The Saturday Night Dinner on Living in Love is a special event for both the weekend participants and the parish community. It is intended to be a romantic interlude for the couples who have just experienced a poignant couple reconciliation, but it is also an opportunity for the parish to celebrate and honor the Sacraments of Matrimony there present.

The parish is responsible for the dinner and is encouraged to make it as special as possible according to the standards and experience of the local community. What is appropriate is established by custom and the financial resources of the parish.

The parish may choose to handle this similarly to other parish meal celebrations using staff or caterers that are familiar. Alternatively, the parish may ask a parish group like the Knights of Columbus or Teams of Our Lady to take responsibility for this concrete support of marriage in the name of the parish. If there are couples in the parish who have already experienced Living in Love, they will eagerly donate items like flowers, wine, desserts, or appetizers to make the meal more of a feast. They should also be invited to set up, clean up, and serve the meal. Often, someone who has made Living in Love will offer to coordinate the dinner. The active participation and involvement of parishioners makes the dinner an energizing and enriching community experience.

Every effort should be made to create a romantic atmosphere (candles, music) and the dinner service should honor the Body of Christ there assembled (tablecloths, china, and glassware) to the extent possible given parish resources.

Tables need to be set for 6 people (three couples) and round tables are preferred. See the diagrams below for a typical room set up using either round or rectangular tables.

The meal itself should include a meat dish and a vegetarian side that could suffice as a main course. Other starches (breads pastas, vegetables) are optional. Coffee service and dessert provide a welcome finishing touch. Wine is desirable and can be served or placed at the table. The meal does not need to be expensive but should be served with care. In some parishes the servers actually dress in white shirts, black slacks and bow ties. The more extras donated by the community the more special the meal can be without running up the cost. Entrees can also be prepared inexpensively by the community rather than purchasing from a commercial caterer.