Normally, either the bride or the groom must be a member of First Saint Paul’s; or a member of a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Please call or email the church office to begin your planning process. The office administrator will help you schedule a tour if you would like to view the sanctuary and facilities.

If you are not a member of First Saint Paul’s, a $250 deposit will be required to hold your wedding date.

Weddings will not be scheduled during Holy Week.

Pastor Leininger will officiate at all marriages, or may upon mutual agreement, designate another pastor to do so. All weddings at First Saint Paul’s must be performed by an LCMS pastor, and in keeping with our Church’s doctrine and practice. If another pastor officiates your wedding, First Saint Paul’s will provide a Site Facilitator to be present during your rehearsal and ceremony for an additional fee.

The marriage rite may be performed in settings other than the church upon mutual agreement of the pastor and the couple.

Premarital Counseling must be completed prior to your wedding ceremony. Normally, counseling consists of 3-5 hour-long sessions. We use the program SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) to guide our discussion. The pastor will email the couple Login information and the couple will be asked to pay $35.

Our parish is very blessed to have rich musical resources that can be made available to you for the wedding service. Your primary contact will be with our cantor, Steven Wente, who will serve as the coordinator for all musical facets of the wedding.

Steven Wente or Margaret Danilovich, Associate Cantor, will be available to play and make other musical arrangements for the service; or can work with the couple to arrange an appropriate substitute.

Sanctuary capacity: 250

Number of pews: 12/ 13

Center aisle length: 48 feet

Weddings on Saturdays may be scheduled after 1 p.m. If you would like to schedule your service for a weekday, please advise the pastor and office administrator. You will have access to First Saint Paul’s two hours before your ceremony begins.

First Saint Paul’s does not provide parking. We recommend reaching out to one of the public garages near the church.

First Saint Paul’s Choir Room will be available to you as a dressing room and holding space prior to and during your wedding.

Receptions on site are an option. What we as a congregation can provide is space and set up, and exact fees for these services can be arranged with the appropriate facilities staff person. What works best in our space and with the facilities we can offer is the “cake and punch” reception. A fully catered meal or buffet is possible, but depending on other parish activities may have to be limited in scope.

SMOKING, ALCOHOL, AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Pew decorations must be attached with elastic, ribbon, or other non-adhesive material. The use of staples, nails, tacks, and tape is not permitted.

Bubbles are permitted outside as the couple leaves the church, but not rice or birdseed.

You are welcome to use any florist you choose. LaSalle Flowers (312.787.3680) provides flowers for First Saint Paul’s throughout the year.

The congregation will provide for no charge a candelabra for the unity candle. The candles can be provided at cost; or the couple may purchase their own.

Photography and videography appropriate for a sacred worship service are permitted in the sanctuary. After the procession is completed, the photographers must remain along the side aisles or in the back of the sanctuary. No flash photography is allowed during the service after the procession. Please consult with the pastor regarding special needs or considerations.

Your wedding rehearsal will be scheduled with the presiding pastor and office administrator, and normally lasts less than an hour. The pastor normally conducts the rehearsal, but is happy work with your wedding coordinator on the details of the day.

The marriage license is a legal document that authorizes the pastor to preside at the service and act as an official of the state. The license should be given to the presiding pastor or brought to the church prior to the ceremony, and no later than the evening of the rehearsal. Information about how to acquire a license, what fees are involved, and other details are available on the Cook County Website.

Service folders for your wedding can be provided.

If you request service folders, please submit service information to the church office administrator no later than two weeks before your wedding. The office administrator will provide a proof for you to approve. The proof must be approved no later than one week before your wedding.