Convalidation - anyone in the UK had one?

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mrs_miggins

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Hi all,

I will hopefully be having my convalidation in September (on the 14th Anniversary of my ‘civil’ marriage) but had a few questions before I have the 2nd of my 3 meetings with the priest (in lieu of pre-cana which he said was a bit pointless after 14 years !).

I appreciate this is mostly a US forum but has anyone had one in the UK? I just wondered if the way of going about it was different - not in the way of the sacrament but culturally maybe. All those I have read here seem to see it as a 'whole ‘nother wedding’ - dress, reception, loads of guests. I will just about have 10 people max - and that’s if they can get here as they mostly live abroad. I do not want to spend a lot of money either.

My husband, non-catholic, believes our civil marriage to be the start of our marriage and in that way I agree so we just want to keep it simple. That does not mean that it will not be incredibly moving and special for me - to be allowed to join in everything and be a ‘proper member’ of the church again will be just wonderful. But I had envisaged a sort of ‘WWII’ wedding - nice suit, small veiled hat (or mantilla if I can find one), few guests and informal dinner afterwards. I thought it could have a simple elegance, if you like. I am just not one for a big fuss - one of the reasons we married as we did (in Florida with only 2 witnesses).
I just wonder if I say this to my priest he will think I am not seeing it at special - to him it is the ‘real’ wedding. When we saw him last time he gave us the booklet that he gives to ‘first’ marrying couples saying what readings and hymns are appropriate - but with so few guests there won’t be anyone to sing or do the readings !

So just wondering really if anyone has done it really simply? Or is it possible maybe to have it during the mass maybe?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.🙂
 
I don’t know what mass is…
But here in the UK, weddings aren’t common. But if you tell your priest that you fear that not many people could come then maybe he could advise something?
Even better IDEA - try asking this site directly by posting an actual question rather then a thread? What do you think? They always respond quickly.:harp::highprayer:
 
Hiya Mrs m.

We had one seven years ago. We were married in a civil ceremony overseas and then came back to the uk to have our baby daughter baptised and our marriage convalidated. (rather convalidation first and baptism second). It was as part of a very intimate mass. But we had only 20 guests and it was very simple.
I was in a chapel today in Asia and a couple with six others came in … to have their marriage convalidated.
I would just explain to your priest you are most comfortable with a simple ceremony …that doesn’t in any way trivialise what you are doing - doesn’t matter big or small ceremony - the essence of what you are doing is the same … to promise before God that you will love each other … for richer for poorer …
Hope this helps … God bless. Mumma
 
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