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Complicated Ceremony Ideas

pontejeponteje member
First Comment 5 Love Its
in Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions
Hi! I'm having a very difficult time deciding on what to do for our ceremony and was wondering if any of you have come across the same problem. Both our families are traditionally Catholic (although none are actively practicing). Both have expressed their preference for a church wedding but when we met with the Priest, we both felt quite uncomfortable since the only affiliation we have to the Catholic church is our sacraments and traditions. 

Our reception venue has been booked in Northern NJ. Here's my ideal ceremony situation: We would have the ceremony in Central Park (we live in Manhattan; about 45 minutes from the reception venue). 

Do any of you have alternative ceremony ideas (anything other than a church)? What is your opinion of having a ceremony in Central Park and the reception being 45 minutes away?

Thanks so much for reading! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
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Re: Complicated Ceremony Ideas

  • Spunky414Spunky414 member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited May 2012
    Will you have a backup plan for Central Park in case of bad weather? Are you ok with making all your guests stand since you can't have chairs there? Are you familiar with the amount of traffic to expect during the time of day/year which could change that 45 minutes? Personally I wouldn't have the ceremony in Manhattan since all it would take is one accident on a bridge or tunnel to make you very late to the reception, but I'm paranoid like that.  

    Other ceremony locations to consider are smaller parks and community gardens (some were flexible on allowing guest seating) historic houses and smaller museums ran around 1,000 to 3,000 to rent.

    For officiants you could also look at the Ethical Society if you want to be non-religious.

     
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  • RamonaFlowersRamonaFlowers member
    Eighth Anniversary 500 Love Its 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    How "north" North Jersey are we talking here? Because I live in NJ ... and yeah, with weekend traffic, there aren't a lot of places you can realistically get to in NJ from Central Park in 45 minutes (Despite what Mapquest has to say on the subject).

    I can't really tell you what to do about your ceremony, other than try to keep it as close to your reception as possible (Nobody wants to spend a day driving around in their good clothes) ... and don't have a Catholic ceremony if it's not important to you and your FI just to appease your parents.


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  • Kristin789Kristin789 member
    Sixth Anniversary 2500 Comments 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    Friends of mine got married in Central Park and then everyone WALKED two blocks to the reception.  You need to either do everything in Central Park area or everything 45 minutes away.
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  • annamhisleannamhisle member
    100 Comments
    I think a ceremony in Central Park will be beautiful, but I do agree with PP that a 45 minute drive is too much for your guests.
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  • GoodLuckBear14GoodLuckBear14 member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited May 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_complicated-ceremony-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:615ec581-f62a-44e2-a064-defed170b0daPost:9c40ca1c-92e3-4009-9cf0-71d86b0922ba">Re: Complicated Ceremony Ideas</a>:
    [QUOTE]How "north" North Jersey are we talking here? Because I live in NJ ... and yeah, with weekend traffic, there aren't a lot of places you can realistically get to in NJ from Central Park in 45 minutes (Despite what Mapquest has to say on the subject).
    Posted by RamonaFlowers[/QUOTE]

    This.  We were in Hoboken last weekend for a birthday party and the traffic reports had backups at the Lincoln and Holland tunnels at 30 and 45 minutes and the GW bridge at 30 minutes.  I listen to NJ traffic every day going to and from work and these delay times are pretty typical.  I will admit that I wasn't expecting to hear them on a Saturday but there they were.
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  • artbyallieartbyallie mod
    Moderator Eighth Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited May 2012
    Yeah, 45 minutes is too far, never mind what it might become with NY/NJ traffic.

    But you're on the right track with not having a church wedding if you don't practice the faith.

    ETA: As far as other options, do you know if your reception venue has a ceremony space or will allow you to have the ceremony in the reception space?
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  • HobokensFuryHobokensFury member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    Which venue are you using? No matter what map quest says you will not get from Central Park to NJ in 45 minutes. Just for reference my friend took her wedding photos in Central Park last Saturday and got married on a boat from Chelsea Piers and was an hour and a half late for her ceremony. Her entire wedding had to be cut short. This is a bad idea for you and your guests.
     
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  • pontejeponteje member
    First Comment 5 Love Its
    Thanks so much for the responses!

    I imagined that the a 45 min commute would be too far but you guys reaffirmed that and it has been helpful. 


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