Slightly daft question about marriage

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If a couple got married outside of the Catholic Church, and subsequently they both converted to Catholicism would they need a wedding ceremony within the Church to sanctify the union or would their original wedding be enough?

(For the sake of clarity let’s say they’re cisgender, heterosexual, and it’s both their first marriage)
 
I think their wedding would be valid, since the sacrament of marriage is one that we give to each other (the priest/deacon only presides). Someone else more knowledgeable about marriage will have a better answer.
 
If a couple got married outside of the Catholic Church, and subsequently they both converted to Catholicism would they need a wedding ceremony within the Church to sanctify the union or would their original wedding be enough?

(For the sake of clarity let’s say they’re cisgender, heterosexual, and it’s both their first marriage)
They need to get their marriage convalidated. Takes an hour. Just go talk to a priest about doing this.
 
If they were both not Catholic when they married, then no, they do not need to do anything.

They do not need a convalidation. Their marriage would be valid and, if they were baptized previously or get baptized when they convert, sacramental.
 
If they were both not Catholic when they married, then no, they do not need to do anything.

They do not need a convalidation. Their marriage would be valid and, if they were baptized previously or get baptized when they convert, sacramental.
If they were married outside of the church and were not baptized Catholic when they were married then their marriage was valid but not sacramental. To get their marriage in a sacramental state, they would have to have it convalidated. I might be wrong, but I would talk to a priest since this is not a good question to goof up.
 
“If they were married outside of the church and were not baptized Catholic when they were married then their marriage was valid but not sacramental. To get their marriage in a sacramental state, they would have to have it convalidated. I might be wrong, but I would talk to a priest since this is not a good question to goof up.”

That is not correct. If they were not baptized when they married validly, their marriage becomes sacramental when they are baptized.
 
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Non-Christians contract valid natural marriages. When they are baptized, their marriage automatically become sacramental. Baptized non-Catholics marry sacramentally. Neither needs a marriage convalidation when they become Catholic as their marriages are already valid. This is assuming, as you stated, that this is a first marriage for both, no previous marriages with other living spouses.
 
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JulianN:
If they were both not Catholic when they married, then no, they do not need to do anything.

They do not need a convalidation. Their marriage would be valid and, if they were baptized previously or get baptized when they convert, sacramental.
If they were married outside of the church and were not baptized Catholic when they were married then their marriage was valid but not sacramental. To get their marriage in a sacramental state, they would have to have it convalidated. I might be wrong, but I would talk to a priest since this is not a good question to goof up.
Are you an Eastern rite Catholic?
 
When my dh and I converted we were told that we should have ours convalidated. It was probably considered valid before (we didn’t have to live as brother and sister or anything) but now it is a Sacramental marriage.
 
Just like DH and I. The Church recognizes non-Catholic valid weddings. In fact, our wedding (long before we became Catholic) was a valid natural marriage at the beginning that became Sacramental when DH was baptized as a non-Catholic Christian.
 
No. If they were both free to marry, they have a presumed valid marriage.
 
OP you might want to check with your Priest to be sure.

JulianN sounds like they are right, but I would personally check.
 
When my dh and I converted we were told that we should have ours convalidated. It was probably considered valid before (we didn’t have to live as brother and sister or anything) but now it is a Sacramental marriage.
And if your priest tells you to get a convalidation, check with your Tribunal. As @Gingersnaps4 ‘s post shows, even priests can make mistakes!

The mistake might be something as simple as referring to a nuptial blessing as a convalidation.
 
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