Priest Dillema...

SO yesterday I get a phone call from my priest that he will be unable to do our ceremony because he moved to South Carolina...
I haven't seen my priest in years because he retired but I had always hoped that he would be the one to do my ceremony... fast forward to 6 months ago when I was able to track down a friend of his who gave me his contact info. saying the he lived in Mattituck - I wrote him a letter... yesterday I got the response.

He gave us his blessing (which meant alot) but said that he was very sorry that he wouldn't be able to be there.

WHAT DO I DO NOW??? How do you 'find' someone to do your ceremony? Is that an 'officiant? I'm so lost - but I can't even begin to be upset because this is the first 'glitch' in our planning.

Thanks for ANY information you may have

were you planning to get married in a certain church? whatever church you plan to have the ceremony, that priest will just officiate...

sorry though, that stinks.

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Posted by Autumnbride03

were you planning to get married in a certain church? whatever church you plan to have the ceremony, that priest will just officiate...

sorry though, that stinks.

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OH, sorry... I shouldv'e wrote that- we are getting married at Vineyard Caterers- outside (weather permitting)

i had almost the same issue when i first got engaged!! My Pastor (who I've known ever since i was a baby and am STILL a member of the church) was almost unable to perform the ceremony. This broke my heart and I began freaking out and contacting other pastors I've known in my lifetime. I even went as far as to tell my sister to just get ordained so she could perform the ceremony. hahaha.

Luckily things worked out with my pastor, so i never actually had to go thru hunting down officiants. But i know you can 'hire' one for the ceremony (that's probably not the right word, but you know what i mean). Not sure how to go about that. The girls on here should have some good advice, I think that's how most people do it.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck with everything. i'm sure it'll be fine. Sorry that the one you had your heart set on can't perform the ceremony.

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Posted by RockysGirl

i had almost the same issue when i first got engaged!! My Pastor (who I've known ever since i was a baby and am STILL a member of the church) was almost unable to perform the ceremony. This broke my heart and I began freaking out and contacting other pastors I've known in my lifetime. I even went as far as to tell my sister to just get ordained so she could perform the ceremony. hahaha.

Luckily things worked out with my pastor, so i never actually had to go thru hunting down officiants. But i know you can 'hire' one for the ceremony (that's probably not the right word, but you know what i mean). Not sure how to go about that. The girls on here should have some good advice, I think that's how most people do it.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck with everything. i'm sure it'll be fine. Sorry that the one you had your heart set on can't perform the ceremony.

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Thank you... I'm glad it all worked out for you- if we get desprite, I think we might tell him that we will fly him up (which we probably wouldve done regardless)... I just think something will be missing without him. I'm counting on the LIW girls though

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Posted by Vineyard72509

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Posted by Autumnbride03

were you planning to get married in a certain church? whatever church you plan to have the ceremony, that priest will just officiate...

sorry though, that stinks.

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OH, sorry... I shouldv'e wrote that- we are getting married at Vineyard Caterers- outside (weather permitting)

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if youre getting married outside the church then a priest cant marry you, well thats if youre looking for a catholic priest. They are not allowed to perform wedding ceremonies outside the church, a catholic church ONLY recognizes your wedding if its in the church. However, if its a retired priest then they can do it, thats why your priest was able to do it bc he retired. Yes, theres many officiants you can hire to perform your ceremony. Many girls on here had to do the same thing.

Well, I'm actually episcopal... so I dont think that should matter too much- but I'll keep in mind that it can't be a Catholic priest.

I feel really uneducated asking this, but what is the difference between a Reverand or a Pastor...?

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Posted by Vineyard72509

I feel really uneducated asking this, but what is the difference between a Reverand or a Pastor...?

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there's probably people on here who could answer this a LOT better than me, but i'll try

Basically - both are ordained ministers. The term 'Pastor' is less formal than 'reverend'. It means shepherd.'The Reverend' is often used more formally.

Not sure how else to explain it

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Posted by Vineyard72509

Well, I'm actually episcopal... so I dont think that should matter too much- but I'll keep in mind that it can't be a Catholic priest.

I feel really uneducated asking this, but what is the difference between a Reverand or a Pastor...?

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oh ok sorry, i thought maybe it was a catholic priest you were looking for.

Not sure about the episcopal church rules. Good luck

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Posted by RockysGirl

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Posted by Vineyard72509

I feel really uneducated asking this, but what is the difference between a Reverand or a Pastor...?

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there's probably people on here who could answer this a LOT better than me, but i'll try

Basically - both are ordained ministers. The term 'Pastor' is less formal than 'reverend'. It means shepherd.'The Reverend' is often used more formally.

Not sure how else to explain it

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I think it all depends on what denomination you're talking about. In the Catholic church, only Pastor or Father is used - we do not use Rev. But some denominations do not use Father, they only use Pastor or Rev. In the Catholic church, the Pastor is the head priest so to speak. I am not sure how it works in other churches.

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Posted by JBoothIn2008

I think it all depends on what denomination you're talking about. In the Catholic church, only Pastor or Father is used - we do not use Rev. But some denominations do not use Father, they only use Pastor or Rev. In the Catholic church, the Pastor is the head priest so to speak. I am not sure how it works in other churches.

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Yeah, my church is Non-Denominational and we only use 'Pastor'. I always thought 'Reverend' was more for Lutheran or Baptist. But I dunno. There's so many denominations (shrug)

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Posted by Espo22

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Posted by Vineyard72509

Well, I'm actually episcopal... so I dont think that should matter too much- but I'll keep in mind that it can't be a Catholic priest.

I feel really uneducated asking this, but what is the difference between a Reverand or a Pastor...?

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oh ok sorry, i thought maybe it was a catholic priest you were looking for.

Not sure about the episcopal church rules. Good luck

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you're lucky!!!! we wanted so badly to get married on a beach, but catholic priests will NOT marry outside the church-- it will not be recognized by the diocese! i'm jealous! good luck!

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Posted by Vineyard72509

Well, I'm actually episcopal... so I dont think that should matter too much- but I'll keep in mind that it can't be a Catholic priest.

I feel really uneducated asking this, but what is the difference between a Reverand or a Pastor...?

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Im baptist but dont hold to me to any of this in a court of law Usually a pastor is the head of a church (like the main guy) which he can also be referred to a Reverand.

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Posted by Vineyard72509

SO yesterday I get a phone call from my priest that he will be unable to do our ceremony because he moved to South Carolina...
I haven't seen my priest in years because he retired but I had always hoped that he would be the one to do my ceremony... fast forward to 6 months ago when I was able to track down a friend of his who gave me his contact info. saying the he lived in Mattituck - I wrote him a letter... yesterday I got the response.

He gave us his blessing (which meant alot) but said that he was very sorry that he wouldn't be able to be there.

WHAT DO I DO NOW??? How do you 'find' someone to do your ceremony? Is that an 'officiant? I'm so lost - but I can't even begin to be upset because this is the first 'glitch' in our planning.

Thanks for ANY information you may have

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are u getting married at vinyard caterers? my church is episcopal and my priest is great..i could ask him if he does wedding outside the church..i have a meeting tomorrow night

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Posted by MrsDrinkh20

Rev. Deb Viola is amazing! LOVE HER!! Check out Ceremonies of the Heart...she is a vendor on here!

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Thanks Laureen... lol I will check her out too