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My daughter is planning to be married in San Pedro this summer, something that she has been saying for five years. Both families involved in this blessed event are seriously Catholic, and there seems to be some confusion/debate/angst concerning the possibility of having the regular AC "under the palms, in the sand" wedding ceremony with a local priest presiding. Some stateside sources have told us that when they say "married in the church", they mean literally "IN THE CHURCH".

I have seen enough wedding related posts on this board over the years, but can't remember anything similar to this being addressed. Anybody got an answer with respect to the San Pedro parish?

According to what I know, in order to have a Catholic Ceremony, it would need to be done in the Church. If you want a beach ceremony, it would be handled by a Minister.

I had a couple marry last year in the Catholic Church in San Pedro. One of the first stipulation as was told to me by the Father Superior was that if the other criteria were met, the marriage ceremony had to be performed in the church - no beach.

The Catholic church here requires that the couple bring verification of 'marriage lessons' from their local parish before a priest will officiate at a wedding ceremony here.

Thanks so much. You guys have been very, very helpful. Even though we've been to SP over 25 times this is a new wrinkle for us. "Lessons" are being completed so that's no problem. Hubby and I will be in SP next month to finalize some of the pesky details, so we'll go track down the priest to determine what any additional requirements might be for a Saturday ceremony, late afternoon, in late June might be.

The rest can be done from our favorite bar stools at Charlene's. I mean, after all our daughter did say she wants to do it this way so as to be "stress free".

Pre-Cana was one of those criteria I mentioned. The marriage ceremony was on a Sat late afternoon and the Father was invited to the reception that night which meant he didn't have to worry about a meal, especially since we got him out to the caye for an overnight stay.

Gail,

"especially since we got him out to the caye for an overnight stay."

You'll have to bear with me here, but does the priest come from the mainland to San Pedro? Geez, I thought we had most of the San Pedro basics down pat. I'm up to date on the requirements to apply for the license, and all that mumble-jumble which very simply means that the daughter is getting her way--No Stress-except that Mom and the Old Man are are breaking out in hives whilst she is very calm. Something wrong with this scene.

Up to the last time I checked, Sunday Mass is performed by a priest sent out from the mainland to San Pedro. Usually he is there just for the day unless there is a special reason for him to be on the caye for extra days. Also, for a priest to marry a couple from another country, he has to get approval from the Superior and I can't remember if he has to have approval from the Bishop as well.
I would make contact with the Diocese in Belize City right away and set up a meeting with the Fr. when you both are on AC.

I rode over with a nice young couple who had their wedding in the San Pedro Catholic Church. I would direct questions to Irida Gonzalez at San Pedro Travel and Tour, I believe the name is. Irida arranges weddings of all discriptions and can be most helpful. You can locate her in the Belize Search on this web site.

Mr. Thornton,

If your Yahoo address is still active check it on Friday. If not let me know.

Mid-March re: this post. I'm sure you can figure it out.

Take care,

CC