catholic wedding,, Only inside or outside?

Question

Considering having a Catholic wedding, wondering if it has to be in a church, or could it be anywhere? Any info is appreciated.

Answer 1

It has to be in a church.

Answer 2

In general, Catholic weddings much be held in a church. However, rules may vary from diocese to diocese, as well as from priest to priest on what counts. Some dioceses might allow the use of a non-Catholic church, but would probably frown on outdoor weddings. Part of the reason that the wedding is to be at the church is that the marriage is a public sacrament, to be witnessed by the community. Like baptism, confirmation, and holy orders, it should be done in front of the whole community.

I'm getting married (this Saturday) in a Catholic church.
Here is what the San Diego diocese has to say on wedding ceremonies:
http://www.diocese-sdiego.org/Handbook/Handbook_PDFs/Marriage3.pdf

Answer 3

Having a Catholic wedding does not require that it be
held in a church. However most are due to the nature
of the ceremony and the fact that some clergy may not
offer to hold the ceremony off-site.

Having a Catholic wedding means to be conducted
with the approval of the Catholic church and performed
by an ordained priest.

Answer 4

My cousin is getting married this summer and we are Catholic and she has to get married in the church because the Catholic church does not allow outside weddings.

Answer 5

It depends on the church. There are many different types of Catholic churches and each are slightly different - some may be fine with an out door location whie others are as strict as to even forbid decorating inside the chapel.

Answer 6

Being Catholic myself, I was always taught that a wedding has to be indoors because, for reasons i can't recall right now, an altar is not allowed to be placed outdoors. I'm not sure if churches still follow this rule. As for using another indoor location, i believe thats up to your priest and/or the rules of your diocese. You'd have to contact your local church or your priest and discuss it with them.

Answer 7

I think it has to be in a church.
Many priests won't perform a wedding ceremony any where else but a Catholic church.

Answer 8

To add what the others have said... If you really want to celebrate the Eucharist, it will be in the Church for sure, takes an hour. Without the Mass (no Eucharist), it may take twenty minutes, and maybe Father might preside over this outdoor wedding.

Answer 9

It normally has to be in the church or on church grounds. Like if the church has a garden- you can sometimes use it. Most catholic priest will not marry outside the church- like in a park or something but you can always ask!!
If you get married Protestant... they are much easier on you.

Answer 10

Not necessarily. There are catholic priests that will marry outside of the church, you just have to hunt around for them.
My cousin used one because she married a man who was divorced and his wife wouldnt give him an annulment so they coulnt marry in the church.

Good luck!

Answer 11

You can get married external of the church, however you must get a dispensation and also you cannot have a Mass. But I wager if the Deacon is marrying you, you already don't seem to be having a Mass. Of direction, the Church wishes you to get married within your church given that you will have to be married within the House of God, however it's viable to get a dispensation to be married external of the Church so long as a Catholic officiate marries you. Talk in your deacon given that you must transfer as rapid as viable on that if that is what you desire. But suppose additionally approximately what you could be lacking for those who received married external of the church.