Can we get Married in a Church??

I'm not Catholic, but I know that it would be rare to impossible to find a Catholic church that would allow to 'non-believers,' so to speak, to marry in their 'sacred' building. You MIGHT have more luck trying a different 'faith' but in reality, if you are honest with them and tell them that you are agnostic or atheist, they aren't likely to want to perform a ceremony in their church either just so your FH and family has a 'church' wedding. To them, that isn't a good reason to have a church wedding. I know that out on LI there's a place called The Historical Chapel or something...it's an old church and they perform weddings there...but you likely would have to provide your own officiant...but it's an option. I don't know if there are other places like that for sure around here, I've just driven past this one a lot.

good luck.

Some churches are more lenient than others- just make a bunch of phone calls & see what they say.

When I was calling around many churches said they would marry us, but only if we joined.
Many others said that it was up to the preist or reverend to decide what they wanted to do.

Also you may want to look into the Universal Unitariates (UU) they're very liberal & will really marry anyone!

good luck!

my church says u need all 3 in order to be married there!

Honestly, from what you say about yourself and FH, why would you want to get married in a church? You shouldn't do it for his parents, this is YOUR wedding ,not theirs. You have a lot of other options than a church wedding.

ETS: you can get married at the hall (that what I did and it was amazing), and there are other places that can host wedding ceremonies - such as the historical chapel in woodbury and the interfaith chapel at CW post.

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Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

Honestly, from what you say about yourself and FH, why would you want to get married in a church? You shouldn't do it for his parents, this is YOUR wedding ,not theirs. You have a lot of other options than a church wedding.

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I agree with this. FH and I are non-practicing, and getting married in our hall. Most guests love it, too because then they don't need to drive around or anything

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Posted by kittythestray

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Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

Honestly, from what you say about yourself and FH, why would you want to get married in a church? You shouldn't do it for his parents, this is YOUR wedding ,not theirs. You have a lot of other options than a church wedding.

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I agree with this. FH and I are non-practicing, and getting married in our hall. Most guests love it, too because then they don't need to drive around or anything

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that's what we did. much easier...and eliminates that annoying task of finding a limo...you don't need one!

Most churches will allow you to be married but not on the altar.

ETA.. and your FH cannot partake in communion.

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Posted by CLMon7906

I'm not Catholic, but I know that it would be rare to impossible to find a Catholic church that would allow to 'non-believers,' so to speak, to marry in their 'sacred' building. You MIGHT have more luck trying a different 'faith' but in reality, if you are honest with them and tell them that you are agnostic or atheist, they aren't likely to want to perform a ceremony in their church either just so your FH and family has a 'church' wedding. To them, that isn't a good reason to have a church wedding. I know that out on LI there's a place called The Historical Chapel or something...it's an old church and they perform weddings there...but you likely would have to provide your own officiant...but it's an option. I don't know if there are other places like that for sure around here, I've just driven past this one a lot.

good luck.

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The Historical Chapel is in Huntington. They will marry you there no matter what your beliefs are.

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Posted by MaureenM618

My and FI automatically thought we would have to get married at our reception hall because he hasn't completed his baptism, communion or conformation. I haven't done my conformation. I stopped after baptism and communion. He's Christian but non practicing. He doesn't really believe in organized religion. He believes you don't have to go to a church or through a priest to be close to God. He prays on his own at home. On the other hand, I guess I'm agnostic or an atheist. I was raised Catholic but now I don't really believe in anything. I would like to get married in a church though for FI and his family (very religious). Where can we get married? Non-denominational church??? Unsure, just looking for other options

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JMO but honestly I don't really see the point of getting married in a church, considering you are an atheist, and FH has none of the sacraments and is non-practicing. If you both don't belive in and or do not practice the teachings of the church....why bother? Just because his family would like it? It should be what makes you and FH feel is the best ceremony for you both.

For you to get married by a Priest or Christian Preacher doesn't make sense if you don't believe in the Catholic/Christian teachings, and as for FH to get married there, besides not practicing in the church, he has none of his sacraments, he can't really be that strong into his religion.

Even if you both went and completed your sacraments in order to be married in a church, it really doesn't seem that the sacarments would mean anything to the two of you. It really seems pointless to me. It obviously would be more for his family, but it if does not mean anything to the both of you to hold the ceremony in a church, I would say have it at the reception hall, and I'm sure it will be beautiful! Good luck!

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Posted by tiffandmatt

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Posted by MaureenM618

My and FI automatically thought we would have to get married at our reception hall because he hasn't completed his baptism, communion or conformation. I haven't done my conformation. I stopped after baptism and communion. He's Christian but non practicing. He doesn't really believe in organized religion. He believes you don't have to go to a church or through a priest to be close to God. He prays on his own at home. On the other hand, I guess I'm agnostic or an atheist. I was raised Catholic but now I don't really believe in anything. I would like to get married in a church though for FI and his family (very religious). Where can we get married? Non-denominational church??? Unsure, just looking for other options

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JMO but honestly I don't really see the point of getting married in a church, considering you are an atheist, and FH has none of the sacraments and is non-practicing. If you both don't belive in and or do not practice the teachings of the church....why bother? Just because his family would like it? It should be what makes you and FH feel is the best ceremony for you both.

For you to get married by a Priest or Christian Preacher doesn't make sense if you don't believe in the Catholic/Christian teachings, and as for FH to get married there, besides not practicing in the church, he has none of his sacraments, he can't really be that strong into his religion.

Even if you both went and completed your sacraments in order to be married in a church, it really doesn't seem that the sacarments would mean anything to the two of you. It really seems pointless to me. It obviously would be more for his family, but it if does not mean anything to the both of you to hold the ceremony in a church, I would say have it at the reception hall, and I'm sure it will be beautiful! Good luck!

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I totally agree....i didnt realize you dont believe, if thats how you both feel- dont bother! Actually most churches wont even marry you if thats how you feel!

better off at the hall

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Posted by NY031978

I totally agree....i didnt realize you dont believe, if thats how you both feel- dont bother! Actually most churches wont even marry you if thats how you feel!

better off at the hall

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Another good point, I really can't see any church marrying the two of you considering what you have said. I don't think they would understand why you would want to be there.

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Posted by EastEndBride

Some churches are more lenient than others- just make a bunch of phone calls & see what they say.

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But all Catholic churches have to follow the same canon law... I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty positive that to be married in the Catholic church (and receive it as a sacrament), you have to have received baptism, communion, and confirmation. If neither of you have those, they won't marry you. If one of you has those, the church would consider it an interfaith marriage, and it would only be a sacrament for the one who had completed all three prior sacraments.

wow!!! you guys sound just like us

to get married in a catholic church you def. need to have your communion and confirmation....that's why I'm not

try the East Willisonton Community Church they are a nondenominational church...but pretty much any church that is non denominational would marry you without having all your sacriments

I think it all depends on the church and their rules. I've always wanted to get married at the church where I grew up. I was baptised there & also made my communion there. However, I stopped after my communion and as I got older I stopped attending mass as much (usually go on Holidays). Because I have not made my confirmation I automatically ruled the church out. I also did so b/c FH is not Catholic and I thought it would be a problem (did not want him to have to convert). At my mother's request I called the church and spoke with her priest. FH and I set up a meeting with the priest & I cannot begin to tell you how GREAT the priest was and how comforting he was. He said that I did not have to make my confirmation and FH did not have to convert or even take any classes (besides for pre-cana). He only needed FH's proof of baptism and I had to sign something stating that I promise to raise my kids Catholic. He said he would send a dispensation to the Diocese of Rockville Centre once he received proof of baptism. Well, FH's mother cannot locate any of his paperwork and neither can their church (personally, I don't think that he was baptised but she will not admit so). I called the priest right away and he said he would find out some info & call me back. About a week later he called & said that everything will be fine. He sent & received the dispensation and FH and I WILL be married at the church.
Make some calls & see what is said...It can't hurt.

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Posted by MaureenM618

How much does a church charge for a wedding ceremony?

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they ask for a 'donation' of anywhere from $300-750 depending on the parish.

Thanks.I noticed most reception halls want about $700 for the ceremony. I emailed The Historical Chapel for a price, let's see how much they charge Thanks for the suggestion. It looks like a good option.