Weddings at Historic First Lutheran Church

 

Welcome to Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena for your wedding ceremony!

Historic First Lutheran Church is one of the oldest churches in the City of Pasadena.  A designated Cultural Heritage Landmark in the City of Pasadena, the Sanctuary was constructed in the California Mission style of architecture in 1937.

 

Membership at Historic First Lutheran is not required.  The Bride and Groom are, however, required to attend 4 pre-marital counseling classes lasting 2 hours each by appointment with the Pastor.  These classes are scheduled no less than one week apart, with completion no less than 2 weeks prior to the wedding.  The Bride and Groom are also required to attend Sunday worship services at Historic First Lutheran Church on a regular basis from the time of making application for marriage to the time of the wedding.  Involvement in the mission and ministry of Historic First Lutheran after the wedding is highly encouraged!

 

As a member congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and in accord with Holy Scripture, Historic First Lutheran does not conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies.

 

Arrangements for the wedding should ordinarily be made three months in advance.  The Senior Pastor of Historic First Lutheran Church approves all wedding dates.  A wedding application must be completed and returned with a $500.00 deposit.  Such deposit becomes non-refundable once the date is approved by Historic First Lutheran Church.

 

All weddings are required to use the staff of Historic First Lutheran Church.  This includes clergy, organist, and custodian.  The organist will play for the wedding and the rehearsal and provide one 30 minute consultation period, if needed.  Other consulting time, including rehearsals with soloists or instrumentalists will be billed additionally.  Soloists or instrumentalists may be used, but such arrangements are the responsibility of the couple and are at their additional personal expense.  All requests regarding music and order of service are subject to the approval of the Senior Pastor of Historic First Lutheran Church.

 

Outside wedding consultants are not permitted.  The Pastor will provide you with all information and instructions during pre-marital counseling.

 

Your florist / decorators may set up two hours before the wedding service, pending availability.  Please ask your florist / decorators to schedule an appointment.

 

The seating capacity of the Sanctuary is 400 persons, including full use of the balcony.

 

Pictures are permitted (photo or video) during the ceremony, providing no equipment or operators interfere with the ceremony.  NO flash photography is permitted during the ceremony.  Interior photos before the ceremony are limited to 30 minutes.  Photo time following the wedding service is limited to 45 minutes.  Be sure to advise your photographer of these time restrictions.  All photographers (photo / video) should meet with the Pastor prior to the service for instructions.

 

Dressing rooms are available for the wedding party.  Women gather in the Church Administrative Center.  Men gather in the Sacristy.  Buildings will be opened one hour prior to the wedding time.  Food and drink are not permitted in the Church Administrative Center.

 

There is NO smoking inside any building.  NO alcohol is permitted on campus.  For safety reasons, NO rice or birdseed is permitted to be thrown.

 

The rehearsal must begin on time and is limited to one hour.  The wedding license is to be presented to the Pastor during the rehearsal.

 

The all-inclusive wedding fee is $2,000.00, including use of the altar candles, unity candle with side candles (side candles are given to the couple), kneeling bench with satin pillow, center aisle rope, hurricane lamps and candles for the center aisle, and honorariums for the custodian, organist, and pastor.  The full balance (less the $500.00 non-refundable deposit) is due four weeks prior to the wedding.  Active members of Historic First Lutheran may be granted a slight discount, upon approval of the Board of Elders. 

 

For more information, please contact the Church Administrative Center at (626) 793-1139.