Wedding Ministry at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

Welcome to the Wedding Ministry page.  We are thankful you have stopped by for information.  If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the church office. 

Church office – 419-898-6474

The First Steps  

All prospective couples need to speak with one of the pastors in order to initiate the wedding preparation process. One cannot assume that the church and/or pastor will be available for the date you have in mind. Please do not set a date or make any arrangements for your wedding prior to your scheduled consultation with the pastor.

We invite you to make St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor your church home, if it is not so already.  It’s important that we all get to know each other. Come experience worship, learning, fellowship and community events.  Get to know the people of the congregation. As a couple, finding a church home is an important way to build up relationships that will be life-giving to both of you.

If you are having your wedding at St. John and you are not seeking a new church home here, it is still important that we get to know each other.  The people of St. John are offering their spiritual home to you for your wedding.  There is much about our Sunday morning worship services that will reflect the kind of worship that happens in every wedding.  You will be more comfortable in this space on your wedding day if you have worshipped here before it.  And you will be more comfortable with the pastor who officiates at your wedding if you have developed a relationship in the process of preparing.

Setting the Date and Location

If at all possible, please consult with the pastor before you finalize your wedding date with reception halls and other wedding service professionals.  No wedding date is final until the couple has met in person for the first time with the one of the pastors.

By tradition, most weddings led by one of our pastors are held at the sanctuary at our church building and on a Saturday.  We are willing to lead services on any other day and at other locations, such as reception halls, gardens, parks, homes, etc.  All wedding services at the church are led by one of our pastors.  Guest pastors, upon approval of our pastors, may participate in the service. 

Our Values regarding Marriage in the Church

Marriage is a beautiful piece of God’s creation, and it is an important ministry of Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church .  We read Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark where he says, “from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'  'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."  (Mark 10:6-9).  As the Church today we follow this pattern of celebrating, strengthening and supporting Christian Marriage.  We are here to work with you to make your wedding day a delight and to support you in your life together.  In Christian love we will work with you both as you get ready for this major life event.  In preparation for your wedding and for your married life we work on three priorities.  These are:

1)         Building up your relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ

2)         Building up your relationship with each other

3)         Helping you have a wonderful wedding day

If you would like more information about the wedding ministry of St. John please contact Pastor David Tinker at the church office.  We will be glad to send you a copy of our wedding guidelines (The Wedding Book) which will answer more of your questions.  The Wedding Book is meant to explain the framework and guidelines for how you, the couple, and we, the congregation, will work hand in hand in ministry in preparation for your married life and your wedding day.  We truly care about your future life together in Christian marriage.

Wedding Fees for weddings in the Church sanctuary, with music

For members of the congregation - $100 (at least one person, either bride or groom is a member of this congregation)

For non-members of the congregation - $400 (neither bride nor groom is a member of this congregation)

Organist - $100

Organist working with Soloist - $125

Custodian - $65

Pastor – No specific fee, but many couples choose to give the pastor who leads the service a “thank you” gift of some sort