Hi everyone,
My wedding date, July 9, is fast approaching. Yesterday I received a call from the church which is located downtown Montreal. It seems that July 9 happens to be the same day as the Carifiesta parade which passes directly in front of the church blocking all access. On top of that it is extremely loud with steel drums, music and dancing so that we would not be able to hear the ceremony even if we were able to get in the church. This parade did not happen last year (even though it has for the last 30 years prior to that) and when it did occur it was always held on the 1st Sat of July - now this year it's on the 2nd Sat of July. We can not move the date, not only have we payed deposits to the reception venue, a classical trio, and a band, but some of our out of town guests have already bought plane tickets.
We asked the priest if he could marry us somewhere else. We happen to live in his parish therefore he can't marry us in our own parish church (if it had been different). There is chapel at one of the Universities, but it is closed over the summer, and he won't ask a French parish as I think there is probably not the best relationship between the two dioceses.
The only option we have been given, which I guess we have to take is to have the ceremony at 10am... but our reception doesn't start until 5:30. Our guests will have almost 7 hours to kill. Not to mention that we have to figure out how to get hair and make up done before 9am.
So do I try to plan something for people in the afternoon? I think it's too long and people going back home/hotels for naps might be better???? I also assume a lot more people won't make it to the ceremony and just come to the reception??? I am soooo upset
Thanks for getting through my post