1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us
Weddings at Lutheran Church of Hope are a joyous celebration of God’s love! We will be here for you before, during and after your wedding to help you in any way. God has shown us what love is in Jesus. We pray he will be your model as you grow in love for each other.
Your wedding is a service of worship. That means you and your guests will gather not just to honor you, but to give praise to God who is the source of all true love. Your wedding is a special time, which is set aside to celebrate the glorious and mysterious act the Lord performs as he takes a man and a woman and makes them one flesh.
Weddings at Hope are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Hope schedules weddings at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm in the Chapel at Hope West Des Moines almost every Saturday. The Chapel seats 300 comfortably. Weddings can also be scheduled at other Hope locations like Ankeny, Waukee and Hope+Elim.
Scheduling a Wedding at Hope
To begin the process, contact Heather Goeders. After reviewing the policies and fees, she will work with you to reserve dates and times for the wedding and rehearsal.
Heather Goeders
Wedding & Events Team Leader
515-222-1520
[email protected]
Pre-Marriage Class
Hope pastors expect all couples to attend one of the pre-marriage classes offered at Hope. Hope believes couples should begin a married relationship with as many tools as they can gather for a lifetime of growth together. By participating in this seminar, couples are making an important decision to invest more deeply in what God has given—each other and a loving relationship.
The Pre-Marriage Class consists of six weekly sessions or one weekend class where couples look more intentionally at their relationship. Presenters share thoughts and insights into building a healthy and growing relationship that lasts a lifetime. Couples will also discover ways to ensure the relationship thrives. Hope offers the Pre-Marriage Class four times each year.
Wedding Fees
Full wedding in the Lutheran Church of Hope Chapel
Fee: $250
Pastor honorarium: The amount of your choice
The full wedding fee includes:
• Facility use (1 hour for the rehearsal and 4 hours for the wedding)
• The assistance of the wedding director to coordinate date, times, officiants and wedding assistant(s), as well as planning of the ceremony
• Wedding coordinator to assist you the week of the wedding finalizing plans, to lead the rehearsal, and walk alongside couples and the wedding party during the day of the ceremony
• Production team assistance with sound during the ceremony
The optional fees include:
• Pianist for the wedding and rehearsal – $150
• Sound technician at rehearsal – $25
Small family wedding in the Prayer Garden
Fee: $50
Pastor honorarium: The amount of your choice
Small weddings are designed to accommodate couples who would like a very simple and intimate ceremony without all the details of a full wedding. These weddings have 20 or fewer guests and are held in the Prayer Garden. Hope does not provide a person from the production team or wedding coordinator for these ceremonies.
The small family wedding fee includes:
• Facility use (1 hour for the wedding)
• The assistance of the wedding director
Weddings At Hope
The checklist for the bride and groom:
• Contact Heather Goeders, Wedding Director, at 515-422-9123 with date requests.
• Once the date is set, a wedding packet will be sent to you.
• Return the covenant after the date is set and the $100 deposit for your date is confirmed. Dates will be held for two weeks.
• Register for the Pre-Marriage Class at Lutheran Church of Hope.
• Set an appointment with the wedding director four months before the wedding.
• Bring the completed planning guide to the meeting with the wedding director.
• Set an appointment with the officiant one month before the wedding.
• Email your wedding program to the wedding director.
• Receive a letter with final details one month before the wedding.
• Two weeks before the wedding, bring in the final payment and any recorded music.
• Enjoy your beautiful and meaningful wedding!
Frequently Asked Questions
A Hope pastor, chaplain or ministry director will be assigned to officiate at your wedding. Officiants are
assigned based on availability. If you have a preference, please let the wedding director know when you
meet with her.
Please note the following:
• The officiants will do their best to accommodate requests; however, the final decision will be based on their schedules and commitments.
• Typically, the officiant will not be able to attend a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception due to their weekend commitments at worship.
• Senior Pastor Mike Housholder is available for only a limited number of weddings due to his preaching schedule and other weekend commitments. If you’d like to request Pastor Mike, you can do so, and if his schedule permits, he will be happy to preside at your wedding service.
• Guest pastors are permitted. It is acceptable for a family member or friend who is a Christian pastor and is licensed to perform weddings in Iowa to preside at your wedding. Please let the wedding director know to make the required arrangements.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Ready to book a wedding at Hope West Des Moines?
If you’re interested in booking a wedding at Hope or inviting a Hope pastor to preside at your wedding, please email Heather Goeders.
Please note: Due to the high volume of requests, we schedule weddings at Hope for those who are church members or those who have made Hope their church home through regular attendance at worship or other ministry events.