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Need some advice...

BrattressaBrattressa member
10 Comments
in Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
So FI and I really want to get married in a church.  Our reception is in St. Paul so were looking at churches in Minneapolis and St. Paul.  I can get in the Basilica on our date at noon and the cathedral at 11am.  Our reception doesn't start until 5pm so I'm concerned that times would leave too large of an interval between the ceremony and reception.  Even if we do the full Catholic wedding, that's only about 45 mins to an hour. What do you think?  Too long and keep looking?  I am really looking for an antique, classic church, not a modern one. Help!
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Re: Need some advice...

  • martiac225martiac225
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I honestly think that is too long.  I know it's your day, but you have to think of your guests too.  We are having our ceremony at 4, because we both have had many experiences going to weddings where it takes up an entire day and having several hours to kill time in between (sucks) ceremony and reception. We want our guests to stay late and enjoy the band and expecting them to be there for 12 hours is just too much.  I am trying to make everything as easy as possible for everyone, but that's just me.  Good luck in your planning :)
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  • KatieP10KatieP10
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree too long between the ceremony and reception. I personally would keep looking. There are a lot of churches in St. Paul/Minneapolis that are very old and will have a similar feel. 
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  • wittyschaffywittyschaffy member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Keep looking.  I think that anything longer than an hour for a gap is too long.  :)
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  • schmoodschmood member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I can tell you that at my Catholic church, the Saturday weddings can be at either 11 or 2, absolutely no later.   I do know of a few other Catholic churches that are the same way..  there is a chance that you won't find one that will let you have one later.   However, on that note, you may want to check with Assumption, which is DT St. Paul (about a block away from the Xcel Center.)  I do know that they tend to be a little more lienient (sp?) on some of the rules there.

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  • tpender13tpender13 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think it's too long as well. Maybe you can take the noon at the Basilica, then traveling to St. Paul would eat up some time... Can you start your reception earlier?
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  • leggwilliamsleggwilliams
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I recommend the Nazareth Chapel on Northwestern campus if you're looking for a new location. Completely gorgeous and very traditional
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  • hkieslinghkiesling member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Are you looking only at catholic churches?
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  • graysquirrelgraysquirrel member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Ditto Northwestern's chapel! I went to school there and the chapel is AMAZING. It used to be a Catholic boy's school and the college has kept the chapel much as it was when they purchased the building. It still has the stations of the cross and the stained glass windows and everything, so you can have a full Catholic service without losing the traditional feel. The campus is on a lake and offers a lot of great photo ops. There is even a little island with a mausoleum that is pretty cool. 
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  • kmr333kmr333
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Check out St. Albert The Great in Minneapolis.  It is really far east, almost to the river, just north of Lake Street.  They allow non-members (probably as long as at least one of you is Catholic), they are flexible with the time (would probably allow as late as 2:30pm or so), it is air-conditioned, and the priest even does many of the weddings at the Basilica.  This is where our ceremony is going to be, but to be honest, I have not even seen the inside.  I've been meaning to go to mass there but haven't made it yet.  The outside is pretty.  We are meeting with the priest this Saturday.
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  • BrattressaBrattressa member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yes, we are only looking at Catholic churches as we are both confirmed Catholic's.  I'm going to hope I can get in later at the Basilica and also contacted the Nazareth Chapel.  I'm afraid it is going to be booked as well! I thought over ten months in advance would be enough time but now I am not so sure.
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  • I Want CakeI Want Cake
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've never been to a Catholic wedding that took less than 90 minutes, and I've been to a ton of them (both sides of my family are Catholic).  Even without music, the mass takes 45 minutes just by itself.  That said, I believe there's a Catholic church on Concordia in St. Paul near downtown.  I forget what it's called, but the location was pretty good.  We might have 90 minutes between when we get done with our ceremony and when cocktail hour starts, and most people would say that even that is too much.  Unless there's stuff to entertain them in the interim (we'll have the sculpture garden and Grand Ave shopping), people are going to get bored and hungry while they wait for the reception to start.
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