"Ben" and "Jerry" live in a state that has marriage equality for same-couples. Both men grew up in extended Catholic families, attended Catholic schools and universities, and have been active in parish and Catholic charitable organizations. Their parents, who I will call "Bob: and "Carol" and "Ted"and "Alice" have been very supportive of the two men
Ben and Jerry have started planning for their marriage ceremony. Since a Catholic ceremony with all the bells and whistles -- a nupital Mass with a papal blessing -- isn't possible in the foreseeable future, they are planning their ceremony in Unitarian church with an Unitarian cleric as the offficiant. As Carol says the Unitarian ceremony will probably be the only wedding for Ben that she and Bob will be able to witness.
Since Ben and Jerry consider themselves to be active Catholics, they would like to try to have as many Catholic touches in their wedding ceremony as possible with out going overboard or seeming tacky.
Would it be appropriate to have a statue of the Blessed Mother brought into the Unitarian church and have one of the bridesmaids (probably one of their nieces) or perhaps one of the mothers present the flowers to the Madonna.
Would it be appropriate for Shubert's "Ave Maria" to be performed.? What other music or readings would be recommended for the ceremony?
Both Ben and Jerry have extended family members who are priests. Both would like these relatives to participate in the ceremony, but are afraid that the priests might face consequences from their superiors ... such as in the case of the priest to participated in a sex marriage ceremony in New York City. Any suggestions as to how these men could participate in the ceremony would be much appreciated.
(Bob's uncle is a Religious order priest who plans to attend the ceremony. Bob's uncle said that his order has been supportive of LGBT equality; and if his bishop disapproves of his attendance at a same sex wedding, he plans to take whatever punishment that is to be handed out. The priest-uncle also added he is in such demand in replacement ministry, he doubts that his bishop would attempt to punish him.
(Jerry's cousin-the-priest was hemming and hawing as to whether he would attend. His other, Alice's sister, told her son that 1) he will attend. 2) he can wear one of his father's suits if he doesn't want to wear his clerical blacks; 3) he will give a nice wedding present; and 4) most importantly, he will not embarass the familu)
In short, any suggestions to make a gay wedding in an Unitarian church as Catholic as possible without going over the top would be most welcome.
Thanking everyone in advance