Ceremony Confusion!

I was originally planning to have my ceremony at the RH because it is a beautiful setting, I'm not all that religious, and I figured it would be easier...

FH is insisting on having a priest perform the ceremony, which is expensive, and my mom and grandmother are pushing me into at least look into the church.

I could care less where we have it. I could always take pictures at the gazebo afterwards, and it would be nice to have an earlier ceremony so I wouldn't have to see FH before the ceremony in order to take daylight pictures. (The ceremony was originally set to start at 7pm)

Now for a few questions:

1- I looked at the church website and it says in BOLD letters to plan with the church before contacting any caterers....How do I ask about a specific date if I'm not supposed to have one yet? aNd if they don't have my date available, how do I respectfully decline another date?

2- Can I change the fact that having the ceremony at the hall is in my contract?

TIA Girls!

The priest expects you to come in with a date in mind. If the date is already booked, well, all I can say is tell them that you have sentimental reasons for picking that date so you'll have to look elsewhere.

I don't know about changing the contract at your hall to cancel the cermony portion. I don't see why they'd give you a huge problem because it's not as if you're cancelling altogether, but you never know.

You still have ample time to contact the church and ask about your date. If it's not available, then you would have to search elsewhere.

As for the recption hall, give them a call and let them know that yu're considering having the ceremony at a church instead. I don't think it should be a big deal to them, but make that call.

they may not even mind..

but i would just say the date.. many people go in there with a specific date.

Obviously the only problem you may have.. is if they don't have your date