If you don't have to be a member what do you need to do? My fiance is Catholic and I'm Christian. We do not regularly go to church but do want to get married in one. any ideas and or suggestions will help!!
2007-10-30 03:59:32 · 18 answers · asked by missyebecker 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
If one of you is a confirmed Catholic, then it doesn't matter if the other one is not, they will still let you marry. You need to go see the priest and see what the policies are at that specific church, availability, and pick the kind of ceremony you'd like.
2007-10-30 04:03:39 · answer #1 · answered by ZCT 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
yes! you definitely can but you do not have a lot of time to work on the church requirements. I'm getting married in February in a Catholic church and I'm actually in a panic mode right now.
Ideally, you'll need 6 months to work on the entire process. With me, I still have 4 months to go but I'm already tight on schedule on getting all the requirements done.
These are the thing i will need to do:
1. Self-Testimony - where you will swear on the bible that you have the freedom to marry.
2. Witness Testimony - this is where someone from both sides who's really close to you and your fiance (preferably a parent or closest relative) will swear on a bible that the two of you have the freedom to marry.
3. Focus Test - this is not really a requirement but most churches would recommend that couples take this test. It's like a compatibility test. We answered a test questionnaire with close to 200 questions! Don't worry; you don't fail with this test.
4. Marriage Preparation Class - this is the tough part and would probably cost you some money. Typically, Catholic churches that belong to the same Archdiocese would refer couples to the same class commonly known as Engaged Encounter which usually takes place in a retreat house for one whole weekend (from Friday night to Sunday afternoon). You and your fiancé together with other couples will have to stay in the facility for the entire weekend learning and sharing about marriage. Cost range from $300-$400 per couple (at least over here in bay area California USA) this includes meals, lodging and other materials. Slots and schedules are limited! There are cheaper and less time consuming alternatives but that you will have to consult with the church you’re planning to get married at.
5. Another thing you need to know is to find out if your fiance has completed the other sacraments prior to matrimony which are baptism, first communion and confirmation. If not, I'm afraid you really don't have enough time to complete everything but if yes, then go start working on obtaining the certificates! I will have to warn you, obtaining these certificates isn’t easy! The church may as well require other things which I’m not sure what since you’re a member of a different belief.
After all the requirements are completed, they will all need to be submitted to the Diocese in your area and they will be the one to release clearance so you and your fiancé can finally be married…
Yup! You have to do all those and probably more since I’m in the process of completing our church requirements as well. So if you really want to get married in a Catholic Church, you better get going already! It would help a lot if you’re fiancé or his family knows a priest who can talk to and ask for assistance.
Goodluck and congratulations!
2007-10-30 19:58:39 · answer #2 · answered by tangerine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your fiance is Catholic, you can get married in the church, but usually the rates are higher for non-parishioners. If you have a church picked out, why doesn't your husband just join it? Plus you should be going to church anyway.
And Mercurygirl, the reason the Catholic Church does not allow Richard Wagner's Wedding March is because of Wagner's strong anti-semitic views and that song was played as Jews (and Catholics too) were marched into the gas chambers during the holocaust. I've never heard that you can't walk down the aisle to any secular music, just that song.
EDIT: Mercurygirl, I didn't take your answer as disrespect. Just wanted you and others to know the reasoning behind the exclusion of The Wedding March. I didn't know that other secular songs were banned as well. Thanks for the info. Like you said, different churches have different rules.
2007-10-30 11:08:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations!
The Catholic Church allows marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics. You do not have to convert.
Because the Church recognizes the tremendous challenge that the interfaith couple will face, they may have to get permission from the bishop.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1633-1637: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.htm#1633
One possible challenge, December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation for Catholics worldwide. You will need to make sure this date is available for your marriage.
With love in Christ.
2007-10-31 01:56:27 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some churches will allow it, some won't. I was in a wedding 10 years ago where the groom was raised catholic, the bride baptist. Neither were regular church goers. They did allow them to marry in the catholic church, but could not have mass since she wasn't catholic. They had to go to the classes or whatever it was as all well as a requirement. Contact the church your fiance belongs to or was baptised in or whatever.
2007-10-30 11:09:55 · answer #5 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as one of you (which you stated your fiance is Catholic) are Catholic then it's fine.
Keep in mind most Catholic Churches will allow only two songs (depending on the church of course) for the bride to come down the aisle to. Either Cannon in D or Trumpet Volunatry.
My best friend is Catholic and wanted "here comes the bride" and they said no because it was secular music!
EDIT:
Anita, as i said in my answer, it depends on the church , my other friend is Catholic and plays the organ at weddings and thats what she told me....it wasn't JUST here comes the bride it was other music as well...so the two churches i've come into contact with are the same..so again it just depends, i wasn't meaning any disrespect or anything :)
2007-10-30 11:05:10 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suggest that the two of you go together to see a priest and ask that question. It is possible that the priest may tell you that you should have a small ceremony in his office. It is also possible that the priest will allow the church to be used but only after you have taken lessons on Catholicsm. Whatever the priest says, you need to get started on it now, or you might not have the time to get things all set.
2007-10-30 13:24:42 · answer #7 · answered by kiwi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At most Catholic churches, they do require both members of the couple to be Catholic. However, in my hometown there is a GORGEOUS Catholic church that, for a pretty hefty price, will let non-Catholics get married there. I suggest asking the head of the church that you want to get married in what the requirements are.
Good luck!
2007-10-30 11:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am Catholic and as far as I know you must both be of the catholic faith to marry ina caholic church.
HOWEVER! My friend a few months ago and she is catholic and her husband is not and they got married in a united church. So if you want the church thing maybe that is something to cosider??
Good luck!!!
2007-10-30 13:09:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can as long as your fiancee is catholic as for the procedure you would have to go to the church they usually require you to go to pre-marriage counseling with the priest and take certain tests if the Priest feels that you two are in any way not prepared he will not go through with marriage.
2007-10-30 11:12:49 · answer #10 · answered by lovelyangel3340 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋