Don't Like the Church

lekatvt

My fiancé is an active member of a more modern style methodist church. I am an inactive Episcopalian. I am used to a very traditional almost cathederal like church style and this church reminds me of a community center. It doesn't have any stained glass windows and all light colored woods. He would really like to be married in his church and being that I haven't been to a church of my own in 15 years I can't say no. I don't want to say no. Has anyone had any similar situations? Did you have any tricks to making the church more "wedding" like? 

kellya01

You could ask for candle stands that have a lot of filigree and decoration (usually has 12 to 16 taper-size candle holders on it, and usually a leaf-like design.  Some can be fanned out in different designs, some are immovable.).  My church has traditional pews but after a recent renovation looks a little more modern and fresh.  When we bring out the candle stands, and the unity candle, and the kneeling bench, it all looks more traditional, more "cathedral-like."

Also, flowers can dress it up.  You won't get the stained glass, if that's what you're used to, but flowers make things feel more enveloped, and I think in the end, people are there to see you two get married, and if they can appreciate the decorations in the process, that's nice too... I wouldn't let it stress you too much.  Sounds like he's passionate about his church, and if the two of you are going to end up joining that church as a married couple, that sounds like the way to go.  

heyimbren

I understand what you're saying about the older churches having beautiful architecture but try not to think of the church as just another venue or a pretty backdrop. If your FI is regularly involved in his church, it's his community, almost a second home. Focus on the sentimental value it has to him, and see it as a House of Worship dedicated to God, just like any other.

That said, my church isn't the prettiest either but I've seen beautiful weddings. Most couples brought in arches and flowers of course. My cousin actually had a Christmas (Dec.23rd) themed candelit ceremony that was gorgeous. The candles really helped set the ambience and made it very romantic, while dimming parts of the church to make it feel more intimate and make it easier to ignore the orange carpet lol

sessionswedding

I'm getting married in a church whose sanctuary is LITERALLY two basketball courts side-by-side with a stage at the front.  There are no windows in it at all.  There is no woodwork at all.  I had always wanted to get married in an intimate chapel with stained glass, etc.  So why am I doing this?  Because it's my FI's church, and it's one of the very very few things that he has actually taken an interest in when it comes to wedding planning.  He absolutely wants to get married there.  So I'm doing it for him.