Party themes have helped couples and debutantes in creating a cohesive concept in planning their event. And just like a wedding invitation, it sets the initial tone of an event.

If you are to go all out with your them, it should influence virtually every part of your event: attire, all printed matters, decor, food, beverage, venue, etc.  A well-executed theme can generate a buzz among your family and friends. Some great samples are personalized boxed invitations, 3D backdrops for a nice souvenir, or structures designed specifically for your theme can keep people talking about your event for days if not months!

But there are times that couples go over and beyond their imagination to make their event unique. We’re not saying that couples should limit their creativity. It’s just that, they should consider where they can display their quirkiness.

Having a church wedding entails certain rules that one must remember to give respect to time old traditions. As Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle once said, “Sometimes, the faith is the last thing we focus on in the sacraments. The sacraments sometimes become mere social events or just cultural traditions with the faith being the last thing we consider.”

Dog, butterflies, gowns and other special effects

“Once, I received a letter from someone who was getting married and who was asking permission if they could have their dog as their ring bearer. The dog had been with them for a long time, but what had the dog got to do with our faith? What has become of marriage?”, Archbishop Tagle said during the Manila Archdiocesan General Pastoral Assembly held at Paco Catholic School auditorium in Manila.

“There was this wedding I attended that was already 45 minutes late. I approached the groom and asked:  ‘Why haven’t you started. Is the bride already here?’ Yes.  ‘Are the godparents already here?’ Yes.  ‘So why haven’t you started?'”

“Because the butterflies had not yet arrived,” said the wedding planner. “What butterflies?!” “Because as the bride walks down the aisle, we will release the butterflies.” “What had those butterflies got to do with our faith? The union is just starting, and you already have all these flying away and separations. Do you know their meaning?” he then said.

Every bride’s dream is to have that grand entrance, thus the close door entrance at the church. But this is also a gimmick that Archbishop Tagle took notice and called it paborloloy, ka-ek-ekan (embellishments and frivolities). Saying that “That is no longer faith. That’s gimmick.”

At the same assembly, he also shared that he once had to remind a bride about the dress code inside the church, but the bride replied: “Why does the Church still interfere with that? You are not the one who’s going to pay for my gown.”

We have to remember that what we wear should speak of our faith. We are at the presence of the Lord. We are offering ourselves to the Lord. We need to be dressed appropriately.

Respect
Couples should be mindful of the time they booked the church for their wedding because the church now penalizes couples who go beyond their allowed time to use the church.

Below are some of the penalties that churches impose:

• No processional march,
• No bridal march,
• No homily,
• No pictorial or
• Pay a penalty fee (varies between Php 5,000 to Php 25,000)

Let us respect the time of the people involved. Your guests, the priest, and even the couple next in line are expecting your wedding to start and end on time.

In reality, all it needs for you to get married is an Officiating Minister, two witnesses, the bride, and the groom. Everybody else is “icing on the cake.”