Dreams Brides that used a Catholic Priest for ceremony

Hey all!

Has anyone gotten married by a Catholic Priest at Dreams? My mom really wants me to use a catholic officiant rather than a nondenominational one. I am getting married at the gazebo on 07/10/09.

 

Yarai my planner said that a priest will only do the ceremony in certain places and times. How does this work?

 

Why do I think this is going to be the one thing that causes me stress!URG!

My mom is the EXACT same way. I still haven't decided what I am going to do, but from what I know...Catholic priests will ONLY marry you in a church- not outside, not in a gazebo, etc. I could be wrong so hopefully someone else responds that is more knowledgeable. You could always get married at a catholic church in the US before or after you go to Los Cabos, and then just have your ceremony there be a "symbolic" one.

I definately feel both your headaches! I have done TONS of research. That is correct, that priests will only do it pretty much in an actual Catholic Church. There a couple cute Catholic Churches in the town of Cabo-so you can have your ceremony there and then reception at Dreams? Or you can do what I am doing....since I want to feel and have that "wow factor" of walking down to my fiance who is waiting for me.....I am going to have a symbolic ceremony at Dreams, on the beach (So, doesn't mean anything in regards to religion or law) then reception. EH THEN...go home and a few weeks later or something I am going to have an intimate ceremony, legit Catholic ceremony at my parish church. And then have a cocktail/appetizer party for people that couldn't come to Cabo! So, it is up to you what order you do things, or how...Don't forget that if you do the Catholic stuff here, you need to sign up for Precanon classes way in advance with your priest. Sorry lots of stuff, but I know exactly what STRESS you are going through!!!

I had a feeling this was going to be the answer. I think it's time to sit mom down for a chat! Thanks for the info.

Hello Meagan,

 

You have asked one of the top 5 questions in weddings. All these answers were correct, the Catholic Priest would not officiate a wedding outside a church because any other place is considered non-sacred.

 

I am a non-denomination Minister but I was brought up Catholic, in fact I was an altar boy for almost 10 years and I used to live accross the street form a Catholic Church most of my young life, so I was always at Church. And anytime I have a couple with the same issue as you do, my advice is quite simple... You could have a Beautiful Catholic wedding without the Liturgy of the Eucharisty.

 

In my previous experiences with this same request, I have adviced to have the two readings done by members of your families, then to have the ceremony centered in God just like any Catholic wedding is and finally before the blessing of the couple, the Lord's Prayer will be read as well.

 

That is the closest to a Catholic wedding outside a Church. Unfortunately, it is how it is If you need any more advice or have any further questions, I'll be glad to help you out.

 

Cabo has beautiful churches by the way, and that would be a very good alternative if you cannot convince your mom otherwise.

 

Have a great day now.

Thanks so much for this info! We had planned all along to have a symbolic ceremony as we are going to get married at city hall before leaving, however a phone call this weekend and my FI's mom is saying his grandma is inquiring about having the ceremony officiated by a catholic priest.

 

This is very important to his grandma and his grandma is very important to him. I am not Catholic however, will this be a problem? I am very interested in doing the "closest thing to a catholic wedding" at Dreams. I think if we can incorporate SOME catholic aspects and then some symbolic aspects that would be great.

 

marcoloscabos, can the ceremony still be conducted by a Catholic priest? We don't need it to be a legal service. And it doesn't have to be heavily Catholic, I think it is more for appearances.

1) it is not important that you are not catholic. only 1 of the 2 people has to be catholic to be allowed to get married in the catholic faith.

2) NO catholic priest in los cabos will perform ANY kind of catholic marriage rituals in a ceremony outside of an actual church sanctuary. in order to do what i did (get married in a catholic ceremony on the beach with all my guests there), you would have to not only fly your own catholic priest down there like we did, you will also have to go to the church in either san jose del cabo or cabo san lucas and do a quick & dirty wedding inside the church before you are allowed to do your "vow renewal" on the beach. basically, we went to the church in san jose del cabo, our priest gave a welcome to the few family members we invited to that part, he said a few words on the sanctity of marriage, and then he skipped right to the vows. the only way your wedding can be truly catholic and receive a certificate from the church is if you have it inside of a sanctuary. but you cannot use a catholic officiant to do a semi-catholic ceremony, because they just WONT do it.

feel free to ask me any questions, as i dealt with the catholic church down there for my wedding.

Thanks Maura, I am going to think about this some more and talk it over with my FI. We may then end up doing what you did.

Hello Gossip Girl,

Maura is actually right. You could flight your own Catholic Priest form the US. Otherwise local Padres won't celebrate the wedding outside the church. At the end of the day, you have three choices really... Have the legal ceremony at your courthouse... Have your Catholic wedding at home at your own church or have a Minister perform your wedding. Pretty simple right? But whatever you decide will be the vry best choice. Afterall, it is your wedding!.

Cheers,

Hi everyone! Well since I first wrote this post I have found out some info. Maura you are completely right (although I hoped you weren't). A catholic priest WILL ONLY perform the ceremony in a church. An outside ceremony WILL NOT HAPPEN! I spoke with Yarai and we are going to have a nondenominational minister perform the ceremony, but we are going to do some readings and stuff so it "appears" more catholic. My mom was ok with it...so its settled! Whew!

 

Thanks for everyones help!