I'm a new member to LIW but I've been lurking since my engagement in August. I've noticed a lot of you helping each other out so I am hoping someone can help me out as well. FI and I picked out our RH and have a possible date in Aug. 09 we want. We went to my church to get information. A priest called my house and spoke with my mom (I was out looking at RHs). He gave her some info about pre-cana, etc. but said he wanted to meet with us in person. I left him a voicemail 2 weeks ago and heard nothing back. So I went back to the church yesterday and left another message for ANY priest to please call and get in touch with me. I want to set an official date and I am worried my RH won't have my date available by the time my church gets back to me. Did anyone else have trouble contacting their priest? Should I book my RH with the date I want and then hope my church is available that same day (we're having a mass)? I'm getting impatient!
TIA
ETA: Thank you everyone for replying so fast! Too bad the churches can't be as quick as us! I spoke with the priest today (he called) and I will find out later on if the RH is still available which I'm confident it is. I'm sure they could hold the date for a few days until I can make the trip to leave a deposit. So by the time the day is over, I should have my official wedding date. Keeping fingers crossed! Thanks again!
UPDATE: RH is holding the date until next weekend! :)
Violet19
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
I actually just had this problem with my priest not calling me back. I would call again tomorrow and tell the person you speak with that you would like to book the church and ask if you MUST speak with the priest first (you should be able to book without speaking to the priest) and simply explain to them that you have to book the RH and that dates book quickly. If you still don't get a call back, if you are not set on using this particular church but are on the RH then I would book it with the RH and just keep bothering the church. Eventually they will get tired of hearing from you and call back.
AeroJenn
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Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
We had this problem too. Churches for some reason are sooooo difficult to get in touch with initially. Its almost like they're testing to see how serious you are. My advice to you would be to actually stop by in person and see if you can speak with someone in the office or a priest. Thats the only way we were able to get things done with the church.
jonsgirl04
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
Just keep calling them, I had the same problem. Eventually they will talk to you.
PegaLega
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
Just keep calling, ask them if there is someone else that you can speak to and book the date. We had this problem too and came to find out that most of the priests do retreats, etc. and your priest may be one that doesnt do the regular masses. Keep calling
Kris0703
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
It's your choice, but I think you could book the RH before they call you back. Especially for 2009. My FH and I booked the hall with the idea that we were going to get married there and a few months later changed our minds and wanted to get married in a church. Everyone told me that churches don't let you pick the date b4 you see them, but I had no problem and I went to at least 8-10 churches (looking for one I liked). I didn't hide the fact that we already set the date at all and no one had a problem with it! If they did ask, I told them that we booked the ceremony there and then realized we really wanted the church. Most of them were just glad top hear that we made that decision. My advice would be that if you can wait for the church.... wait. But if you can't - maybe the RH can hold the date for a certain amount of time??
soon2bmrsdunn
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
We had this problem as well. We booked with one church approx. 22 months before our wedding and then changed 11 months before and booked with another church and let me tell you in was the best decision I ever made. Our 'new' church was so accomodating and the priest was so nice. I am glad we decided to change.
The week before our wedding there was a message on my answering machine from the 1st church saying that they haden't heard from us, were we will getting married? It was nice of them to finally get back to us after a year of waiting.
JoesFutureWife
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
I had a similar problem at this time last year. I called the rectory again to find out that this time of year is insane for them. The lady at the rectory penciled my date in until i met with the priest. See if they can do that for you (i didn't end up meeting with the priest till march!!)
nicopico13
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
At first I was told we have plenty of time no rush, but I explained to them that I am trying to get everything in order now and our church was actually really good about it, I think we are the first 09 wedding in their book. I would keep calling, but whatever you do, if you book the hall, do not tell the church you did because they tend to be less accomodating. HTH and Good Luck!!
Kara and Todd
Posted:
Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
Call every few days... Make sure to ask when you call next whether they have rules about how far in advance they book weddings. (Some churches won't book '09 until '08, etc.)
Keep after them. My church was HORRIBLE about returning calls and... um, well, everything surrounding my wedding. Sad, but true. However, my wedding ceremony, with a priest I adore, was AMAZING, personal, and touching. So in the end, the aggravation was worth it... but man it was so irritating. I wound up writing the pastor a 5 page letter detailing all the things that went wrong with trying to plan my wedding. Only then did anything happen - and even then I was still planning my music over the phone a week before the wedding. Churches aren't businesses and often don't run like one... It can be frustrating to stay on top of them, but sometimes that's the only way!
Soon2BeMrsFitzy
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Member since
Re: Waiting on church and getting impatient
Try calling another priest from the church or a bishop, or deacon. The rectory should have all those numbers. Someone is bound to get back to you. Our priest went MIA for awhile. Who woulda thought the church could be so difficult.
