"The Catholic Church believes that marriages entered into by non-Catholics in their particular church, or wherever they may take place, are valid. In the eyes of the Church, even two atheists or agnostics who are married civilly before a judge or magistrate enter into a valid marriage.

Convalidation Requirements: Catholics, however, are bound to observe a certain form of marriage ritual in order that their marriage be valid. Canon law—the law of the Church—requires that Catholics enter into marriage by free mutual consent that is witnessed in a church by an authorized bishop, priest, or deacon and at least two other witnesses. Marriages in which one or both parties are Catholic and which are not witnessed by an authorized bishop, priest, or deacon, or which do not receive proper permission to take place in another forum, are considered invalid in the eyes of the Church. A Catholic in this situation or who is in a second or third invalid marriage should abstain from Holy Communion and Confession until the matter is resolved. 

It may be that the Catholic who entered into marriage outside the Church did not realize that these requirements existed, but more often, it is because one or both of the spouses were not free to marry in the Catholic Church because of a previous marriage or because they were awaiting a Declaration of Nullity. Also, the Catholic partner(s) may not have been active in the Church and did not consider having a Catholic wedding.

The Church very much wants to assist these couples who later want to enter into valid Catholic marriage, and it offers them pastoral and spiritual support as they need it. When these couples are ready and free to do so, they celebrate what is called a convalidation, from the Latin word meaning “to firm up” or “to strengthen.” This is sometimes wrongly referred to as the blessing of a marriage.

It is important to realize that a convalidation is not merely a renewal of promises made previously but is a new act of consent by each spouse.
This new act of consent is essential to marriage, and the words that the couple expresses are the outward sign of the gift of self that they exchange.

This convalidation of marriage may be celebrated within Mass or outside of Mass, again depending on the particular situation of the couple.
If both are Catholic, it is fitting that the convalidation be celebrated within Mass.  If one spouse is not, it is preferable that it be celebrated outside of Mass.

https://www.catholicmarriageprep.com/convalidation

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!  This is an exciting time in your life.  Your love for one another has led you to make this marriage commitment!  Please contact Fr. Dawid Kwiatkowski (fatherdawid717@gmail.com), or Deacon Ben Ernst (bene@earthlink.net) to set up an appointment.  The appointment should be made six months (at a minimum) prior to your wedding, and will require the couple to attend this appointment together.  No date should be set for the wedding until it is approved by the Pastor and then priest/deacon celebrating the wedding Liturgy. All weddings take place on Saturdays at 1pm. Rehearsals are at 6pm on the evening before. Contact the Parish Office to discuss fee schedule and contract submission.

Saint Anne Church does not accommodate what is called “destination weddings” to the Savannah area.

In order to be married at Saint Anne’s the following things are necessary:

  1.  The couple must be free to marry in the Catholic Church.

  2.  The Catholic party must be a registered and contributing member of the parish, giving their time, talent and treasure, and practicing with Sunday Mass the minimal expectation.

  3.   If a Catholic who does not live in Richmond Hill has family ties to St. Anne Church (parent or grandparents are members) consideration will be given for the wedding to be at St. Anne’s.

4.  Those Catholics who live away from St. Anne’s, but are granted permission to be married here, must be registered in their local Catholic parish and permission must be given by the pastor there for the wedding to be here.

The priest will explain the marriage preparation process with you both.  When a couple is married in the Catholic Church, we (Catholics) believe that the couple not only make this commit themselves to one another, but they make a marriage commitment to God and to the Catholic community.  Marriage in the Catholic Church is not a private affair, as God and the Catholic community commit to support the couple in their marriage.  This, in part, is why all Catholic marriages take place within the St. Anne Catholic Church building either in our Main Church or our Martha and Mary Chapel.  Even more important, because the marriage covenant is grounded in faith and will only be successful lived-in faith, it is essential that the couple be practicing and living their faith within a parish community.  This means, at a minimal, that Catholics attend Sunday Mass each and every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation.  Weddings will be celebrated in ad orientem - Eucharistic Part of the Mass, the Priest turns toward the Cross and begins to face the same direction as the people.

PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK FOR NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING INFORMATION AND OUR PARISH'S POINT OF CONTACT.

1.  The Unity Candle is not used in the Catholic Nuptial Liturgy.  (The so-called "unity candle" is a commerical product of which no mention is made in the Liturgical books of the Catholic Church.

2.  Remembering deceased family members is allowed during the Prayers of the Faithful.

1.  At the rehearsal:  Casual dress, such as long pants and sport shirts/blouses are allowed.  However, athletic wear, short shorts, tank tops, etc. are not allowed in the Catholic Church.  The Catholic Church is the House of God and appropriate reverence in attire and demeanor is demanded.  Please remind anyone in your wedding party not to bring food and/or drink into the church, and the chewing of gum is not allowed in the church at any time.

2.  At the Wedding Liturgy:  Garments worn by the bride and her attendants must be modest and in keeping with Catholic sensibilities in the House of God.  Dresses that fall above the knee are not allowed.  Respect for the House of God and the Catholic Church's worship during the Nuptial Liturgy must take precedence over current styles and/or fads.  The groom and groomsmen may wear a tuxedo or formal suit with tie or bow tie.  For both men and women, the desire for modesty should be the motivating desire.

There are two Forms for the Nuptial Liturgy.

1.  Within Mass:  Your wedding would be like a Sunday Mass except after the homily the exchange of vows, blessing, and exchange of rings occur and the Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Only practicing Roman Catholics who are properly disposed, and are free of any unforgiven mortal sin may receive Holy Communion.  The Sacrament of Confession should be requested prior to the wedding by the Catholic bride or groom and any Catholic wedding party who desire to receive Holy Communion.

2.  Outside of Mass:  Your wedding would be like the first part of Mass (The Liturgy of the Word).  However, after the homily, the exchange of vows, the blessing, and the exchange of rings there will be another blessing and dismissal.

3.  When a Catholic marries someone who is not Christian or not baptized a Nuptial Mass is not allowed, only the Nuptial Liturgy Outside of Mass is permitted.

4.  A Nuptial Mass is sometimes allowed when a Catholic marries a baptized Christian.  However, only Roman Catholics may receive Holy Communion.  The non-Catholic spouse may not receive Holy Communion.  For this reason, the Nuptial Liturgy Outside of Mass may be more suitable to your circumstances.  The Priest will decide on that after meeting with the couple. 

5.  It is highly recommended that when two Catholics marry, the Nuptial Mass be celebrated.  However, for a good pastoral reason, the Nuptial Liturgy Outside of Mass can sometimes be chosen.

1.  The priest or deacon preparing you for marriage will direct you to the SACC website where you will find a booklet that will enable you to select the various readings and prayers for the Nuptial Liturgy.  The wedding coordinator will send out the wedding planning paperwork along with the scripture selections prior to the wedding. Only the choices given can be used.  The Scriptures must be from the Lectionary of the Catholic Church which is approved by the Catholic Church for Liturgical use.

2.  The bridal couple may not write their own vows.  Only those offered by the Catholic Church may be used.  Please contact the Music Director, Mrs. Jody DeLigouri if you have any questions about the music options (jody.deliguori@gmail.com).

3.  When the Nuptial Mass is celebrated, the Lector(s) chosen must be Confirmed and practicing Catholics capable of proclaiming the Scriptures well.  Only Commissioned by the Priest of this parish Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can be selected to help distribute Holy Communion, if needed. However, most of the time, there will be no Extraordinary Ministers designated.  
  
4.  Pets are not allowed to be a part of the procession or ceremony.

5.  The use of alcohol prior to the wedding is forbidden.  No alcoholic beverages may be brought to or consumed on the church campus.

6.  Drunkenness by anyone in the wedding party prior to the Nuptial Liturgy will lead to that person being asked not to participate by the bride or groom.  This will also lead to the cancellation of the wedding.

7.  Please be sure that any ring bearer or flower girl is mature enough for their role, and will not be a distraction during the Nuptial Procession and during the Liturgy.  The flower girl can only carry flowers if they are needed for the ceremony.  However, she cannot throw flowers or flower petals inside or outside the church.