Due to some unforseenable problems, I am considering on getting married earlier than planned. We have been engaged for 2 years and I am now looking at getting married to my wonderful financee' at the local courthouse. My only concern is with the Catholic Church. I've been told that the Catholic Church wouldn't consider us married. I would love to have the big Catholic church wedding that I'd been planning but the situation my family is in doesn't allow for it. All I want to know is....Is it possible for me to marry at the Courthouse and then have my marriage blessed or recognized by the Church. Thank you in advance.
2007-11-13 13:53:56 · 8 answers · asked by colorfulswanson 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Hi and congratulations on your upcoming marriage.
Yes, you are allowed to do that and many couples have. It's called a "convalidation of a marriage." Here is an article to read about it:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0604.asp
It would be good to possibly speak with your priest about it. I'm not sure that it would be the whole "big wedding thing"...but I may be wrong. Speak to your priest to get your answer. Good luck!
4 days ago
2007-11-13 15:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by iloveweddings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing that you can do is instead of going to the courthouse, ask your priest to marry you in a small, private service. Then you can still have your big Catholic wedding later, with no qualms.
There is generally no reason at all you'd HAVE to marry at a courthouse and then have your marriage blessed later. Just have your priest do it. It is correct that the Church does not recognize courthouse marriages. You'd have to refrain from Communion if you went that route, whereas everything would be peachy if you had your priest do the short-and-sweet marriage.
I assume, of course, that since you have been engaged so long, the priest has already been informed and instructing you in marriage preparation.
Technically, you could have the marriage blessed later, but why go through the hassle when you don't have to?
2007-11-14 14:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic church is strict about marriage. You and your fiance both have to be Catholic. Also, the church requires the both of you to undergo pre-marital couples counseling (offered at the church, by the priest) before allowing you to become married in the church.
You state that your family circumstances don't allow the large Catholic church wedding ~ but have you considered letting the priest marry you in the church w/out the big formal wedding? It would be just like a courthouse (bride, groom, 2 witnesses & officiant) but it would take place in the church & performed by the priest ~ making it a recognized marriage under the Catholic church.
Talk to your priest and see what advice he can offer you. If you are lucky, your parrish has a young, flexible priest who is willing to work with you =)
Best of luck!
2007-11-13 22:52:46 · answer #3 · answered by march_hare_in_june 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't know exactly what my friend did, but she got married already either by a judge or in a courthouse, but a situtation like that, and she now in December is getting remarried in the catholic church. I don't think there would be a problem. The best way though to figure it out is going to talk with the preist who would be marrying you the second time around, since it would more than likely be considered a renewal of your vows you shouldn't have a problem.
2007-11-13 22:04:12 · answer #4 · answered by angelicbridget 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Catholic Church will not recognize any wedding outside of their walls, even if it was at the courthouse. Talk to your priest and see what they consider acceptable in your situation.
2007-11-13 22:01:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so -- my fiance (who is not catholic) and I are getting married in a little over a month and were considering getting married in a non-catholic church. I came across this website which states where Catholic marriages can take place: http://www.drvc.org/chancery/marrplace.html
I think there is a way to validate your marriage in the Church if you were previously married elsewhere, however, the Church would not recognize your marriage until this is done.
Good luck, I know figuring this out must be tough. Hang in there.
2007-11-13 22:09:20 · answer #6 · answered by Kimber01 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, the marriage won't be recognized by the Catholic church. Go talk to your parish priest.
2007-11-14 06:36:33 · answer #7 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That would be a question better answered by your priest.
2007-11-13 22:02:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋