MERGED: Convalidation?

[FAB]

I was married at the courthouse to my Eastern Catholic fiance last year as we had 90 days to get married because of immigration requirements. The plan was to go to my fiance’s home country and have the Catholic ceremony as soon as we got his green card and we were planning to that end. We then found out that I could not travel to his home country due to a travel restriction on government employees (which I am). So we are now doing it in the US and have been in touch with the priest throughout this process who is performing it and we are really excited.

The plan was to always celebrate the Catholic ceremony in front of family and friends with a reception afterward (minus things like bachelors/bachelorettes, bridesmaids, first dances, registries/showers, and the like), though everyone (including the priest obviously) knows we are legally married.

However, I’ve just been reading that following a civil ceremony with a church ceremony is usually something very small, because you’ve improperly gotten married outside of the church, even though we consider it our proper wedding. Is it wrong for me to be planning to wear a wedding dress and having a reception afterward with family and friends?

It perfectly OK to celebrate your wedding with all the accessories. A sacramental marriage
is a celebration unto itself. Congratulations.
You said your husband was orthodox. Make certain you have all required dispensations from his church. There are specific issues which the Catholic Church recognizes. Your priest may not be aware of them, if not ask him to contact the Diocese Tribunal for direction.

Dcn FAB

 

[Phemie]

I know that France and Germany, at least, require that the civil marriage be celebrated before the religious marriage. Since this does not violate natural law, the Church goes along with it so that when you present to marry in the Church you have to provide a marriage certificate to prove that you are already legally married.

The couples for whom a religious marriage is important usually have both ceremonies the same day or a day apart. Those who only care a little bit usually get around to the Church wedding in a few months. Those who couldn’t care less don’t bother with the religious ceremony at all.

I know some priests wish that they weren’t agents of the State when it comes to marriage. The Canadian bishops did speak of refusing to register priests to celebrate legal marriages when the question of same-sex marriage came up in Parliament. They have not followed through – yet.

 

[Questions2011]

It perfectly OK to celebrate your wedding with all the accessories. A sacramental marriage
is a celebration unto itself. Congratulations.
You said your husband was orthodox. Make certain you have all required dispensations from his church. There are specific issues which the Catholic Church recognizes. Your priest may not be aware of them, if not ask him to contact the Diocese Tribunal for direction.

Dcn FAB

Maronite actually. We have everything sorted out with the priest

Thank you all for your feedback!