wedding question...legal before the wedding day?...

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: wedding question...legal before the wedding day?...

Okay, you might not know us in real life, but it feels like it. I'm so excited for you I am giddy! Plus, we know the secret! Lots of pictures. And video for YouTube!

I agree - it does feel like we all know each other! Plus - how many other people know my issues and still accept me for them? (other than dan, of course) haha.

[redneck_girl]

Re: wedding question...legal before the wedding day?...

legal, aka civil, marriage is state-sanctioned, performed by an agent of that state (where you sign your marriage "contract"). religious marriage only is performed by a religious authority (there is no legal binding "contract" - only to your god) - a religious marriage is not legal under the state without the civil part. therefore, most times than not, the religious authority is qualified to act as an agent of a state and performs both simultaneously.

so, short answer - yes, you can be legally married before being religiously married.

HTH

[C_smith81]

Re: wedding question...legal before the wedding day?...

Why can't you tell anyone? My friend tried that with her first marriage. Didn't tell a soul, except for her boss and her mother, and the plan was to have a wedding one year later with a reception. Some how someone found out they had been married, and people were hurt and nobody went. I have however, heard of people getting married, telling everyone they eloped, and then the following year, having a celebration of marriage, or a renewal of vows. Maybe that would go over better? It is definitely a good idea to get hitched now though, as the insurance will definitely benefit your future husband. Congrats!

[Labarum]

Re: wedding question...legal before the wedding day?...

Let me speak as a priest of the Church of England.

1. If you are that committed to each other you are de facto married. No questions more personal than that need asking.

2. At some point a legal contract needs to be established.

3. At some point you will want to celebrate the marriage with friends and family.

2 and 3 can be separated in time for good reason. As an Army chaplain I have blessed the marriages of couples who for operational reasons contracted a civil marriage many months previously. They don't understand that they could have had a simple marriage in church followed some time later by a larger celebration in church with renewal of vows. There is even a quirk of English law that allows the marriage service to be used twice when the first use was in great haste for operational reasons.

But this is detail. If you are committed to him contract the marriage with either a civil registrar or with your minister. Give to your betrothed the medical cover he clearly needs, and when the time is right go (or return) to church for the big celebration. Tell the family what your plan is so they will not be upset. In UK law if the couple present themselves to an authorised minister or registrar with two witnesses they may be married, provided all legal preliminaries have been concluded. You may want a few more than two witnesses, but no more than can sit round a family dining table, or at a table at a modest restaurant.

I link to you the orders of service that could be used in the Church of England - the Marriage Service, which has the full force of English Law, and a Thanksgiving which can be used in many circumstances and tailored to particular needs. It could be used the same day as a civil wedding - it could be used for a Golden Wedding celebration 50 years on. The US Churches must have similar flexibilities.

Marriage

Compare the Marriage Service with the Blessing of a Civil Marriage and the Service of Thanksgiving for Marriage.

Lots of ways to do this. One size does not fit all!

[sweetz0625]

Re: wedding question...legal before the wedding day?...

Hello I was reading this post, and I know that it is from awhile ago. But did you ever end up getting married??