Mateo,

It is you that is engaged, correct? I also am. I just wanted to see where you were having your wedding ceremony / reception. It is coming up soon, right? Erika and I are sceduled for 5/23/03 at Five Wounds Church in CA (it is very nice, very traditional - Tabernacle at front...). We are just finishing up details on the reception location. Now I want to start doing a little research on Honeymoon ideas. We would like to take a trip to Europe (ideally spain or italy), because we both have never been outside the Americas (she from Peru, and I from the US). Do you have any suggestions? We thought that a year would be enough time to plan everything (and save for everything). But the date is creaping up pretty quick, and it feels like we havn't done anything!

St. John Francis Regis is the Patron of Marriages. I will pray to him for you!

In Christ.

-- jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), July 31, 2002

Answers

to the top

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), July 31, 2002.

Just a thought jake... maybe jumping onto a crowded overseas flight for endless hours sitting next to a some yacking guy with severe nicotine withdrawal, spilling his rum and coke on your lap, all within hours the most lifechanging ceremony of your lifetime that in and of itself probably wore you out totally, mentally and physically, ....hmmmm; sure that's what you need?

Maybe it is, I don't know, but perhaps keep it somewhat quiet, a getaway with still somewhat of a familiar feel to? Might do you a better service.

Now I'm a strange person with strange tastes and ideas, but I/we took a month off and jumped in my truck and started driving from San Diego to Maine, where I had a cabin on a lake rented out. We didn't have any plan whatsoever as far as getting there; we stopped wherever we wanted and looked at whatever we wanted to. My wife almost fell into the Grand Canyon; that was awesome... I mean the Grand Canyon that is... and we saw friends in various cities and it was, well, really relaxed, really fun; I will never forget it.

Just a thought.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), July 31, 2002.

Sorry, I just noticed this was specifically addressed to Mateo; sorry for butting in Mateo, jake...

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), July 31, 2002.

Thanks Emerald. That does sound fun! Hmmmmmmmmmmm... I'll have to talk to my manager/fiance/Erika about that one.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), July 31, 2002.

Jake,

Hawaii is nice, very relaxing, food is good, people are friendly, speak English and use American money. Makes a good no-pressure vacation if you think you might feel guilty about trying to do things when you really just want to sit around with your wife.

Ireland is nice too, time sort of sneaks by in an old-world way, not much to see (no offense) but then no pressure to do it. People are the salt of the Earth and beautiful green fields all around.

Spain is a destination I wouldn't miss at some point in your life, the Prado is excellent, Gazpacho (sic, in a big way!) is probably the best soup on Earth, not to mention the great cathedrals and museums which probably overall are the best in Europe. Paris is o.k. too, but I wouldn't go there for a honeymoon. Skip Germany, Switz, and England for now. Last time I was there there was a big train strike and I coulnd't *get* to Rome, so I can't comment on that, but I'd like to get there at some point (although maybe not for my honeymoon).

Cheap advice, remember it's worth what you paid for it! :-)

Have fun, and God bless your upcoming marriage,

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), July 31, 2002.

Hey Jake, I like Emerald's idea too. ..but hey, who am I? very humbly, Mom

-- Theresa Huether (rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), July 31, 2002.

Hello, Jake

Would you do me a favor and check your Saint information. I wasn't aware that St. John Francis Regis was one of the Patron Saints for a happy marriage. I found information that says he is the Patron Saint for lace makers, lace workers, medical social workers, but I couldn't place the marriage part. I would like to know if I am wrong about this? St. John Regis feastday is celebrated on December 31 in the holy Catholic Church.

Mat St. Valentine whose feastday is celebrated February 14 in the Holy Catholic Church pray for you and Erika for many, many years of happiness and health. He is one of the Patron Saints for engaged couples, happy marriages.

God bless you both

David

-- David (David@excite.com), July 31, 2002.

Hi Jake

Yes, the wedding is coming soon! I'll give you my thoughts honeymoon ideas:

Interestingly, we also considered Spain and Italy. Partly because my fiancee has already spent time in Spain, we narrowed it down to Italy, a country neither of us has visited. We're going to Rome and Florence.

Italy is full of varied places waiting to be experienced. In a way, you could compare it to visiting California: you have the beaches, you have the wine country, you have the mountains, as well as a number of totally distinct cities. This is how I would describe Italy.

There are some downsides to traveling to Europe right now. They are:

1) The dollar is weak, so Europe is more expensive;

2) We are traveling during the vacation peak for Italy;

3) Travel in general is more costly, post 9-11.

Despite these negatives, we're really excited about our honeymoon. It's going to be a great adventure!

If you are interested in researching Italy, I'd recommend this book as a good introduction to Italy.

Finally, I wouldn't want to leave out the input that the forum has provided me.

Other ideas

I really like Emerald's cross-country vacation idea! Though, if I lived in a city as beautiful as San Diego, I'd have a hard time leaving for a vacation!

Other advice given to me:

1) As others here have said, most people prefer the quiet quality-time, nothing-to-do honeymoon. We probably would have picked some Caribbean island as a destination, but we've both been to the Caribbean recently. Also, our timeframe of late summer is hurricane season.

2) Look at your budget. If money's an issue, look for off-peak travel spots.

You wrote:

"We thought that a year would be enough time to plan everything (and save for everything). But the date is creaping up pretty quick, and it feels like we havn't done anything!"

Time will go by fast. I am blessed because my fiancee is totally organized. Despite the endless things to do in preparation for a wedding, we set a basic schedule. Week by week, we chipped away at our tasks.

You guys are way ahead of us, though. We became engaged at the beginning of the year, leaving us less than eight months to plan. If you're already firming up your reception arrangements, then you guys are way ahead of the game.

Jake, you and your fiancee are in my prayers! BTW, have a wonderful birthday!

In Christ,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), August 01, 2002.

Thank you so much Mateo! You're in my prayers!

My fiance is kinda leaning toward Italy also (Rome in particular - no joke). But we still need to plan things out.

I will pray that God gives you and your fiance the grace and benefits of a Holy marriage.

David,

I was going to ask you actually, but I didn't want to bother you with something that I could do (that is - look up the Saint). I found St. John Francis at this site under 'M' for Marriage.

That was the closest St. I could find (I forgot about St. Valentine). But, as we are engaged, I will also ask for his intercession.

Thank you both for your responses.

In Christ.

PS. Mateo, How did you know it was my B'Day? Did I mention that on here? Anyways, thank you for your prayers.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), August 01, 2002.

Thanks, Jake. Hope you are enjoying your new job.

David

-- David (David@excite.com), August 01, 2002.

Jake, listen to your mom, dangit!

Hey, all this talk of Europe makes me wish I could go over there with one objective, and that is a tour of as many castles as I could find. Castles rock.

I went over when I was a sophmore in high school... what is that, about 15 years old? I remember a bit, but my brain was elsewhere. I went to Italy and France... I do remember the incoruptables, the catacombs, and Notre Dame where the steps were worn out in the center from centuries of use. Couldn't help thinking of all the famous people of old who had walked those same steps; same thing at the Vatican.

We went over there for my brother's Deaconate.

Being an up and coming redneck, I was especially impressed with the Carabinieri's (Italian police) machine guns. lol!

All in all, though, like I said, my mind was elsewhere. Would yours be as well? Hmmmmm... now that's a thought. I would say that now, at 36, if there were some way I could get back there (with 4 kids its not really a possibility), I would get sooooo much more out of the experience now than before. And instead of telling my dad to step on the on the pedal on the Autostrada (sp?), the highway over there, I could just let it rip.

I did go to Lourdes. I swear that Disneyland made their castle modelled after that Church on the hill over the grotto.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 01, 2002.

Frank is absolutely correct about gazpacho --!!! You can eat well in Spain every day just by ordering the ''menu del dia'', and it's a very economical place to travel.

Mate being of Arab descent will love the sights. Very Moorish and exotic, in the southern parts.

The Hotel Palace right by the Prado Museum is expensive, but I would recommend it anyway. A honeymoon deserves this wonderful place. The daily rates include a fabulous breakfast-luncheon that can't be topped; champagne and the works!!! I'm really dying to go back and so is my wife.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), August 02, 2002.

Ireland is also a great place to go...the old churches and castles are magnificant and the pubs are fun. The greenery is just beautiful and the old country roads....the seaside is magnificant.

When we were in Ireland, the food left a lot to be desired, but now they have Italian and French restaurants which, I hear are great!

Eugene's description of Spain sounds wonderful too and makes me want to go there....

I guess for a honeymoon it depends on what you are looking for....do you want to relax and just spend time with each other....do you want to spend time touring and seeing all the sites? My husband and I are tourists and love travelling down those little roads to see how the people 'really' live, exploring unknown territories - in view of what is going on in our world today, I guess one would have to check what is safe via their travel agent.

The world is full of so many wonderful places to explore. For a second honeymoon we want to go to Montana. Ever since I read Horse Whispers I want to see the beautiful state of Montana...and would..well, maybe not a second honeymoon, after all..but a vacation..

I almost lost my husband on our honeymoon. We went to Mexico and were on a beach that said go in the water at your own risk. I am a camera buff and wanted to get just the 'right' picture of my husband standing by the rocks when the big waves came in - well, I got my picture and nearly lost my husband...he went under and did not come up for at least 5 minutes, or so it seemed...a very long 5 minutes and there was no one else around on the beach!!!

When he finally did come out of the water he was all cut up and bruised....

Wherever you decide to go, have a great honeymoon and may the good Lord bless your trip and your marriage.

Love, MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), August 02, 2002.

Jake and Erika there is only one option.

NEW ZEALAND!!!

Im not biased of course. Best wishes and blessings be patient this may take a long time to load

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), August 04, 2002.

Then again it may not lets see if the evil pokemon has struck again

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), August 04, 2002.

Mateo all the best for the big day it cannot be far off. May God Bless you and your wife to be.

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), August 04, 2002.

Hi Kiwi,

Thank you for those beautiful, breathtaking pictures! I would love to go there....I don't think I could be in a plane for that long, though.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), August 04, 2002.

Looks like you have some good terrain over there, kiwi. Isn't that where they shot Fellowship of the Ring?

Hey, bye everyone; its been a pleasure posting/reading posts.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 04, 2002.

Emerald,

What do you mean, bye everyone?? Where are you going? Have I missed something?

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), August 04, 2002.

Emerald yes it was filmed here. It was nice meeting you, why the sudden departure?

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), August 05, 2002.

Thank you all for your suggestions! Kiwi, all I can say is, Wow! It is so beautiful.

God has been leading my fiance and I so far through our decisions (i.e. the church and reception site). So with a lot of prayer and listening, I know that we will end up where God wants us on our honeymoon.

Mateo, so, when is the date! I will be sure to pray extra hard that day.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), August 05, 2002.

I had already posted this on another thread, but I feared that, you, Mateo would be so busy with the coming wedding that you may have no chance to look at it. So I'm repeating it here for you:

Mateo: I don't know how it is done in the U.S. Here in Mexico it is customary during a wedding Mass to sing Shubert's AVE MARIA at the offertory. For me it has a very special meaning: it reminds me that Mary became the Spouse of the Holy Spirit on the day of Anunciation in order to be the Mother of the Son of God. So we have the groom, the HOLY SPIRIT, the bride, MARY, and the hope of a child, JESUS. If every Catholic marriage would live among these lines there would be more saintly couples, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in them and leading them to make avery child in the family CHRIST-like. How could anyone living these truths think about family violence, separation and divorce, abortion (killing Jesus)and the rest of evils that plague so many couples today? Mateo lo mejor que te puedo desear para tu boda es que el PADRE los bendiga, que el ESPIRITU SANTO los santifique e ilumine, que CRISTO los haga un signo de su unión con la Iglesia y todo esto bajo la mirada amorosa de nuestra Madre MARIA.

Estas son las Mańanitas Que cantaba el Rey David, Hoy por ser día de tu boda, Te las cantamos aquí.

.......

Qué linda está la mańana, En que vengo a saludarte, Venimos todos con gusto Y placer a felicitarte.

Etc, etc.....

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), August 12, 2002.

Hi Enrique,

No lo vi en el otro thread, pues gracias por haberlo re-posted.

Though it isn't always done in American weddings, su tio de mi comprometida va a cantar "Ave Maria," durante el tributo a Maria, cuando Ofreceremos flores a Maria.

Gracias, Enrique, por haber estado pendiente de nosotros. Gracias por tu mensaje. Es una bendicion tenerles orando por nuestro matrimonio.

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), August 12, 2002.

Yo no sabia esto, Enrique. Pero (sin saber) mi novia legusta Ave Maria y mi mama va a cantarlo en nuestra boda! Gracias por dicirme.

Now I feel like it was meant to be.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), August 12, 2002.

Mateo..and all others discerning marriage..

the Ave Maria is a WONDERFUL song to include in the wedding ceremony, maybe while bringing flowers to an image of our Blessed Mother, to HONOR her, as our brother said. I sing at weddings, and have seen this often, and have pondered the 'awesomeness' of what we have in our spiritual family. Mother Mary and St. Joseph, and our Lord, as a model of love for each other.

Imagine the patience and long-suffering, the love, the faith to remain in joy during their tremendous trials. To honor them, and invite them into the ceremony opens us to so many matrimonial graces!

Glory to God my husband and i will celebrate 26 married years next month! Truly I can tell you it IS the Lord, by Him this is done. It is He who gives the grace to 'forgive 7 times 7', the grace to keep quiet when you want to criticize, the grace to keep quiet when you want to be 'puffed up' in pride, the grace to laugh together.

Mateo, as you have probably heard a million times, love is not an emotion, it truly is a commitment. And at times when the feeling isn't there, we go to HIM WHO IS LOVE, for more! And I testify to that, He is faithful. God bless you and your wife-to-be deeply!!

-- theresa (rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), August 12, 2002.

Theresa,

Thank you for your advice! It doesn't matter whether I've heard it before--it's better that I hear good advice repeated than not hearing it from anyone.

Regarding the Ave Maria, we are going to have it sung at the wedding when we bring flowers to our Lady. The Gospel reading we chose is the "Marriage in Cana," which gives us a glimpse into the love Jesus has for his mother.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), August 13, 2002.

Mateo,

Or to whoever first brought up the Ave Maria during a wedding. It caused me to recall my own wedding, where I walked my bride up to Mary and she presented flowers. Of course, Ave Maria was being sung (beautifully if I may say so). I even had a friend (Protestant) talk about how beautiful the ceremony was, especially the flowers to Mary. I believe it was his first experience at a Catholic Mass/wedding.

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), August 13, 2002.

Ah, Mateo! You're stealing all my ideas! :) I was going to have one of our readings be of the Wedding at Cana! That is a good one. We must have the same taste. (you know they say, "great minds think alike").

In fact, a couple of Protestant friends of mine will be going to our wedding, and I thought that it would be an excellent opportunity to secretly evangelize about our Mother Mary! It works out perfectly.

I'm so excited for you, as I know exactly how you must be feeling. We just bought our rings yesterday, and Erika will (hopefully) be choosing her dress today. I won't get to see, of course. But things are moving along quite nicely. I hope and pray that there is no last minute hook ups for you.

Mother Mary, Pray that in the upcoming weeks all the days leading up to our dear brother, Mateo's, wedding go perfectly smooth. Amen.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), August 13, 2002.

oh yes! a BIG "AMEN" from me too! Theresa

-- Theresa (rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), August 13, 2002.

Jake writes:

"We must have the same taste. (you know they say, "great minds think alike")."

Agreed! :-)

Jake writes:

"In fact, a couple of Protestant friends of mine will be going to our wedding, and I thought that it would be an excellent opportunity to secretly evangelize about our Mother Mary! It works out perfectly."

My fiancee was the catalyst for bringing flowers to our Lady during our upcoming wedding. I may sound ignorant, but I had never heard about this tradition until this year! In order to avoid any confusion by non-Catholics, I asked our priest to explain the meaning behind the tribute.

On a basic level, Mary's role at the Wedding at Cana shows how her intercession affected those celebrating the marriage 2000 years ago. We're just asking her to play the same role today; and in a special way, to connect our own wedding to this passage in John's Gospel, and to Jesus' first miracle.

Thank you Jake, Theresa, and Glenn! Please keep us in your prayers!

In Christ,

Mateo.

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), August 14, 2002.

Mateo,

I think you are pretty smart not saying the exact date of your wedding before you get married. You don't want someone like San showing up there after the way you cleaned his clock. :-)

I have been keeping you guys in my prayers. I have a feeling it is less than a fortnight away.

God bless you

David

-- David (David@excite.com), August 14, 2002.

Congrats Mateo; have a safe honeymoon, bud.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 26, 2002.