So, FI and I are getting married on August 22, which is coming right up. Engagement was short (kicked off pre-marriage prep with a Valentine's Day workshop, ring and adorably creative proposal came in March), so things have gone a little by the wayside. Since I only became Catholic in April, the Catholicism-specific details are tripping me up. There are tons of resources for choosing lemon centerpieces, but astonishingly few trustworthy ones to help you through the nuptial mass planning process. Since our next (final?) meeting with the priest is August 3, followed by a meeting with the ceremony musician, I need to get them sorted out quickly. Thus I'm getting dragged back into the knot forums for answers
. Our parish is a Jesuit-oriented student parish -- simple and cozy, not a gorgeous cathedral -- but we love it and its service message and want that to be conveyed on our wedding day. When we get back from our honeymoon, we are starting the application process for several volunteer programs (Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps) so one of them is in our future. Do we have a say in what types of things the priest mentions in the homily? I don't mean telling him what to do, but just a general theme. If so, FI and I should probably talk about it before August 3. If not, I'm not going to bother since there are about 10,000 other things to do. We are also having a single musician, a pianist, who doubles as our soloist. She coordinates the 5 pm mass music every Sunday and does most of the weddings, so she's great and knows our church's music. I'd like to know if anyone else has had JUST a pianist who sings. I think it changes the selection of music (no trumpet voluntary here) and would love some input. What worked for you or what have you seen work in other weddings with just a piano? We also need to choose readings. Readings we like (in no particular order): 1 Colossians 3:12-17 Jeremiah 31:31-32, 32-33 Matthew 22:35-40 Have you used one of these readings? I really dislike what follows the Colossians one, but other than that I'm hoping there aren't underlying messages that I just haven't seen. All the wife subordinance in other parts of the Bible would make me want to kill someone that day so I will NOT use something with that message. I guess since 2/3 of the people there are "cradle" Catholics, I'm nervous I'm going to choose something inappropriate. I have no problem bucking tradition with other parts of the wedding, but for some reason I am having zero confidence in planning this part! Thanks in advance!