Twice Married

Dean and I are getting married twice–once in the church and a second time civilly in Palm Springs.  Despite my best negotiations skills, I couldn’t convince the church to grant us an exception of getting married outdoors.  I attend church regularly.  I have monthly automatic donations deducted from my credit card.  I’ve been a part of the Catholic Church since birth so I know who’s who and who can get me what I want.  But what I wanted could not be accomplished.  Apparently, it’s completely against the holy rules.  To be considered a Catholic marriage, getting married inside the church is mandatory.

We will have a Catholic ceremony performed by the Deacon who has been meeting with us regularly for the past six months. Luckily, it will be free of charge with only a few witnesses.

What’s costly is the civil ceremony in Palm Springs.  My wedding coordinator referred me to a former broadcaster who’s an ordained minister.  The guy is a hoot.  The cost is $550 for him to coordinate our rehearsal and to perform the ceremony.  Of course that includes unlimited emails and phone calls to ensure the ceremony is exactly what we want.  That includes the $100 discount because of my coordinator!  Damn. Another expense I wasn’t expecting.