Weddings at Calvary

The Christian Wedding

A cord of three strands is not easily broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12

The Christian wedding service is an act of worship. It is a ceremony in which Christians come together to offer special thanks and praise and to ask God's blessings upon your life together as husband and wife.

A Christian wedding service carries certain responsibilities as well as offers special blessings. Some of these responsibilities are listed in the paragraphs that follow.

A Christian wedding is also a worship opportunity for all those gathered to praise, pray and implore God's blessing with you upon your marriage. Strange as this may sound at first, it means that your wedding is not for you alone. Those who come should not come merely as spectators, but as worshippers. By emphasizing the congregational nature of the Christian wedding, you will be helping those who come to share your joy be an integral part of your wedding.

Christ is at the Center

The center of worship for Christians is always Christ. This means that as we worship, our attention is to be drawn first and last to Him. It is, after all, an evidence of God's grace that we are able to celebrate Christ's presence with us. For your wedding, this means that God should be given glory and honor, and that the attention of all in attendance should be drawn to Him.

Details for Weddings at Calvary

To be wed at Calvary, either the bride or groom must be a member of Calvary. If you would like information about becoming a member of Calvary, please visit our New Member page.

Pre-Marriage Counseling

Weddings that take place at Calvary are Christian celebrations; it is mandatory for all couples to participate in Christian pre-marriage counseling.

Throughout the year, Calvary offers pre-marriage counseling, workshops, and events. A Calvary pastor will provide you with the necessary information to register for these opportunities. If you cannot attend one of Calvary's workshops, other arrangements should be made under the direction of your presiding pastor.

Steps for Scheduling your Wedding at Calvary

  1. The bride or groom must contact Calvary's Wedding Director, Kathi Miller at 763.231.2987 or kmiller@calvary.org) to begin the scheduling and reservation process.
  2. Request the day and time for your wedding and rehearsal. (Do this as early as possible since many available dates and times fill up far in advance, especially late Spring through early Fall.)

    Weddings are held on Saturdays at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.


    At least one Calvary pastor must participate in each wedding. Calvary pastors have a set schedule for officiating weddings. If a couple requests a specific pastor, that request will be considered, but not guaranteed.

    Guest clergy can participate in weddings at Calvary, but first must be approved. The guest clergy will then receive a letter from the Calvary pastor inviting them to help officiate.
  3. The Sanctuary, Chapel, or Calvary Park may be reserved for wedding services.
    (Should you desire Calvary Park, you must rent your own chairs and sound system, and reserve the Chapel or Sanctuary as a backup in case of inclement weather.)
  4. Obtain a Minnesota Marriage License from a MN County office well before the wedding date. Both the bride and groom must be present for the application process. Licenses currently cost $100.00 and are valid for six months from the time of issue.

Wedding Guide

Calvary provides a Wedding Guide that helps you plan your wedding. Some of its contents include -

Wedding Coordinator

The wedding coordinator provided by Calvary will be a valuable resource for you on the day of the rehearsal and wedding. She will also assist you regarding receiving lines, guest book, dressing rooms, etc. The day of the wedding, she will help in the direction of parents, grandparents, usher instruction and bridal party entrance.

Music for the Christian Wedding

The marriage service is a worship service -- a sacred rite. As in any worship service, the music is to be chosen with care and discrimination.

The texts and music should contribute to the worship atmosphere of the service. The pastor and music director will assist you in selecting appropriate music.

If you plan to employ musicians in your service, please make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible. Calvary's Worship & Music Director, Dan Oie at 763.231.2944, or doie@calvary.org) can provide you with names of talented organists, soloists, and instrumentalists who often help with worship at Calvary.

Wedding Receptions at Calvary

Arrangements for a wedding reception to be held at Calvary should be made at the time you schedule your wedding.

Please note that alcohol and tobacco use are not permitted on Calvary property. This includes the entire church building and park.

Charges for Facility Usage

A member fee schedule for the use of Calvary facilties and equipment for wedding services is available in the Wedding Planning Guide. A copy of this guide is created for you when you contact Calvary's Wedding Director, Kathi Miller at 763.231.2987, or kmiller@calvary.org) to discuss the scheduling of your wedding.

It is our hope that your wedding will be a
meaningful and memorable occasion for you and your guests,
and that your life together will be richly blessed by God.



Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley
7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley Minnesota 55427 [see map]
Telephone: 763.545.5659 | Fax: 763.545.6953

Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m.; 8:45 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 11:15 a.m.;
Thursday Worship: 6:30 p.m.

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