Padre Serra

Happy New Year! ^_^

Sam and I went to see the deacon again on Tuesday, and we got to talk to him about our backgrounds and our plans for the future. I really like Deacon John because he's like our personal guide through the marriage process. He's so understanding of younger people, especially for an older man, and he's been very supportive. Some slightly uncomfortable conversations aside (due to a sexual nature...), it was a great meeting.

Also, Nimalee will be checking into some people she knows who might do our photography and maybe even our cake. Yay! Hopefully, we'll be able to get some really nice discounts. If not, it's worth looking into. Hooray for connections!

We're still working on a reception site, but I think we picked a bad time to be calling around. People are either busy with holiday parties or on vacation, and can't be reached until I'm back at work. Dang. We're looking into some restaurants with banquet facilities, which seem to be a little cheaper, but we've still been getting the run around. We'll keep at it, though.

Anyway, other than that, no further developments. But I took a LOT of pictures while I was at Padre Serra, so you'll at least see where we're having the ceremony. The lights weren't on in the church and it was kinda cloudy that day, so sorry if they're a little dark.

Here's the outside, with the steps leading up to the courtyard and church.

And here's the fountain in the courtyard.

This is a little garden area off to the left of the church. I'm really looking forward to taking pictures here.

Really awesome picture of the church belltower. I love the clouds.

A picture of the inside. I tried to get some of the beautiful ceiling in this picture, but it doesn't really do it justice. The ceiling is an intricate pattern of wooden beams with a large skylight in the middle, right over the altar. It's magnificent when the church is lit up.

Here's the baptismal fountain with poinsettias around it. They really go all out for holiday decorations, and our wedding will be right after Easter, so I bet there'll be some fantastic decorations then too! (Less I have to spend on them!)
The altar. I've never gone up there, but it looks like it's made out of real granite.Creepy Jesus. When Padre Serra first opened, a lot of people really didn't like this crucifix because it scared them a little. It was the artist's decision to portray him in a painful way, which I think gives it more depth than the usual reverant depiction. Good for Padre Serra for not caving to the public.

As you can see, the church is in a round configuration, so it's a little weird for a wedding since there's not one specific aisle to walk up. But I'll have everyone seated at the front, so Jesus will be behind them a little. I do love the roundness of the church, though. It seems to show equality, like the Arthurian Round Table. I think more churches should be like Padre Serra. It doesn't really put on airs.