Properly entering into Marriage on a very tight budget

[NewAndGrateful]

I know this question in a little premature.

I was engaged prior to entering into the RCIA program with my fiance. We ended the engagement and chose to live as brother and sister until such time as the Church declared us free to marry.

My former fiance was previously married and his case is being considered by the tribunal. We know we can’t proceed with any kind of engagement unless the tribunal determines his former marriage is invalid.

As the time nears for the trial, it is hard to stay my mind and keep from wondering what might happen next. Specifically, if we are allowed to marry, how might we be able to accomplish this. We are both disabled and live on a very tight budget. Are there articles or links that help a Catholic learn how to properly enter into marriage while taking into consideration a very decided lack of funds?

Thank you

 

[NewAndGrateful]

Just to clarify, I am looking at what steps are absolutely required for our potential marriage to be recognized by the Church. We aren’t thinking of receptions or fancy dresses or invitations. Our only desire is to follow the rules of the Lord for Him to recognize our union. To be able to receive communion after we are wed.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

My friend, it does not necessarily cost anything to marry validly in the Church. The most important thing is to follow the necessary marriage preparation. Speak to your pastor about this. Most parishes have standard fees for a wedding ceremony but will waive them for a very low income couple. Most people want to have some kind of a reception after a wedding but this can be done by friends and family. I have volunteered to prepare food for people who were having a reception on a very tight budget.

 

[nodito]

Just to clarify, I am looking at what steps are absolutely required for our potential marriage to be recognized by the Church. We aren’t thinking of receptions or fancy dresses or invitations. Our only desire is to follow the rules of the Lord for Him to recognize our union. To be able to receive communion after we are wed.

If you are both free to marry, then all you need to do is exchange consent/give your vows in front of a priest or deacon in the Church and sign the marriage license. That’s it; you have a valid, sacramental marriage that is recognized by the State. Once the marriage is consummated, it also becomes indissoluble.

As for cost, many Churches charge a fee for use of the building for weddings; you could probably talk to your pastor about exchanging vows on a weekday during or following daily Mass and they may waive this. It’s general practice to give a stipend/gift to the priest or deacon receiving your vows; this is often left to the discretion of the couples. The cost of a marriage license varies by city - it’s usually less than $50.

 

[Norm_The_Robot]

License fee in the county where I live is $91. When my wife and I renewed our vows at church so we would be officially married by the catholic church the priest asked for a $100 donation. If you are broke and you are a parishioner I am sure the priest would do it for less.

 

[NewAndGrateful]

Thank you and God bless you for your thoughtful and compassionate responses.

I went into a bit of a shock when I realized our church fees just for the day of the wedding come up to about $2500. You’ve given me hope that there may be options available to us. When/if the time comes where the Church declares my boyfriend free to marry, you’ve given me the encouragement I need to approach one of our deacons or priests and explain our situation.

Thank you!

 

[schaeffer]

A priest does not charge for the sacrament of marriage. The costs are for opening and closing the church building, heat, a.c., cleaning, etc.

No one can ever charge for the sacrament. Marriage can be witnessed with no extra frills and fuss.

 

[Norm_The_Robot]

Thank you and God bless you for your thoughtful and compassionate responses.

I went into a bit of a shock when I realized our church fees just for the day of the wedding come up to about $2500. You’ve given me hope that there may be options available to us. When/if the time comes where the Church declares my boyfriend free to marry, you’ve given me the encouragement I need to approach one of our deacons or priests and explain our situation.

Thank you!

.

Definitely discus option with your pastor. $2500 is probably for a full blown wedding on a Saturday morning with all the bells and whistles.

When we did it was just in and out. A few close family members. We scheduled a time when the priest was available and it was a Friday at like 5:00pm so the church was already open. He did his thing and we were out of there. No decorations, or anything special. Took like 20 minutes and we were official!

 

[Phemie]

Thank you and God bless you for your thoughtful and compassionate responses.

I went into a bit of a shock when I realized our church fees just for the day of the wedding come up to about $2500. You’ve given me hope that there may be options available to us. When/if the time comes where the Church declares my boyfriend free to marry, you’ve given me the encouragement I need to approach one of our deacons or priests and explain our situation.

Thank you!

My friends did it for nothing one Sunday morning after Mass. Just the two of them, their daughters, her parents and her sister. Dad and sister were the witnesses. The priest knew they had done all the preparation a few year before so when they approached him and said “Can we get married today?” he said “OK.”