Where can Catholics get married?

[mets]

Can Catholics get married outside of a church? I don’t mean in another religion’s church, or by a justice of the peace, or at a Las Vegas drive through (lol). But there are some beautiful marriage sites available to interested couples that aren’t actual churches. Can people still have a Catholic wedding at these locations, with a Catholic service and a Catholic priest? I’ve heard mixed answers on this. Thanks.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Can Catholics get married outside of a church? I don’t mean in another religion’s church, or by a justice of the peace, or at a Las Vegas drive through (lol). But there are some beautiful marriage sites available to interested couples that aren’t actual churches. Can people still have a Catholic wedding at these locations, with a Catholic service and a Catholic priest? I’ve heard mixed answers on this. Thanks.

Canon law says that Catholics must be married in a church unless they get a dispensation:

Can. 1115 Marriages are to be celebrated in a parish where either of the contracting parties has a domicile, quasidomicile, or month long residence or, if it concerns transients, in the parish where they actually reside. With the permission of the proper ordinary or proper pastor, marriages can be celebrated elsewhere.

I have heard that bishops are very reluctant to give dispensations to be married elsewhere (at the beach, in a garden, etc.). But there are lots of beautiful churches around even if you don’t want to be married in your own or your future spouse’s parish. It would probably be easier to get a dispensation to marry in a Catholic church that’s not your own.

 

[1ke]

Can Catholics get married outside of a church? I don’t mean in another religion’s church, or by a justice of the peace, or at a Las Vegas drive through (lol). But there are some beautiful marriage sites available to interested couples that aren’t actual churches. Can people still have a Catholic wedding at these locations, with a Catholic service and a Catholic priest? I’ve heard mixed answers on this. Thanks.

Only if the Bishop gives a dispensation.

Typically a dispensation would be granted in a mixed marriage (Catholic marrying non-Catholic Christian) or disparity of cult (Catholic marrying an unbaptized person) situation, not when two Catholics are marrying each other.

 

[SwizzleStick]

I think it is up to the local Bishop to grant a dispensation, so it IS possible for a Catholic to marry somewhere other than in a Catholic Church. But, I think it is discouraged for good reason and the request to marry somewhere else can be–and should be in my opinion–rejected. But, it is up to the Bishop, so I guess it depends on if the diocese has a solid, strong Bishop who adheres to the teachings of the Faith or not and leads as such.

catholicenquiry.com/faq/can-i-get-married-in-a-garden-instead-of-a-church.html

 

[mets]

Thanks for the answers everybody.

Only if the Bishop gives a dispensation.

Typically a dispensation would be granted in a mixed marriage (Catholic marrying non-Catholic Christian) or disparity of cult (Catholic marrying an unbaptized person) situation, not when two Catholics are marrying each other.

Why would it be easier to get a dispensation for a Catholic and a non-Catholic? In the case I’m interested in, the marriage would be between two practicing Catholics who still want a full Catholic service with a priest presiding. All that’s really changing is the scenery. I’m sure God is present regardless of the location…it is his universe, he’s everywhere

 

[1ke]

Why would it be easier to get a dispensation for a Catholic and a non-Catholic?

The dispensation can be given to marry in the non-Catholic’s place of worship.

In the case I’m interested in, the marriage would be between two practicing Catholics who still want a full Catholic service with a priest presiding.

The Catholic form of marriage is in the parish church of the bride or the groom. To marry in another Catholic Church requires the priest’s permission. To marry somewhere else requires a dispensation from the bishop.

All that’s really changing is the scenery. I’m sure God is present regardless of the location…it is his universe, he’s everywhere

The location of the ceremony is NOT merely a backdrop, which is what your post implies.

Marriage is a Sacrament. The Marriage Rite takes place during the Mass. The **norm **for celebrating **all **Sacraments is in a Catholic Church. To celebrate them elsewhere requires a valid reason, as outlined and specified in canon law.

“Because it’s pretty” is not a valid reason.

 

[kage_ar]

Thanks for the answers everybody.

Why would it be easier to get a dispensation for a Catholic and a non-Catholic? In the case I’m interested in, the marriage would be between two practicing Catholics who still want a full Catholic service with a priest presiding. All that’s really changing is the scenery. I’m sure God is present regardless of the location…it is his universe, he’s everywhere

Sounds as if the bride to be has watched one too many hours of Hollywood movies or WE or Lifetime or TLC wedding stories on television.

Get married in the Church, have your party on the beach/mountain/park/fairground/backyard/landing strip.

 

[Carjack1]

Sounds as if the bride to be has watched one too many hours of Hollywood movies or WE or Lifetime or TLC wedding stories on television.This is assuming too much

Get married in the Church, have your party on the beach/mountain/park/fairground/backyard/landing strip.

Get married (if you can) where you want.

Is God not everywhere? I am confused as to why this is such an issue myself. To the OP try getting a dispensation. It can’t hurt to ask.

 

[SwizzleStick]

…I am confused as to why this is such an issue myself…

Ike says it very well as to why it is an issue:

"Marriage is a Sacrament. The Marriage Rite takes place during the Mass. The norm for celebrating all Sacraments is in a Catholic Church. To celebrate them elsewhere requires a valid reason, as outlined and specified in canon law. "

 

[LilyM]

Get married (if you can) where you want.

Is God not everywhere? I am confused as to why this is such an issue myself. To the OP try getting a dispensation. It can’t hurt to ask.

Sure. God’s everywhere, including your dog kennel - does that mean IT is in any way an appropriate location for a wedding?

Sacrments are both solemn AND holy events, in which God touches people in a unique way. So the setting needs to be both solemn and holy - meaning a church, which is specifically consecrated ground, unlike a beach or park.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I saw a comment once that asked what you would think if you heard that someone wanted to be ordained a priest in a garden or at the beach, rather than in a church. It would be shocking! But your vocation to marriage is as holy as his vocation to the priesthood. Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate it in an equally holy place?

 

[Mary1973]

Can Catholics get married outside of a church? I don’t mean in another religion’s church, or by a justice of the peace, or at a Las Vegas drive through (lol). But there are some beautiful marriage sites available to interested couples that aren’t actual churches. Can people still have a Catholic wedding at these locations, with a Catholic service and a Catholic priest? I’ve heard mixed answers on this. Thanks.

Are you a devout Catholic or just someone who wants to get married in a Catholic ceremony? What site could be more beautiful than a Catholic church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament?

 

[mets]

Thanks for the answers.

My point is that I don’t see why location should be an issue, as long as the service is still a Catholic service. Back in the day, before multimillion dollar churches existed, Catholics would get married in peoples basements to avoid persecution from the Romans. That’s not “holy and consecrated ground.” Same with the ordination of priests.

Are you a devout Catholic or just someone who wants to get married in a Catholic ceremony? What site could be more beautiful than a Catholic church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament?

The Pope travels and says mass all over the world, and it still counts as a mass. Have you ever been to Yankee Stadium before, when the Pope isn’t there? I may be a Mets fan, but I doubt that’s exactly “sacred” ground. More like “drunken brawl” ground, bleacher creatures I’d hate to think that 50,000 Catholics praying together isn’t a beautiful site, regardless of where it’s located.

I don’t think whether or not it’s in a Church should make any difference. And no I’m not getting married, this was just a general question. But maybe someday it will be relevant

 

[LilyM]

Thanks for the answers.

My point is that I don’t see why location should be an issue, as long as the service is still a Catholic service. Back in the day, before multimillion dollar churches existed, Catholics would get married in peoples basements to avoid persecution from the Romans. That’s not “holy and consecrated ground.” Same with the ordination of priests. The Pope travels and says mass all over the world, and it still counts as a mass. Have you ever been to Yankee Stadium before, when the Pope isn’t there? I may be a Mets fan, but I doubt that’s exactly “sacred” ground. More like “drunken” ground

I don’t think whether or not it’s in a Church should make any difference. And no I’m not getting married, this was just a general question. But maybe someday it will be relevant

Early Christians did so a) BECAUSE they were being persecuted, as you say, which we aren’t today, and b) because there WERE no churches as such during the times of Roman persecution.

If there were churches at the time, of course they’d get married there. They probably did get married in the catacombs, which were the closest thing to a church in most places, when those were available to them.

And yes, Popes say mass in stadiums. Purely because of the crowds, there’s no other possible place to have them. Military chaplains in WWII used to say them on the hood of a jeep. A case of absolute necessity purely.

If there’s something like St Peter’s Square available in a given city that can hold a lot of people without being a shrine to sport or other secular entertainment, of course it goes without saying they are held there and NOT in a stadium.

Not getting married in church is kinda like getting married in blue jeans when you have a nice dress available to you - just totally shows no appreciation for the sacrament.

 

[Seatuck]

We rejoice in the fact that our masses are not hidden in persecution. We were fortunate that they were valid but that does not mean that they were fitting or the best we can offer to God while we are not hiding in persecution. Today we have freedom and we have fitting masses.On Occaision Mass is said outside the ordinary place but it is not the ideal. Marriage is the same. It is a public Sacrament. It is fitting to have it in the Church.

 

[1ke]

Thanks for the answers.

My point is that I don’t see why location should be an issue, as long as the service is still a Catholic service.

The Church thinks it is important enough to specify in Canon Law where marriages may take place. Therefore, we should indeed reflect on why this may be an “issue”.

Back in the day, before multimillion dollar churches existed, Catholics would get married in peoples basements to avoid persecution from the Romans. That’s not “holy and consecrated ground.” Same with the ordination of priests.

Before churches existed we were not required to be married in one. Now that churches do exist we are required to do so unless the Bishop dispenses us.

The Pope travels and says mass all over the world, and it still counts as a mass.

And, this is a situation when a dispensation is given. If you have over 100,000 people attending your wedding then I bet the bishop will give you a dispensation too.

I don’t think whether or not it’s in a Church should make any difference.

But, it does.

 

[THurifer2]

unless there is a crowd too big for your local parish or a Church…then in my diocese it is forbidden to Marry in a place other than a Catholic oratory or church.

The real question is why in the world would someone want to march along with the secular/protestant world and get married outside the house of God?

 

[THurifer2]

I for one have never met a devout Catholic who wanted to get Married anywhere else but their own parish. Most Catholics that I know who take their faith first and formost (over everything in life) wouldn’t even thing twice about celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony anywhere but Gods house.

My priest told me that when a couple appoaches him about getting married in another place than the church he usually doesn’t recognize them because they never darken the door of the parish on SUndays.

 

[SwizzleStick]

I’ve been thinking about this a bit. I imagine a lot of Catholics today would fall into the category of considering marrying somewhere other than a Church, but some of the reason for that is simply ignorance, possibly not actively living their faith and being influenced by more liberal priests and sisters (and not know it). For example, I had a unity candle at my wedding, and had no idea that that really wasn’t a part of the official Rite, but simply went along with the plans of the priest at my home parish. And, I am a cradle Catholic and my entire family on both sides is Catholic, though one side is much more faithful than the other (in regard to faithfully attending Mass, no divorce, etc). My identity IS Catholic, it is part of who I always was and who I’ll always be. In my family, missing Mass on Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation was simply not an option. When I was a child, we never ate meat on any Friday of the year and all of us said the rosary together each evening during May and October kneeling around my parents’ bed. We prayed grace together aloud at meals and I went to Catholic school where we attended daily Mass and I and my sisters wore a veil in Church. I guess I am saying we were not casual Catholics but I still had a unity candle at my wedding and so did most of my cousins (though I do have to say that 15 of the 16 cousins on my Dad’s side of the family would never have considered getting married anywhere other than a Catholic Church).

Even so, I just do not know my faith as well as I should. Maybe I did learn and just forgot or did not take it seriously when I was young and a bit of a rebel. There is SO much to know and learn. I realized my deficit about 5 years or so ago and have actively been trying to live and learn as much as possible since. I bought a Catechism and try to read and learn that and also read books and various internet sites too (this one, for example). I wish I could have known more all along to better know, love and serve our Lord and to have avoided instances where I have offended Him by my ignorance. Maybe it is because I have matured, but I definitely try to consciously live my faith daily now, whereas when I was young that was not the case though I have always been Catholic.

Sorry to be so long winded. But, I imagine a lot of Catholics today just do not know that the Sacrament of Marriage must be celebrated in a Catholic Church because it is a most holy and divine Sacrament–and not just a ceremony or show–because they just weren’t taught.

 

[Chatter163]

The Blessed Sacrament is certainly not “everywhere.”