HOLLYWOOD WEDDINGS
Your memorable wedding day will be a true delight at Hollywood Lutheran Church. We can help you through every stage of your event, from pre-nuptial counseling to ceremony and reception planning. And we can help you control costs, so that your wedding day doesn't bankrupt your resources.
Please visit our "sister site" for full information: www.HollywoodWedding.org. We would love to help you plan your special day, and have helpful information we can send to you by e-mail. Feel free to contact the Church Office for assistance. [The Hollywood Wedding website is in transit due to changes at Google,com, and will be re-built shortly.]
There are eight (8) locations in Los Angeles County where licenses may be obtained, or an application can be filled out on line. The cost for the license is $70.00. The cost for a civil ceremony is $25.00. Obtaining the license and having a civil ceremony on the same day may not be possible in most locations. A civil ceremony is not required if you are planning to have a religious ceremony. Clergy are authorized to conduct the ceremony, and most will sign and return the license to the County for recording.
If you live in Los Angeles County, you do not have to apply for a license in Los Angeles County or solemnize your marriage here.
Resources to Help You Plan your Wedding ~
Feel free to download any of these PDF files before you arrange your first meeting with us.
- How long does a wedding ceremony last?
- What if we're already living together? What if one of us was previously married? What if we can't get a marriage license?
- Controlling the Costs of Getting Married
- Wedding Cost Worksheet
- Wedding Information Page
- Outline of a typical Wedding Ceremony
- Scripture Readings for Wedding Ceremonies
- Sample Vows
We strongly recommend pre-marital counseling conversation with the Pastor. This is not required but helps couples to understand one another and develop communication skills. As a discussion starter, download this Marital Inventory & Profile. Each person should complete the Profile. Talk over your answers with each other.
About Same-Gender Weddings Yes! Hollywood Lutheran Church opened its doors to lesbian and gay couples seven years ago. We have had some beautiful ceremonies in our Sanctuary, and are glad to be of serve to the lesbian/gay community! On September 7, 2008, the congregation voted unanimously to oppose Proposition 8 and to add its name to the growing list of churches and clergy emphatically saying "No on 8!" (See the News page for details.)
If you are a gay couple seeking to protect one another, we strongly recommend that, until Proposition 8 is repealed or over-ruled by the courts, you consider registering as a Domestic Partnership in the State of California. Domestic Partnership is close but not entirely equal to marriage with regard to rights and obligations in the state, but it does not extend to any federal rights and obligations. For example, legally married and domestically partnered couples in California must file a joint tax return for California taxes, but may not file a joint return on federal taxes.
For further information, see: No on Proposition 8 - Post Election and www.NoOn8Church.org.
Is my gay/lesbian marriage still valid?
Same-gender licenses were briefly available in California between June 16, 2008 and November 5, 2008. With the passage of Proposition 8 on the November ballot, that "window" was closed abruptly. But the California Supremen Court has now ruled that the estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during that window of time are and remain legally married.
If youwere married last year between June 16 ans November 4 with a Marriage License, your marriage is still legal. Download the California Judicial Council's News Release of May 26, 2009.
You can also download the original Supreme Court decisionthat legalized same-gender marriage in California. It is an eloquent and thoroughly-reasoned presentation ot the justice issues involved in extending the right to a legal marriage to same-sex couples.]