Church Help!

KatieP10

Today FI decided he doesn't want to get married at the church we have been going to (and where he works). So now I'm desperate to find a church for our March 2011 wedding. Any ideas? 

I want a Lutheran church that will hold about 150 people. Preferably in the east metro area (our reception is in Oakdale and we live in Woodbury). 

I'm googling like crazy but no where has pictures or any information. 

Thanks soooooo much!

LolaBelle515

As a fellow Lutheran church worker (but in the west metro), I know that might be a tough one...IF you didn't have Lutheran church connections already.  

The great part is...you do.  I highly recommend that your FI talk to the pastor(s) at his congregation and ask for their suggestions of churches in the area that they have connections to.  If he doesn't want to ask them directly, he might want to see who they go to text study with, because that is a good indication of churches that your congregation has good connections to.  Connections are what will make this happen much easier.

Another thing to think about is who do you want to officiate at your wedding? Many, many churches won't allow an outside pastor to perform the ceremony.  So, if you're ok with their pastor marrying you...that will affect which churches will be options (because many churches won't officiate at non-members weddings).  If you want your FI's co-worker pastor to marry you, then they will definitely have more connections and know which church to get married in (because their pastor will be more OK with allowing a friend to be the officiant in their church).

Of course, I can definitely see it could be awkward for him to have this conversation with his co-workers.  Perhaps he is considering leaving his job and that's why he doesn't want to get married there? Or is it just the space?

In any case, I'm sorry not to have specific space suggestions for you, but just want to give you a heads up of some of the questions you can be asking to help find the right place.

Good luck!!

MAYA3300

A couple years ago, I attended a wedding for my coworker that was held at this Lutheran church in Saint Paul.  Coworker was not Lutheran (I don't know if his wife was though) and I think they brought in their own religious person to officiate the wedding. 




http://www.gachurch.org/index.htm

hkiesling

I was married at our home church - Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in St. Paul.  It's a pretty chapel with brick walls and brown tiles on the floor (no red carpet!).  I think the location would be fairly convenient for you.  It's located on Johnson Parkway (sort of near the Mounds Blvd/94 intersection).  I know that our pastor is okay marrying non-members, so long as they do a couple of "classes" with him beforehand.  That's actually a good thing, because you get a discount on your marriage license if you do them.  More info in my bio under vendors.

 

wittyschaffy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:81Discussion:1c598722-49d9-487d-a753-8b7ab3403d3aPost:249720e2-c606-48a1-8359-772b7d0b8ba0">Re: Church Help!</a>:
[QUOTE]A couple years ago, I attended a wedding for my coworker that was held at this Lutheran church in Saint Paul.  Coworker was not Lutheran (I don't know if his wife was though) and I think they brought in their own religious person to officiate the wedding.  <a href="http://www.gachurch.org/index.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.gachurch.org/index.htm</a>
Posted by MAYA3300[/QUOTE]

This!  My sister got married there after some drama with our childhood church (long story)  Their ministerial staff is fabulous and their coordinators rock too.  Can't say enough about them.  DH and I live in the area and are considering joining their congregation this fall.