We praise you, O God, that your children have been drawn together in love for one another. Strengthen their hearts, so that they will keep faith with each other, please you in all things, and come to the joy of celebrating their marriage; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pg. 82
From the Pastors
Dear Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church members,
On behalf of the congregation and staff of MPLC, congratulations on your engagement! Marriage is a commitment of faith and trust that is rooted in God’s faithfulness to us in Christ. We are honored to be asked to be a part of your wedding and hope to be a continuing part of your married life together as the body of Christ known as Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church.
The information in this resource can help you through the process of planning your wedding worship service. To help ground your marriage as a faithful commitment before God, the pastor officiating your service will also meet with you at least three times as part of your preparation.
To begin the planning for your wedding at MPLC, please contact the church office at 262-6374-6704 as early as possible to arrange for a suitable date. And may God be with you as you build your lives together!
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Beth Ann L. Stone
Senior Pastor
Pastor Krista Zimmerman
Associate Pastor
Before the Wedding
Membership at MPLC
Membership is required to be married at MPLC. With membership comes expectations to be involved in the life of the church beyond your wedding ceremony. New members are received several times during the year. Please contact the church office or speak with a pastor for more information.
Scheduling a wedding at MPLC
Please contact the church office to schedule a wedding date/rehearsal date with as much notice as possible. Saturday weddings are not scheduled between 3 and 7 PM due to our Saturday 5 PM worship service. Our sanctuary comfortably seats 500, including seating in the choir area and the outer “gallery” seating.
Fees
A $50 reservation fee should be paid to MPLC at the time you reserve your wedding date. The fee schedule for church staff who will work to support your ceremony is found at the end of this leaflet. Payment of these fees should be made no later than the time of your wedding rehearsal and may be given to the pastor or wedding coordinator.
Meeting with the Pastor
As a community of faith, we are invested in your marriage being a blessing both to you and to the family of God. The pastor who will conduct your wedding will meet with you at least three times before your wedding to help you begin your relationship on a solid foundation.
Wedding Coordinator
Our staff is equipped to help guide you through the many logistical decisions that go into a wedding. If yours will be a small wedding, the pastor may work through these details with you in your premarital meetings. For other weddings, our wedding coordinator, Becca Cairns, will meet with you and work on your big day to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Photographers/Videographer
Photographers/Videographers will be instructed not to take flash photos during the service and are to remain outside the center area of the sanctuary. The goal is for them not to be a distraction to the worship service.
Children in the Wedding Party
Children who are important to you are welcome to participate in the wedding. Remember that children can be unpredictable; if you will be unhappy if they don’t do things correctly then you may want to reconsider their role. We suggest assigning a familiar adult without other wedding responsibilities to the role of “kid wrangler” during the ceremony.
Marriage License
It is a couple’s responsibility to secure a legal marriage license in advance of the wedding date. Apply in person for such a license at the County Clerk’s office in Racine County (if both parties live outside of Wisconsin) or in one of the couple’s counties of residency in Wisconsin. Apply at least two weeks before the wedding date and no more than 35 days in advance. Bring the license to the church office the week of the wedding or no later than the rehearsal. Weddings cannot proceed without a license in hand.
Bulletins/Programs
Couples should supply printed bulletins or programs for use by the congregation in appropriate numbers. Please email your bulletin copy to the pastor before printing so that they may offer suggestions/edits. With notice, the church office can print bulletins on paper you provide.
Things prohibited
- No smoking or drinking in the building
- No decorations affixed with tacks—removable tape only
- No cloth runners (due to ramps)
- No additional candles other than a unity candle (optional)
- No glitter, confetti, rice, bird seed, or fireworks
Planning a Wedding Ceremony
Fee Schedule
| Reservation Fee (paid to MPLC when scheduling) | $50 |
The following honoraria are to be paid to individuals/MPLC on the day of rehearsal:
| Pastor | |
|---|---|
| Onsite wedding, with wedding coordinator | $200 |
| Onsite wedding, no wedding coordinator | $200 - 300 |
| Offsite wedding (+ mileage/exp. > 30 miles RT) | $250 |
| Organist | |
|---|---|
| Wedding rehearsal and wedding | $200 |
| For additional rehearsal with soloists | $25/hr |
| Wedding Coordinator | |
|---|---|
| Wedding Coordinator | $200 |
| Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church (janitorial services) | |
|---|---|
| Onsite wedding only | $50 |
| Wedding w/event in Fellowship Hall | $100 |
| Additional for damage/excess cleaning | $50/hr, as needed |
Our church staff will work to make your wedding day a blessing to you and to the church community. We celebrate this day with you but don’t presume to be invited to celebrations that follow the wedding. Please send staff members an invitation if you’d like to invite them to be your guest!