RINGS AND THINGS: Choosing a sacred space
There are special things to consider when choosing a house of worship as a wedding site.
Local longtime wedding and event planner Judy Lehmbeck, of Judy Lehmbeck Bridal and Party, offers the following tips and things to ponder for brides and grooms as they consider saying “I do” in a sacred space.
1.Determine whether the bride or groom has to be a member of the house of worship in order to get married there.
Lehmbeck said about 90 percent of the weddings she coordinates are held in the church or Jewish temple where the bride grew up or has attended for some time. Some houses of worship only allow members to have weddings there, so this must be determined from the outset. Other churches give members first choice of wedding date and may have a waiting period for nonmembers.
2. Find out how much the house of worship will charge to host the wedding. Lehmbeck said many houses of worship have a separate set of fees for members and nonmembers. She said the price range for fees varies significantly from house of worship to house of worship.
3. Be sure to look over the house of worship’s wedding policies.
For example, some might require premarital counseling by a designated spiritual leader, or the spiritual leader at the house of worship may perform all weddings at that site. 4. Consider letting the church be the decor.
Lehmbeck said many brides are opting for minimal flowers or no flowers at their church wedding, aside from the beauty of the bridal party’s bouquets because stained glass windows and other ornamentation at a house of worship often provide enough decoration. She said couples may then spend their decorating budget on other aspects of the wedding, such as decor for the reception or something else.
5. Find out if it’s possible or desirable to have both the wedding and the reception at the house of worship.
Lehmbeck said this might not be an option at some houses of worship, but others may have a suitable facility for such purposes.
6. If hosting the reception at the house of worship, find out if alcohol may be served if this is something
desired.
Lehmbeck said some faith traditions have prohibitions against alcohol and thus would prohibit it from being served at receptions. “It all depends on what they believe,” she said.
7. Find out if the house of worship has a wedding coordinator.
Lehmbeck said this can be a plus. A wedding coordinator for a house of worship may help with all arrangements concerning the church, making this one less aspect of the wedding that the couple and/ or their wedding planner have worry about.