Düsseldorf churches give tips to those wanting to get married at the wedding fair

DOMRADIO.DE: Live music, fashion shows, photographers and catering providers present themselves at the wedding fair in Düsseldorf. How are the churches making themselves felt in all the wedding hustle and bustle?

Pastor Frank Heidkamp (city dean in Düsseldorf): Getting married in church is still an issue. Some people want to know: Are we allowed to get married even though we have left the Catholic Church? Can a Muslim marry a Catholic? Can you also get married on Mallorca? And the ceremony is of course important: What can we help shape? In which church? There are very specific questions and people are always very grateful that the Protestant and Catholic churches are there.

DOMRADIO.DE: Do you take your time and then advise the couples?

Heidkamp: Exactly. It’s important to talk to people who have questions. I have lived for many years how important it is to go out and see people, because the way to church is not still sought. We have to reach out to people. It’s not just wedding fairs, it can be a fair about training and so on. Church must be present in public.

DOMRADIO.DE: Young couples would like to make the church services more lively, with pop music and secular texts. How open and flexible is the church with such “special requests”?

Heidkamp: This varies and depends on the pastor. Personally, I am very open so that the wedding is a very personal one.

DOMRADIO.DE: Are there any wedding rituals that you are more critical of?

Heidkamp: If the appearance, the surroundings or the location become more important than everything else that has to do with the church wedding, you have to talk to the couple again so that they take this aspect into account again.

DOMRADIO.DE: Young couples often want to plan their wedding perfectly. Everything is organized. Do you see a problem there? Or can you also take the pressure off in the discussions?

Heidkamp: We’re trying. We also meet wedding planners at the trade fair to see how we can create something sensible together. It’s always together.

DOMRADIO.DE: At a trade fair like this you can only provide very limited advice and support. What marriage preparation offers do you offer couples outside of this fair?

Heidkamp: The parish offices are the contact persons in every parish. You should make an appointment with a pastor at least six months in advance so that nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable wedding.

The interview was conducted by Carsten Döpp.