Frequently Asked Questions

I will arrive 45 minutes prior to your wedding ceremony’s scheduled “Start Time.”

Please Note: Please provide me with the actual time the ceremony will begin, not the adjusted time printed on the invitations to account for late guests.

Ultimately, this decision is personal and entirely up to the Bride. Here are some options:

• Traditionally, the Father escorts his daughter down the aisle.

• Many brides choose to have both parents escort her down the aisle.

• Some brides are escorted by grandparents, stepparents, siblings, or a child.

• Some brides walk down the aisle unescorted by anyone. 

Yes, young children can certainly participate in the wedding procession.

However, it is important to remember that they are young children, and their behavior can be unpredictable. They might not walk straight down the aisle, could cause a pause in the procession, or become scared or frustrated and start crying loudly.

If you plan to involve young children, it is a good idea to have them sit with their parents or grandparents after the walk is complete.

For a young ring bearer, it is advisable to secure a non-precious gold or silver-plated ring to the pillow and entrust the actual wedding rings to the Best Man.

No. Typically, this is provided by the venue or your DJ, sound technicians, or musicians. Even if you have a small number of guests, we strongly recommend requesting an amplification system. Background noises like wind, surf, passing aircraft or helicopters, and traffic can distract or overpower a human voice, and older people, such as grandparents, often have difficulty hearing clearly over these background noises.

When planning your wedding, I highly recommend checking the historical temperatures for your venue's address on your wedding date. This will help you determine if it has historically been hot, cold, or within a comfortable range generally between 18-25°C (64.4-77°F) Additionally, I suggest visiting your venue at the exact time of day you intend to hold your ceremony. Sit in a chair where your guests will be seated and assess the comfort level. Consider if you'll be in full sun or facing the sun throughout the ceremony, and if this would be comfortable for an extended period.

If direct sunlight might be an issue, one solution other couples have found useful is providing containers of parasols for guests at the entrance.

When choosing the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen for your wedding, it's important to consider a few practical factors:

1. Consider the size of your venue and the space where the wedding ceremony will occur. You want to avoid overcrowding and ensure enough space for everyone.

2. It's a good idea to have a balanced ratio of attendants to guests. A general suggestion is to have a Maid of Honor, a Best Man, and one set of attendants (bridesmaid and groomsman) for every 50 guests. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference and the constraints of your venue.

3. Can my “Best Man” or “Maid of Honor” be a female or a male? Yes.

A rehearsal may not be necessary for a small wedding party, such as two groomsmen and two bridesmaids, but it is advisable for larger parties.

A well-executed outdoor wedding ceremony can be beautiful, but it's essential to have a backup plan in case of rain. This typically involves either moving the ceremony indoors or setting up a large tent as an alternative venue.

No. However, I have arranged a complimentary thirty-minute pre-marital counseling session with Dr. James Walton, a marriage and family therapist licensed by the State of California.

Some topics that will be covered include communication, finances, in-laws, pre-marital anxieties, children, and blending families. For more information, please refer to the "Journal Questions" page. To schedule your complimentary appointment with Dr. Walton, please call (818) 753-4865 and mention that Fr. Farrow referred you for a pre-marital appointment.

There are two typical formats for the vows.

1. The traditional question-and-answer format: "Do you take [Name] for your lawful husband/wife, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, in sickness and health, to have and to hold, from this day forward until death do you part?" You respond, "I Do." This format is popular because it is simple and familiar.

2. Another option for exchanging marriage vows is composing your own personal vows and exchanging them with each other in the ceremony before your family and friends. Please review the “Personal Vows” section at the bottom of the "Your Wedding" page, at this hyperlink. This is considered one of the most romantic and intimate ways to exchange marriage vows.

Some suggestions include Have your vows PRINTED on high quality parchment and professionally matted and framed at this hyperlink. Discuss with your partner your preference regarding the formats for your exchange of vows, and select a format that you will both enjoy as a couple.

On your wedding day, feeling emotional and anxious about being the center of attention is normal. While having a drink to calm your nerves may seem like a good idea, it's important to remember that your marriage vows are a verbal legal contract. Just like any other legal agreement, being under the influence of alcohol can raise questions about your ability to make a clear decision. It could affect the validity of the contract.

In California, both parties must be sober when exchanging vows. If you're feeling anxious or stressed about being in the spotlight, consider using your thirty-minute session with Dr. Walton to learn relaxation techniques.

Please remember to bring the following items:

• Your Marriage License and the envelope provided to you by the County with their mailing address printed on it. Please keep these dry and do not fold your Marriage License.

• If you opt for a Public Marriage License, your two adult witnesses must bring valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a Driver's License

The week of the wedding can be hectic for most couples. It's common for things to go awry and for friends and relatives you haven't seen in years to come into town. There are thousands of things to do, and sometimes, differences of opinion on how to do certain things can lead to arguments.

Plan a day for just the two of you to escape it all. Make a romantic date, go to the beach, visit your favorite restaurant, play, and have fun together. This will give you both a much-needed break from all the logistics and remind you why you decided to marry each other and what your wedding is truly about.