Two Church Weddings: Catholic Ceremony Options

The Catholic Church forbids two separate ceremonies to avoid confusion and because, once consent is exchanged, it is binding and enduring for life. However, there are some nuances to this rule. For example, if a Catholic marries in a non-Catholic ceremony without dispensation from the local bishop, that marriage is not considered valid by the Church. In this case, the couple may have their marriage convalidated, or they may request a sanation, in which the Church recognises the validity of the marriage without a formal ceremony.

In some cases, couples may want to incorporate two different faith traditions into their wedding ceremony. If one person is Catholic and the other is not, the local bishop may give permission for the wedding to take place in a non-Catholic church, but it must still be a church (a sacred space). The Catholic Church also recognises marriages between two non-Catholic Christians, and between a Catholic Christian and a non-Catholic Christian, as sacramental, although in the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained.

Two separate ceremonies are forbidden by church law to avoid confusion

The Catholic Church forbids two separate wedding ceremonies to avoid confusion. According to Canon 1127, "It is forbidden to have, either before or after the canonical celebration...another religious celebration of the same marriage for the purpose of giving or renewing matrimonial consent."

The Church defines marriage as the "exchange of consent" between two individuals, which is binding and enduring for life. This exchange of consent cannot be "re-done" because it is not "re-doable" due to its fundamental permanence. Therefore, from a Catholic perspective, it is not possible to have two weddings, as the wedding of two specific individuals is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The Church considers a wedding to be the same thing as the exchange of consent, and once this consent is truly exchanged, it is binding. The consent cannot be exchanged again, as it would imply that the first exchange was not "real."

In the eyes of the Church, there is only one true wedding, which for Catholics is the exchange of consent according to canonical form. This is a crucial aspect of Catholic matrimonial law, and any deviation from this law can have significant implications for the validity of the marriage in the eyes of the Church.

While it is understandable that couples may want to incorporate different faith traditions or cultural elements into their wedding, having two separate ceremonies is not permissible according to Church law. The Church takes matrimonial consent very seriously, and so-called ""second weddings" are generally not allowed.

Instead of a second wedding, couples can consider having a post-wedding celebration or a gathering where they re-wear their wedding clothes, serve traditional wedding food, or pray together with family and friends to bless their new union.

A Catholic wedding must take place within a sacred space

The Catholic Church considers weddings to be a solemn and sacramental event, and therefore, expects them to occur in a church, which is a sacred space. The Church takes the notion of sacred space very seriously. The atmosphere of peace, reverence, and respect is important so that all will feel welcome, and so that a sense of God's loving presence permeates the place. The Church believes that weddings are sacred moments, which should ordinarily happen in the place where the bride or groom worships, with their families and their faith community.

The Catholic Church requires that a wedding between two Catholics must take place within a Catholic Church. This is because the Church believes that the best place for any sacrament to be celebrated is in a place specifically set apart (consecrated) for the celebration of sacraments. If a Catholic wishes to marry outside of a church, they must obtain permission to do so from their diocese. This permission is usually only granted for serious reasons.

If a Catholic wishes to marry someone of a different faith, the local bishop may give permission for the wedding to take place in the non-Catholic partner's church. However, it is important to note that the Church forbids two separate ceremonies, as this would imply that the first marriage was not "real". In the case of a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic, the couple may have their marriage convalidated, meaning they celebrate the Catholic rite of marriage to make their marriage valid in the eyes of the Church.

While the Church requires that weddings take place within a sacred space, there is no requirement for the wedding reception to occur immediately after the wedding itself. It is perfectly legitimate for a couple to celebrate their marriage with a party where they re-wear their wedding clothes, serve traditional wedding food, or pray together with family and friends, asking God to bless their union.

A Catholic can marry a non-Catholic in a non-Catholic church with the local bishop's permission

If a Catholic marries a non-baptised person, such as a Hindu, Jew, or Muslim, the wedding is not a sacrament. However, if a Catholic marries a baptised non-Catholic, such as a Presbyterian or Baptist, the wedding is a sacrament.

In either case, the Catholic must seek permission from the local bishop to marry a non-Catholic. If the non-Catholic is a non-Christian, the permission is called a "dispensation from disparity of cult". If the non-Catholic is a Christian, the permission is called a "permission to enter into a mixed marriage".

The priest must receive a special dispensation, in writing, from the bishop. This dispensation is always given as long as the Catholic has agreed to keep practising the Catholic faith and has promised to raise their children as Catholics. The priest must secure this promise in good faith.

The bishop can permit a mixed marriage to take place in a non-Catholic church with a non-Catholic minister as the officiating witness. A Catholic priest may attend such a ceremony and may address, pray with, and bless the couple.

It is important to note that the Church forbids two separate ceremonies to avoid confusion. Once the matrimonial consent is exchanged, it is binding and enduring for life and cannot be "re-done". Therefore, from a Catholic perspective, it is not possible to have two weddings.

A Catholic can marry a non-Catholic without converting them

There are two types of mixed marriages:

Sacramental Marriage

If a Catholic marries a baptised person who is not Catholic—such as an Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or Baptist—the wedding is a sacrament.

Non-Sacramental Marriage

If a Catholic marries a person who is not baptised—such as a Hindu, Jew, or Muslim—the wedding is not a sacrament.

For a Catholic/non-Catholic marriage to take place in the Catholic Church, the priest must receive a special dispensation, in writing, from the bishop. This dispensation is always given so long as the Catholic has agreed to keep practising the Catholic faith and has promised to raise their children as Catholics. The priest must also meet with the couple to help them understand the spiritual importance of matrimony.

If a Catholic marries a non-Catholic, the wedding is usually not a Mass. This is to avoid the difficulty of so many people being unable to receive the Eucharist. The ordinary place of a mixed marriage is the parish church, and the ordinary presider is the priest. A non-Catholic minister may attend the marriage ceremony and may also address, pray with, and bless the couple.

A Catholic marrying a non-Catholic can have their wedding ceremony in a non-Catholic church with a non-Catholic minister as the officiating witness. A Catholic priest may attend such a ceremony and may address, pray with, and bless the couple.

In all cases, the Catholic Church tries its best to accommodate mixed marriages and to bless them.

A Catholic must raise their children as Catholics if they marry a non-Catholic

The Catholic Church forbids two separate ceremonies, as per Canon 1127, to avoid confusion. By definition, once a couple is married, they are united in marriage once and for all. If a Catholic marries a non-Catholic, it is considered a mixed marriage. In such cases, the Catholic Church requires the Catholic individual to declare that they will do their best to raise their children as Catholics.

Catholic Church's Stance on Mixed Marriages

According to the Catholic Church, a mixed marriage is when a Catholic marries a baptized non-Catholic, such as an Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or Baptist, or a non-baptized individual, such as a Hindu, Jew, or Muslim. In the former case, the wedding is considered a sacrament, while in the latter, it is not.

Requirements for Mixed Marriages

For a mixed marriage to be allowed in the Catholic Church, the Catholic individual must receive a special dispensation in writing from the bishop. This is granted if the Catholic promises to continue practising their faith and raise their children as Catholics. The priest must also meet with the couple to help them understand the spiritual importance of matrimony through pre-cana or similar programs.

Challenges and Considerations

One challenge in mixed marriages is the potential disagreement between the Catholic and non-Catholic spouses on how to raise their children. The Catholic Church expects the Catholic spouse to uphold their promise to raise their children in the Catholic faith. However, the non-Catholic spouse may object to this, especially if they are strongly committed to their own faith. In such cases, the Catholic spouse is still expected to make reasonable efforts to teach their Catholic faith to their children whenever opportunities arise.

Historical Changes in Church Law

Historically, under the 1917 Code of Canon Law, a non-Catholic had to provide written assurances that they would not attempt to convert the Catholic spouse and that they agreed to baptize and raise their children in the Catholic faith. The current Code of Canon Law, promulgated by John Paul II in 1983, does not require the non-Catholic spouse to make such promises. Instead, the law requires the Catholic spouse to declare their commitment to removing dangers of defecting from the Catholic faith and doing their best to ensure their children are baptized and raised Catholic.

In conclusion, while the Catholic Church permits mixed marriages, it places the responsibility on the Catholic spouse to uphold their faith and raise their children as Catholics. This can be challenging when the non-Catholic spouse has different religious beliefs or objections. Ultimately, the Catholic Church encourages prayer and perseverance in such situations, hoping that the non-Catholic spouse and children may eventually share the Catholic faith.

Frequently asked questions