instrumental renditions of vocal music, need to proclaim God's love for us in Christ Jesus and the way that love weaves our lives together in human relationships, in marriage and family. Texts that direct the attention of the worshipers primarily to the love between the bride and bridegroom generally do not meet this criterion.
          Consider these points adapted from the Minister's Desk Edition of the Lutheran Book of Worship, pp. 38-39; and from A Christian Celebration of Marriage, An Ecumenical Liturgy, p. 7:

    Music selected should embody high standards of quality and reflect the praise of God, God's steadfast love in Christ as the foundation of and model for marriage, and the asking of God's presence and blessing.
    A number of musical options are possible before the entrance procession: solo, ensemble, or choral pieces; organ or other instrumental music; music using a combination of these media.
    Organ or piano music may be based on hymn tunes used within the marriage service. Instrumental music may be selected from chamber music literature or similar sources and should reflect the mood of joy and celebration in the service.
    Music drawn from the world of theater and entertainment likewise is generally not appropriate for use within the service itself. Music and texts that are not suitable for use within the worship of the gathered assembly may in many instances be quite appropriately used at other times when family and friends are gathered to celebrate the marriage.
    You are encouraged to consult with the staff musicians and/or the Director of Music before you proceed very far with plans for music.

Decorations

  1. The altar dressings and banners coincide with the church calendar. Their colors will not be changed for wedding ceremonies. Keep in mind that for most of the summer the altar is dressed in green. Call the church office to inquire about the color of the vestments around certain dates.

  2. Regarding candles, flowers, decorations, etc.: The altar table, the central focus for all worship and the table reserved for use during Holy Communion, is not to be used for flowers or any other arrangements including unity candles and tapers, or decorations. Pedestals are available when a unity candle, other candles, and/or floral arrangements are desired. They should be placed to the sides of the altar, either on the upper level of the chancel or on the steps leading to the altar.
          When other candles are used, because of the air currents in the chancel, precautions need to be taken to protect from dripping wax. Glass chimneys should be used with candelabra.
          The wedding party is responsible for removing all decorations, flowers, additional candelabra, all other rented items, etc. from the church premises immediately after the wedding service.

Facilities

  1. No alcohol or smoking.

  2. IT IS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD BY ALL PARTIES THAT THE BAPTISMAL FONT AND ITS STAND ARE NOT TO BE MOVED FROM THEIR LOCATION. The baptismal font is positioned at the head of the center aisle in front of the altar. Please know that the font is very old, very fragile, very heavy, and very dear to us. It survived the old church fire and the stand has a black burn-mark on one leg. Efforts by photographers and family to briefly move the font for one reason or another have always resulted in damage to our floor. DO NOT MOVE IT FOR PICTURES OR THE CEREMONY.

  3. As a courtesy to your pastor and guests please inform guests of this policy / include in your wedding bulletin the following announcements: "Please refrain from taking still or video photography during the worship service."

  4. Professional photographers and videographers are permitted to tactfully photograph/tape the procession from the aisle. During the service itself, pictures/taping are permitted from the balcony only.

  5. To avoid falls no rice or birdseed shall be thrown anywhere on the church premises. Please ask permission to use flower petals or confetti. Bubbles are completely acceptable.

  6. The sanctuary occupancy limit is 225 people on the floor plus 40 in the balcony.

  7. Parking is a limitation because we're in downtown Iowa City. We can offer around 30 spots in our lots and the Memorial Union parking ramp is 2 blocks downhill from here.

  8. One unisex bathroom is available on the main floor. There are also bathrooms on the upper floor and in the basement.

  9. The only handicap access to our basement is through a ramp at the SW corner of the church from the outside. There is no handicap accessibility to our upstairs/balcony.

Reception

  1. The Gloria Dei Women's Organization(WELCA) provides kitchen workers for members' receptions which are limited to traditional wedding reception fare: cake, nuts, mints, beverages. It does not provide workers for receptions involving meals of any type.

  2. WELCA Volunteers will be available to help with members' receptions one hour before and two hours after the ceremony.

  3. If a wedding cake is brought early on the day of the wedding, the bridal couple should arrange at the church office to have the Fellowship Hall doors unlocked before the cake delivery and locked following the delivery, in order to secure the cake and any other food or beverage items brought prior to one hour beforethe beginning of the ceremony.

  4. WELCA Volunteers will wrap/pack any unused food or beverages for the bridal party following the reception. It is appreciated in the bridal party would supply any containers, trays, boxes, bags, plastic wrap you feel might be needed.

  5. The church has a number of items available: punch bowl, silver service, glass luncheon plates and cups, etc. The bridal party may discuss with WELCA what is available for their use.

  6. If the bridal couple opts to use one or both of the matching cloth table coverings for the cake/serving table, a WELCA volunteer with launder them.

  7. Fees due no later than 1 month prior to the wedding: $85.00. The check should be made out to Gloria Dei Women of the ELCA.

This information is intended to give guidance as you plan your wedding day. If you have any further questions or would like any other information please contact the Gloria Dei church office at 338-2893.


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