We're going to start looking at halls (soon, I hope). FMIL is saying to book the church first. I truly don't think that's the way to go as I feel the halls are much more sought after.
Did anyone book the hall first and then have a problem NOT getting their church on the date?
Are there any limitations on times at the church?
TIA!
HappyLady05
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
we booked our hall first especially since we were looking for a summer saturday night wedding. However, i heard the church feels they should be booked first.
NPbride
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We also booked the hall first. But don't tell the church you booked the reception first!
beautyq115
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We did the same thing....looked at halls first...to decide which one we wanted first. Then we asked the Swan Club to hold a tentative date and then I made an appointment for our 'interview ' with the priest.....When we went for the interview and he asked what date we had in mind I told him and he asked if it had any special significance I we said no but it was in the summer and we were both teachers blah blah blah...DO NOT TELL THEM YOU HAVE LOOKED AT HALLS YET!! They will not be happy!!
busybee705
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
I looked for the hall first for the same reasons everyone else did (looking for a saturday night in july).
I would recommend doing this, only if you or your FH belong to a church already. If you don't, look for the church first.
slwh2005
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We got really lucky. Originally I picked the church first, but had such a hard time finding a hall for that day, but the secretary at the church was soooo nice. I explained the problem and she told me ALL of the Saturdays they had available (times and everything!) It made it soooo much easier. They had lots available. Then I went with my list and matched it with the hall.
nov2004bride
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We booked the hall first and lied to the church. We had no problems but with a summer wedding you should be careful.
LuckyMe
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We booked the hall first and had to move the date because the church wouldnt marry us on the day we got the hall for. Once we moved the date our pp went up. I would definetly get some guidelines for your church first and then look for the hall.
sunflowers74
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
I would call the church, and see if they have the dates that you're looking for available. Then you can book the hall knowing that the last time you checked with the church it was still available.
We weren't as specific on dates as some people....we knew we wanted a Saturday night, in late Sept-early Oct. I called the church and got the dates that were available, then we went looking at halls, and found the dates that they had available. There were 3 weekends that both were available, so we had our choice.
We aren't getting married in a catholic church though, so I'm not sure how it would work if that's where you're getting married.
Ronkonkomonga
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
Posted by NPbride
We also booked the hall first. But don't tell the church you booked the reception first!
I agree - they won't appreciate that
FireIslandLove
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We called the church and they 'penciled us in' once we had an idea of the date. Then we went and booked the hall and then went to the church to book it.
dpli
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
Actually, we decided to book the church before the hall, because I did hear that the church is tougher to get than one would think. It was a good thing that I did, because we were asking for dates in November and we ended up getting a Sunday afternoon, because that was all that they had still available. I think having the church date first made it easier to book the halls. Since we already had a definite date, we could tell the BM exactly what date and time we wanted over the phone, find out if it was available and then go and see it (which by the way, every place I called in Feb. still had Sunday night available for Nov.)
Technically speaking, they penciled us in, and we didn't know for sure that we definitely had the date until we met with the deacon. I think I waited until after that meeting to book the hall.
lilacwine
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
My cousins booked the hall before checking with the church and wound up with something like a 1pm mass and a 7pm CH.
Not fun for the guests at all.
CJStein
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We went to the church first, we knew the time of year we wanted to get married and the priest gave us an idea of what was booked, then we visited halls and decided on a date...this happened in the span of one week. It probably would have been harder if we did things more spread out.
We also booked our church and reception hall 16 months before our wedding....everything was pretty wide open, so it wasn't a problem.
Don't tell the church you booked a hall, jsut tell them dates you have in mind and hope they're available...
pressured
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
I booked my hall first. Then started looking at churches. I had a hard time finding a church. Two churches I liked in Queens wanted $$950. Two others didn't have the date avail. (mind you my wedding is on a week day.. Many churches will not marry you if you or your parents are not members..
IrishBride-05
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We booked our hall first because we were originally doing a destination wedding and then a celebration when we returned. So, when we decided to do the 'traditional' wedding, we did have problems getting the Church. My own parish Church was booked for our date, my second choice wouldn't do it because I was no longer in their parish (even though I had been for 4 years previously). Eventually we got St. Patrick's in Bay Shore and I am so happy with them. We did Pre-Cana last weekend and it was amazing. I firmly believe that we ended up with the Church we were destined to have
Anyway, if you have your heart set on a Church and date I would definitely book the Church before the hall.
We did the hall/church booking so far in advance that I had the church 'pencil in' a date and then booked the hall, then told the church it was definite for that date.
babybride
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
We booked the hall first, but had them write up the contract to say 'subject to the availability of the church' and they gave us 10 days to confirm. The odds of the Church having our date available are greater than the hall since more people are looking at halls than one specific church.
o17range
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
I'm not Catholic so booking my hall before getting the date with my church was not a big deal. No lying to the minister and I wasn't limited to any specific time.
LMFitz
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Re: Book Church After Hall? Any problems?
I booked both simultaneously - and then re-confirmed availability with each. I ultimately had to call my church back and move it up a week - which was no problem because it is still so far off (and I'm a Friday night wedding).
