Feedback.The most over-the-top thing I've seen at a wedding was ... The wedding had 750 guests, an eight-piece string chamber ensemble during dinner, a full orchestra for dancing, three people manning the tables. The marriage was over in less than two years] Stephanie Chodera Villa Park Villa Park, village (1990 pop. 22,253), Du Page co., NE Ill.; inc. 1914. It is a residential suburb W of Chicago. , Ill. The marriage ceremony was in a kickboxing ring. Patty Zack Santa Rosa Santa Rosa, city, Argentina Santa Rosa, city (1991 pop. 80,629), capital of La Pampa prov., central Argentina. It is a modern city and road junction surrounded by a rich agricultural and cattle-raising area. , Calif. The guest list included business associates, potential clients, and politicians. We never had a chance to greet the bride and groom. Jean Blewett South Wales South Wales south n → sud m du Pays de Galles , N.Y. Dollar dances. They are insulting. Name withheld Gales Ferry Gales Ferry refers both to a village within the town of Ledyard, Connecticut and to a complex of buildings within that village at the site of the ferry which gave the community its name. , Conn. The photographer took so long between the wedding and the reception, we ate without the wedding party. They came when the reception was almost over. Dee Butler Montrose, Pa. The bride and groom came up out of the floor with smoke. Ralph Molinaro Nesconset, N.Y. Twenty attendants with a total of 40 people at the altar. A procession like a pontifical pon·tif·i·cal adj. 1. Relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for a pope or bishop. 2. Having the dignity, pomp, or authority of a pontiff or bishop. 3. Pompously dogmatic or self-important; pretentious. procession. No sacramental value at all. Msgr. William Johnson William Johnson may be:
Greendale, Wis. The best wedding practice I've witnessed is ... A traditional Mass. Jack Terranova Rockville Centre Rockville Centre, residential village (1990 pop. 24,727), Nassau co., SE N.Y., on SW Long Island; inc. 1893. Molloy College is there. A state park is adjacent to the village. , N.Y It was a Friday evening wedding. After the Mass, guests walked two blocks to the bride's parents' house where they had a party in the backyard. Robert Mishlan Sandusky, Ohio Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie CountyGR6. The municipality is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east. An Episcopal clergywoman cler·gy·wom·an n. A woman who is a member of the clergy. explained the liturgy before the wedding began and invited guests to participate in prayers, singing, and even the Eucharist if their consciences permitted. She was very warm, gracious, and inclusive, creating an intimate and personal setting for the couple. Jocelyn Knepler Alvaton, Ky. One couple married at Sunday Mass with a punch and cookie reception in the courtyard. They married in front of the community with whom they worship! Name withheld Rochester, N.Y. Allowing a minister of another faith to participate in the ceremony when a Catholic is marrying a non-Catholic. Mary Miller Mary Ellen Miller is the master of Saybrook College at Yale University and the Vincent Scully Professor of the History of Art. She studies and lectures on the art and architecture of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, on which she has authored or co-authored a number of works. Freeport, Ill. A couple asked to have only candlelight in the sanctuary for an evening wedding. It was beautiful, setting an atmosphere of prayer as well as of romance. Father Clyde A. Bonar Winter Park, Fla. Praying before our Blessed Mother. Anthony Pfeifer Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the American state of Ohio. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816. Friends and family forming a semicircle around the couple during their vows. Name withheld Chandler, Ariz. The bride and groom were able to speak with all at the reception, rather than remain aloof. P.M. Shannon Land O'Lakes
Couples composing and praying together a thanksgiving prayer. Richard Roos Butler, Pa. The best way I've heard of a parish or diocese dealing with wedding excess is ... Take small steps, explain why the church invites them to do things differently, and listen to couples. I have to say that many couples respond positively. It can be a teachable teach·a·ble adj. 1. That can be taught: teachable skills. 2. Able and willing to learn: teachable youngsters. moment, as with any sacramental preparation. Peg Ekerdt Kansas City Kansas City, two adjacent cities of the same name, one (1990 pop. 149,767), seat of Wyandotte co., NE Kansas (inc. 1859), the other (1990 pop. 435,146), Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, NW Mo. (inc. 1850). , Mo. Having pre-wedding instructions and planning offered by the parish. Rhoda Beauchemin North Bend North Bend is the name of several places in the United States of America:
The pastor required 10 percent of the wedding's costs to be given to the parish food pantry. Deacon John Deacon John may refer to:
Auburn, N.Y. The publication of wedding guidelines according to the Rite of Marriage. The rite never intended people to personalize the ceremony; it's clear that the wedding liturgy--with or without Mass--belongs to the whole Catholic Church and not just to the couple getting married. Father Mark Boyer Springfield, Mo. The priest saying no to outrageous demands or suggestions. It can be that simple. Melanie Wallace Atlanta, Ga. The one thing about weddings I'd most like to see changed is ... Nothing. A wedding is a beautiful and special occasion for the bride and groom. They should decide how to celebrate it. Karen Romofsky Santa Barbara, Calif. The father "giving away" the bride. Sister Patricia Gardner Los Lunas, N.M. The church charging outrageous fees for the couple to be married in the church! Cecilia Marmouget Ozark, Mo. The trend of destination weddings. Nancy King West Chicago, Ill. Sensible, liturgical, well-done music, as opposed to secular, silly love songs. Lester Blaser Jr. Krakow, Wis. The exclusion of gays and lesbians, which I think is an intrinsically disordered practice. The sacramental wedding emphasis shared in the article would only be enhanced by this universal, catholic inclusiveness. Stephen Huebschwerlen Bismarck, N.D. Too much drinking at some. Gary Salaty Waukesha, Wis. The best advice I could give a couple who is planning their wedding is ... Keep it simple and inexpensive enough so you can invite all the relatives and friends who watched you as you grew up and who would be happy to see you off on this new adventure. Leonore Lambert East Aurora, N.Y. It is vital to remember that a wedding ceremony is of the moment. A marriage is a lifelong commitment. Don Killips Blanchardville, Wis. Don't wait to marry until you can afford a dream wedding or a dream house. I've been married for 30 years, and it's never perfect. It's never the dream. Marriage is a lot of work, but it's worth it. Bonnie Zulli Riverhead riv·er·head n. The source of a river. , N.Y. Elope e·lope intr.v. e·loped, e·lop·ing, e·lopes 1. To run away with a lover, especially with the intention of getting married. 2. To run away; abscond. . Name withheld Woodridge, Ill. General Comments When Christ changed water into wine at the wedding of Cana, he was in effect blessing the social side of weddings. What's wrong with flowers, music, food, and drink? But not to the point of excess. Name withheld Laytonville, Calif. Regardless of the quality of Pre-Cana instruction, young people, who may have opted out of the institutional church years ago (to say nothing of marriages where one partner is not Catholic), often lack a spiritual depth of experience that would compel them to emphasize the spiritual over the secular. They're "in love" and want to celebrate that with their friends and family at a good party. Daniel Braccio Bridgeport, Conn. Our daughter had a simple ceremony and reception, and it was poorly received. Charlotte Keller East Grand Forks, Minn. Having our children want to have a church ceremony is to be applauded and not criticized. They could easily just skip a church wedding altogether. Domenick White Rochester, N.Y. We can retain wedding customs of a secular origin and still redouble re·dou·ble v. re·dou·bled, re·dou·bling, re·dou·bles v.tr. 1. To double. 2. To repeat. 3. Games To double the doubling bid of (an opponent) in bridge. v. our efforts to teach the sacramental character of marriage. A blend of customary and the author's ideas could be helpful. John P. Kelly Waelder, Texas After a wedding I asked a lady friend what she thought of it. "It was quite a production," she said, "but I still prefer Showboat showboat. In the early 19th cent. entertainment was brought by boat to the pioneers that settled along the western rivers (especially the Mississippi and Ohio) of the United States. At first companies only traveled by boat, performing on land. ." Name withheld Lafayette, Ind. AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. A reform of wedding traditions as outlined in this article is simply unrealistic and unattainable. Agree 29% Disagree 49% Other 22% Representative el "ether': "I believe in compromise." 2. As a wedding guest, I would welcome simpler, more sacramental wedding ceremonies and receptions. Agree 86% Disagree 7% Other 7% 3. I love a wedding with all the trappings: good food, good music, beautiful flowers, clothing, and decorations. Agree 44% Disagree 29% Other 27% Representative of "Other": "Good food--not gourmet; good music--not an orchestra; beautiful flowers--not an entire garden; clothing--simple and elegant, not formal; decorations--less is more." 4. The focus on a perfect, unique wedding ceremony and reception detracts from the true meaning of the sacrament and works at cross-purposes to what the church teaches about marriage. Agree 72% Disagree 15% Other 13% 5. If I were getting married today “Getting Married Today” is the 69th episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It is also the season finale of the show’s third season. It was written by Joe Keenan and Kevin Murphy and directed by David Grossman. , I would seriously consider:
62% Having a liturgical
entrance procession.
61% Leading the Prayers of
the Faithful.
58% Distributing Communion.
52% Choosing an admired
couple as sponsors.
32% Having a potluck reception.
16% Wearing an alb.
18% Other.
6. I have been to a wedding that was so opulent I was uncomfortable. Agree 55% Disagree 39% Other 6% These results are based on survey responses from 187 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors. Join the conversation--online. In addition to a sample of subscribers, all are invited to respond to the Reader Survey at www.uscatholic.org. This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they share the struggles and successes with their personal prayer life. |
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