We are a cross-religion couple (Catholic and Buddhist) and there's lots for me to learn with regards to marrying a Catholic ;p
As Bee is a catholic, we would have to hold our wedding ceremony in the church and we have decided to forgo the traditional wedding dinner but to hold a wedding lunch in the church instead.
For BTBs that are marrying a Catholic other half, you must be feeling as confused as I am ;p So I'm writing to share on what we have done to prepare for our catholic wedding:
1) Attend EE/MPC
Bee and I have decided to go for EE and get everything settle within 1 weekend. Save us the hassle lol!
It is very important to register way in advance! After Bee proposed to me and we tried booking for EE in January, we could only get a July slot! Pretty crazy heh? Hahas! You have been warned! Register early!
For EE, register here!
For MPC, register here!
Payment by cheque only (:
After completing EE/ MPC, you will be provided a certificate and would then be eligible to hold your wedding in the catholic church.
2) Choose your wedding date
If your family is the pantang(superstitious) kind, there's 2 ways to do it.
a) Refer to huangli and get a date that is auspicious for marriage
(this is the easier way out because its FOC!)
宜 means its under the good category
忌 means its under the bad category
For marriage, its under the category '嫁娶‘ so just look out for this word under 宜 and it would mean its a good day to get married.
This is an example of a good day to get married:
This is an example of a bad day to get married:
But those auspicious dates are typically hot dates which the slots at churches or dinner banquets may get snapped up very quickly! So you must prepare a few backup dates just in case (:
b) Go to a fortune teller and calculate a suitable date for your wedding day!
Not FOC! You can go to those popular ones or even get this sorted out ONLINE!
You have to provide the couple's Ba Zi to the fortune teller and/or sometimes have to provide in-law's information as well so as not to clash with each other's family.
If both family ain't superstitious, then just choose any available date! :D Free and easy!
3) Find your perfect church
There are a total of 31 catholic churches in singapore.
You can either choose a parish that you frequent/ near your house or just choose one that you like!
Contact the administrative staff of the church to enquire if the church is available on your preferred date and proceed to book the church. You do NOT necessary need to complete the EE/ MPC first before booking the church. Just let the church know when you will complete the EE/ MPC and provide the certificate to them later on (:
But things to take into consideration:
- Cost
- Location
If you stay in the East, no point going to the west of singapore to host your wedding right?
- Availability of facilities
Some canteen of the churches are small and may not be able to host many guests if you plan to have a reception. Some slots of the wedding timing may not allow the couple to use the canteen due to their saturday afternoon events or saturday evening mass.
Most importantly, choose a church that is comfortable for you and your other half (:
Bee and I had to go through 3 different churches to finally get a church on a day and slot that we want with facility available for our wedding day!
I am still in the process of looking for a caterer for my big day and would update at a later date to share more information on it.
I'm going to be a Catholic BTB <3 EXCITED!! Can't wait to walk down the aisle and dress up my cute little flower girls!
