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If you are divorced and your former spouse is still alive, you will find it difficult to have a full religious marriage service. In the Roman Catholic Church for example, it is technically impossible to be married again especially if your spouse is still alive. Even if you got civil divorce, you must seek annulment of the previous marriage from the Pope, which is a long, daunting and intimidating process.

Note that if the previous marriage did not take place in church, it does not require annulment. The church point of view is, a civil marriage that ends up in divorce was never a marriage in the first place.

Some denominations will make exceptions, but this is based on a review of each case. However, widows and widowers are free to remarry in church.

Meeting Your Officiant
When booking for the church venue, get all the details regarding the rules and restrictions. Most church venues have a checklist of requirements, which you must fullfill before the day of the wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; you want to make sure you and your church are on the same wavelength.

Here is a list of questions you may wish to ask the officiant.

• Are the dates and times you are interested in available?

• What are the requirements for getting married in this Church?

• What are the pre-marital counselling requirements?

• Who will perform the ceremony? (You may be close to a particular officiant, only to find that he or she is not available at the time you want.)

• Are visiting clergy allowed to take part in the ceremony? If so,who will be responsible for what?

• What does the church have available with regard to aisle runners, musical instruments and musical talent? Is the church organ in good working order? What is the policy for bringing your own organist (or other musicians?) is there enough room at the site for you to bring in additional singers and players.

• Are there any restrictions on decorations? On music? Some churches may not allow balloons and confetti or secular music.

• Will you be allowed into the ceremony site well in advance of the wedding to attend to decorations and set-up?

• Is another wedding scheduled for the same day as yours? If so, is there enough time between the two ceremonies to set-up decorations and otherwise get things ready?

• Are there any restrictions on where the photographer or Videographers may stand (or move) during the ceremony?

• Can your friends take part in the ceremony, as, say, readers or singers?

• What are the costs of the ceremony and the use of the Church and facilities? (This payment is typically referred to as a donation. It does not go to any single individual but to the Church as a whole.

• How much parking is available?

• What arrangements are made for heating during the colder months or ventilation/air conditioning during the warmer months? (There’s nothing worse than a bride shivering at the If yours will be an interfaith marriage, will participation from another officiant be allowed? Can other cultural and religious customs be included in the ceremony?