I need help!! We have know idea where we can married. We just decided on a reception site, and my fiance wants to get married in a church. We are looking for a older beutiful church that might have more character and charm than religion. The only problem is I dont know what kind of church we can married in??? He is catholic, which so am I but havent attended church since I was 8. We also have a 6 year old. I know catholic churches are out, but what kind of church could we get married in????
If anyone knows the litchfield, southbury area of ct. and can recommend a church please let me know??? thank you
I am not a practicing catholic and my fiance is baptist but we are getting married in a catholic church. They didn't even ask if he wanted to convert. I think they have really relaxed the rules a lot. You might check with some catholic churches and see.
I grew up in Watertown, CT, so hopefully I can help. I would highly recommend looking in Woodbury, they have many gorgeous older churches that would take you, plus there are many beautiful places to take pictures!
There is an awesome bakery there, too - Flour Garden - I stop there every time I visit my parents!
A church that is a historical monument, rather than an actual working church, might be a good option. My sister was married in a historical chapel in Santa Fe; it used to be a Catholic church, but is now owned by the state of New Mexico.
If neither of you has been married, a Catholic church might still be an option, depending on how progressive they are. I think that in cases where there are already children, the general attitude today is that it's a good think that the parents decide to marry. However, if your child is from a former marriage by either one of you, you will have to get an annulment before you can marry in the Catholic church, which can take a lot of time.
YOu can do Catholic if the ones in your area aren't too strict...that all depends. You can also try an Episcopal church, which I call "Diet Catholic". Basically it's pretty much the same service but without all the restrictions. You may still have to take a premarital class but it has more to do with picking elements of the service, and our priest is having us do a fun personality test. It's only three sessions and it's very relaxed. Every church is different, and you may come across a really strict episcopal church that you don't like too. Often, they'll baptize, marry, and bury anyone though. Good luck!
I grew up in Watertown, CT. I would suggest St. John's Episcopal in Washington Depot. It is a small church, but it is really cute! It is protestant but similar enough to Catholic that it would be familiar. If Naugatuck isn't too far away, I would suggest going to the Congregational chuch that is right on the green. It is big and GORGEOUS!! Last I checked, they would let whomever married there. You would charge you roughly $500 as a donation to the church.
From my experience (my mom is a secretary at a Methodist Church), any protestant church would let you in. You would have to meet up with the minister and most likely give a donation to the church, though. There will also be a fee for the organist.
Good luck! I was really happy to see a local post!
I'm not sure about a specific church in your area, but I'd recommend looking for Episcopal churches near where you are. They're very much more relaxed than Catholic churches traditionally are - it's one of the few churches I know of that will perform the marriage ceremony for a gay couple. Also, many of the buildings I've seen are just as beautiful, and in some cases more beautiful than catholic churches.
If your FI is a practicing Catholic and wants to be married in the Church, then I would encourage you to at least try meeting with one or two priests in your area to see what you can do. Take a couple of Sundays to visit churches you might like in your area, and see if there's a community that you like. I go to a relatively progressive Catholic Church and it's obvious from the moment mass starts that it's a welcoming, open community. My FI is protestant and we're being married there with no hassle. Good luck!
My fiance and I have had great luck with Methodist churches in our area. We didn't want to use a Catholic church for various personal reasons despite both being raised Catholic. The Methodist churches I have been in contact with have all been so welcoming, open to our opinion of what we want our ceremony to be, and some charge the same amount for members and non-members so you don't have to feel pressured to "pretend to start going to church there" just to get a deal.
I second subee. Definately contact your local parish and find a priest or two that you can talk with! Just be open and honest and the priest will present all the options possible to you. Many churches are happy to perform interfaith ceremonies, or ceremonies for people who have not attended church for a long time after some spiritual/personal councling. They'll probably just want to know what the circumstances are, how you feel about marriage, etc.
You definately want to start with your local parish, but keep in mind if you're looking for a "historical" looking church that your local cathedral may be the best place to have the ceremony (I only say that as cathedrals are usually among the oldest churches in communities). The dates for cathedral ceremonies fill up fast so you might have to be a little more flexible.
Just don't be nervous- I'm sure you'll find someone who's very understanding and wants to help! It'll be easier than you imagine! Good luck.
I need help!! We have know idea where we can married. We just decided on a reception site, and my fiance wants to get married in a church. We are looking for a older beutiful church that might have more character and charm than religion. The only problem is I dont know what kind of church we can married in??? He is catholic, which so am I but havent attended church since I was 8. We also have a 6 year old. I know catholic churches are out, but what kind of church could we get married in????
If anyone knows the litchfield, southbury area of ct. and can recommend a church please let me know??? thank you
posted by blwkar 3 posts 1 month agoI am not a practicing catholic and my fiance is baptist but we are getting married in a catholic church. They didn't even ask if he wanted to convert. I think they have really relaxed the rules a lot. You might check with some catholic churches and see.
posted by jeeyol 87 posts 1 month agoI grew up in Watertown, CT, so hopefully I can help. I would highly recommend looking in Woodbury, they have many gorgeous older churches that would take you, plus there are many beautiful places to take pictures!
There is an awesome bakery there, too - Flour Garden - I stop there every time I visit my parents!
posted by Trebuchet 48 posts 1 month agoA church that is a historical monument, rather than an actual working church, might be a good option. My sister was married in a historical chapel in Santa Fe; it used to be a Catholic church, but is now owned by the state of New Mexico.
If neither of you has been married, a Catholic church might still be an option, depending on how progressive they are. I think that in cases where there are already children, the general attitude today is that it's a good think that the parents decide to marry. However, if your child is from a former marriage by either one of you, you will have to get an annulment before you can marry in the Catholic church, which can take a lot of time.
posted by suzanno 1,955 posts 1 month agothanks for the help, my daughters father is the man im marrying. I just hope there is a catholic church not so strict.
posted by blwkar 3 posts 1 month agoYOu can do Catholic if the ones in your area aren't too strict...that all depends. You can also try an Episcopal church, which I call "Diet Catholic". Basically it's pretty much the same service but without all the restrictions. You may still have to take a premarital class but it has more to do with picking elements of the service, and our priest is having us do a fun personality test. It's only three sessions and it's very relaxed. Every church is different, and you may come across a really strict episcopal church that you don't like too. Often, they'll baptize, marry, and bury anyone though. Good luck!
posted by gracielou 90 posts 1 month agoI grew up in Watertown, CT. I would suggest St. John's Episcopal in Washington Depot. It is a small church, but it is really cute! It is protestant but similar enough to Catholic that it would be familiar. If Naugatuck isn't too far away, I would suggest going to the Congregational chuch that is right on the green. It is big and GORGEOUS!! Last I checked, they would let whomever married there. You would charge you roughly $500 as a donation to the church.
From my experience (my mom is a secretary at a Methodist Church), any protestant church would let you in. You would have to meet up with the minister and most likely give a donation to the church, though. There will also be a fee for the organist.
Good luck! I was really happy to see a local post!
posted by Dulaman8 33 posts 1 month agoI'm not sure about a specific church in your area, but I'd recommend looking for Episcopal churches near where you are. They're very much more relaxed than Catholic churches traditionally are - it's one of the few churches I know of that will perform the marriage ceremony for a gay couple. Also, many of the buildings I've seen are just as beautiful, and in some cases more beautiful than catholic churches.
posted by loralie 48 posts 1 month agoIf your FI is a practicing Catholic and wants to be married in the Church, then I would encourage you to at least try meeting with one or two priests in your area to see what you can do. Take a couple of Sundays to visit churches you might like in your area, and see if there's a community that you like. I go to a relatively progressive Catholic Church and it's obvious from the moment mass starts that it's a welcoming, open community. My FI is protestant and we're being married there with no hassle. Good luck!
posted by subee 33 posts 1 month agoMy fiance and I have had great luck with Methodist churches in our area. We didn't want to use a Catholic church for various personal reasons despite both being raised Catholic. The Methodist churches I have been in contact with have all been so welcoming, open to our opinion of what we want our ceremony to be, and some charge the same amount for members and non-members so you don't have to feel pressured to "pretend to start going to church there" just to get a deal.
posted by stlbride 2 posts 1 month agoI second subee. Definately contact your local parish and find a priest or two that you can talk with! Just be open and honest and the priest will present all the options possible to you. Many churches are happy to perform interfaith ceremonies, or ceremonies for people who have not attended church for a long time after some spiritual/personal councling. They'll probably just want to know what the circumstances are, how you feel about marriage, etc.
You definately want to start with your local parish, but keep in mind if you're looking for a "historical" looking church that your local cathedral may be the best place to have the ceremony (I only say that as cathedrals are usually among the oldest churches in communities). The dates for cathedral ceremonies fill up fast so you might have to be a little more flexible.
Just don't be nervous- I'm sure you'll find someone who's very understanding and wants to help! It'll be easier than you imagine! Good luck.
posted by carrieitly 52 posts 1 month ago