can you have a proper church marriage but not be "legally" married?

[drfye]

Basically can the church marry you without involving the government.
Marriage in the eyes of god but not in the eyes of the government .

Also, What if there is no government or accessible priest how would a Catholic marriage proceed?

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Code of Canon Law:

Can. 1071 §1. Except in a case of necessity, a person is not to assist without the permission of the local ordinary at:

2/ a marriage which cannot be recognized or celebrated according to the norm of civil law;

Generally speaking civil law should be followed for church weddings. Any exception must be approved by the Bishop. Unless someone’s rights are immorally and unjustly being infringed upon by the government the Church requires civil law to be followed. However it is possible in some extenuating circumstances to be married in the Church but not civilly.

Catholics in parts of the world without properly functioning governments or in very remote areas could still have a valid Catholic marriage ceremony. It is possible for the Bishop responsible for the area to appoint a lay person to witness marriages if no priest or deacon is available (canon 1112). And if there is no possibility of a properly appointed church witness then the couple can select witnesses and exchange vows in front of them (canon 1116).

Can. 1112 §1. Where there is a lack of priests and deacons, the diocesan bishop can delegate lay persons to assist at marriages, with the previous favorable vote of the conference of bishops and after he has obtained the permission of the Holy See.

Can. 1116 §1. If a person competent to assist according to the norm of law cannot be present or approached without grave inconvenience, those who intend to enter into a true marriage can contract it validly and licitly before witnesses only:

1/ in danger of death;

2/ outside the danger of death provided that it is prudently foreseen that the situation will continue for a month.