FREAKING OUT! Church?

So, I finally gave up on having an outdoor ceremony. I called all the parks offices everywhere in the state and came up totally empty on a location with a pavilion that could accomodate us.

I said, 'Okay, we'll get married in a church.' (I was never opposed to that-- it was just my dream to get married in a park/garden.)

I'm Episcopalian, FI is Catholic. I went to 'my' church (I put 'my' in quotes because I've only been there a few times) and asked them about having a ceremony there. They seemed receptive, but now I've visited and called four times and left all sorts of messages and no one will give me a straight answer. Our wedding is in JUNE!! Invites are supposed to go out NOW! I explained this to the woman in the office and said I didn't want to be rude, but I did need an answer pretty soon. She told me this is holy week and I have to just be patient and someone will get back to me when he can.

I can't wait anymore, so I started calling other churches. Some are saying it's too late because we need to have 6 months (!) of counseling first, others say we need to be active members of their church for 2 months before we ask... etc.

Does ANYONE know a non-denominational or Episcopal church in the area of the Islips, Sayville, Oakdale, etc. that might be friendly to us??

I feel like the world is conspiring against us getting married.

I can't think of ANYTHING! I'm sorry!

Ugh! I feel your pain!


Due to the short timeframe you are working with, I think you are going to have a really tough time finding a church that will hold your ceremony .. I could be wrong, but most churches of any denomination will want to make sure that (1) you , FH or a close family member is in good standing at that particular parish, and (2) they usually require enough advance booking time in order for you to attend whatever counseling they require. This is true of most churches, I would assume.

As a last resort can you be married at your hall? I'd think you could get a minister to come to the hall more easily than doing a church service at this point. I've seen some lovely ceremonies at halls, it really might be your best option

Good luck!

[Edited for my horrible typos]

i know catholic churches require precana, and if the second person isnt catholic the catholic person is suppose to say 'they will do their best to raise the children catholic'... so id probably go another route... i know garden city has a community church which does weddings but if your not a member its something like 1,000 donation... maybe some other places have a lower cost....

Thank you so much! Our hall will let us do a ceremony there, but not until 7:30 p.m., which would push our reception until 1 a.m. That would be my very, very last resort, but it would break my heart because we'd have to do pictures beforehand (which means FI would have to see me before the wedding, which I really don't want).

I am holding out a little hope for St. Ann's in Sayville... haven't spoken to anyone there yet, but what a beautiful church!

I had a hard time finding a church since I rarely attend and I moved to LI 2 years ago plus the FW wanted a center isle. Its odd how many United Methodist churches around here have split Isles. The other catch was my Father is a minister in Michigan and I want him to do the service. I finally found a place where I like the minister, the church is beautiful, and the minister happens to be very cool on things. The Farmingdale United Methodist Church which is pretty far from the hall, but it also is where the FW's family lives so it works out.

I would call some Methodist or Presbaterian(spellng) churchs they can be pretty liberal. Still might have to do some pre counciling but its usually only 3 sessions.

I feel your pain. :(

Jeremy

I work in Sayville and St. Ann's (589-6522) is beautiful! I believe Rev. Schwartz would be the officiant performing your wedding. Good Luck with that!!! Please keep me posted!

There's also the Sayville United Methodist Church at 164 Greene Avenue. I think the officiant there is Rev. Allen. 589-0624

Right down the block from there is another church: St. John's Lutheran Church at 48 Greene Avenue. I don't know the officiant there though, but you can stop to speak to any of the ladies in the office. They are very nice!!! 589-3202

Hope this helps!!!

Thank you, Jeremy! My very good friend from college is also a minister, and I stuck my foot in my mouth by already asking him to do the ceremony, back when I thought I was doing it in a park. I'm just hoping that if I find a church now, they'll let him participate in some way.

Can I really check out Methodist and Presbyterian churches even with our religious backgrounds?

what about Historical Chapel

What happened? I thoguht you had a park all set?
i was goign to suggest MEthodist & Presbyterian as well.
A freind fo mien live sin ny , but was gettign married inFL, inthe hall & had a presbyeterianminsiter & i think they met her once.
ANd they were both lapsed Catholics.

We are also lapsed catholis gettign married in an Episcopal church with about & months notice.
Some churchres flat out said no, b/c we weren't members.
Holy Trinity in Hicksville is very accomodating, but far from where you are looking.

jeremy--what's a split aisle? lieka movie theatre?

My church has a center aisle, but its more wide thant deep, so it has several side aisles. I think there are 6 sections of pews in a semi circle. I'm excited- short aisle!

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I am holding out a little hope for St. Ann's in Sayville... haven't spoken to anyone there yet, but what a beautiful church!

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Our friends got married there...it is beautiful!

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Posted by violetfairy
Can I really check out Methodist and Presbyterian churches even with our religious backgrounds?

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Yeah Methodists and Presbyterians both are fairly liberal (depending on the pastor in charge of the church) they will marry about anyone as long as you do the counciling. My dad says he will marry just about anyone. He's done a lot of Catholic 'second' weddings.

Yeah when I say split isles I mean like a movie theater two isles down the sides. (3 clusters of pews)

I am excited our church has a pipe organ and we are having Royal Brass.. it should be great. plus I guess one of the Royal Brass guys goes to our church so they know the organist well.

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Posted by razz1031

There's also the Sayville United Methodist Church at 164 Greene Avenue. I think the officiant there is Rev. Allen. 589-0624

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They have 2 aisles there I checked. :)

Wow! Thank you so much for your advice, everyone!

Tourist, yep, I thought we had a park set, too! The permit department denied our permit because they decided the parking lot wasn't big enough for our guests.

I am getting married at the historical chapel in woodbury. Did you try there.
also I don't know if this would work but the non-den. church at cw post. My friend got married there and it was really nice.