John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”

It is an honor that you are reverently considering Saint Luke’s for your wedding. Choosing a christian marriage, you are asking for God’s blessing; and you are seeking His guidance in the way you build your life together.

Saint Luke’s welcomes interfaith marriages, marriages of opposite-sex and same-sex couples, marriages subsequent to being divorced or widowed, blessings of civil marriages, and celebrations of anniversaries. It is important to have premarital counsel with the Pastor for any couple seeking to celebrate at Saint Luke’s.

Please contact Pastor Arden Strasser at pastor@stlukesnyc.org for specific rates and details.

FAQs

What is Premarital Counseling? What is required in order to marry at Saint Luke’s?

It is important to reverently and faithfully consider your union together. To do so, it is necessary to meet with the Pastor so that you can understand the ceremony as well as how you are being called to dedicate your life to each other and to the Lord.

Does Saint Luke’s provide musicians? Flowers? Photographers/Videographers? Wedding Planners/Coordinators?

Yes. Please email Megan for more details. You can also find us on popular wedding planning sites.

Saint Luke’s can provide the following services:

• Organist – Pedro d’Aquino, FAGO, ChM, Cantor, accomplished composer and organist, and Saint Luke’s cantor.
• Flower Arrangements – Saint Luke’s can recommend florists who have partnered with our wedding coordinator, or can also arrange for accommodations by our congregation member who creates altar arrangements for Sunday Worship.
• Officiate – Pastor Arden Strasser, who will also counsel you leading up to marriage.
• Wedding Planner – Megan Cornelius of Little Iron Bell Weddings is the on-site coordinator, and can also help with full planning requests.

What is the physical space like inside Saint Luke’s?

Saint Luke’s is a true sanctuary to New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world, who come to worship and feel connected to God and to each other. Our members tout that the church “feels like home”.

The beautiful, quiet church is in stark contrast to the high-rise hotels, the bustle of Times Square.  Up the steps, you enter the stone building and are immediately welcomed by the view of the altar and the outstretched hands of Jesus Christ. Saint Luke’s seats 180 people. The back wall of the altar is stenciled in gold leaf, and above the sanctuary are the words, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”.

Upstairs, on the second and third floors, wedding party can prepare for the ceremony in the Pastor’s office and the Lounge.

We are not of the same faith, as one of us is Christian and one is not. Can we marry at Saint Luke’s?

Yes. Saint Luke’s recognizes interfaith relationships.

What is the Saint Luke’s stance on same-sex marriages?

A faithful decision was made in 2013 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to develop resources in response to ministry to same-sex couples/families. “It has been said that marriage is a gift from God, intended for the joy and strength of those who enter it and for the well-being of the whole human family.” – Rev Kevin Strickland, ELCA executive for worship.

We were already married at the courthouse. Can we still have a Christian blessing in the church?

Yes.

We are married and would like to celebrate our anniversary. Can we renew our vows at Saint Luke’s?

Yes.

Does Saint Luke’s wed couples who one or both have been divorced or widowed?

Yes. This is normally reviewed in our marriage counseling.

Must we be baptized in order to marry in Saint Luke’s Lutheran church?

No. However, the pastor is pleased to discuss the place of faith and church in your life, towards baptism.

What are the rates?

Please contact Pastor Strasser for specific rates and details.