~Please Hit That RSVP Button So We Can Save a Spot Just for You!~ We’re so excited for this big day, and we want everyone to know just how special you are to us. Whether you’ve made us feel loved, supported, or shared in our journey, our relationship with each and every one of you means so much! That said, we would be honored to have you join us on the most important day of our lives. Please confirm your attendance by August 31st, 2025—we’ll make sure a seat is saved just for you!
~Your Invite & Who It Includes~ We feel incredibly honored to know, love, and share a connection with each and every one of you. Your presence in our lives means so much, and that is exactly why YOU were invited! If you're wondering about the details of your invitation—whether it's just you, your family, or if you have a plus one—we totally understand, and we want to kindly clear up any uncertainty. As much as we would love to celebrate with absolutely everyone, we wanted to be sure that every person we adore was invited, however, we are at maximum capacity for our venue. For that reason, invitations are addressed specifically to the guests we’ve lovingly chosen to be with us. If you’ve been given a plus one, it will be clearly indicated on your invitation. We kindly ask that you only bring the individuals listed on your invite. We deeply appreciate your understanding and support—and we truly cannot wait to share this special day with you. Having you there to witness this moment fills our hearts more than words can say.
~What is the Dress Code?~ Although our wedding is in the fall, we’d love to keep the vibe light and happy with warm, summery colors—think sunshine and cheerfulness! We’re thrilled to have you celebrate with us, and to help set the tone, we ask that you dress in semi-formal or dressy attire. Think elegant, cocktail, and classy, with warmer tones being preferred. For the ladies, consider elegant floor-length gowns or classy cocktail dresses that make you feel fabulous. For the gentlemen, a sharp suit, tuxedo, or even a button-down shirt with slacks would be perfect. We want everyone to feel confident and comfortable while keeping it classy, so come ready to celebrate in style!
~Where to Park, Where's the Door to the Church, and Why Are There Two Buildings?~ We know that parking and navigating Saint Michael the Archangel can be a little tricky, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help make your arrival as easy and stress-free as possible! There are two buildings next to one another. The one closest to Nall Avenue is Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic School, and the other is the church. For the easiest access, park in the lot off 143rd Street (not Nall Avenue). While there is an entrance on Nall, with this explanation, it'll just be easier to use 143rd Street. Once you’ve parked, walk toward the left side of the church from the parking lot, where you’ll find a roundabout. After passing the roundabout, you’ll see the church doors on your right. Enter here, and you’ll find yourself in the gathering area. To enter the church for the ceremony, just walk through the next set of doors, and you’ll be ready to join us in celebrating this special day in the presence of God.
~Attending a Catholic Wedding for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect for the Ceremony~ Our wedding will take place at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish and will include a traditional Catholic ceremony with a full Mass and communion. The service typically lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes, filled with prayers, music, meaningful traditions, and lots of love. Whether you're Catholic or not, we want you to feel welcomed as we're just so happy to have you there!
~Pews Fill Fast — When Should I Get There?~ We recommend arriving no later than 15–20 minutes before the ceremony begins. Catholic weddings typically start right on time, and arriving a bit early gives you time to find a seat, take in the beauty of the church, and settle in before the processional begins. We can’t wait to see you there!
~Silent Phones, Smiling Faces: What About Photos?~ While this is a wedding — and taking place in the church — we want to approach this with kindness, not strict rules. We're not asking guests to "stay unplugged," but we do kindly request that phones be silenced and kept non-distracting during the ceremony. Out of respect for the sacred space in the House of God and in the presence of the Lord Himself, we also ask that phones not be used for entertainment (texts, social media, games, etc.) while in the church. If you’d like to take photos, we kindly ask that you do so only before or after the ceremony — out of respect for the sacred space and outside the presence of the Tabernacle. We’ll have a wonderful team of professional photographers present, capturing every beautiful moment — so you can relax and be fully present with us and the Lord in his House. Thank you for your understanding and helping us maintain a prayerful and respectful atmosphere.
~Wiggles, Giggles, and Mass — Tips for Kids in Church~ We are so excited to celebrate this special day with you and understand that little ones sometimes need a break. While our wedding is an adults-only event (with the exception of children in the wedding party or those specifically invited), we hope you understand our desire to keep things intimate. For those attending with invited children, Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish has two glass-enclosed rooms, known as Cry Rooms, located in the far left and right corners of the church. These comfortable, kid-friendly spaces are equipped with speakers, allowing you to see and hear the ceremony while taking a quiet moment if needed. Of course, children are warmly welcomed to remain in the sanctuary, but the Cry Rooms are available as a convenient option for a little break. As a reminder, the Mass is a sacred and reflective time, so we kindly ask that all guests, including children, remain respectfully quiet during the service. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable, and we truly appreciate your understanding in helping us maintain a reverent ceremony. Regarding invited children, while we ask that no food or drinks be brought into the church to help preserve the sacred and clean space, we understand that little ones may need a snack or drink during the service. For babies and toddlers, sound-proof snacks and drinks are perfectly fine! Please feel free to bring along something quiet and mess-free to keep your little one content during the ceremony.
~Sit, Stand, Kneel… Repeat? What to Expect During the Ceremony~ During a Catholic wedding Mass, you’ll notice there are moments when the congregation is invited to sit, stand, or kneel — it’s all part of the rhythm and reverence of the ceremony. If you’re not Catholic, don’t worry — you’re not expected to know exactly what to do! Just follow along, and know that you won’t be the only one figuring it out as you go. Many of our guests will be experiencing a Catholic wedding for the first time, and your presence means so much more to us than perfect timing on when to sit, stand, or kneel.
~One Minute It’s Quiet… the Next, Everyone’s Shaking Hands and Saying ‘Peace Be With You'?~ At one point during the ceremony, you might notice a sudden shift — things go from quiet and reverent to everyone turning to each other, shaking hands (or offering a smile or nod), while not saying, "Please to meet you." But rather, “Peace be with you.” This is called the Sign of Peace, and it’s a beautiful part of the Catholic Mass where the congregation shares a moment of goodwill, unity, and peace with one another before continuing with the Eucharist. If you’re not Catholic, that’s completely okay! Just remember… if you’re feeling a little unsure, you’re definitely not the only one! Many guests may be experiencing this for the first time, too.
~Wondering About Communion? We've Got You!~ As part of our Catholic wedding ceremony, there will be a celebration of the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion. In the Catholic faith, receiving Communion is a sacred tradition reserved for those who are baptized Catholics and are in a state of grace. If you're not Catholic, that's absolutely okay! You're still very much welcome to join us during this part of the Mass. When the time comes, we ask that you come forward with your arms crossed over your chest to receive a simple blessing from our priest, Fr. Waldeck. If you prefer not to, you may stay seated in the pew as well. We’re so grateful to have you with us and honored to share this meaningful tradition with the people we love most!
~What’s with the Long Break Between the Ceremony and Reception? The Catholic Pause!~ You might notice a bit of a gap between our ceremony and reception — this is known as The Catholic Pause! Since Catholic weddings often take place earlier in the day to accommodate the full Mass, there's usually a little extra time before the reception festivities begin. For those who have received the Eucharist during the Mass, this pause is also meaningful. In the Catholic faith, receiving Holy Communion is a sacred moment, and it's important to allow time for quiet reflection and reverence before transitioning into a celebration — especially one that includes heavy alcohol. We’re so grateful for your flexibility and understanding. We hope you enjoy this little breather before we all come back together to celebrate, laugh, and dance the night away! If you’re looking for something to do during this time, please feel free to check out our "Things To Do" section in the website menu — we’ve listed some of our favorite local spots for guests to enjoy while in town for the weekend. It’s a great way to make the most of the pause!