I am planning on getting married in July 2015 in a Catholic Church. However, FH and I have been discussing the idea of eloping before that. One very important reason is dealing with health insurance. My current employer offers great benefits but not for domestic partners, we have to be legally married. Second is that we have a 10 month old together and rent from my parents who actually remind us that we're not married. I kind of just want to do it secretly but FH wants to tell his mom. I fear if my family knows they won't take my actual wedding seriously. What are your opinions on this? Anyone else got legally married prior to having their big white wedding?
StephanieXO
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Eloping before wedding. - Long Island Weddings
We are getting married in a Catholic Church, and the priest told us our marriage certificate can not be older than 1 month in order for him to marry us.
Terriechick
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Eloping before wedding. - Long Island Weddings
I think you need to do some research. I dont know if you could get married in a Catholic Church if you are already legally married.. Catholic Church is the strictest of all of them.. You might have a hard time finding one that will marry you because you two already have a baby.. I would do my research maybe have a friend call your parish and ask questions about their rules without naming names.. I have learned that every church is different so maybe yours might be more relaxed which would be awesome for you!
GoingToBoyle
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Eloping before wedding. - Long Island Weddings
I agree with the above ladies. You definitely have to tell the church that you are married. They can probably do a vow renewal. Your guests will probably know that you have been married before because the vow renewal is different from a regular marriage ceremony.
Stephanie621
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Amanda2022
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Eloping before wedding. - Long Island Weddings
Best way to find out is to call your church. Totally understand your reasoning for wanting to do it, but each church has it's own rules.
pjt212301
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Re: Eloping before wedding.
Posted by Stephanie621
My friend actually did this for health insurance reasons so here's what I know. You need to get 2 separate marriage licenses. The second one can only be issued after the first one is used for the civil ceremony and the marriage certificate is issued which could take a couple of weeks. If you're pressed for time you can bring the marriage license to the town hall after the officiant completes it instead of waiting for the officiant to mail it in. When you bring it to them they will give you the certificate on the spot. When you apply for another marriage license for the church ceremony, the 2nd license has a box checked saying its a second or subsequent ceremony so the church will know you already had the first ceremony. My friend didn't have any problems with her church but it also wasn't Catholic - she said they never even brought it up or questioned her since they had to fill out the license and send it into the town as well. I would definitely call the church and see what their individual policy is first.
This is absolutely correct!!!
LeBronsBride2015
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Re: Eloping before wedding.
Posted by Terriechick
I think you need to do some research. I dont know if you could get married in a Catholic Church if you are already legally married.. Catholic Church is the strictest of all of them.. You might have a hard time finding one that will marry you because you two already have a baby.. I would do my research maybe have a friend call your parish and ask questions about their rules without naming names.. I have learned that every church is different so maybe yours might be more relaxed which would be awesome for you!
I've spoken to my church already and they do what is called a convocation if you're already married. My cousin had a baby and got married there 10 months later. So that's not an issue.
Alimm729
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Eloping before wedding. - Long Island Weddings
Def call the church. These days I think you might be surprised. We had our daughter baptized catholic in 2008 and we (obviously, lol) weren't married. I was worried that the priest would be very judgmental and possibly not let us baptize her, but he was really awesome about it. He said that if we ever decided to get married in the church, they have a few options for ceremonies and gave us the info, but that was all he said about it. They were very cool about it. But, def call the church. Your families will understand in the long run.
LeBronsBride2015
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Re: Eloping before wedding.
Thank you. My daughter has also been baptized and with no issues. Priest only asked when do we think we will get married. My question doesn't concern the church aspect as I had called them even before I was engaged and got all that info about the convocation. My parents were married in another country prior to moving here and when they got married at this same church both my brother and I were born. So I know the church part is not an issue. Also it's not a vow renewal it's an actual marriage celebration because yet don't recognize the 'legal' marriage as a marriage.
