I went and talked to Fr. Charlie after Mass on Sunday, and I think he was a little confused. I wanted to use that church, but have the priest from Wilson come over and do the ceremony. So, he started talking to my fiance and I about how the ceremony would go. I'll have to straighten him out and let him know that Fr. David is going to do it, but I am a little scared to do that...

The church is new, and it has a little different layout than a typical Roman Catholic Church. When you walk in the back doors, there is a big open area until you get to the huge baptismal font. Then another big gap, then the pews, and then the alter up front. There is no place to get dressed in the back, only up behind the alter.

He said he is trying to encourage people getting married in that church to do it this way...Bride and Groom would stand in the back, together, along with the wedding party, greeting the guests when they come in. Then, when everybody is seated, except the wedding party, we would go to the baptismal font (which is in the back of the church, remember) with my parents on the left side (by me) and his parents on the right side(by him). The priest would lead a small ceremony, inviting our parents to bless us with Holy Water. Then, the priest, alter boy, and candle holders would proceed up the aisle, followed by the grandparents, the wedding party, his parents, my parents, and then my fiance and I up the aisle together.

What do you think of that? It sounds a little strange, but at the same time, it sounds kinda cool.

I talked to one sister about it, and she said that the typical way of us being seperate at first, with me being escorted by my father, and him up front, and then the ceremony takes place, and then we walk out of the church together, symbolizes that we are now one in the eyes of the church. She also said that it might hurt my parents' feelings if we did it the other way.

I talked to my mom and dad about it, and they said "whatever you want. we're just happy you are getting married." talk about not helping me decide!

Fr. Charlie said that 2:30 was the latest we could have the wedding start, because confession was at 4:30, and we had to be out of there and cleaned up before then.

He also said:

Someone had already had a wedding in the new church, and the bride got dressed in the music room behind the alter.

Can't throw rice (although it is a myth that rice makes birds bloat and die, that is what he said) can't throw wheat or milo, because they are small and round, and because the church has tile, it might be dangerous. He suggested maybe at the VFW when we are leaving after the dance? Or bubbles? Or bells? (although I promised my sister Aya that we wouldn't have bells, because with so many kids that will be there, bells would drive everyone crazy).

I can't put plants/flowers around the alter.

There are two ramps up to the alter, and it looks good to put flowers on those ramps. Also, put a nice big flower arrangement at the foot of the cross. And could get two candelabras to decorate behind the alter.

The statue of Mary is way up high, so we can't do a "Dedication to Mary" thing (laying roses at her feet).

Since it is a new church, I think I'll just go there on Sunday and take some pictures after mass, cause I've only been there once. Then I can get a better idea of what I want to do. I'll post those pictures here too...it really is beautiful.