Weddings at Central Lutheran Church

Joy! You have made a decision to be married and to have that marriage be performed in the church and blessed by God – the source of all love and life.

We celebrate with you as you prepare for your wedding and anticipate the promises of faithfulness you will make to one another. It is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. We want to honor that decision by committing time with you in planning and prayer prior to the service. As a part of that preparation, we ask that 1. You regularly attend worship services. If you do not have a church home, feel welcome to worship with us at Central Lutheran. 2. Both of you participate in four premarital meetings with the pastor who will preside at your wedding or in combination with a licensed marriage and family therapist. We pray that these meetings will enhance and deepen your relationship with each other and the church, and the service of your wedding.

Our pastors are responsible for all worship services at Central Lutheran Church. A wedding service should reflect your Christian faith and generally be led by our pastor and organist. The basic outline of the service is fairly simple. Within that framework, you may, with the help of the pastor, select several scripture readings, choose from a number of vows, and choose hymns or spiritual songs. Unity candles and other secular or family customs may also be requested at your initial visit with the pastor. Pastors, lay ministers, or friends or relatives from other congregations may take part in the leadership of the service also by request.

Helpful Information:

Photos: We recommend that professional photos be taken well before the wedding service begins and that they be finished at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

Church Furnishings: Our wedding coordinator will advise you as to what can or cannot be moved in the church, such as the altar, its paraments, banners, etc.

Decorations: Our wedding coordinator is available to open the building two hours prior to the ceremony for decorating and deliveries. Please advise her of your decorating plans, as she may be able to help with non-marking ways to adhere bows, etc.

Rice and Birdseed: Bubbles are encouraged as an alternative to tossing rice or birdseed, which are not permitted. Flower petals may be used outside the building, but one person must be designated to sweep up afterwards. No confetti or glitter is to be used anywhere.

Gifts and Personal Belongings: Please have one person in charge of removing all gifts, clothing, decorations and other personal items from the church after the wedding.

Receptions: The church facility is available for your wedding reception.

Wedding Rehearsal: Please allow 45 minutes for the rehearsal. All members of the wedding party, including parents, ring bearer, flower girl, attendants, candle lighters, ushers, musicians, etc. should attend the rehearsal, so please keep that in mind when scheduling it. Our staff will appreciate your wedding party being on time for the rehearsal.

Central Lutheran does not permit any alcohol, including wine or champagne, in the church or on the church property.

Central’s wedding coordinator will be of great service to you. It is assumed that the coordinator is a part of all weddings. The coordinator will familiarize you with our wedding policy and the church building, answer your questions about use of the building and logistics of the ceremony, and unlock the building for your rehearsal and two hours prior to the ceremony. The coordinators are Karen Voris and Pam Tesche.

Wedding Fees:
Members of Central Lutheran

Non-members of Central Lutheran For non-members, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required when the wedding is scheduled. All fees should be paid at the rehearsal. Please check with the wedding coordinator to see to whom checks should be made payable.

What should I do first?

  1. Contact the church office to get the ball rolling. Our staff will confirm the availability of your selected date, the pastor, and the sanctuary for the ceremony and rehearsal.
  2. From there we will schedule four marriage preparation sessions with the pastor
  3. We will also get you in contact with the church organist to pick your service music.
You will need to apply for a marriage license from the State of Alaska’s Bureau of Vital Statistics at 3601 C Street, Suite 128 Anchorage, AK 99503; call 269-0991; or visit www.hss.state.ak.us. Open from 8 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday. Marriage License Requirements

You may contact office manager Kathy Freeman at 277-1622 or centluth@gci.net.

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Email us: Central Lutheran Church