Weddings | Westwood

WEDDINGS AT WESTWOOD

Congratulations on your engagement and plans to marry. We welcome both Westwood Church members and guests to request/schedule our sanctuary. You are also welcome to request/schedule a Westwood pastor to officiate your offsite wedding. At Westwood, we honor the sacred nature of your relationship, and we look forward to helping you plan for this next chapter in your life together.

Initial Details.

Since you have chosen to marry in a Christian church, your wedding at Westwood will be a worship service with its primary focus on God. It is our joy and privilege to welcome all couples to Westwood Lutheran Church. We expect that you will worship with us regularly, and work with each other and the church in your premarital process. The pastors, wedding coordinator, organist and other members of the Westwood community will assist you in the preparation of your wedding service.

We look forward to connecting with you. After you have looked at the information below, please complete Westwood's WEDDING REQUEST FORM (below). If you have additional questions, please contact Westwood Office Coordinator Lisa Boers.

Wedding Request Form

Preparation Process.

After we review a Wedding Request Form, the couple will be asked to complete a Westwood wedding contract and to submit that along with a required deposit; this confirms the date of the wedding ceremony at Westwood. The ceremony preparation process at Westwood takes approximately 6-8 months to the wedding date.

Step 1.

After your date is secured and a pastor and wedding coordinator are assigned, you will complete the Prepare-Enrich Inventory. This is an online pre-marital assessment that will be sent to each of you by email and completed individually. This assessment is custom-tailored to a couple's relationship and is reviewed during your meetings with the pastor.

Step 2.

As a couple, you will attend an online Pre-Marriage Retreat ($125 per couple) facilitated by Chaplain Rev. Nancy Carlson, ELCA Pastor, Board Certified Chaplain.

Online Pre-Marriage Retreat: Sat., April 13, 2024, 8:30a - 2:30p

Couples must pre-register at least 3 weeks ahead; the Zoom link will be sent one-week prior to the retreat date.

The retreat will include tips for a successful marriage, along with time to do a genogram and discuss finances. You’ll learn how to communicate better using Love Languages and discover how you each view the world using the tool of the Enneagram. You’ll have time both to talk as a couple and with other couples during the day. Lunch will be on your own–off Zoom. We’ll close with a blessing for your marriage.

After completion of the retreat, you will receive a signed letter of completion from the pastor officiating at your wedding. By presenting this letter to the County when applying for your Marriage License, you will receive a reduced Marriage License fee! You must pre-register at least 3 weeks ahead.

Step 3.

You will have one or two (1-2) private sessions with the pastor who will officiate at your wedding. The time with the pastor will include conversation, a review of the results of your Prepare-Enrich Inventory, and assistance with planning your wedding worship service. Your pastor will help to make your wedding as personal as possible.

Scheduling Your Wedding.

Weddings at Westwood are generally scheduled on Saturdays and are typically 30 to 40 minutes in length. The church is available for weddings from 11 AM to 4 PM.

The wedding rehearsal is typically held the evening prior to the wedding and is conducted by a Westwood Wedding Coordinator. The rehearsal includes your entire wedding party, along with ushers and parents. It lasts about one hour.

Westwood Wedding Coordinator.

Westwood Wedding Coordinators are experienced, accommodating and will provide you with the tools and resources that will help you with your decisions. At least six months prior to your wedding date, you will have a first meeting with your assigned Wedding Coordinator. Your coordinator will:

give you a Westwood wedding guide that provides a wide variety of information and details helpful in planning a wedding.
help you collect information for your wedding worship planning.
guide you as you select scripture readings, wedding vows, and prayers.
connect you with Westwood's music personnel to assist your planning.

Your Wedding Coordinator is available to you and your wedding party for your entire wedding day assuring that every detail is covered.