![]() ![]() Parishioners most graciously welcome blind persons led by guide dogs. ![]() If the couple insists that friends will arrive with either rice or seeds, they should be prepared to pay an additional fee to the church’s maintenance crew for the post-ceremonial cleanup.Įmotional Support Animals (ESAs). Replacing the rice with bird seed is assumed to rectify the problem. Rice does not dissolve easily and becomes slippery for people entering the church at subsequent hours. However, some residual effects must be taken into consideration. This action dates back to Roman times and was symbolic of wishing the couple joy and abundant fertility. Throwing rice at the newlyweds as they emerge from the church is a custom that still continues today in some places. There are electric flickering candles that look just as real as lit candles but do not pose any hazards. Although this enhances the atmosphere, before purchasing these options be sure to ask the pastor about fire laws and insurance coverage. Apart from the ones on the altar, will there be other “lit” candles involved? For example, in some evening weddings lighted candles can be set on pew ends or in the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Ditto for seating the groom’s folks.Ĭandles. If the parents of the bride are separated or divorced and have new partners, will they sit together or apart in church? This is important whether her father will be walking the bride down the aisle or if both parents will be escorting her. The pastor needs to know if he will see two women dressed as brides in church or about any other disconcerting behaviors that could happen. The groom assured the pastor that she would sit quietly in the last pew, not walk down the aisle and not shout “I do” in answer to the vows. Whenever she was invited to a marriage ceremony, she came dressed in the same wedding gown she wore during her own wedding. ![]() Strange Attendees: Is there anything “odd” about invited guests that the pastor should know prior to the wedding? For example, a groom had an Aunt Matilda who was a bit strange but harmless. Since this could be the first time the entire wedding party and parents are meeting, what might be a stressful event can be made into a peaceful hour if these protocols are in place. After more than 35 years of officiating, I have accrued some critical items every pastor should clarify before conducting the church rehearsal which is usually scheduled for the evening before the wedding day itself. For example, the priest, deacon or parish specialist who is preparing them to receive the sacrament of holy matrimony can expect that they have agreed upon issues like child rearing, finances, household chores, intimacy, recreational activities, the amount of time spent with family and friends, politics and religious practices, just to mention a few.Īs the actual date of the ceremony approaches, the preparation focus shifts from the couple’s marriage years to their wedding day. Last month I highlighted some important topics that engaged couples should discuss before getting married. ![]()
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