The latest Princess and the Priest from Busted Halo. I particularly like the running commentary.
My thoughts are similar but also I’d like to add a practical matter and a theological/liturgical one. If everyone got married in several outdoor locations, priests or deacons would have to run all over the place to do weddings. With the priest shortage as it is, there’s no way this could happen in any kind of situation short of buying them a helicopter.
Look churches are beautiful and the ceremony is only as good as you make it by your participation. My wife and I planned a good deal of the liturgy ourselves and people still talk about it. The bride and the groom, theologically speaking are the presiders at a Catholic Wedding ceremony, not the priest, who merely acts as a witness. The mass is presided by the priest of course but the rite of marriage is really the couple’s celebration of sacrament.
Speaking of marriage, I’m off to celebrate my 7th anniversary.
