this is the code for the render ad
Community› Local Wedding Boards› Texas-Houston
Texas-Houston
New Discussion

Trying to get married in a Catholic Church

danalynnydanalynny
First Comment
in Texas-Houston
Hey ladies... I just recently got engaged 2 weeks ago =)

My fiancee is Catholic and would love to get married in a Catholic Church BUT we want to get married in March or April. I know you can't get married during Lent unless you have special permission and the rehearsal would have to be on Thursday which is just kind of weird for our out of town guests in the wedding.

Anyway, any advice on which church was the easiest to work with? We are probably going to get married at the Alden downtown so any chuch by the Galleria and in the loop would be best for location.

Thanks!
Dana
Report Reply to Post

Re: Trying to get married in a Catholic Church

  • PJS001PJS001 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you can't fnd a church that will allow this, look into Father Milton at Catholics Without a Church.

    They are able to provide full catholic ceremonies when the restraints of the church can't allow a wedding to happen.
    And now we are as one
    Married February 20, 2011

    image
    Report Reply
  • MissAngelMissAngel member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congrats on the engagement!

    This is going to be pretty difficult to do and it's only 3 months away.  Even if you could get married during Lent (Epiphany in Katy allowed this previously), there are other things that need to be completed like the FOCCUS test, counseling and Engaged Encounter Weekend (which books up really early).  You could always just do a civil ceremony and then do a convalidation later if your FI wants to do that.

    You also mentioned you are getting married at the Alden downtown.  Do you mean that is where your reception will be?  Or is this a civil ceremony at that hotel?  If you are doing that, then I would just suggest you do the convalidation later.  You still need permission from the church to follow through with this though.
    Report Reply
  • danalynnydanalynny
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Sorry, I meant March or April of 2012 but things book up so quickly we are trying to do everything now.

    Report Reply
  • loop0406loop0406 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Are you able to get married in Catholic Church?  You say FI is Catholic but have you done your sacraments? Usually takes 8-9 months to complete, it's a requirement of almost all catholic churches.
    Report Reply
  • danalynnydanalynny
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am not Catholic so I have no idea what needs to be done. He is calling some churchs this week to ask about the details also.

    What takes 8-9 months to complete?
    Report Reply
  • loop0406loop0406 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If March or April 2012, check with All Saints Catholic Church in the Heights, you have to contact them 6 months prior, you can do sacraments there if you don't have them done yet: Here are the requirements:  http://www.allsaints.ws/index.cfm?a_id=30

    For more info, contact: Msgr. Adam McClosky at 713 864 26 53 ext 204 asmvscm7@yahoo.com
    Report Reply
  • loop0406loop0406 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_trying-married-catholic-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:121Discussion:85e4f739-1a85-4b50-bad8-b9739bfc90f4Post:f96205a4-a532-4326-a512-86682d705bc5">Re: Trying to get married in a Catholic Church</a>:
    [QUOTE]I am not Catholic so I have no idea what needs to be done. He is calling some churchs this week to ask about the details also. What takes 8-9 months to complete?
    Posted by danalynny[/QUOTE]

    Sacraments take 8-9 months to complete. You need to be baptized, 1st communion and confirmation before a Catholic Church will marry you. They have sacraments classes available at All Saints Church, see my post above
    Report Reply
  • danalynnydanalynny
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    I thought you could get married without doing the Sacraments. A lot of my friends have gotten married with one of them not being Catholic.

    Report Reply
  • loop0406loop0406 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I have friends that have been married by Catholic Church, FI's have been practicing Catholics and they're not. However, the church required them to do sacraments and counseling before hand

    Report Reply
  • MissAngelMissAngel member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011

    You are only required to be baptised and can have an interfaith wedding.  They just recommend you do a ceremony only and not a whole mass (so as to not alienate half the guests during communion).  To be married in the Catholic church, only one of you need to be Catholic.  It does take about 6 months for preparation though.  I think you have time then.  I would call around to the churches you want to look at, they won't confirm your date until after you have a first meeting, but now is a good time to start.  Good luck!

    Report Reply
  • MissAngelMissAngel member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_trying-married-catholic-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:121Discussion:85e4f739-1a85-4b50-bad8-b9739bfc90f4Post:3a5038e9-200b-4a41-9d66-48232a96b68e">Re: Trying to get married in a Catholic Church</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have friends that have been married by Catholic Church, FI's have been practicing Catholics and they're not. However, the church required them to do sacraments and counseling before hand
    Posted by loop0406[/QUOTE]

    I don't think this is true for all churches.  I have worked on the wedding ministry for 2 different churches for 2 years now and they allow Interfaith weddings.
    Report Reply
  • cvgomez23cvgomez23
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congratulations!!!
    Here are some information from the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston that might be helpful...
    http://www.archgh.org/FamilyLife-NEW/pdf/GettingM%20booklet-English.pdf

    http://www.archgh.org/FamilyLife-NEW/marriageprep.htm
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • kriskhkriskh
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    im getting married at st john vianney in memorial. we took our classes 8 months ahead of time and they DO let you get married during lent. look them up!
    Report Reply
  • SoontobeJAGSoontobeJAG
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am not catholic, FI is, and we are having a full catholic mass. There are alot of churches that allow you to marry in their church with a full mass as long as one of you is catholic. And as long as you complete their classes that they appoint you.
    Depending on the church, you dont have to get your sacraments done, unless you want to convert. Look up churches on the web and read the marriage section of their website. 
     
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • danalynnydanalynny
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you everyone for the help, I am on track now! And it doesn't sound as hard as some of my friends have made it out to be, thank goodness!
    Report Reply
  • monkeysipmonkeysip member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Hi Dana,

    Does your fiance attend a parish for mass?  If so, that would be the recommended Church for you two to marry in.  But you are allowed to get married in any Catholic Church.

    Either way, there are some considerations for a Catholic wedding.  You do have to go through the preparation with him, and you need to be a baptized Christian.

    If you're not baptized or Christian, and don't want to be, that's OK but you need permission from a Bishop to marry.  

    As for the nuptial mass... its something to think about.  Most priests don't recommend a nuptial mass when one fiance isn't Catholic, because that spouse should not receive communion.  It sends mixed messages during the wedding when even the married couple isn't receiving together.  But its something to talk to the priest about.

    Either way, I recommend just talking  to a priest and he'll walk you both through the whole process.

    Congrats, and may God bless your marriage!

    SaveSave
    Report Reply
  • Hannah098Hannah098
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You can totally get married during Lent, although it may vary from church to church.  The main thing it affects are flowers and music - only flowers in the bouquets you and your bridesmaids are carrying, and only white flowers.  So, no alterpieces, etc...The music selections will be reduced also, but most Catholic Churches would only allow you to choose from truly religious music anyway.  This is all from a discussion I had with our church, St. Ignatius Loyola in Spring, TX. 

    The other things mentioned also vary, but typically as long as you do all of the prep work and counseling, and the meetings go over well (i.e. you will need to agree with the Father that you will raise your children in the Catholic church), then you should have no issues with not doing the baptism, communion, RCIA, etc...and still getting married.  You may not be able to do a full mass with communion, or you and any other non-Catholic guestes may just have to not be involved in that portion of the ceremony.  HOWEVER, you are considered a Catholic once you've been married into the Catholic Church.  So, you would be able to take communion say the sunday after your wedding.  I had this information from the priest that baptized me as a baby. 
    Report Reply
  • gmespinosagmespinosa member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Does anyone happen to know how the classes would be handled if my fiance is in the military? He wants a catholic ceremony and although I was raised Catholic I did not complete my confirmation. Any advice?
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards