2 wedding ceremonies in less than a year

[Helena128]

So with the govement potenitlaly revoking the DACA my fiancé is potentially in danger of not renewing his paperworks to stay in the county. We already have half of our elaborate church/reception planned out for next September. But now we may have to get married this year to protect my fiancé and his right to stay in the U.S. Are you allowed to have two ceremonies in a Roman Catholic Church? Essentially it’ll be the same thing just once this year and the big one next year ( with my dress and the whole wedding party)? I know I’ve also seen people at our church get married in the middle of mass (10-15 min ceremony) can you have that one and second one with the full ceremony? Worse comes to worse I think we may have to do a small ceremony this year and then a vow renewal next year with the whole wedding party. Thoughts anyone ?

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

So with the govement potenitlaly revoking the DACA my fiancé is potentially in danger of not renewing his paperworks to stay in the county. We already have half of our elaborate church/reception planned out for next September. But now we may have to get married this year to protect my fiancé and his right to stay in the U.S. Are you allowed to have two ceremonies in a Roman Catholic Church? Essentially it’ll be the same thing just once this year and the big one next year ( with my dress and the whole wedding party)? I know I’ve also seen people at our church get married in the middle of mass (10-15 min ceremony) can you have that one and second one with the full ceremony? Worse comes to worse I think we may have to do a small ceremony this year and then a vow renewal next year with the whole wedding party. Thoughts anyone ?

The best thing you can do is your “worst case”, which is to get married in the church with a priest and witness and then throw your huge bash with a vow renewal and the wedding party. A good priest will work with you on this.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Speak with your pastor about this. Strangers on the internet cannot tell you what your pastor will say.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

You can get married now provided you have all that n order (marriage prep etc)

Next year you can have a reception and maybe have a mass with a blessing. You won’t need to repeat the ceremony because you’ll already be married.

 

[Gorgias]

The new ritual book for the Order of the Celebration of Matrimony contains an appendix with a beautiful rite for the blessing of a married couple – within the context of Mass! – on the celebration of their anniversary. You might consider asking to use that ritual for your “big party” next year.

As others have noted, it’s important for you to bring your concern to the priest who will be celebrating your wedding Mass. He’ll be able to tell you how to proceed…

I’ll be praying for ya’ll!

 

[Lea101]

Is it possible for you to be legally married this year, and then get married in the Church later on?

I’m not sure how this works in the US

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Is it possible for you to be legally married this year, and then get married in the Church later on?

I’m not sure how this works in the US

It would be really frowned upon, as the church would see the legal marriage (marriage outside of the church by Catholics) as a sin. The later church ceremony would still only be a renewal of vows.

 

[Brendan]

Not quite true. What the Church requires is that the couple not live together nor engage in the marital act. In some countries, such as France, it is REQUIRED that the couple receive a civil marriage, as that is the only one recognized by the State. The couple will then proceed to Church for the wedding ceremony. This is technically called a ‘convalidation’.

It is not a renewal of vows, as the Church does not consider any vows to have been already taken.

And it is certainly permitted, as long as the couple do not engage in any act that is proper only to marriage.