Catholic and Greek same day ceremony?

I would highly suggest against having two ceremonies on the same day. I have been to one wedding where the bride was from a monolingual Spanish speaking strict Roman Catholic family and the groom was the son of a pastor from a local Protestant Church. To avoid a ton of family discord they had the Roman Catholic wedding first. Only the bridal party and the brides family were invited to this ceremony (it wasn't like the others weren't invited but excluding most of the guest list from the invitation took the pressure off of guests to go to 2 ceremonies, one of which was an hour and a half long in another language). Then they had another ceremony in the Protestant church to which everyone was invited. The groom, who we know better, told us never ever to do what he did. He said it was exhausting.

I would talk to the priests of both churches. Greek Orthodoxy accepts transubstantiation, which means that members of the Catholic Church and Greek Orthodox Church can take communion at each other's churches. I think there is a good chance that the Catholic Church may actually accept a Greek Orthodox wedding as a sacramental marriage and vice versa. I would talk to both priests to see if they accept marriage in the other church as Sacramental. Most Catholic Churches will allow another celebrant to run the ceremony. We had DH's youth pastor co-preside over our ceremony. Since he was from a Protestant Church, he couldn't actually perform the Sacrament, but it's possible that a Greek Orthodox priest could be much more involved in the Catholic ceremony and vice versa, which may satisfy you in-laws. I would just talk to both churches. Your case is unique because Greek Orthodoxy is one of the few denominations that the Catholic Church allows to share communion with.

I'm just going to say.... have you been to a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony? They are looooong... LONG AF! I don't think you should do them both in the same day!

There is a lot you have to look into. From what I understand.. (and I could be wrong and it could have changed, but I dont think so) You cannot marry in a Greek Orthodox church unless you are also Greek Orthodox. Also your "koumbaro and koumbara" must be Greek Orthodox and approved by the church/priest marrying you.

I suggest you do more research on this with your actual priests. Even if it's possible, you seriously don't want to do this on the same day; you're talking three hours of ceremony, if they can even be arranged on the same day.

Adding... since you mentioned that your husband to be is not much of a church-goer, Im guessing you guys aren't really aware of the ins-and-outs of a Greek Orthodox wedding. You can't just have one. You both have to be baptised.

So it sounds like from other PP that it's more the Catholic Church that is bit more accepting of Greek Orthodox. I would still definitely sit down and talk to both churches and make the decision that's best for you. And then watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding just because it's a good movie.

Please don't do a Greek orthodox unless it's really the most important thing ever to you . They are long and awkward.

The ceremonies aren't awkward if thats your religion and you understand the symbolism and traditions of the ceremony. The point is... you cant have a proper Greek Orthodox ceremony unless you are both of the Greek Orthodox religion. As already mentioned, the church is very strict. My guess is this option is probably not an option for you guys.

All the Catholics I know who have married Greek Orthodox, have married in the Orthodox Church as those marriages are recognized by the Catholic Church.

I agree with above posters, Orthodox ceremonies are loooong there are a lot of steps and they are usually performed in Greek. Please consult your priest.

One of my coworkers did this several years ago. She's Catholic and he's Greek Orthodox. They had the wedding at the Catholic church (we're a small town, so we don't have an actual Greek Orthodox church in town, which I guess made it easier), and both the Catholic and Greek ceremonies were done on the same day, one after the other. I wasn't working at the school yet, but the rest of the staff (who were her choir) say it was long, but neither Catholic nor Greek Orthodox guests would mind that, especially if they are devout and appreciate the significance. I think the tradition of the crowns in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic rites is beautiful, as well as the carrying of the icons!

Jessica, not sure if you'll receive this message but do you happen to know anything about canon law specifically that would allow you and your husband to do both ceremonies? My fiancee and I were trying to do the same thing but were explicitly told by the Roman catholic diocese that we are not allowed to be married again in the greek church as it would negate the first wedding in the catholic church. Any advice would be appreciated.