Marriage in Church vs Chapel

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saintodilia

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Hello,

I was wondering if the sacrament of marriage could be conducted in a chapel and still be valid? For example, many large churches have smaller chapels enclosed within them. Do marriages ever take place there?

Thanks,

Odilia
 
Yes, most likely. Our church has a day chapel for daily masses and smaller liturgies. It’s considered the same as getting married in the church.

This is when it is related to Catholic grounds. A catholic nursing home however, might need special permission.
 
saintodilia said:
Hello,

I was wondering if the sacrament of marriage could be conducted in a chapel and still be valid? For example, many large churches have smaller chapels enclosed within them. Do marriages ever take place there?

Thanks,

Odilia
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I presume you mean Catholic chapel and that the officiant priest or deacon has the faculty to assist at a wedding.

The site of the celebration (in the sense in which you write) would not affect validity.

However, by universal law, a liturgical celebration in a private chapel would require the permission of the ordinary. See canons 1226, 1228.

If the chapel is established as an oratory, a wedding could be conducted there lawfully without permission unless the local ordinary had determined otherwise. See canon 1225.

As to chapels within church buildings, regulations and practices vary.
 
saintodilia said:
Hello,

I was wondering if the sacrament of marriage could be conducted in a chapel and still be valid? For example, many large churches have smaller chapels enclosed within them. Do marriages ever take place there?

Thanks,

Odilia
Click to expand...
If the chapel is part of the church, I believe most churches do allow this. Our Cathedral has done weddings in both the basilica area and in the chapel. Most couples want it in the basilica, but there have been a couple weddings done in the chapel. The ones that I know of were usually middle-aged couples who belonged to the cathedral parish and wanted just a small, intimate wedding.

Your best bet would be to check with the church. I also see that you are located in London. I’m in the US, so I’m not sure if things would be different there.
 
Thank you, everyone, for your help! I greatly appreciate it.
 
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