The first Saturday in September I actually got to stay close to home! The ceremony took place at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana, and the reception followed at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church Hall, also in South Bend.
The sanctuary of this church is stunningly beautiful. My big surprise of the day was that the entire ceremony & reception were conducted in Spanish! My skills in that language are meager at best, but since I know the order of the Mass well, I was able to follow along.
Most Catholic churches do not allow the traditional Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), so Mayra chose “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven for her entrance. Other wedding music included:
- Canon in D (entrance of families & bridal party)
- Romance without Words (offertory)
- Spring, Third Movement, from The Four Seasons (sign of the peace)
- Panis Angelicus (communion)
- Ave Maria (rose ceremony)
- Wedding March (recessional)
For the reception, she requested a mix of classical & popular songs, so there was something for everyone to enjoy!