Is it proper to greet your guest before the wedding in your gown?
I am catholic and someone mentioned to me, that the bride should greet her guest in her wedding gown before the cermony I have a wee bit of problem with this because they seem to be changing alot at my church such as no unity candles, I talk to the priest and he mentioned no petals for our flowergirl no secular music and no rice should be thrown perhaps bird seed or feed, I'm really getting aggravated here when I mentioned as well maybe having just a outside wedding my priest cringed and so said and I quote most catholics do the right thing and have it inside other wise you rob yourself and others of giving thanks in the big day many clergy do not allow that or do outdoors weddings is this true? I also heard I have to give a boquets a flowers to a statue of the holy virgin mary and a single red rose to each mother before the cermony isn't this going alittle to far here? Seems like the faith is taking away all the things I had wanted, I do believe in my faith and cherish it deeply as does my fiance but we do not want to overpower our secular guests. And isn't it wrong for the bride to be seen before the cermony? How then can I greet my guests in my gown shouldn't my ushers be doing this instead? I'm way confused here. I appreciate any advice.
(This post was
edited by saffie58 on Feb 3, 2005, 4:24 AM)
Pastor Buddy
RELIGION EXPERT
Feb 3, 2005, 9:16 AM
Post #2 of 3
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Re: [saffie58] Is it proper to greet your guest before the wedding in your gown?
[In reply to]
Hi,
Pastor Buddy here. I am a protestant minister. However, I am aware of most Roman Catholic theologies and polity. The response from your priest has me scratching my head. Is there another priest in your community? I would ask his advice.
As far as your question regarding your being seen, it has been "tradition" that the bride is only seen in her wedding gown at the processional. (Excluding wedding party and family assisting the bride getting ready) Practically speaking, I have never known a bride to have the time to greet the guests prior to wedding. Usually, the bride has very little time before the ceremony; and is in a rush to get started on time. You said, "...someone mentioned to me, that the bride should greet her guest in her wedding gown before the cermony..."
Since the "someone" is not the priest, I would ignore it. You will have your hands full just getting ready for your important day. As far as the rest of the priest's comments, I would ask another priest. As far as I know, there is no theological basis for his comments. The sacrament of marriage is just as sacred outdoors as it is indoors. As I said, I am a protestant minister and I am not qualified to be an authority on Catholic canon.
Re: [saffie58] Is it proper to greet your guest before the wedding in your gown?
[In reply to]
I am an interfaith minister who was raised tradtionally Catholic. I have never heard of any church who asks for the bride to greet her guests before the ceremony! It is true, that a Catholic priest, needs to get a special dispensation to conduct the ceremony outside of the church. But many do! Large banquet halls in the area will usually have contact with priests who will do this. The unity candle ISl practiced in most Catholic churches. The red roses to the mothers is a relatively new and lovely Catholic tradition, but never required (in most Catholic churches). The bouquets are usually asked for, not required. You can find another Catholic parish or another Catholic priest who will be less rigid. Afterall, it is your wedding.
If you are uncomfortable, your discomfort will shadow the most blessed and joyous day of your life. That would be sad.
Is it proper to greet your guest before the wedding in your gown?
