So I got an email back from the Diocese and they are going to reschedule us for another Pre-Cana week. No need to pay extra fees! Yay!
Future mother in law, as a wedding gift, is planning to give us their time in a timeshare they are part of for a hotel in Hawaii for the honeymoon. It's been rough because she's sent multiple requests to the company and either gotten no response, or was finally told there were no dates available. It was looking like we were going to be adding expense for a hotel room after all, since the use of the timeshare would have meant no need to pay for a hotel.
But lo and behold, she was able to get us the timeshare in Hawaii! Previously she had been told over the phone with the company that the nearest available date for Ohau would be some time in June after the wedding. Then someone told her to check online, because for some reason, the online data versus the data the people on the phone have access to are different. So after about 3 days of her and the Fiance trying to figure out what case (lower or upper) her logon ID and password were in, they finally got online and found a day open on May 7th, a week after the wedding! They've put in a request for it, and once we get confirmation, we'll be officially set up with a "free" hotel for Hawaii and can start booking flights and stuff.
We'll be staying at the Royal Gardens at Waikiki:
www.royalgardensatwaikiki.com
It's not a condo, and it's 2 miles away from the beach, but at this point, we're not complaining. It has in-room refrigerators and microwaves, and really that's all we need. It also has a breakfast buffet. The photos look pretty nice for the price:
http://www.travelpod.com/hotel/Royal_Garden_At_Waikiki-Honolulu.html
The reviews are pretty good, though any negative ones seem to be from before it was bought out by Wyndham, who immediately started upgrading it. As long as it's clean and no bugs, I'm good.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
The first speedbump hits
It was bound to happen...at least one snafu.
Several months ago I registered me and the fiance in the local Pre-Cana program everyone having a Catholic wedding is required to go to. The letter of confirmation was sent to my parents' house back in June. It got stuffed in the junk mail pile on the counter and I only received it this past week.
Yeah, the weekend we were scheduled for had already passed. (eye roll)
(This comment has been censored due to extreme profanity and frustration)
So I left a message with the lady in charge at the diocese begging forgiveness and when can we reschedule. No idea if they'll charge us another $200. Probably will. in the meantime, we both look like asses. At least we still have plenty of time to do it.
On the upside, we took our engagement photos last week! My cousin Sarah took the photos of us around LSU campus, and we're waiting too get them back. The moms are chewing at the bit, so to speak. =o)
Several months ago I registered me and the fiance in the local Pre-Cana program everyone having a Catholic wedding is required to go to. The letter of confirmation was sent to my parents' house back in June. It got stuffed in the junk mail pile on the counter and I only received it this past week.
Yeah, the weekend we were scheduled for had already passed. (eye roll)
(This comment has been censored due to extreme profanity and frustration)
So I left a message with the lady in charge at the diocese begging forgiveness and when can we reschedule. No idea if they'll charge us another $200. Probably will. in the meantime, we both look like asses. At least we still have plenty of time to do it.
On the upside, we took our engagement photos last week! My cousin Sarah took the photos of us around LSU campus, and we're waiting too get them back. The moms are chewing at the bit, so to speak. =o)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Keeping that sense of humor
In a recent issue of The Catholic Commentator, the Baton Rouge Diocese's monthly newsletter, there was a humorous column that went like this:
"Our Turn" by Therese Borchard
Since we're getting into bride season, I feel obligated to mention that gigantic elephant on the wedding altar: the tension between engaged couples and the priests or deacons who are marrying them.
Truthfully, I can see both sides.
I have coffee with my deacon friend every month, and I hear how demanding and annoying and insensitive some of these brides (and grooms) are, how little they know about the Catholic faith and the sacraments, (like, say, marriage) and how many decide on a church based on how well the stained glass windows will go with the bridesmaids dresses.
If the violet in the 11th Station of the Cross won't blend with the coral, strapless gowns, better drive uptown to a station-less church.
And I get the bride's side: "Why do I have to tell this man I hardly know whether or not my fiance and I are sleeping together? It's none of his business. And all these forms...it's like I'm applying for social security or something. No, worse! The government process doesn't even require weekly interrogations with a grumpy old guy or a weekend in the basement of a church with a bunch of strangers who lied on thier applications, saying that they absolutely do not live together."
Ah. The Catholic website BustedHalo.com to the rescue!
Recently, Christine B Whelan, an Iowa-based professor and the author of BustedHalo's popular "Pure Sex, Pure Love" column has joined forced via iChat with Paulist Father Eric Andrews, who has over 15 years of wedding experience.
Whelna speaks from the bride's perspective: Why can't you get married on the beach? Why is the priest being such a jerk? Why do we have to talk about sex during Pre-Cana? And Father Andrews responds from the other side of the culture war, with much humility and humor, I might add.
The playful banter between Whelan and Father Andrews educates young adults on some very important subjects in an interesting, creative and entertaining way.
If you are a young adult getting married and have a question about planning your wedding, email your question to them or record a short video with your question, and send it to weddings@bustedhalo.com.
Naturally I found that pretty funny, since I'm in the throes of wondering most of that myself, so on a lark, I headed over to the website and checked out the wecasts of "The Princess, The Priest and the War for the Perfect Wedding." As promised, they were informative and entertaining and a necessary reminder to keep that sense of humor!
Check them out here:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/princessandpriest
"Our Turn" by Therese Borchard
Since we're getting into bride season, I feel obligated to mention that gigantic elephant on the wedding altar: the tension between engaged couples and the priests or deacons who are marrying them.
Truthfully, I can see both sides.
I have coffee with my deacon friend every month, and I hear how demanding and annoying and insensitive some of these brides (and grooms) are, how little they know about the Catholic faith and the sacraments, (like, say, marriage) and how many decide on a church based on how well the stained glass windows will go with the bridesmaids dresses.
If the violet in the 11th Station of the Cross won't blend with the coral, strapless gowns, better drive uptown to a station-less church.
And I get the bride's side: "Why do I have to tell this man I hardly know whether or not my fiance and I are sleeping together? It's none of his business. And all these forms...it's like I'm applying for social security or something. No, worse! The government process doesn't even require weekly interrogations with a grumpy old guy or a weekend in the basement of a church with a bunch of strangers who lied on thier applications, saying that they absolutely do not live together."
Ah. The Catholic website BustedHalo.com to the rescue!
Recently, Christine B Whelan, an Iowa-based professor and the author of BustedHalo's popular "Pure Sex, Pure Love" column has joined forced via iChat with Paulist Father Eric Andrews, who has over 15 years of wedding experience.
Whelna speaks from the bride's perspective: Why can't you get married on the beach? Why is the priest being such a jerk? Why do we have to talk about sex during Pre-Cana? And Father Andrews responds from the other side of the culture war, with much humility and humor, I might add.
The playful banter between Whelan and Father Andrews educates young adults on some very important subjects in an interesting, creative and entertaining way.
If you are a young adult getting married and have a question about planning your wedding, email your question to them or record a short video with your question, and send it to weddings@bustedhalo.com.
Naturally I found that pretty funny, since I'm in the throes of wondering most of that myself, so on a lark, I headed over to the website and checked out the wecasts of "The Princess, The Priest and the War for the Perfect Wedding." As promised, they were informative and entertaining and a necessary reminder to keep that sense of humor!
Check them out here:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/princessandpriest
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Where oh where...
Well since it will now be less than a year before our wedding, Russell and I have been looking more seriously at locations for this whole shebang. I didn’t want to get started too early lest I burn out with wedding stuff long before anything is supposed to be burned out from. But on the other hand, I didn’t want to wait until the last minute to start booking things, because I wanted to be sure to have everything where and when I wanted to have it. For instance, I know reception halls and churches book up fast, so I wanted to get that handled quickly, as well as reserving the timeshare in Hawaii for the honeymoon, courtesy of his parents.
On the other hand, I don’t think it’s necessary to even start looking a bridesmaids dresses yet, since we’ll all likely gain and lose weight in the next year anyway. Plus we’re still trying to be sure the only people we want in the wedding party are our two siblings, his two brothers and my two sisters. I’d sort of like to have more but who to ask that will make for an even number without offending someone else? I’d really like to have my brother in law as a groomsman but that leaves us a girl short for one of Russell’s brothers to walk with.
Sigh.
My first choice of reception location has always been Mount Hope Plantation on Highland Road Dr. Built in 1790, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Louisiana, full of history, and fitting with the antebellum Southern theme I want for my wedding. In fairness, I also decided to check out The Gatehouse, The Lakehouse and White Oak Plantation (not a real plantation, built this century as a reception hall, but looks like one and is beautiful).
Mount Hope and Lake House
http://www.lakehousereceptioncenter.net/
White Oak
http://www.jfolse.com/whiteoak/index.htm
The Gatehouse
http://www.stage1gatehouse.com/
I am also fairly adamant that I do not want to get married in St. George’s church. No offense to my uncle, the pastor at the time, who busted some behind to get it built, but St. George’s current church is built for pew space, not beauty. To get down the aisle, one must walk about 30 yards, make a 90 degree turn, then walk up another 20 yards on rather unimpressive tile to an altar surrounded on 3 sides and catcornered by pews meant to hold around 3,000 people. The kind of small wedding we were going to have would easily make us feel dwarfed in there, like we were having it in a cavern.
http://www.st-george.org/
St. Jude church, while large, is still smaller than St. George, has a straight aisle, is more cozy and traditional looking, and best of all, it’s less than a mile from Mount Hope on Highland Road.
http://www.stjudecatholic.org/
So last Saturday, my parents, Russell and I rounded up Russell’s mom Ms. Eva, and we all visited Mount Hope and St. Jude and then went out to lunch. We were all quite impressed with Mount Hope, me and Russell for the setting, and my parents for the spectacular package deal they offer. When Katie and Adam got married, we ended up spending a lot more than we should have trying to coordinate a lot of individual elements on our own. We now understand why there are such a thing as professional wedding coordinators who handle all that mess. Doing it yourself makes for a lot of expense and a lot of sleepless nights, not to mention frustration trying to get all of these people to talk to each other.
But at Mount Hope, they handle everything, the catering, the location, the setup, the cake, the DJ, the grooms cake, the flowers, all of the individual things that can make wedding planning a nightmare. And they do it for a fraction of the cost. Plus, none of these people are going to be banned from the facilities like the florist for Katie’s wedding was banned from the cathedral and didn’t tell us until the day before, because all of these people do business with Mount Hope and would like to keep it that way. We’re going to have a very nice wedding for a lot cheaper than most people have it, and they allow you to pay everything month by month so we’re not getting saddled with a huge bill the month of the wedding.
Thankfully, I’ve been saving about $200 a month since Russell asked me last year, so we already had plenty for the 20% deposit they require to reserve your date. If you start saving a bit each month, you can have a fairly nice wedding without taking a major financial hit. It’s all in the preparation, planning ahead well in advance and looking for deals and places to cut corners without sacrificing the quality. It CAN be done if you’re patient enough to do the research.
Just for good form, I visited the Gatehouse and Mount Hope, but Gatehouse, while nice, was not as ambient as Mount Hope and White Oak was outrageously expensive. Plus my two cousins who are chefs who used to work there said the food quality has gone down and is not worth the price you pay for it.
So Mount Hope it is.
I went by the main offices to put down the deposit and sign all the papers. When the girl asked how I would be paying, I asked if they took cash and she said yes. So I whipped
out the “Wedding Fund” envelope that has been stashed under my mattress for the last year and 4 months and began counting out 20’s. The look on the girl’s face was priceless, but not as priceless as that of the manger who walked in after I had asked her to double check my counting. He came in and saw the piles of 20’s in $100 stack and asked, jokingly, what kind of drug deal he just missed. (grin)
So we are set for May 1st, 2010.
I then called St. Jude to ask if we could have the ceremony there. Father Mike said I had to make sure to get on their calendar first and he could handle getting the permission for an out-of-parish ceremony. It just figured that St. Jude didn’t have their May 2010 calendar up yet when I called, but said I was “penciled in” for that date. Which means I should probably call back this week or next and verify that.
Still need to register for Pre Cana and that fills up fast.
On the other hand, I don’t think it’s necessary to even start looking a bridesmaids dresses yet, since we’ll all likely gain and lose weight in the next year anyway. Plus we’re still trying to be sure the only people we want in the wedding party are our two siblings, his two brothers and my two sisters. I’d sort of like to have more but who to ask that will make for an even number without offending someone else? I’d really like to have my brother in law as a groomsman but that leaves us a girl short for one of Russell’s brothers to walk with.
Sigh.
My first choice of reception location has always been Mount Hope Plantation on Highland Road Dr. Built in 1790, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Louisiana, full of history, and fitting with the antebellum Southern theme I want for my wedding. In fairness, I also decided to check out The Gatehouse, The Lakehouse and White Oak Plantation (not a real plantation, built this century as a reception hall, but looks like one and is beautiful).
Mount Hope and Lake House
http://www.lakehousereceptioncenter.net/
White Oak
http://www.jfolse.com/whiteoak/index.htm
The Gatehouse
http://www.stage1gatehouse.com/
I am also fairly adamant that I do not want to get married in St. George’s church. No offense to my uncle, the pastor at the time, who busted some behind to get it built, but St. George’s current church is built for pew space, not beauty. To get down the aisle, one must walk about 30 yards, make a 90 degree turn, then walk up another 20 yards on rather unimpressive tile to an altar surrounded on 3 sides and catcornered by pews meant to hold around 3,000 people. The kind of small wedding we were going to have would easily make us feel dwarfed in there, like we were having it in a cavern.
http://www.st-george.org/
St. Jude church, while large, is still smaller than St. George, has a straight aisle, is more cozy and traditional looking, and best of all, it’s less than a mile from Mount Hope on Highland Road.
http://www.stjudecatholic.org/
So last Saturday, my parents, Russell and I rounded up Russell’s mom Ms. Eva, and we all visited Mount Hope and St. Jude and then went out to lunch. We were all quite impressed with Mount Hope, me and Russell for the setting, and my parents for the spectacular package deal they offer. When Katie and Adam got married, we ended up spending a lot more than we should have trying to coordinate a lot of individual elements on our own. We now understand why there are such a thing as professional wedding coordinators who handle all that mess. Doing it yourself makes for a lot of expense and a lot of sleepless nights, not to mention frustration trying to get all of these people to talk to each other.
But at Mount Hope, they handle everything, the catering, the location, the setup, the cake, the DJ, the grooms cake, the flowers, all of the individual things that can make wedding planning a nightmare. And they do it for a fraction of the cost. Plus, none of these people are going to be banned from the facilities like the florist for Katie’s wedding was banned from the cathedral and didn’t tell us until the day before, because all of these people do business with Mount Hope and would like to keep it that way. We’re going to have a very nice wedding for a lot cheaper than most people have it, and they allow you to pay everything month by month so we’re not getting saddled with a huge bill the month of the wedding.
Thankfully, I’ve been saving about $200 a month since Russell asked me last year, so we already had plenty for the 20% deposit they require to reserve your date. If you start saving a bit each month, you can have a fairly nice wedding without taking a major financial hit. It’s all in the preparation, planning ahead well in advance and looking for deals and places to cut corners without sacrificing the quality. It CAN be done if you’re patient enough to do the research.
Just for good form, I visited the Gatehouse and Mount Hope, but Gatehouse, while nice, was not as ambient as Mount Hope and White Oak was outrageously expensive. Plus my two cousins who are chefs who used to work there said the food quality has gone down and is not worth the price you pay for it.
So Mount Hope it is.
I went by the main offices to put down the deposit and sign all the papers. When the girl asked how I would be paying, I asked if they took cash and she said yes. So I whipped
out the “Wedding Fund” envelope that has been stashed under my mattress for the last year and 4 months and began counting out 20’s. The look on the girl’s face was priceless, but not as priceless as that of the manger who walked in after I had asked her to double check my counting. He came in and saw the piles of 20’s in $100 stack and asked, jokingly, what kind of drug deal he just missed. (grin)
So we are set for May 1st, 2010.
I then called St. Jude to ask if we could have the ceremony there. Father Mike said I had to make sure to get on their calendar first and he could handle getting the permission for an out-of-parish ceremony. It just figured that St. Jude didn’t have their May 2010 calendar up yet when I called, but said I was “penciled in” for that date. Which means I should probably call back this week or next and verify that.
Still need to register for Pre Cana and that fills up fast.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Compatibility
It was slightly weird to go back to St. George and walk around, seeing so much that has changed and so much that has stayed the same. My family has been away for a long time, mostly because we couldn't stand the previous priest who was there. But now, the new guy, Father Mike, is there and he seems to be much more welcoming and good natured. He's the sort of clergy you wish every clergy would be more like, upbeat and non-judgmental and really interested in helping people with thier spiritual path than making sure you're toeing the line. He didn't even give us hell about the fact that we live together, even though he didn't go so far as to condone it. Maybe it's because we are an older couple, me being 32 and Russell being 41. We're pretty much where we're going to be in our careers and life outlook, and we've had more life experience than the average young 20's something kid marrying thier high school sweetheart.
We were going for our pre-wedding consultation, where the priest assesses the couple's readiness to get married. First they have to make sure it isn't shotgun, because the Catholic church takes marriage as a lifelong thing, so they won't perform the ceremony if they think you're doing this against your will or if you're not ready for it.
We had to take an online compatibility test and meet back with Father Mike to discuss our results. It was pretty extensive, like 100 questions. I'm amazed when I tell people we had to do this and they are suprised. "Wow you had to do all that!?"
My response: "You DIDN'T?"
Personally I think it's a damn good idea to take a professional personality/compatibility test and discuss it with a spiritual counselor. It's always a good idea to have an unbiased objective outside opinion overlook somethign like this so they can be sure to point out something you might be missing or in denial about the other person, like the fact that if he doesn't respect you now, he likely won't 30 years from now. What me and Russell found out was that we are quite compatible but need to talk more about fiances and spiritual matters, which have since started doing.
At any rate, we passed the compatibility test, and Father Mike really didn't have much to say, which, he pointed out, was a good thing. Fewer issues means fewer difficulties. He emphasized communication above all things, which we seem to have a really good grasp of. Of course, I agree, since lately I have seen one too many of my friends' relationships hit major snags that could have been resolved with a good honest dose of communication.
On to the next phase: scheduling Pre-Cana seminar.
We were going for our pre-wedding consultation, where the priest assesses the couple's readiness to get married. First they have to make sure it isn't shotgun, because the Catholic church takes marriage as a lifelong thing, so they won't perform the ceremony if they think you're doing this against your will or if you're not ready for it.
We had to take an online compatibility test and meet back with Father Mike to discuss our results. It was pretty extensive, like 100 questions. I'm amazed when I tell people we had to do this and they are suprised. "Wow you had to do all that!?"
My response: "You DIDN'T?"
Personally I think it's a damn good idea to take a professional personality/compatibility test and discuss it with a spiritual counselor. It's always a good idea to have an unbiased objective outside opinion overlook somethign like this so they can be sure to point out something you might be missing or in denial about the other person, like the fact that if he doesn't respect you now, he likely won't 30 years from now. What me and Russell found out was that we are quite compatible but need to talk more about fiances and spiritual matters, which have since started doing.
At any rate, we passed the compatibility test, and Father Mike really didn't have much to say, which, he pointed out, was a good thing. Fewer issues means fewer difficulties. He emphasized communication above all things, which we seem to have a really good grasp of. Of course, I agree, since lately I have seen one too many of my friends' relationships hit major snags that could have been resolved with a good honest dose of communication.
On to the next phase: scheduling Pre-Cana seminar.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Hoops
For those who unfamiliar with what goes in to a Catholic wedding, let me just say it has more hoops to jump through than the Olympic symbol. Every marriage has to have the legal stuff, and that's easy to get in comparison. Other denominations have their own requirements. But I'd be willing to bet few top the requirements needed to get married in the Catholic Church. If one of the couple is not Catholic, like my fiance who is Methodist, you can expect to add a few extra hoops.
I've heard many different stories about a Catholic wedding involving a non-Catholic spuse to be, ranging from no problem at all to heavy pressure to convert, which was a concern of my own fiance's. Lucky for us the priest at St. George is totally cool with the whole situation, and assured us he would not have to convert and there wouldn't be any pressure. So far so good.
But back to the steps.
From this website:
http://fla.arch-no.org/steps_to_the_altar.htm
Phase 1: Chitchatting with the Clergy
1. meet the priest or deacon 6 months or more before the wedding
2. discuss special circumstance, like someone isn't Catholic, is divorced without an annulment, someone committed mass murder without having gone to confession, the usual.
3. Take a assessment test so your compatibility can be determined. Remember, in Catholicism, marriage is like the mafia, once you're in, you're IN. Thus it is necessary to make sure everyone is of sound mind and body and compatible for more than 5 years before locking them into a divine contract until they die.
Phase 2: Assessment
1. go over the test results with the priest who makes the determination of whether the couple is ready for the Big Leap.
2. if there are no problems, the wedding plans can begin. If there are, typically counseling is the next step.
3. The priest gives the couple a big honking folder of all sorts of handouts on the parish guidelines for wedding ceremonies, preparation programs, natural family planning, ect. Most of the guidelines are stuff like "Thou shalt not have more than 3 video cameras," "Thou shalt not hang studio lighting in the sanctuary for the photographer," and "Thou shalt not play Metallica during the wedding march..."
PS if the couple is denied permission to marry for some reason, usually failing the compatibility test, they can appeal it to a higher power, usually the Bishop, then Archbishop, then a Cardinal, then the Pope, and occasionally God if He's taking phone calls that day...
Phase 3: Formal preparation
1. Time for Pre-Cana! Named after the famous wedding scene where Jesus becomes the envy of every bar owner on Earth by changing water into wine, this is the retreat that can go either a day or an entire weekend for engaged couples. (Engaged Encounter Weekend, or Day for the Engaged)
2. Evenings for the Engaged or Sponsor Couples Program, where the engaged couple meets with a volunteer couple who counsels the young'uns on what marriage is like and how to survive without killing each other. Oh yeah, and the good stuff too. =o)
Phase 4: Completing preparation
1. More meetings with the priest discussing what we've learned through all these programs. Priest gives formal approval in writing for the wedding.
2. The Catholic ones have to go to Confession and sign a statement saying they are still Catholic and intend to baptise and raise any ensuing kids as Catholics.
3. Start booking locations, services, and all the stuff you need a wedding planner book for.
Phase 5: Actually go through with it.
1. Self explanitory
So, a bit involved, no? Let the fun begin.
I've heard many different stories about a Catholic wedding involving a non-Catholic spuse to be, ranging from no problem at all to heavy pressure to convert, which was a concern of my own fiance's. Lucky for us the priest at St. George is totally cool with the whole situation, and assured us he would not have to convert and there wouldn't be any pressure. So far so good.
But back to the steps.
From this website:
http://fla.arch-no.org/steps_to_the_altar.htm
CIVIL REQUIREMENTS
+ Certified copies of Birth Certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the City or State of your birth
+ Marriage License
CHURCH REQUIREMENTS
+ Baptismal Certificates dated within six months of the wedding day.
+ Initial interview with priest at least six months prior to the planned marriage date.
+ Completion of Pre-Marital Inventory.
+ Certificate of Attendance at one of the five qualified Marriage Preparation Programs.
+ Pre-Marital Affidavits (in some cases).
Phase 1: Chitchatting with the Clergy
1. meet the priest or deacon 6 months or more before the wedding
2. discuss special circumstance, like someone isn't Catholic, is divorced without an annulment, someone committed mass murder without having gone to confession, the usual.
3. Take a assessment test so your compatibility can be determined. Remember, in Catholicism, marriage is like the mafia, once you're in, you're IN. Thus it is necessary to make sure everyone is of sound mind and body and compatible for more than 5 years before locking them into a divine contract until they die.
Phase 2: Assessment
1. go over the test results with the priest who makes the determination of whether the couple is ready for the Big Leap.
2. if there are no problems, the wedding plans can begin. If there are, typically counseling is the next step.
3. The priest gives the couple a big honking folder of all sorts of handouts on the parish guidelines for wedding ceremonies, preparation programs, natural family planning, ect. Most of the guidelines are stuff like "Thou shalt not have more than 3 video cameras," "Thou shalt not hang studio lighting in the sanctuary for the photographer," and "Thou shalt not play Metallica during the wedding march..."
PS if the couple is denied permission to marry for some reason, usually failing the compatibility test, they can appeal it to a higher power, usually the Bishop, then Archbishop, then a Cardinal, then the Pope, and occasionally God if He's taking phone calls that day...
Phase 3: Formal preparation
1. Time for Pre-Cana! Named after the famous wedding scene where Jesus becomes the envy of every bar owner on Earth by changing water into wine, this is the retreat that can go either a day or an entire weekend for engaged couples. (Engaged Encounter Weekend, or Day for the Engaged)
2. Evenings for the Engaged or Sponsor Couples Program, where the engaged couple meets with a volunteer couple who counsels the young'uns on what marriage is like and how to survive without killing each other. Oh yeah, and the good stuff too. =o)
Phase 4: Completing preparation
1. More meetings with the priest discussing what we've learned through all these programs. Priest gives formal approval in writing for the wedding.
2. The Catholic ones have to go to Confession and sign a statement saying they are still Catholic and intend to baptise and raise any ensuing kids as Catholics.
3. Start booking locations, services, and all the stuff you need a wedding planner book for.
Phase 5: Actually go through with it.
1. Self explanitory
So, a bit involved, no? Let the fun begin.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Here's my first post!
With so many of my friends no longer int he state (or god forbid having never lived here) i thought that i should take advantage of the Internet and connectivity and invite everyone to follow along in what it takes to plan not just a Southern wedding, but a Southern Catholic wedding. We've been through this once before with my younger sister, and while mine won't be quite that flamboyant and grand, I'm hoping it'll be just as fun. So come along for the ride and don't forget to tune in to my live broadcasts of the events leading up to The Big Day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
