Marriage is a gift of God, given for joy, strength, and the care of community. At New Life Lutheran Church, we honor and celebrate the covenant of marriage for all couples committing to a life of love, mutual respect, and faithfulness. Your wedding at New Life will be a sacred worship service centered on God’s grace and faithfulness. This handbook outlines essential policies and practices to help you plan a meaningful and joy-filled celebration.
WEDDING CHECKLIST
- Schedule your wedding date with the pastor and office.
- Submit the wedding information sheet.
- Attend 2–3 pre-marital sessions (begin at least 3 months in advance).
- Meet with the musician to plan service music.
- Share policies with your photographer and florist.
- Bring your marriage license to the rehearsal.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
- A valid Marriage License is required and can be obtained from any Iowa County Clerk of Court.
- License is valid for six months; apply at least one week in advance.
- Applicants under 18 must have parental or guardian consent.
PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING
- Pre-marital counseling is required and includes the Prepare/Enrich Inventory.
- Sessions with the pastor last 60–90 minutes and explore relationship strengths, expectations, and faith foundations.
THE REHEARSAL
- All key participants must attend: couple, wedding party, parents, musicians, acolytes.
- Plan for a 45-minute rehearsal.
- Confirm start time and communicate clearly with all involved.
THE WEDDING SERVICE
- The service is worship-centered and based on ELW liturgy (pp. 286–291).
- Scripture and music selections require pastoral approval.
- Unity candle optional; couple provides their own candles and stand.
- Guest book and candle management is the couple’s responsibility.
- Ushers must arrive 30 minutes before the service.
FACILITIES
- Worship space seats 150; overflow for 70 in Fellowship Hall.
- Dressing rooms are available.
- Bubbles or birdseed only for send-off.
- Food is allowed in the kitchen only and must be cleaned up beforehand.
- Tobacco use is prohibited inside the building.
- New Life is a gun-free zone.
- Alcohol and other drugs are prohibited anywhere on the campus of New Life Lutheran Church. Use will result in immediate cancellation of the wedding.
FLOWERS & DECORATIONS
- Coordinate with pastor and altar guild.
- No adhesives, tacks, nails, or permanent fixtures.
- All decor must be removed promptly following the service or reception.
PHOTOGRAPHS & VIDEO
- Flash photography not permitted during the worship service.
- Pre-wedding photos must conclude one hour before the ceremony.
- Videography is permitted with discretion and respectful placement.
BULLETINS & CLERGY
- Couples may design their own bulletins.
- Church office design requires a 6-week notice.
- Outside clergy participation requires prior pastoral approval.
FEES (Updated 2025)
- Pastor (includes counseling & ceremony)
- Member: $250–$500 honorarium
- Non-member: $500 flat fee
- Member: $250–$500 honorarium
- Organist
- Member: $150
- Non-member: $200
- Member: $150
- Custodian (ceremony only)
- Member: $75
- Non-member: $100
- Member: $75
- Custodian (with reception)
- Member: $125
- Non-member: $200
- Member: $125
- Worship Space (wedding & rehearsal)
- Member: Free Will Offering
- Non-member: $300
- Member: Free Will Offering
- Worship Space (rehearsal only)
- Member: Free Will Offering
- Non-member: $125
- Member: Free Will Offering
- Other Expenses
- Items such as bulletins, candles, and printing will be invoiced and are due one week before the wedding.
- Items such as bulletins, candles, and printing will be invoiced and are due one week before the wedding.
SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE READINGS
Old Testament
- Genesis 1:26–28 – Created in God’s image
- Genesis 2:18–24 – Companionship and unity
- Proverbs 3:3–6 – Trust in the Lord
- Song of Solomon 2:10–13 – Joyful love’s arrival
- Song of Solomon 8:6–7 – Love’s unquenchable power
- Isaiah 63:7–9 – God’s steadfast mercy
- Jeremiah 31:31–34 – A new covenant promised
- Psalm 67 – May God bless us
- Psalm 100 – We are God’s people
- Psalm 117 – Praise God’s steadfast love
- Psalm 121 – God watches over you
- Psalm 127 – God builds the house
- Psalm 128 – Blessings on faithful homes
- Psalm 150 – Let everything praise God
- Romans 8:31–39 – Nothing separates from love
- Romans 12:1–18 – Live love in action
- 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 – Love is the greatest
- Ephesians 3:14–19 – Christ’s immeasurable love
- Ephesians 5:1–2 – Walk in Christ’s love
- Philippians 4:4–9 – Rejoice and find peace
- Colossians 3:12–17 – Clothe yourselves with love
- 1 John 3:18–24 – Love through truth and action
- 1 John 4:7–16 – God is love
- Matthew 5:1–16 – Beatitudes and shining light
- Matthew 7:24–27 – Build on solid foundation
- Matthew 19:3–6 – Joined as one flesh
- Matthew 22:35–40 – Love God and neighbor
- Mark 10:6–9 – United in God’s design
- John 2:1–11 – Wedding at Cana
- John 15:9–17 – Abide in my love
SUGGESTED MARRIAGE VOWS
Couples may select or write their own vows. All vows must be reviewed with the pastor at least one month before the ceremony.
Sample Options:
Sample Options:
- I take you ____________ to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to join with you and to share all that is to come. I promise to love, support, and honor you, through all seasons of life, with faithfulness and joy until our lives shall end.
- I, ____________, take you _________________, to be my wedded spouse. I give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace, pledging to walk beside you in love and trust as long as we both shall live.
- I take you, ________________, to be my partner in life. I will laugh with you in joy, comfort you in sorrow, grow with you in love, and stand with you in faith, as long as we both shall live.
- I promise before God and these witnesses to be your faithful spouse, to cherish and respect you, to be open and honest with you, and to walk with you through whatever our future holds, guided by grace and sustained by love.
- I take you ______________, to join with you and to share all that is to come. I promise to nurture our love, to seek reconciliation in times of conflict, to support your dreams, and to build a life together grounded in hope and compassion.
MUSIC
- All music selections must be appropriate for worship and approved by the pastor.
- Contact our accompanist to begin music planning early.
- Hymns encourage congregational participation.
- Bach – "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring"
- Beethoven – "Hymn to Joy"
- Handel – Selections from Water Music
- Purcell – Trumpet Voluntary
- Pachelbel – Canon in D
- 308 – O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!
- 312 – Jesus, Come! For We Invite You
- 436 – Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
- 460 – Now the Silence
- 488/489 – Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
- 585 – Hear Us Now, Our God and Father
- 586 – This Is a Day, Lord, Gladly Awaited
- 631 – Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
- 642 – Ubi caritas et amor
- 644 – Although I Speak with Angel’s Tongue
- 648 – Beloved, God’s Chosen
- 816 – Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
- 836 – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
- 839/840 – Now Thank We All Our God
- 879 – For the Beauty of the Earth
- 881 – Let All Things Now Living
ORDER OF SERVICE WORKSHEET
- Prelude
- Processional
- Greeting
- Declaration of Intention
- Prayer of the Day
- Scripture Readings (OT, Psalm, NT, Gospel)
- Message
- Hymn (optional)
- Vows & Rings
- Unity Candle or other symbol
- Marriage Blessing
- Prayers of Intercession
- Lord’s Prayer
- Blessing & Sending
- Recessional
WEDDING PARTY WORKSHEET
- Bride & Groom
- Parents of the couple
- Maid/Matron of Honor & Best Man
- Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
- Flower Girl & Ring Bearer
- Acolytes & Ushers
- Personal Attendant
- Guest Book Attendant
- Reception Host/Hostess
- Soloist & Accompanist
- Officiant: Pastor Nate Liedtke
CONTACT
New Life Lutheran Church
4380 Wakonda Dr.
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 285-5965
www.newlifenorwalk.org
Pastor Nate Liedtke
[email protected]
Office Administrator
[email protected]
4380 Wakonda Dr.
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 285-5965
www.newlifenorwalk.org
Pastor Nate Liedtke
[email protected]
Office Administrator
[email protected]
