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Beginner February 2020

Catholic Destination Wedding

Magpie, on July 10, 2019 at 12:03 PM Posted in Planning 0 4

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Has anyone done a catholic destination wedding? If so, where did you choose? I have looked at St. Peter's by the Sea in Hawaii, and a few in Mexico (Chapel of Guadalupe & St. Francis of Assisi in Xcaret, Our Lady Guadalupe Glass chapel). Are there any others you know of? And how much did the church charge? I hate that it has to be an extra expense when the ceremony is usually included with most destination wedding packages

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Magpie, on July 12, 2019 at 10:14 AM

Master January 2019
Cassidy · on July 10, 2019 at 7:43 PM
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With a destination wedding you probably need to be legally married before any way. Talk to the priest at your church about your options. You may be able to get married at home (legally and in church) and then have the ceremony that is included in the package where ever you choose.
We looked into this option and my priest said he would do it with just us and a witness if that’s what we decided.
I had wanted to get married in Disney World, so I looked into the closest church there and their fee was $3,000!!! Almost the same price as Disney. Also some churches do not allow weddings for nonmembers.
So, 1) talk to your priest. 2) do a quick google search for the churches in the area your interested in. Check out their websites and send an email asking if they perform weddings for nonmembers and the fee. 3) check legal requirements in the areas you are interested in.
Good luck!
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Master January 2019
Cassidy · on July 10, 2019 at 7:45 PM
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Oh also, my priest flew to Hawaii for a destination wedding!! So there’s another option.
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WeddingWire Administrator January 2030
Clíodhna · on July 12, 2019 at 7:18 AM
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Hi Magpie!
Welcome to the WeddingWire community.
I know it’s an extra expense, however, it seems like your faith is important to you and your FS. I don't believe you and your FS will ever regret getting married in a church and the extra cost associated!
Do you and your FS have a destination preference for your wedding?
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Beginner February 2020
Magpie · on July 12, 2019 at 10:14 AM
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Hi Cliodhna,
It's actually my fiance who is Catholic, I am non-denominational Christian so we are really just doing the Catholic part for his family. Also, I don't mind an extra expense, it is just such a large amount for such a short ceremony ($1200!). We are pretty set on Hawaii so I think we are going to to St. Peter's in Kahaluu. We are just working on getting a vacation rental that we could host a large dinner party at afterwards right now (which is the harder part). We are on a budget and don't want our guests having to foot most of the bill for our wedding, so an estate wedding is our only option.
Also, since we are doing it in Hawaii, we don't have to go through extra hoops Cassie mentioned (getting legally married first, etc.). We have already spoken with our local priest months ago and are already taking the retreat class this weekend. Also, every church I've come across has no problem with non-members, you just have to fill out the proper paperwork in advance. I don't think they mind having non-members as long as they get their money, honestly.
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