My preist is being really shady do I have to have a vocalist at my catholic wedding for it to be a real ceremony. He will not marry me unless I pay extra and get it.

-- Amanda Freitas (kevschickee@yahoo.com), November 19, 2002

Answers

My preist is being really shady

Not to mention just plain weird.

do I have to have a vocalist at my catholic wedding for it to be a real ceremony.

All you need is a priest, two witnesses, and the groom.

He will not marry me unless I pay extra and get it.

Run, don't walk, and find another priest.

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), November 19, 2002.

Ten to one this priest just happens to have a close relative who just happens to be a professional wedding singer ... ;-)

-- Christine L. (chris_tinelehman@hotmail.com), November 20, 2002.

Chances are that perhaps there is a regular vocalist/accompanist employed by the parish and their contract states that they have first right of refusal or some such wording, in the case of funerals and weddings. Our music director did have this in his contract, but certainly would never dream of enforcing it with a "pay up or else" statement. It was more a way of letting the couple know that if they did not have someone else already in mind, to remember that the church had someone available (though obviously for an extra fee). Also, you can always ask someone who regularly acts as songleader if they will sing for a fee. Their fees will often be far less than a *real* pro, if you really want live music at your wedding.

Since it is sort of on the subject, funeral homes often charge extra for services that involve music, even when they are not securing the musicians, probably because services with music take longer than those that don't.

Your priest is wrong to be making such a statement, if that is how he phrased it.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 20, 2002.