Questions / Confession and the sacraments
What about our wedding?
Answered on video by The Thomistic Institute (Dominican friars)
Video: What Happens at a Catholic Wedding? (Aquinas 101), The Thomistic Institute, published Oct 13, 2025. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube
In short: Marrying a baptized non-Catholic needs permission from the Church; a non-baptized partner needs a dispensation. Talk to your priest early. CCC 1635
The answer, in writing
In the Latin Church, a marriage with a baptized non-Catholic needs the express permission of Church authority. CCC 1635
Marriage with a non-baptized person needs an express dispensation for validity. CCC 1635
Before the wedding, the Catholic partner declares that they will guard their own faith and makes “a sincere promise to do all in his or her power so that all offspring are baptized and brought up in the Catholic Church.” CIC 1125
The non-Catholic partner makes no promise; they are simply told about the Catholic partner’s promise, so that they are “truly aware” of it. CIC 1125
The same conditions apply when the other partner is not baptized. CIC 1086
Talk to your priest at least six months ahead. If you’re already married outside the Church, ask about having it convalidated; it’s often simpler than people think.
Next step: Going to Mass with them
Honestly? The best answers come from people, not websites. Take the next step: find a parish near you
Related questions
Sources on this page
How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph · 2 historical sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1635 (official text on vatican.va).
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