Do we have to get married in my fiancee's home church?

[Arkantos]

My fiancée and I are in a long-distance relationship and have been dating for four years. I am a Protestant and she’s a Catholic. Our plan is for her to move to my town in the U.S. (She’s Canadian.) We called the priest of my town’s Catholic church today and his secretary said they don’t do weddings for non-parishioners, and that we should get married in her home church. This wouldn’t work very well because 90% of the wedding attendants live in the U.S. We plan on living in the U.S., as we will both have jobs in town. What is the recommended course of action? Could I join the church and be considered a parishioner even though I am (and will probably remain) Protestant? How long would it take to be considered a parishioner? This has been a real setback as we had a lot of plans already worked out. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Ask if your fiancee can register with the parish now in anticipation of becoming a parishioner once she moves to the U.S. after the wedding. If that idea is rejected by the parish, contact your local Catholic diocese for assistance in finding a parish that will allow you to marry in their parish.