You can expect to be welcomed! The Church welcomes all to its sacramental celebrations. As a witness to the marriage of the bride and groom, you are called to actively assist in the wedding ceremony through words and actions that show your love and support for the couple. If you are not Christian, this may be as simple as being a warm presence for the couple and participating in the words and actions of the wedding liturgy as you feel comfortable. (No one expects you to say prayers or make statements of faith that do not reflect your beliefs.) If you are Christian, you are invited to join the whole assembly to offer your prayers (spoken and sung) for the couple.
The wedding liturgy, called the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, will include Mass. The Catholic sacrament of marriage normally takes place within the context of Mass, because the Eucharist/Communion both reflects and strengthens the bonds of love between the bride and groom, and between the couple, the Church, and Christ. Because Kevin and Hien's wedding will be celebrated as part of a Mass, it may last an hour or more. ***Please note that Kevin and Hien will be putting together a program that lets you know how to participate during Mass, if you so wish.***
You may be wondering whether you should come forward to receive the Eucharist when everyone else lines up to do so. The short answer is that only Catholics should receive the Eucharist. Another name for the Eucharist is Communion, because the act of receiving it both reflects and effects the spiritual union of the believer with Christ and all the other faithful. In other words, it's a statement of Catholic faith, one that you probably do not want to make if you do not share that faith. Those who do not wish to receive or who are not accustomed to regularly receiving the Eucharist at a Catholic Mass may either remain seated during the Eucharistic procession or may join in line and cross their arms to indicate they would like to receive a blessing. Kevin and Hien welcomes to this celebration those who do not share their faith in Jesus Christ, and while we cannot admit them to receiving the Eucharist, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the Bride and Groom.
Unfortunately, there will be no transportation to or from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, but there will be plenty of parking spaces available. There will be about a 3-hour recession in between the wedding ceremony and the start of the reception. No transportation to or from the reception will be provided, but again, plenty of parking spaces will be available. For those of you staying in the block of rooms available at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the reception venue will be about a 3-minute walk away.
The attire expected for both the wedding and the reception is semi-formal. Their preference is for guests not to wear navy, blush pink, or any shades of purple.
Yes, Kevin and Hien love kids! But please include them in your RSVPs for seating arrangement purposes.
There will be eight or nine courses consisting of various Asian dishes.
If you have any special requests, please contact Kevin and Hien directly with at least one month's notice.
Kevin and Hien would prefer to only have monetary gifts. There's a honeymoon fund available in the Registry section that allows you to contribute online if you wish.
Kevin and Hien ask that all RSVPs are sent by August 24, 2018.