Catholic Weddings — The Knot Community

Inviting parish priest?

katetw — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:04:54 +0000

Hi everyone! My fiance and I are marrying in our "home" parish... but neither of us attend often. (I go to grad school in another state and often go to Mass there; he usually attends with his family in a neighboring parish.)

FH's best friend was recently ordained and will be performing our wedding (not in his home parish or diocese). Obviously, he's invited (and coming, and riding in the limo!) to the rehearsal dinner and reception. However, we're not doing our marriage prep meetings with him, we're doing them with the parish priest.

My question is, do we invite the parish priest to the rehearsal dinner or reception? He's not performing either the rehearsal or the ceremony, but we are meeting and talking with him about pretty serious stuff three times before the wedding. Like I mentioned before, we don't attend Mass there regularly right now, so we also don't know him very well outside of the prep sessions.

Nervous about EE this weekend

annagtz82 — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:02:25 +0000

I'm nervous about our EE this weekend. I've heard good things about it and that it brings you and your FI closer, but tonight we were talking about it and we're hoping it won't bring up old arguments. Did any of you ladies have any old arguments arise from going? If so, did it ruin your experience?

Also, what exactly do "dorm style" bathrooms mean? What are the general times they make you wake up and go to bed? I know it's different at all places but what did your rooms look like? How was the experience of sharing a room with a total stranger?

Sorry for all my questions, I just want to get a sense of how it's going to be there. TIA.

Priest being transferred

LouWho19 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:08:32 +0000

My fiance and I learned in mass on Sunday that the priest who is supposed to be marrying us is being transferred to another parish in January (our wedding is in May). Has this happened to anyone else and how did the church deal with it...just assign you a new priest or have you select another?

Pre-Cana

liz92782 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:34:31 +0000

what exactly do these classes consist of, thanks?

Engaged Encounter

gustavitomato — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:36:33 +0000

I'm sure many of the brides on this board went or going to go through it. How is it? I'm a little nervous :) We're going for ours this weekend!

online NFP?

wifeandmommy0609 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:59:19 +0000

So since life in my house is very crazy our Father is allowing us to do the NFP course online.

I was wondering if anyone else has done this online. if you did what did you think? did you like it?

Here is the link he told us to use (also part of our archdiocese website)
http://www.nwfs.org/nfp.html

The course is $100.00 for 120 days. If we don't complete it we have to pay $7.00 to add 30 more days.

Living together before marriage, what do you think?

kaitlynanddavidm — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:06:47 +0000

** I don't frown on people who live togther before marriage it's just not for us**

I'm looking for advice. It was never our plan to live together before the wedding, we're living chaste right now and want to continue right up until the day we're married. However, fiance is unemployed and it looks like he's out of a place to live until he can find work. If he were to live with family it would be a struggle to find work as they are out of state. I could move back in with my family but that adjustment would be hard and so at this point I have avoided that possibility. My Catholic guilt has peaked though and I'd like to find a solution that works. Right now we are taking turns sharing sleeping quarters. One night he's on an air mattress on the floor and the next in my bed while I'm on the floor. Trying the best we can but I'm still concerned that we may not be doing the right thing.

Sponsor Couples

Jackief11 — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:24:35 +0000

Hello ladies. I know alot of yall have discussed Engaged Encounter, but we opted for the Sponsor Couple meetings instead (FI is a football and baseball coach so there is literally NO TIME for EE). Can anyone tell me what we can expect? We start this Sunday and I'm pretty excited, the FI, not so much. He's not Catholic and is a little nervous, but is converting after the wedding. Any information will help maybe put his worries at ease or tell us what to expect. Thanks

Needed: NFP Computer Program and Advice/tips

mromag1 — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:05:38 +0000

I need a recommendation for a NFP computer program for tracking all this crazy data. They gave us these graph worksheets you fill in class but I am having trouble with them because I am dyslexic. I can't track all the lines and dots visually.

Do ya'll have any advice or tips that ya'll did not learn and class that might help?

Does it really matter what time you take your temperature in the morning? I am a late sleeper because I work late.

Prayers of the Faithful question

catarntina — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:16:00 +0000

I wanted to say something about those who have passed in the prayers of the faithful section, especially for my grandma, grandpa, uncle, and FI's grandpa.

My grandma and uncle were baptised Catholic and had Mass of the Christian Burial when they passed. However, my grandpa was not baptised and FI's grandpa was baptised baptist.

I wanted to do something like, "For those who have gone before us -- especially Catherine's grandmother Josephine, grandfather Walt, uncle Jack, and Christopher's grandfather John -- we pray to the Lord."

Can I still mention the grandfathers even though they weren't Catholic in the prayers of the faithful section, or should I keep it more general? IE, "For those who have gone before us, we pray to the Lord."

TIA!

NWR: What is the difference

mcdol3 — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:25:12 +0000

between NFP and Billings Method?

Marriage Prep/RCIA

monicajae — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 06:33:59 +0000

Hello!
My fiance was raised catholic and we are planning on having a catholic ceremony. I know that we are going to have to go through marriage prep and we are willing to do whatever it takes, but I am wondering if anyone can give me any insight into (and I imagine it varies) the amount of time required? Are classes typically weekly, more than once a week, monthly? Also, I am interested in going through the RCIA program and converting as well, and I am curious what that entails of also and what those classes are like. We both go to school full time and work 20+ hours a week, so needless to say, time is tight!
Thanks for your info !

TMI NFP Update

bel138 — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:40:57 +0000

I don't know if anyone remembers, but I started learning Creighton because I was having trouble with symptothermal. I couldn't figure out my CM, and due to work schedules, my temp was all over the place. Some ladies thought I just needed the detailed Creighton descriptors for CM to help me out.

Turns out, nope. I haven't had any at least since starting two months ago. So, time for a referral to figure out what my body is lacking for normal function and to see if I'm even ovulating. Awesome. :(

bouquets

wifeandmommy0609 — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:05:42 +0000

I am thinking about not doing a bouquet for myself to carry down the isle.

I have seen some brides on 4 weddings not have them and I kind of like the idea of not having one.

what do you think about the idea?

I'm Catholic...he's not

CS4232011 — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 04:01:58 +0000

So looking advice here...

I'm meeting with my priest (just him and I) next week, but I wanted to educate myself beforehand.

My fiance is Lutheran--which I think is as close to Catholic you can get without actually being. We're having the wedding at my church and my mom and I want to have a mass.

However, when it comes time for Communion, I feel funny about having my half of the church going up and recieving, and his family sitting out...what are the rules about non-catholics recieving?

I know this is a sensitive area for his family and I don't want to make them feel like second class citizens on their son's/grandson's wedding, and I want them to feel included.

Have any of you encountered this? Any suggestions how to make the ceremony neutral but still spiritual?

NWR: Catholic help (sort of long)

mcdol3 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:24:46 +0000

Ok ladies, I'm still new to being a Catholic and after reading the All Saints day post it's made me very sad.
I still don't know a lot about the Catholic faith and beliefs, even though I took 18 months in RCIA (yes it was very disappointing that I didn't learn more). While FI is a cradle-Catholic, it's me that gets us out of bed on Sunday and drags him to church. He says I know more about the faith than he does, yet I feel as if I know nothing.
With the wedding coming up, and being in the Church with a full Mass I feel like I need to learn so much more. I understand most of the Mass since that was focused on, it just seems like everything else is still a mystery to me.

I try to read the bible daily, but that doesn't always happen. I do try to pray daily but that also doesn't always happen.

Do you have any suggestions to a new Catholic? It's been almost 7 months after confirmation and I feel like I'm already falling away. :(
Do you have any books to suggest that will help deepen my faith? I have done a daily devotion book twice but it's so generalized. I want something more focused on Catholicism.

Anyone willing to proof read my program?

Themis278 — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:38:52 +0000

Anyone? I think I figured this out but hubby to be is printing them in 2 hrs and now I'm starting to get nervous that I messed something up

is the Gospel Acclamation same as the alleluia verse?

Themis278 — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:49:54 +0000

I'm going int bettern the "together for life book" the worksheet in there then the book the Cathedral gave us to help with the program and this part isn't matching up between the different books.

Irishbride

Tygress_Luv111908 — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:36:47 +0000

Hi somehow something i was posting to my month board ended up here. I have no idea how that happened. Could you please just delete it from your board?

Thanks!

AW: Formal Engagement pics!

DFWIndian — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:12:47 +0000

I got my pics!!! This is from the Formal Engagement! All of them have Proof on them so it's kind wierd, but they look great and I finally have photos from the actual Ceremony! The Chapel was beautiful and the Sisters were wonderful. At the end of the ceremony my Priest gave us rosaries so you can't see them but you see him giving it to us. Our Priest is a Cor-Bishop so it's why he has the head covering and wears what he wears.
http://monicasalazar.smugmug.com/Portraits/Deepthi-and-Jeff-Formal/14408854_zx6S9#1068242252_XUTys

Riss91

TerriandJoe — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:45:11 +0000

Just sent you a PM

Invite a priest we've never met?

MarinoRabeno — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:19:48 +0000

Hi everyone. I'm having a Catholic wedding in June without a mass. My FI was raised Catholic. I was baptized, but not raised Catholic. Our wedding is in another state and about an hour and a half away from us. We had to find a church that would be willing to marry us without becoming a member. We ended up finding a great church with a great priest. All they required was 3 pre-cana classes and we're done!

The priest we originally met with, retired a few months ago. As of now, we've never met the person who is going to marry us. Even the church isn't sure who the stand in will be.

My question is this. Do we still invite this priest to the rehearsal dinner and reception? We will definitely meet with him before the wedding, but as of now, we have no idea who he is! I'm not sure what the etiquette here is! TIA!

bridesmaid dresses

Calypso1977 — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:31:30 +0000

i was just asked to be in a wedding next year, and as with wedding gowns, it seems like most bridesmaid dresses these days are strapless.

do you think the bride would be annoyed if i asked to wear a bolero or shawl with my bridesmaid dress for the ceremony? i believe her church will allow strapless, i just dont personally feel comfortable wearing strapless in church. i'm not a fan of strapless in general, given my body, but i have no problem wearing one for the wedding if its what the bride wants, but i really dont want to be that exposed in the church.

i have no idea how this bride will be as far as whether she'll pick a dress, let us pick, let us have input, etc. this is only the third weddng ive been in. the first was my sister's so it wasnt an issue since we're on the same page with attire, and the other was my cousin who asked us, and surprisingly no one wanted strapless so i lucked out.

Happy All Saints' Day! Share your...

Hope61 — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:54:02 +0000

Happy Feast of All Saints! I thought maybe in honor of the day, we could share some of our favorite saints...

My patrons:
St. Catherine Laboure
St. Anne
St. Elizabeth of Hungary (confirmation saint)

FI's and my relationship patrons:
St. Gianna
St. Raphael the Archangel

Other favorites:
St. Therese
Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin (St. Therese's parents! And I'm convinced that they will be named saints someday too!)
St. Joseph of Cupertino (great for students! His feast day is my birthday)
St. Luke (a patron of physicians--FI is in med school. And his feast day is my baptism day)
St. Joseph
And of course, Mary (favorite devotions/feast days are Miraculous Medal, Rosary, Immaculate Conception, Annunciation, Visitation)

Who are yours?

Could you please pray for this family?

catarntina — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:03:46 +0000

I think someone posted on here a while ago that if you needed prayers, they'd help. I can't remember who it was though.

One of my dad's friend's children was in a bad car accident on his way to school yesterday; he's awake, but cannot move. He is only 17 years old, and just obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in June. He is by far the nicest, most gracious kid I've ever met.

If you could please just say a prayer for him and his family that they get through this, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you

Anyone know a priest in North Carolina that will marry outside?

annahart11 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:18:11 +0000

I am marrying a non Catholic and we want to have the ceremony outside, does anyone know a priest that is willing to marry outside in NC?

Catholic program?

Themis278 — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:31:06 +0000

Does anyone have an example you are willing to share? I dont know what information I should include and at what point will I hit information overload

Facebook question..

wifeandmommy0609 — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:56:04 +0000

So the deacon and the father of our church is on my facebook friends. Would it be ok to send them an event request for the wedding on facebook?

I will also be mailing him a Real invite once it's closer to the wedding. Along with the Father of our church.

Nuptial cohabiting- not what it seems

PichelleWedding — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:10:19 +0000

I love this article. I'm a devout Catholic but I don't believe pre-marital sex or cohabiting after engagement is sinful. I've tried to understand the argument of waiting, but seriously, after the age of 25 and after dating for many years, if you can stand to stay away from each other physically I think there's something wrong with the relationship. So yeah, the article below is very eye-opening, especially how the Catholic teachings weren't always the way they are now! Hmmm.... ;)

"The first sexual intercourse between the spouses usually followed the betrothal-a fact of the Catholic tradition that has been obscured by the now-taken-for-granted sequence of wedding, marriage, sexual intercourse."

http://www.uscatholic.org/life/2008/06/a-betrothal-proposal

Timeline

apples&pears — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:07:06 +0000

Hey Ladies! I need some suggestions! Heres the story...

We are having a somewhat destination wedding (about 2-2.5 hours from most family and friends). We were planning on bussing most guests from the hotels, to the church (full catholic mass- 1 hr), to the reception, and back to the hotels at the end of the night. The problem, is that if we have the buses take the guests to the reception immediately after the ceremony, the photographer says we wont have enough time for pictures. She says we need at least 1 hour and 20 minutes for pictures, and that we have to be at our cocktail party for at least 10 minutes so she has some time to take "detail" pictures of the reception before anyone enters. We don't want to take any pictures before the ceremony because I love the whole "everyone sees the bride when the church doors open" kind of feel. We also didn't want our guests to have too much of a break in between ceremony and reception (with the hour mass, its kind of a long day anyway, and I feel like everyone is going to want to get the party started!)

Does anyone have suggestions on what to do? How to add more time between ceremony and reception for these pictures??

help!