How to Be Married in a Catholic Church

For a marriage to be valid in the Catholic Church, a couple must meet certain requirements.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tuxedo Cummerbunds
• Tuxedo Shirts
• Tuxedos
• Wedding Gowns
• Wedding Veils
• Wedding Rings
• Wedding Licenses

1. Select a partner who is not related to you by blood or marriage. (Marriage between relatives is forbidden in the Catholic Church.)

2. Be sure you and your partner are old enough for marriage in the eyes of the Catholic Church. A man must be at least 17 years old and a woman must be at least 15.

3. Consult with both sets of parents if either of you is a minor. You will need their consent before a pastor will marry you.

4. Discuss with your partner your views about having children, since this possibility must exist in order for your marriage to be valid in the Catholic Church.

5. Participate with your partner in premarital counseling.

6. Arrange to be married before a priest and two witnesses if you and your partner are both Catholic.

7. Be prepared prior to the wedding for your pastor to publicly announce that you and your partner plan to marry and to encourage anyone who has a reason why the union should be prevented to speak out.

8. Remember that once a marriage between two Catholics is consummated, it can never be dissolved in the eyes of the church.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your engagement as a time for considering the religious aspects of your relationship and talking about your future together as a couple.
• If you and your partner are not baptized, your marriage will be valid and your children will be legitimate in the Catholic Church. But unlike the marriage of a baptized couple, the union will not be considered a sacrament.
• Take the proper steps if you are Catholic and plan to marry a non-Catholic. You must promise to remain a Catholic and to baptize your children and raise them as Catholics; obtain permission from the local bishop; and inform your spouse of these promises.
• Understand that mixed-faith marriages are usually performed according to the Catholic rite. Occasionally, a non-Catholic minister will be allowed to participate.

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[Riklyn]

on 10/2/2008 We are already married (Civil) last January, 2006 and we are living together for more than a year now. Since my husband was divorced and non catholic, he took an RCIA classes for 1 1/2 years and apply for annulment of the church.. now we already have the annulment of the church certificate from Marriage Tribunal and he needs to be confirmed... I wanted to kow what will we do in order for us to get married in Catholic church for we need blessings on our marriage and so that we can get communion every Sunday.... we heard mass every Sunday but for me it is not complete without receiving communion... I desperately need an answer... thanks and God bless us all always....

[kjean]

on 9/23/2008 My fiance and I are going to be married in the Catholic Church. He is non-denominational and I am Catholic. I have no problem promising to remain catholic and share my faith with our children and also try my best to raise them catholic. However, I do feel uneasy "promising" to raise them catholic. What if we decide to raise them in a non-denominational church?

[josemv78]

on 9/13/2008 My wife & I are already married (Civil) and planning to have the ceremony in the Philippines at May 2009. Both of us are Catholics but she can't seem to find her confirmation papers. I am also not sure if she has her baptismal paperwork. She czn't remember what church she had those events take place as her mother passed away before we had gotten married her in the US. My question is, would we be able to get a Catholic priest to marry us since she might be missing those paperworks?

on 8/10/2006 The Catholic church recommends to have children, however it is not mandatory. There are plenty of couples that are married that don't have kids because they choose not to have them.

on 8/10/2006 Some Catholic churches post pictures of the engaged couples close to the Parish office instead of announcing to the whole assembly. If somebody has a problem with you getting married, they can contact the office and/or the priest.
It's really private, nobody will find out if there's a problem except the priest and you.