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First Post, Hi Girls! Need some Officiant help

MaryBethandJoshMaryBethandJosh
First Comment
in Massachusetts-Boston
Hi Ladies. This is my first post!!! I've peeked around this Boston board many times and found so much information that has been very helpful. Thanks! I'm hoping that someone out there will have some advice on an officiant for us. Both my FI (he he check me out... using the lingo) and I are Catholic and would like to have a religious element in our ceremony. I'm at a loss for where to find someone who will marry us that can provide that piece when the ceremony is not taking place in a church. I'm thinking a retired priest... Has anyone found someone who was able to create a catholic vibe without having to be in a church? So far I've contacted Rev. John Kennedy, and found he's limiting his area to the Worcester area, our ceremony/reception are in Beverly MA and we've also met with Tom Welch and we didn't hit it off. 
Thanks  
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Re: First Post, Hi Girls! Need some Officiant help

  • ebigelowebigelow member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Welcome! :)  We're using Richard (Rick) Perry out of Gloucester...he's not a retired priest, but he said he can make the ceremony as religious as you want it.  We had met with both him and Tom Welch and we didn't get that great of a vibe from Tom either.  We felt kind of like it was all business with him and that he was just trying to sell us his services or something...he was very enthusiastic and we knew he would probably do a great job, but it bothered us that he didn't even as us one question about ourselves or what we envision for our ceremony or anything.  Rick was wonderful and is so nice and personable...and he was $100 cheaper than Tom! We haven't actually used him yet (wedding in June), so I can't speak to that, but he was recommended to me by several people on the boards...
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  • jaguarjenjaguarjen
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We actually had a retired priest (friend of fmil) we were hoping to use, but when he investigated, he found he wouldn't be permitted.  Our ceremony is in a non-denominational chapel that has been specifically set as off-limits, though, so it may be that other venues would be okay.  Or there may be retired priests who aren't as much sticklers for the rules as he is. :)

    We actually are going with Tom Welch, but another one I also found here (via a knottie's vendor reviews in bio) and contacted was Joe McCool. ( If I remember correctly, he was a priest but left the priesthood in order to marry.  I'm pretty sure his contact info was at rentapriest.org.)
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  • jonnysbride2010jonnysbride2010
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am using the Reverends Cavalconte. Mr. Cavalconte is a retired Catholic priest and he offiates with or without his wife who is also a Reverend. I know it's confusing. You can hire just one of them for your ceremony or both. They give you a workbook and you literally write your own ceremony with as many or as little religious elements that you may want. It's been a ton of fun and they are super sweet. They are out of Bristol, RI but I am sure they would travel!
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  • TeebagyAndNorthTeebagyAndNorth member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    wow. we actually loved Tom Welch! I felt like he was exactly the opposite. We felt like he was really interested in making the ceremony personal and he really seemed to care about who we were and what we wanted out of our marriage. I am sorry to hear that you didn't have the same experience. We are actually paying a little more to have him come all the way to Salem simply because we loved him!


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  • MaryBethandJoshMaryBethandJosh
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Thank you for those suggestions, I'm going to look into them. I've read good things about Rick Perry on these boards. I also found a few other options on rentapriest.com. LOL it just sounds so funny!! But thats the first I've heard about Reverends Cavalconte. JohnnysBride,  Do you have his contact information?

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  • eeyore4771eeyore4771
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used Tom Welch for our wedding and absolutely loved him!  We had totally the opposite experience from pp.  He was very interested in learning about us and our vision for our ceremony, and he was great to work with.  You should definitely check him out.  I have a review in my bio if you're interested.

    Kristen & Matt - June 27, 2008
    We're married!

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  • higgldy_piggldyhiggldy_piggldy member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are using Rev. Deacon Economos.  He's from Danvers and has been EXCELLENT in adding a spiritual/religious touch to the ceremony.  He has a great speaking voice and is wonderful with words.  He puts a really nice emphasis on spousal friendship and the importance of the support of family and friends.

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