Catholic ceremony outside of church

traci0509 · March 2013

Hi - We are looking to have a priest or deacon marry us in an outdoor ceremony. Has anyone done this or is planning to do this? We are having a hard time finding someone who is willing to do the ceremony outside of a church.

Thanks!

Traci

CrazyCatLady3 · March 2013

You should post on your local board (NJ?) to find an officiant. It's probably difficult to find someone because I believe it's against church rules to have a catholic wedding outside the church without special permission. If you post on the Catholic board under "Cultural Wedding Boards" the ladies there can explain it to you.

monkeysip · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_catholic-ceremony-outside-of-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:33054383-c29a-4b66-a706-e8e5f11d1e9cPost:dbc4fabc-857c-402e-98ea-46b6adcfa1a3">Re: Catholic ceremony outside of church</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Catholic ceremony outside of church : That would be because it is against Catholic doctrine. Are you guys practicing Catholics? If so, you may want to sit and talk with a priest about what it means to marry in the Church (or choose not to marry in the Church).
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

This. You have to ask yourself... what is more important? Your outdoor venue or being in communion with the Catholic Church?

Also, occassionally you'll find a "retired" priest or deacon willing to do this. These priests/deacons are acting against the Church, and the ceremony is invalid, and therefore, pointless to have hired him in the first place. Please don't ask a priest or deacon to go against Church rules.

Calypso1977 · March 2013

you will never find one who will do this (and at least have it be valid) so you might as well focus your energies elsewhere. its simply not allowed.

RamonaFlowers · March 2013

Marriage is considered a Sacrament to the Catholic Church. Sacraments can only take place within the walls of the Catholic Church, unless you petition for, and are granted, a special dispensation by the Church. Dispensation for a Sacrament (Any Sacrament-baptism, marriage, etc) is pretty much only granted in extreme circumstances, usually entailing whomever is receiving the Sacrament is in the hospital and physically unable to actually get to a Church.

"The bride/groom just wants to get married outside" isn't a good enough reason for most priests to perform the Sacrament of marriage outside of the Church's walls.

Xandy417 · March 2013

You can get special dispensation from your bishop in order to get married outside of the church building. In this case though you are asking and can be denied, I wouldn't count on recieving the dispensation.

MrsMuq · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_catholic-ceremony-outside-of-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:33054383-c29a-4b66-a706-e8e5f11d1e9cPost:dbc4fabc-857c-402e-98ea-46b6adcfa1a3">Re: Catholic ceremony outside of church</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Catholic ceremony outside of church : That would be because it is against Catholic doctrine. Are you guys practicing Catholics? If so, you may want to sit and talk with a priest about what it means to marry in the Church (or choose not to marry in the Church).
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

You cannot have an authentic Roman Catholic wedding outside of a Roman Catholic Church. It is against church doctrine. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a snake oil salesman.

Calypso1977 · March 2013

You can get special dispensation from your bishop in order to get married outside of the church building.

dispenstaions are not granted for outdoor weddings. they are usually granted for the ceremony to be performed in another church, due to extenuating circumstances.

OwningAHome1981 · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_catholic-ceremony-outside-of-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:33054383-c29a-4b66-a706-e8e5f11d1e9cPost:4d3dbfc1-26b0-4ca6-9c3b-357d2a5753c7">Catholic ceremony outside of church</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi - We are looking to have a priest or deacon marry us in an outdoor ceremony. Has anyone done this or is planning to do this? We are having a hard time finding someone who is willing to do the ceremony outside of a church. Thanks! Traci
Posted by traci0509[/QUOTE]

What about a pastor? We are having a non-religious ceremony but our pastor also does religious ones and he has no problems doing ceremonies outside of the church. Actually he prefers it b/c the rules are less stringent... but I don't know if that is all pastros or just our specific pastor. Also I don't know the difference between priest, deacon, pastor etc etc, I am just telling you that I think a pastor would do it.

GL!

Lisa50 · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_catholic-ceremony-outside-of-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:33054383-c29a-4b66-a706-e8e5f11d1e9cPost:4d3dbfc1-26b0-4ca6-9c3b-357d2a5753c7">Catholic ceremony outside of church</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi - We are looking to have a priest or deacon marry us in an outdoor ceremony. Has anyone done this or is planning to do this? We are having a hard time finding someone who is willing to do the ceremony outside of a church. Thanks! Traci
Posted by traci0509[/QUOTE]

It's very rare, but doable. Honestly, though, if the priest isn't your uncle (or other close relative) the odds are close to zero you can make it happen. Contrary to popular belief, sacraments <u>can</u> be given/performed/administered outside the Church building, it's just not usual nor encouraged. I wish you the best of luck!

Ohmyashleyy · April 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_catholic-ceremony-outside-of-church?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:33054383-c29a-4b66-a706-e8e5f11d1e9cPost:63aa61ed-5601-4334-b22c-927cfd755e9e">Re: Catholic ceremony outside of church</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Catholic ceremony outside of church : What about a pastor? We are having a non-religious ceremony but our pastor also does religious ones and he has no problems doing ceremonies outside of the church. Actually he prefers it b/c the rules are less stringent... but I don't know if that is all pastros or just our specific pastor. Also I don't know the difference between priest, deacon, pastor etc etc, I am just telling you that I think a pastor would do it. GL!
Posted by OwningAHome1981[/QUOTE]

<div>You can find a pastor or someoen to do it - but not a Catholic one. Which kind of defeats the purpose if you're a Catholic, since it won't be recognized in the church.</div><div>
</div>

Catholic ceremony outside of church

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