General Information

Who can I contact to find out if a date and time is available?

St. Luke’s Wedding Coordinator, Lauren Ruhl, should be your first point of contact when considering St. Luke’s for your wedding ceremony. It is her responsibility to coordinate all aspects of the wedding with the bride and groom. Ms. Ruhl may be reached at 713-548-4221.

How far in advance can we book a wedding at St. Luke’s?

You may book your wedding as far in advance as you wish. The wedding is considered confirmed and secure upon submittal of the online reservation form and receipt of the non-refundable $200 deposit.

May we be married at St. Luke’s if we are not members of the church?

Yes, you may. Both members and non-members may book a wedding at St. Luke’s. A wedding is considered a “member wedding” if the bride, groom, one of their parents, grandparents, or siblings is an active member of St. Luke’s. All couples married at St. Luke’s must agree to the policies as defined on this website and discussed with the Wedding Coordinator.

We are interested in making St. Luke’s our home church. How do we do that?

The path to St. Luke’s membership is a four-step process which includes attending “Coffee with the Pastor”, followed by a “Joining Service”, participating in a small group experience or “Discipleship Class”, and finally, discovering ways to “Get Connected” as an active church member. Upon becoming a member of St. Luke’s, you will vow to uphold the church with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. For more information about becoming a member, contact Sarah Butler at 713-402-5006.

Who can officiate a wedding at St. Luke’s?

Any of our male or female pastors may officiate your wedding here at St. Luke’s. Learn more about our clergy HERE. You may submit your order of preference when you submit the online reservation form. When the officiating minister for your service has been determined, the Wedding Coordinator will inform you and help you get connected. Your officiating minister will then schedule an appointment with you before your wedding date.

A guest minister from another United Methodist Church or other denomination or faith is welcome to assist a St. Luke’s host minister with the wedding ceremony. The St. Luke’s host minister will determine which officiant performs which part of the ceremony. The guest officiant will receive a formal letter of invitation from the St. Luke’s host minister.

May we write our own service?

All weddings at St. Luke’s will use “A Service of Christian Marriage”, as found in The United Methodist Book of Worship.

Is pre-marital counseling required?

While three hours of pre-marital counseling with a licensed therapist is strongly encouraged, it is not required. We are happy to recommend the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center which is located at 2714 Joanel St., one block west of the St. Luke’s campus between Westheimer and Alabama. Learn more about NFCC and your premarital counseling options here. The Counseling center can be reached for scheduling by phone at 713-402-5046.

When are weddings held at St. Luke’s?

Weddings are held on Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., or 7 p.m. No weddings are scheduled on the weekends of Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s.

What are the fees for a wedding at St. Luke’s?

*Reservation Fee for Sanctuary (holds 1,000 people)

Member: $1,700

Non-Member: $2,700

*Reservation Fee for Chapel (holds 100 people)

Member: $1,100

Non-Member: $1,800

Minister Honorarium (not included in the reservation fee): $500

*The Reservation Fee includes use of the Bride and Groom’s Rooms, parking lots, security and custodial staff, the services of the organist, wedding coordinator, and all other building related services for one hour on the Friday evening rehearsal, two hours before the wedding ceremony begins, and one and a half hours after the wedding ceremony begins.

When may we schedule our rehearsal and who must attend?

Rehearsals are held on the Friday evening before the wedding day. The Wedding Coordinator will work with you to confirm the time of your rehearsal in advance. All members of the wedding party, including parents, grandparents, ushers, and readers should be present and prompt to the rehearsal. Promptness of all members of the wedding party is critical, as there may be two rehearsals scheduled on the same evening.

Are there additional services that can be provided?

Yes. St. Luke’s Wedding Coordinator and Organist work with couples to arrange videography, livestreaming, soloist(s), choir(s), and/or additional musician services for additional fees if they so choose.

May we select our own music and/or musicians?

Responsibility for all music for your wedding at St. Luke’s is delegated to the organist who will assist you in planning the music for your wedding. All music selected must be appropriate for a worship service. Your organist will work with you to arrange soloist(s), choir(s), and/or additional musician services for additional fees if you so choose.

What is the payment schedule?

A non-refundable deposit of $200 and the completed online reservation form are required to secure the date and time of the wedding. This deposit is partial payment of your total reservation fee.

The balance of the reservation fee, as well as any additional fees for optional services you have added, is due no later than six weeks prior to your wedding date.

The $500 minister’s honorarium should be brought to the rehearsal the Friday evening before the wedding date.

What if I must cancel my wedding?

If you must cancel your wedding, please contact the wedding coordinator immediately. The remaining balance of the Reservation Fee after the non-refundable $200 deposit is refundable when the wedding is cancelled no later than 6 months in advance of the wedding date. Weddings cancelled fewer than 6 months prior to the wedding date are subject to a $400 cancellation fee.

When do we need to bring our marriage license to the church?

You must bring your valid marriage license to the rehearsal on the Friday evening before the wedding. Your license will be mailed by the church to Harris County the Monday following your ceremony. A Harris County marriage license has a waiting period of 72 hours and is valid for 90 days.

Will we need to print our own programs?

Yes. Couples must design and print their own wedding programs and bring them to the church on the Friday evening of their wedding rehearsal.

How old must the ring bearer(s) and/or flower girl(s) be to participate in a St. Luke’s Wedding?

We recommend that children be at least five years old to participate in a wedding here at St. Luke’s. No flower petals (real or artificial), or other materials of this nature may be thrown on the church premises by anyone, including a flower girl.

Are there specific guidelines for outside vendors (florist, photographer, videographer)?

Yes, it is critical that all vendors abide by St. Luke’s policies. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to ensure that any outside vendors to whom these policies apply be provided a copy of the relevant policies and that these policies are followed.

Download Vendor Guidelines

Other Important Details

Two Wedding Guild volunteers will be available at your rehearsal and throughout your wedding day to help make everything run smoothly.
A Bride’s Room and separate Groom’s Room is available for the couple and their attendants to use beginning no sooner than two hours before the wedding begins.
Absolutely no alcohol is allowed on the church premises at any time before, during, or after the wedding. Smoking is permitted only outside the building.

These FAQs are not intended to provide every answer about weddings at St. Luke’s. For more information, please contact the wedding coordinator, Lauren Ruhl, at 713-548-4221.

Weddings at St. Luke's

Welcome!

To learn more about weddings at St. Luke’s, contact our Wedding Coordinator, Lauren Ruhl at 713-548-4221.

General Information

Other Important Details