Different religions

Talk with FH to make sure you are a united front and then set your boundaries and hold firm. You're adults and can make your own decisions for your wedding and your family and they need to respect that.

Do what is best for you and your family !!!! Parents are always going to have an opinion but they did what was best for you now it is time for you to do what is best for your family !!!! Pray everything works out

I am also catholic and so is my FH. However, we are very limited with the wedding times - it's either 2pm or 7pm. We chose 7pm since it's a summer wedding. My FMIL wants us to have a full mass and I don't due to time. I'm just respectfully stating we understand but our decision is to do what we feel best (just the marriage sacrament no full mass). As far as raising your children catholic, you will discuss topics like that in your premarital counseling which is strictly between you and your fiancé Tell your dad you will discuss with a professional.

Wait a minute. Christian and Catholic. I'm aware there is a difference in doctrine but both believe in the Bible and Jesus. This should be a non issue.

You are starting your own family now, you get to decide how it will be done. Just make sure you and FH have each other's backs and communicate different issues so no one is totally backed up into a corner.

I know exactly what you are going through. We kind of went through that with both sets of parents when we first started talking about marriage. FH's parents and mine are pretty devoted Catholics and FH and I are not religious so convincing our parents that we were not going to get married in a church was a little rough lol BUT, you have to put your foot down sometime. You guys are grown adults and your parents don't really have a say in your future together in that sense. We sat down with our parents and explained to them how we viewed OUR wedding and our life together and how having a religious ceremony didn't feel right for either of us. They are now fine with letting us plan the wedding and life we want... We have also been "living in sin" since we moved in together without being married so that might've helped ease them into our view lol

That's what my parents tell me. That we will be living in sin for not getting married under gods eye(church), which I have responded we would get married in a Christian church, then they get mad bc now I'm living in sin for not wanting a Catholic Church. But I greatly appreciate all the advice it helps a lot

You are aware that Catholic is a type of Christian, I hope?

As a Christian, I say this firmly, God is everywhere, not only in the church. That's like saying he only hears you praying when you're in church, which we know isn't true. My advice is to get closer to God and talk to your parents. He will give you the strength and the right words to say. With Him all things can be done.

Yes but most Catholic specially the older Catholics (parents, grandparents generation) seem not to see it that way.

I'm Christian and my FH is Catholic and both our parents are hard core. We thought of doing 2 ceremonies but it didn't fit our budget. So we thought of the possibility of combining both (maybe invite the priest to the venue). But there seems to be more restrictions on Catholics so we decided to go with the Christian wedding and have the ceremony and reception in one venue. We talked to FH's parents together and they didn't seem happy, but at the end, became supportive of the other aspects of the wedding. Every once in a while, his mom would ask if we changed our minds, but we have everything booked already! They're your parents and I'm sure they will eventually respect your decision. Take it one step at a time. Figure out the wedding first then how to raise the kids after. And yes, pray about it.

Christianity is Christianity ! You both believe in God so it real,y doesn't matter how you raise your kids, it's none of their business anyhow. Tell your family to mind their own business and be happy for you!

@swiggy, I thought the same thing.

Is there anyway you could do some sort of non-denominational ceremony at a "neutral" location?

We're both Catholic but he wanted to get married outside, can't do that in the Catholic Church. Also, he'd have to convert (if memory serves me right) in order for that to happen.

Your family chose to raise you how they saw fit, I'd kindly tell them that and ask that they allow you to do the same.

Eta: my grandpa was 1st congregational and my grandma was Catholic. Back then couples went with the mans politics and the woman's religion. Kids were all raised Catholic and my grandpa never came to church with us: they were together until he died. It's not THAT important, IMO. Good luck tho, I totally get it.

@Kristina K. There is no way that a non-denominational ceremony at a neutral location would be recognized by the Catholic Church. Normally, they require that the wedding be held in the Catholic Church. They will typically make an exception if the wedding is being held in the other spouse's church, but you have to ask for the exception and have it approved by the Catholic Church. (And you still have to go through Catholic marriage preparation.) Weddings outside of a church are not permitted except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., in a hospital if one of the couple or a parent is seriously ill).

These days, the nonCatholic partner typically is not required to convert. Basically, the Catholic partner must promise to preserve his or her own faith and “ensure the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church."

It is obviously up to the couple whether there is a strong enough connection to the Catholic Church that they care about making the marriage recognized by the Catholic Church. But if they do, it's not as simple as having a non-denominational ceremony at a neutral location.

I can see why your parents are struggling with this. As a Catholic you are expected to get married in the Catholic Church in order to stay in full communion with the Church and for your marriage to be considered sacramental. It is a big decision to make. However it is yours to make, not your parents. If I was in your position and I truly cared about my Catholic faith I would tell my husband how much it meant to me to get married in the Church. But I'm not you of course. How you want to raise your kids is a very important conversation to have. And yes, all Catholics should consider themselves Christian. But obviously not all Christians are in communion with the Catholic Church and there are some big differences in beliefs. Best of luck to you!

I don't agree with the comment that Christianity is Christianity and that it doesn't matter how you raise your kids. There are differences in beliefs and there are people that care greatly in raising their children in their faith tradition. Mixed faith marriages are totally possible obviously but they are challenging for a reason.

Also... Another option I talked to my priest about is getting my marriage blessed by the church. It takes the same prep but it can be done at any time and then you're marriage is good to go in the eyes of the church.

My parents had something similar when they got engaged. My dads family is Catholic and my moms is Episcopalian. My dads father was so furious that he didn't end up going to their wedding at all. It is sad and I think my mom still feels a bit left out (30 years later) on that side of the family because of it. I hope for you and your fiancé that your family understands that you're adults and it's your life. Hopefully they recognize your love for each other and that that goes beyond religious beliefs. Good luck and best wishes.

My first recommendation is to recognize that both you and your fiance are Christians. Catholicism and Protestantism are the two major branches of Christianity.

Second, you and your fiance should do whatever kind of ceremony you both can agree is best, and ask your families to be respectful.

Third, I think that if you and your FH intend to continue to attend separate churches once you are married, exposing your children to both forms of Christianity and letting them choose one (or none) when they are old enough to do so is a valid choice. But I would urge you and your fiance to start talking now about the pros and cons of attending church separately, attending two churches part time (but together, i.e. attend each church as a family every other week), or choosing one church now to be your church together (whether it is the Catholic Church, his particular denomination, or a third denomination). I think that if you can show your families now that you have completely thought through your decision and are making the right choice for your future family, you will be more likely to get the respect of your families. All of these, of course, will come with some heartbreak and compromise, though, so I wish you good luck!