Catholic ceremony, outdoor reception in Wilmington, NC...any advance

arpapp174 · February 2011

Hey Ladies!!! I just recently got engaged and we are sooo excited and I can't wait to start planning. I have always known that I wanted to be married in the Catholic church. All the crazy restrictions aside, my faith is a huge part of my life and the catholic ceremony is just awesome to me. Here is the issue: We currently live in Raleigh and are members of a church in Raleigh, but we would love to be able to be married in Wilmington or at the Outer Banks at a catholic church and have the reception on or near the water. It is a combination of both mine and my fiance's dream weddings. I have been looking at catholic churches and have found a few but most either say we have to be members or they won't book the date til 6 month out (which is CRAZY to me). Any suggestions?!?

kelsey+brandon · February 2011

Would you be entirely opposed to having your ceremony outside? If not, maybe you can talk to one of your priests (is that right, I'm Methodist, so I'm not 100% sure - we have ministers), and see if they would be willing to travel and do the wedding for you in Wilmington or OIB. Just a thought! I know it's not the same as getting married in the church. Just keep looking too...you never know if you just haven't called the "right" church yet.

NcsuPsych · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_catholic-ceremony-outdoor-reception-wilmington-ncany-advance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:fd2f3cfb-8eaf-4439-b8f4-172560db4c0cPost:80479084-58a3-4436-9369-969d2550b5fc">Re: Catholic ceremony, outdoor reception in Wilmington, NC...any advance</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Would you be entirely opposed to having your ceremony outside?</strong> If not, maybe you can talk to one of your priests (is that right, I'm Methodist, so I'm not 100% sure - we have ministers), and see if they would be willing to travel and do the wedding for you in Wilmington or OIB. Just a thought! I know it's not the same as getting married in the church. Just keep looking too...you never know if you just haven't called the "right" church yet.
Posted by kelsey+brandon[/QUOTE]

I *think* (dont qoute me) that if you're Catholic and wish to continue to be, you're supposed to be married in the catholic church (like literally INSIDE) at least this is what I kind of remember hearing my cousin say (who is catholic).

With that said, I think my cousin also had to do the 6 month thing, so it may not be as abnormal as first thought. Have you talked with the churchs alot? I would try speaking with them again and explain the situation (that you're out of town and a member or another church) and see if there is any way possible to reserve the date, or at least put a tenative reservation on it??

Good luck!

jennb3 · February 2011

As far as having a Catholic wedding outside, it depends on your diocese but most won't allow it. I'm in the other diocese in NC (there are 2, I'm in Charlotte's while Wilmington is in Raleigh's) and couldn't even get married in my school's chapel because the part that we wanted to be married in isn't a Catholic church (although there is a Catholic chapel attached). Catholic churches seem a little strict but maybe you could speak with your priest in Raleigh and see if he could advocate for you to a church where you want to get married. I would try calling a few places and see what they say about it!

Catholic ceremony, outdoor reception in Wilmington, NC...any advance

Re: Catholic ceremony, outdoor reception in Wilmington, NC...any advance

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