Need info on Interfaith wedding ceremonies!

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

Hi,

Not sure if this is the right forum for this....

My fiance and I plan on marrying next year in a church after he gets his K-1. But he's Hindu and I'm Christian (Roman Catholic). Originally I wanted to marry in the church my parents got married in but I don't think this will be an option for us anymore as the church (Roman Catholic) does not want to marry us unless K converts to Catholicism. Although he's told me he will so we can marry in this church I really think it's unfair to make him go through with that. We were wondering if any interfaith couples had any advice on how to marry in a church i.e. which churches allow it, when we are from two different faiths.

I want to have a Christian ceremony as my whole family are Christians and it's important to them. We will later have a Hindu ceremony in India for K's family.

I've heard some say Universalist churches will do interfaith ceremonies. Are there any other churches that may be willing to do this? I want to know this early on so I can start looking for a church and officiant. As a side note, we do not want to have a civil cermony if possible.

Thanks!

~A

[Anh map 2,098]

There are plenty of folks out there that cany marry you in a religious setting. Are you looking for a Catholic ceremony or Christian? Just do some asking of various ministers. If you want a Catholic ceremony then you will have to talk with a priest.

[DeeDee&Sam 68]

a civil marriage must be done (you can do it included in the religious ceremony) because you'll need the marriage certificate. now, as far as i know, nobody will marry you if your fiance is hindu. catholics (as well as the orthodox) are very strict about the rules a marriage involves. the orthodox wouldnt even marry different types of christians. the only things you can do, is lie, or convert him :/

[TBoneTX 45,288]

the only things you can do, is lie

Now there's some helpful advice of how to begin a marriage in the eyes of God. And, the OP said that she doesn't want him to convert for this purpose.

Anh map's recommendations above are the way to proceed. Some priests are more liberal than others. If one won't agree to perform the marriage himself, ask for referrals. Avoid getting discouraged, and be persistent, si man.

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

Anh map's recommendations above are the way to proceed. Some priests are more liberal than others. If one won't agree to perform the marriage himself, ask for referrals. Avoid getting discouraged, and be persistent, si man.

Thank you, I actually just submitted an inquiry through my local marriage registration office's online form requesting an officiant based on our criteria. According to the site, we should be notified within 30 days.

Fortunately, I live in a fairly large city so we should have options available to us.

Edited September 14, 2011 by AKSinghSingh79

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

There are plenty of folks out there that cany marry you in a religious setting. Are you looking for a Catholic ceremony or Christian? Just do some asking of various ministers. If you want a Catholic ceremony then you will have to talk with a priest.

Thank you, my family is Catholic so they would prefer me to marry in a traditional Catholic setting. However, it is our wedding and if no Catholic priest is willing to marry us based on K coming from a Hindu family then a simple basic Christian ceremony will be more than sufficient for us.

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

catholics (as well as the orthodox) are very strict about the rules a marriage involves. the orthodox wouldnt even marry different types of christians. the only things you can do, is lie, or convert him :/

Yes this is the problem we have been running into. Catholics are usually very strict about this. Someone suggested to me that I should try a younger priest, even one who is still in school, because he may be more liberal and open-minded compared to an older priest.

Congrats on the visa approval by the way!

Edited September 14, 2011 by AKSinghSingh79

[DeeDee&Sam 68]

I hsvent been approved yet. Im on my way but thank u heehee. My interview is in 3 hours. Tbone u have a problem with that? For ur general culture im not religious. Im an atheist and thats strictly my problem. Catholics are almost impossible to change i know because ive lived with them my whole life

[mahyland 5]

Some Catholic Priests who wont do a wedding ceremony for you, might be happy to do a blessing. You might also have to show that any future children would be baptised Catholic as well.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

@AK--You mention looking for both an officiant and a church for an interfaith ceremony and setting.

1. Yes, for the officiant part, keep contacting interfaith/interdenominational minisiters, consider options from listings such as the following:

http://www.weddingwire.com/c/pa-pennsylvania/pittsburgh/wedding-officiants/9-vendors.html

http://www.gatheringguide.com/event_dir/pa_pennsylvania/pittsburgh/evl_wedding_officiants.html

and other similar listings which can search internet for or just pick up the phone book.

2. For the church setting, here's an idea or two. You live in big city, right? That's good (1) search for desanctified churches--e.g., formerly catholic or otherwise--in or near the city. In bigger cities, often you will find one or several that's now a nice restaurant, a community center, or some other now-secular building but still offers former church site as wedding venue. And sometimes look everybit as the [sanctified] church they once were. (2) On internet (or phone book), for your city or area, focus on key term "chapel." Not always, but often the chapels are where you will find wedding venues that are open to interfaith wedding ceremonies. Also, there is often an associated interfaith officiant or you are allowed to have your own officiant present. Anyway, a little more work, effort and research needed with these options but in this way your family can be satisfied with a traditional setting/venue and your fiancee won't have to compromise his convictions.

Good luck, God bless, and I am sure it will all work out OK!!

--RK

Edited September 14, 2011 by RK_and_Inday

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

@AK--You mention looking for both an officiant and a church for an interfaith ceremony and setting.

1. Yes, for the officiant part, keep contacting interfaith/interdenominational minisiters, consider options from listings such as the following:

http://www.weddingwi.../9-vendors.html

http://www.gathering...officiants.html

and other similar listings which can search internet for or just pick up the phone book.

2. For the church setting, here's an idea or two. You live in big city, right? That's good (1) search for desanctified churches--e.g., formerly catholic or otherwise--in or near the city. In bigger cities, often you will find one or several that's now a nice restaurant, a community center, or some other now-secular building but still offers former church site as wedding venue. And sometimes look everybit as the [sanctified] church they once were. (2) On internet (or phone book), for your city or area, focus on key term "chapel." Not always, but often the chapels are where you will find wedding venues that are open to interfaith wedding ceremonies. Also, there is often an associated interfaith officiant or you are allowed to have your own officiant present. Anyway, a little more work, effort and research needed with these options but in this way your family can be satisfied with a traditional setting/venue and your fiancee won't have to compromise his convictions.

Good luck, God bless, and I am sure it will all work out OK!!

--RK

Wow! Extremely helpful. I'll keep these things in mind. We've found a couple options that may work out for us. Thanks for your help!

[RK_and_Inday 10]

AK--You are very welcome. Glad you found the suggestions helpful. And, I am very glad to know you have already found a couple of options already! Sounds like you are way ahead of the game. Continuing good wishes to you and your fiance on your visa journey! -RK

[Messybrownhair 251]

I am Catholic and my hubby is 7th Day Adventist and we were able to have a catholic wedding, but we had to go through so much! He was not asked to convert, but we needed the bishop's permission

[Bryan and Isabel 29]

Thanks this info was helpfull

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from K-1 Process to General Immigration Discussion.