How to plan the wedding day next year if i am planning to get our marriage license this year?

Marriage licences are only vaild for 90 days so if you dont sign and have your officiant submit it you wont be married. so if youre doing a ceremony and all that this year sign the marriage licence and submit it. and then next year you just have the big party

Just wanted to mention, I spoke with my church regarding this because I was interested it for myself. I am a parishioner of a pretty large church in the GTA. They confirmed that this year if we wanted to do the ceremony (even though only 5 people are allowed) it would be considered our legal marriage ceremony. Next year they would do a “vow renewal” in front of guests, but it will be in no terms legal like the initial ceremony. Hope that helps.

This is really going to depend on your church but I agree that most Catholic Churches would not allow a vow renewal ceremony of any kind if you are already legally married. As someone else mentioned there is the convalidation process. However, if your church is open and available to perform your marriage ceremony to begin with then I'm sure they would question why you got legally married outside of the church first.

View quoted message Hi Hank,
It’s essentially just a paper that signifies your marriage in the eyes of God.
Legally it changes nothing, it’s more of receiving the wedding sacrament, much like a baptism, communion & confirmation.

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Hey Kristen, I didn't know the church also has documents you needed to sign. Just curious as someone who is non-Christian, what do those documents signify since the legal stuff is done through City Hall? I understand each church and their clergy operates differently.

Hi Tina,


So we are actually doing this exact same thing, I spoke directly with my priest to make sure this wouldn’t be an issue. Essentially the marriage in the church is now called a “convalidation” the ceremony remains the same as they see it as bringing your civil marriage into the eyes of the church. Our priest had no issue, and said to bring in the marriage certificate rather than the licence as it will already be signed this year when we’re legally married. Day of the church wedding you sign the church documents but the legal portion is already done. Hope this helps!!

Are you asking if your marriage license will be basis for next year? Cuz that would be a no. You need to get married within 90 days of obtaining your marriage license.


If your pastor is a recognized officiant and only conducts legal marriages, you won't be able to get married a second time in the church. Some pastors may conduct symbolic ceremonies but in my experience, most won't especially inside their own church.

Depending on the type of church you attend they may still allow you to have a symbolic ceremony or vow renewal. My parents attend a Baptist Church and I know couples have had vow renewals done by the pastor for anniversaries. Some have them in the church, others in local parks or beaches with the pastor as well.


I'm not familiar with Catholic practices, based on other conversations on WW they may be more strict about this. But it never hurts to ask! This is a new situation for everyone and you are likely not alone in wanting this sort of ceremony.

View quoted message If your ceremony this year is legal (aka you’re actually legally married with the certificate and all) no the church probably won’t let you have the blessing next year as you’re already a married couple.


If the ceremony this year isn’t legal, I’m sure it’s fine but I wouldn’t mention you’ve had a ceremony at all as they may say no even if you’ve done something not legal. Depends on how strict the church is.
I’d ask your priest for clarification.

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Hi!

Sorry I meant that if I have my civil ceremony ( not at a church) in 2020, could I have a church blessing in 2021? I am not catholic but my fiancee is and therefore we are allowed to have a church blessing.

View quoted message Yes. If you get married legally this year (civil wedding), then next year you would be able to have a church ceremony

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Hi!

Sorry I meant that if I have my civil ceremony ( not at a church) in 2020, could I have a church blessing in 2021? I am not catholic but my fiancee is and therefore we are allowed to have a church blessing.

Your wedding can take place as a private moment unless you choose to do zoom with family to watch on the internet. The photographer and Officiant can be present with you two and 2 other witnesses since 5 is the maximum crowd. The priest is ok with going ahead with marrying you two at the church, then its a go.

Next year can be held for renewal as part of the reception setting so you don't have to change over and go right into the celebration after. Anniversary celebration is another option that can be decided if the space is limited.

I don’t think you’ll be able to have two church ceremonies. We’re getting married in a Catholic Church and I doubt our priest would allow that. If you get the church ceremony this year, maybe you can just do a symbolic ceremony next year? Like a vow renewal?

I’m not sure what you mean by church blessings - do you mean the wedding ceremony itself? I know our church wouldn’t allow us to have a ceremony next year if we got legally married this year. That said, our church is fairly strict.


Could you have a second ceremony at your venue next year? We were looking into that if we couldn’t have our reception this year.