Home

Wedding Policy

Introduction

Weddings are first and foremost, a worship service. We begin, therefore, with four basics:

  • Your wedding provides an opportunity for you and those gathered with you to praise and thank God for the favor God has granted in your love for each other.
  • Your wedding asks God to bless your lives together as you begin a new family while, together, you make a public witness of your faith and love of God.
  • Your wedding should lift up your faith in God as revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
  • Your wedding, from its planning through its celebration, should preclude any activities that detract from, negate or minimize this center of faith.

Application

The day for your wedding will be reserved when your Wedding Information form and deposit have been returned. Click here to download the Wedding Information form.

Preparation

  • Generally either the prospective bride or groom belongs to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or has a personal connection to the congregation through family; or one or both persons intend to join the congregation as participating member(s).
  • Saturday weddings must begin no later than 3:00 p.m.
  • Holy Cross declines "last minute" requests for weddings, or those that would use the facilities simply as "a wedding chapel."
  • The prospective bride or groom should clear the wedding date with the church office and pastor as early as possible and no later than six months in advance.
  • Pre-marital preparation meetings are required for the bride and groom. Please contact the pastor two months before the wedding to schedule the pre-marital sessions.
  • Holy Cross strongly recommends that all couples participate in an "Engagement Encounter" weekend.
  • Except for unusual circumstances, wedding planning includes a rehearsal.
  • The congregation will consider requests to schedule a wedding during a regularly-scheduled congregational worship service.
  • Holy Cross encourages celebration of Holy Communion during a wedding with the understanding that all communing Christians may come to the Lord's Table.
  • A pastor from Holy Cross will preside; other clergy will assist. The wedding couple may select a non-ordained "Assisting Minister" to help officiate, and others to assist with reading, lighting candles, providing music, etc.
  • Holy Cross will not schedule weddings between Palm Sunday and Easter, and discourages weddings during the season of Lent prior to Easter.

Wedding Coordinators

  • Holy Cross provides volunteer Wedding Coordinators who work with the bridal couple to help plan wedding logistics, and assist on the wedding day. Couples should remember these persons in an appropriate manner.
  • The Wedding Coordinators or other designated personnel will supervise moving any furnishings and operate the Sound System, including taped music.
  • The bride and groom will need to schedule a meeting with the Wedding Coordinators six months before the wedding. Contact Kim Hancock: 496-1357.

Music

  • While not providing a specific list of "approved music," Holy Cross encourages vocal and instrumental music which: a) Maintains high quality, b) Invokes/acknowledges God's presence, seeks God's blessing, and praises God, and c) Expresses God's love through Jesus.
  • All music will be approved by the Worship and Music Coordinator. The bride and groom will need to schedule a meeting with the Wedding Coordinators six months before the wedding. Contact Jennifer Wallwey: 571-1622.
  • Holy Cross regards current "hits" and "personal favorites" as likely more suitable for a reception following the wedding worship service.

Musicians

  • Holy Cross will provide the organist. If the bridal couple desires a "guest organist," the Worship and Music Coordinator will approve that person in advance.
  • Guest musicians must coordinate use of the church's pianos and electronic keyboards with the Worship and Music Coordinator.
  • Other than the church's organist, the couple have responsibility for all honoraria and/or fees of musicians.

Fees

Facilities Thankoffering* Pastor Honorarium Testing Fee $40.00 Organist $125.00# Sound Technician $40.00 Custodian $40.00 Utilities and supplies $80.00 Total $325.00#2 *Couples should consider a "Thankoffering" to the congregation, in gratitude for all that others have provided. #$25 less if there are no accompanying singers. #2 $300 if there are no accompanying singers.

Deposit

A deposit of $100.00 must be made to reserve your wedding date on the church calendar. The remainder of the wedding fees ($225-$200) must be paid prior to the rehearsal.

Photography

  • No flash photographs, except during procession and recession. Bridal couples should notify family and friends of this provision. The following may appear in a printed folder: "In maintaining our wedding as an act of worship, please do not take flash photographs after the processional. Thank you!"
  • Any photographer may use "available light" for photographs.
  • Holy Cross recommends that you complete all "posed photos" prior to the wedding.
  • If you video-tape your wedding, ask camera operator(s) to consult with the pastor or wedding committee representative( s) in advance.

Other Considerations

  • Omaha city fire codes limit seating in the Worship Center to 331 persons.
  • Holy Cross provides a clean air facility; no smoking inside.
  • Except for wine at Holy Communion, please bring no alcoholic beverage of any kind onto church grounds or into the church building.
  • Any member of the bridal party or any wedding guest who is intoxicated will be asked to leave.
  • Because of environmental concerns, Holy Cross prohibits bird seed, rice, or balloons.
  • Holy Cross assumes no liability for the loss or theft of equipment, clothing, gifts or other personal items belonging to the bridal couple, family or friends.
  • Since many weddings include a light snack prior to the wedding, the bridal party should arrange for someone to clean up any facilities used.
  • The bridal couple should designate an individual to "police" the building after the ceremony, disposing of unneeded items and looking for personal items left behind. The congregation cannot take responsibility for returning personal items.
  • Please bring your marriage license and accompanying envelope to the church office at least one week prior to the wedding. With the licence, also furnish the witnesses' complete names, and addresses, including zip code.