Considering there are countries at which the civil marriage is done before the church wedding as a matter of course, it may not be any problem, provided you do not live as man and wife prior to the Catholic ceremony. It would not surprise me. The immigration matters might be complicated, however, if there is evidence you’re not living as man and wife immediately after marriage. Government officials are notorious for not liking that kind of arrangement.
This! If you need to have a small marriage ceremony earlier and the bigger reception later, so be it. Your guests will be understanding about the situation.
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