Can you become a member in any parish?

I am considering getting married in a Catholic church because it would mean so much to FH. I was baptised RC, but never made any sacraments so I know I would have to do that.

I've never had my own 'church' and FH's is very strict (no bare shoulders, no decorations, etc). So my question is, can we join any parish we want so we can get married there?

Thanks!

Sometimes I wish we would just get married in a garden like my parents

yes. when i was still deciding on whether we should get married in a church, i no longer had a parish because i moved several times.

you just go to the rectory, fill out the paperwork, etc. ask them their policies about marriage when you go sign up. they gave me a whole book on it.

be prepared for the monthly donation solicitations in the mail!

Sometimes I wish we would just get married in a garden like my parents

---

honestly, that is where I ended up - i didn't feel comfortable getting married in a church even though we are catholic and my ENTIRE family expected it. I wanted to get married outside. so hopefully that's what we are doing - pray for good weather on 5-31-08

Thanks so much!

I'm sure you will have beautiful weather! My coworker is getting married on your date also at Majestic Gardens--she's planning on having the ceremony in the butterfly gardens.

Tricky situation, only because some parishes are sticklers about boundaries.

My church isn't strict on living within the parish boundaries, but my sister's was. she wanted to keep her kids in the same church after they moved -- same town just different street -- and she needed to get permission from the new parish to attend the old parish...or some crazy thing like that.

So you may not be able to just walk into any church and register.

I don't know if the policies at my church are the same at every church, but you can get married there if you aren't a parishoner, but registered parishoners get priority and it costs more for a non-parishoner. For what it's worth, I see a lot of non-parishoners' weddings announced in the bulletin in the 'off-season'.

HTH!

most parishes require you to be a member in their parish to marry you. that said, you can join one now and then you would be able to get married there. however, many parishes require you to actually live in the confines of the parish, which is usually within the town lines of the parish.

Also, since a Catholic ceremony or Mass is so important to DH, you can get married in his parish, or in his parent's parish if they are registered parishoners somewhere. it doesn't have to be the bride's parish.