Weddingbee boards

I met with our church for the second (and last?) time today, and thought I'd share the results with any other St. Theresa's brides out there (I know there's at least one!).  We met with Monsignor Wallace to ask some questions and fill out the final paperwork to get ready for the wedding.  Apparently (this is probably true of all Catholic churches, but I didn't know about it and felt a little unprepared) you have to fill out a marriage questionnaire.  Monsignor brought us into his office one at a time to fill out a little questionnaire about who you are (name, birthdate, parents' names, etc...) and if you are enterring into marriage of your own consent.  Nothing to be worried about; I was just surprised because I didn't know about it beforehand.

We turned all our paperwork (witness forms, confirmation/baptism certificates, etc...) over to Monsignor, and he reminded us to get our marriage license a couple weeks before the ceremony.  We also asked some questions about church policy and found out the following:

There is no photography policy except that the photographer can't stand on the altar.

There is no music policy except that the music can't have cuss words.

You can't write your own vows.  You basically choose four or five parts of the ceremony out of some choices in the book, and then everything is else is standard for all the weddings (we were a little disappointed by this because we wanted to write our own vows, but I think we're just going to write reception speeches to each other instead.)

My feeling is that the church is just really laid back when it comes to weddings.  Unlike every other wedding vendor we've had, they basically got the information they needed and we have to hun them down to ask questions if we need any other answers.  It makes me a little uneasy because I am a planner (and I like details), but I'm trying to just relax and remember that there will be things that happen opposite our plans no matter what.  If any of you St. Theresa's brides need help and the church just isn't responding, let me know.  I'd be happy to go knock on their door for you!