Will/Can a Catholic priest marry a couple in an outside ceremony?

Answer 1

It depends.

Although the usual practice is for a Catholic marriage to be celebrated is in a parish church, the bishop can give permission for the marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.

For more information, see the Code of Canon Law, Canon 1118: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P40.HTM

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I feel for all the Catholic brides-to-be who post questions about a Catholic ceremony!

As with most other questions - the correct answer is a resounding "It depends." There's no hard-and-fast rules on ceremonies within the Catholic church. They're determined by the bishop of each diocese.

This is why you get so many different answers. Some priest won't marry you unless you're both Catholic, some will if you promise to raise the kids Catholic. Some don't care either way, the non-Catholic partner can't take communion. Some priests will not marry you without the full mass, some will. Clear as mud? :)

So, with that said, some priests MAY perform an outdoor wedding. Some may not. Your best bet is to talk to your priest and see what he says. Best wishes to you!

Answer 3

It depends on the priest, as well as the church he belongs to. Some Catholic churches are still very rigid and old-school, and a priest from that particular parish probably would not perform a ceremony that didn't take place in the church.

On the other hand, there are some other, more laid-back, "new wave" types of Catholic churches with a looser interpretation of Catholicism, and those priests probably would go ahead and do an outdoor wedding, as long as the ceremony was Catholic and both bride and groom were of the Catholic faith. I personally am just going to go with a non-denominational officiant, or perhaps get one of my friend ordained online.

Answer 4

I would have to say no on this one. I really wanted an outdoor ceremony, but it was a no go. Part of the problem is the mass. You could probably get a catholic priest to marry you outside, but you won't be able to have a full mass.

Answer 5

Our Catholic priest did. My husband wrote a letter to the diocese requesting permission to marry outside. We got married near the Koolau mountains of Hawaii. It's possible :) Ask your priest what the specific things you need to do in order to make that happen!

Answer 6

Hi. Usually no.....but, like the others have said....call the priest and ask.

I must contradict what others have said......it has NOTHING to do with a Mass or no Mass. A mass CAN (and is) said outside. We do it all the time in the summer here!!

What is DOES have to do with....is that marriage is a Sacrament in the Catholic Church and sacraments should be performed in the church - not outside.

But, again, call the priest. Like others have said, some are more "advanced" than others.

Good luck!

Answer 7

My dad grew up roman catholic. Getting married outside was a big no no. But again that was 1972. So check with your priest.

Answer 8

No, a Catholic Mass has to take place in a Catholic Church. Have never ever heard of it being done outside. You also have to go to pre-marriage classes and do some other things before a Catholic wedding so be sure to get on that early.

Answer 9

In the Catholic Church matrimony is a sacrament, and the proper place for the celelbration of a sacrament is IN CHURCH.

Why not have an outdoor reception?

While the Bishop can allow for ceremonies outside the church for a 'good reason,' "I always wanted a garden wedding' is NOT a good reason.

Answer 10

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