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Different Church, Same Priest?

junebug19junebug19 member
100 Comments
in Catholic Weddings
So, my FI and I are both Catholic and belong to a church in our town but the reception venue we chose is an hour or more away. We think that is too far away to ask our guests to drive, especially his family who would have to drive 30-40 min to the church and then another hour to the reception. So, we were thinking of having the ceremony at a small church near the venue, but I don't know if we have to members and I would also like it if our priest would lead the mass, but I don't know if priests will go to churches that are not their own. Has anyone ever heard of this before?
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Re: Different Church, Same Priest?

  • Riss91Riss91 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Yes - it happens often. We were married in a church closer to our venue by a priest that was not from that parish. I would check with the church(es) near your venue and ask if you may have your ceremony there, explaining that you would be bringing your own priest. You shouldn't have too much trouble. The priests will sort everything out between them.

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  • Calypso1977Calypso1977 member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    it can be done, but why would you select somethign so far from your church?  is there another venue closer to your church?
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  • jebbica85jebbica85
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are doing this. Our home parish is over and hour away from our venue and we didnt think it was fair for guests to drive that far in between. We are doing all of the pre-wedding things with our home priest and he is going to travel down to a church closer to the venue and perform the ceramony there. We had to do the leg work, first we asked our priest if he was willing to go to a different chruch, then we had to find a church that would let us bring in our own priest (we found a few that wouldnt or would ask for twice the price as a member who wanted to get married there). Just make sure you know what you have to do and get all the info up front before you make a decision.
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  • ootmother2ootmother2 member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    I don't think it should be a problem if the priest is willing to travel to the other church.

    Friends of mine were married at a small church in Lyme, Conn. because they wanted their reception at that huge inn on the water in Old Saybrook.

    Easy drive, no problems.
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  • jazzybaccjazzybacc member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think you just have to explain why you want your priest and not the one assigned to the church in which you'd like to get married.  I think that only happens when the priest of the church doesn't want to give someone else the reigns, etc etc.  Shouldn't be a problem.
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  • junebug19junebug19 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_different-church-same-priest?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:7a70a838-018c-4ac5-926b-5f6110e095c0Post:c0ab7d91-1986-473c-a88a-d6837d826217">Re: Different Church, Same Priest?</a>:
    [QUOTE]it can be done, but why would you select somethign so far from your church?  is there another venue closer to your church?
    Posted by Calypso1977[/QUOTE]

    <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="Discussion_PostTable"><tbody><tr><td id="forumPostFormattedBody[7]" class="Discussion_PostTablePost">The venue we chose is a historic pavilion at a state park near the shore (CT). It means a lot to us (and is significant to my family as well- my late grandfather used to take everyone there a lot) so its not just a "venue" to us. Its actually the only place we looked at.   </td></tr></tbody></table>
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  • MissOwlMissOwl
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    definitely ask your home priest first. most are willing to travel.
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  • loveducks27loveducks27
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Most churches that have an information page about weddings on their website will say they have no problem with a guest priest, but I'm sure some might be opposed to it. Just ask!

    FI and I are going to (hopefully!) have his friend who is a priest marry us.  Unfortunately, our home church is a very small chapel that seats about 30 people so we will not be getting married there.
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  • Skc20Skc20
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am getting married in the main cathedral in Richmond and they are letting me bring in the priest who baptised me that now lives in NY. :) 
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  • junebug19junebug19 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank You all, you've been very helpful! (not to mention reassuring) Now I just have to finish meeting with both churches.
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