Yes! There are 15 rooms blocked at America's Best Value Inn and Suites, and 18 rooms blocked at Rock Island Inn and Suites. These rooms are not paid for, just set aside for our guests. To reserve one of the blocked rooms, please call the phone numbers for the hotel listed in the travel section. Blocked rooms will expire on January 31st. After that, we will not be able to guarantee how many rooms the hotels will have available for guests. *I assume there will still be rooms after the expiration, since no one gets married in the winter in Iowa

About a 10 minute drive from the church. Bluebird Hill is 12 minutes from Rock Island Inn and Suites, and 6 minutes from America's Best Value Inn

It's both!

That's ok! We still invite all in attendance to participate in the songs and general procedures of the mass. Guides on how to follow along will be provided. The only thing that non-Catholics will not be allowed to participate in is Communion. If participating is not something you are comfortable with at this time, we simply ask for your supportive presence.

There are several points where the congregation prays, sings, and kneels together. Most of this will be demonstrated by the priests, or announced by our singers. There will also be 3 readings (1st, 2nd, Gospel), and a homily/sermon given after those. Towards the end of the mass, the congregation will come forward for Communion. There will also be a small prayer and a small bouquet dedicated to Mary (the Mother of Jesus) after communion.

In the Catholic faith, communion means receiving the body and blood of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine (The Eucharist). If you are not a practicing Catholic, or a Catholic not in a state of grace, please do no receive the Eucharist. This custom is not meant to exclude or shame anyone. It is meant to ensure that those who receive the Eucharist truly believe it is the body and blood of Christ, and that those who do believe are spiritually prepared for it. We invite guest unable to receive communion to still come forward and receive a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest to indicate you will not be receiving the Eucharist. You are also welcome to stay seated at this time.

One of Jesus' last acts before his death was to give his mother to all as a spiritual mother (John 19:25-27). A common misconception about the Catholic faith is the idea that we worship Mary. We do not worship her; rather we honor her and ask her to pray for us along the path to heaven. Offering flowers and prayer is a way to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus and our Mother, and consecrate our marriage to her loving intercession.

It's the same church that RaeAnne's parents got married in. It was also cheaper than doing it in Des Moines, and there were more hotels in Atlantic than in Creston.