Church wedding after 5 years of living together. What do you think about it?

Well it is a matter of opinion and what you want. If you want to renew your vows. If you are doing it just to get pictures. That's another thing. I can understand your son being confused. I, myself would have told him that no one was there to take pictures of our wedding and we had a different kind of wedding. Children are stronger than most give them credit for and their understanding is great. If you want to renew your vows, I think this is great. If you want pictures of your wedding you can always dressing in your wedding clothes and go to a photography studio or have them meet you in a field of flowers, church or any place. There are lots of people that do this because of the circumstances surrounding the first wedding. A minister or priest will be glad to stand in for you. They don't usually ask for money, but a donation is nice. Renewing your vows and doing it all over again what will you tell your son then? You can do it all differently this time and make sure you get pictures. Either way you go I'm sure you will be happy with what ever you decide on. A wedding will cost much more. Having just the pictures made will not hurt the wallet as much. If money is not an issue and you have your heart set on a wedding, then do it. Do what you want to. You may have people tell you that it's not right or whatever. I feel that anytime people renew their vows it's a beautiful thing. Sometimes it reminds them why they got together in the first place.

what reflects on a piece of paper means nothing if there is love and trust. I've personally witnessed a few church marriages go sour in less than one year. The fact that you're still married and have that unity is a blessing. If you and your husband feel it would be best to marry in a church wedding then I wish you all the best. What matters is what's in your heart Arlene :)

I wouldn't feel guilty about it. I mean, if you want to have a wedding then have one! It dosen't matter whether you have a child or not. Just do what makes you feel good. Don't stress what other people will think.

If you're living together happily and successfully for 5 years, why shake the boat by marriage? LOL! I'm just kidding. Nothing really awkward in getting into church wedding even when you already have a son. It will be great to see your son carrying your wedding ring isn't it?

its great that you will have your civil wedding...and maybe its time for you now to settle down for your child sake and for him to feel that he also is in a family...but then it's all up to you,Congrats!

that would be eciting arlene to have a wedding in the church:-) about ur expenses don't worry u can have wedding beside the church so its free..lol!just kidding!go for it arlene and hey dnt forget to invite me:-)

I don't think it is awkward at all. The first thing I would do is sit down with my son and since he is asking quesions than he is not to young. Explain to him the feelings behind your not getting married. Explain in a way that a child his age can understand. Believe me they are more intelligent than adults think they are. Make sure that he understands that no matter what he is the center of both of your universes. Ask him if he would feel better if you two got married. That way he is being included in your decision. That will make him feel real good. That his opinion means something to you guys.

For me, if you want to do it, it is not awkward at all! What you want is a blessing according to your faith and there is nothing wrong with that! But, that time, it was also ok to explain to the kid what's the difference of civil and church wedding, so, he will also realize that both ceremony is valid and legal to do~

Why don't you have any photos of your wedding? a civil ceremony is not a lesser version of a church ceremony. it's still a wedding. it surprises me that you don't display the photos from it, just as proudly as someone would display the photos from their church wedding. I know I will do. and there's no way I'd ever marry in a church, it would render my vows meaningless to swear them to a God that isn't my own.

my wife and i were living together for 8 years now. we have 4 kids. yet im planning to marry her this year. october 23 to be exact. i believe it makes a family more blessed having the blessing from HIM thru the church.. my friend told me that his son experienced inferiority complex but amazingly it was gone after they got married. i just dont know if there are some connections with that but my friend believed that somehow, it makes the child timid.

hey arlene. Why would you think it's awkward? By law, you are already married to one another and not just living in. A church wedding is just a formality of your previous civil wedding. Explain to your son that you had a different kind of wedding from the one he saw in the picture. If you're gonna have a church wedding make sure the reason is because you and your husband wants to be binded by church and have God's and the church's blessings. I had a church wedding after 6 years of being civilly married and I was really happy because in my husband's clan, if you're not married in church, you're still living in sin..Cheers to your future wedding!!

It's not awkward -- it's wonderful. Renewing your vows is always great, especially with your son witnessing it. Nothing could be sweeter. I am happy for you. Don't hesitate about pushing through with it. It's something worth looking back in your lifetime.

Why not? It'll be fun! You are already married, so what's the harm. And even the catholic church will do it. They are more easygoing nowadays than even twenty years ago, lol.

As a Catholic, I believe that getting married in a church in front of the entire Catholic community is like making a vow of commitment to each other with the Church and God as your witnesses. A civil ceremony is legally binding, just as a church ceremony is, but it lack a commitment to the community and to God. Anyway, I think you should go ahead with a second wedding even with a son IF you want to commit yourselves to each other again with more people to witness the union. But if you're doing it just to get good pictures to show and tell, then it's just going to be a waste of money. Weddings are quite expensive nowadays so only go through with it if you really want to prove something. :) Otherwise, just save the money for your son's future. :)

I can't see a thing wrong with it. We got married at the court house and sometimes I think it would be nice to have a church wedding. I have a neighbor that was married about 20 yrs and they renewed their vows. Its along the same line.

i guess not..i had civil wedding at first and hesitant for a church wedding..but due to constant advices of the olds regarding church wedding and consequences(cant receive holy communion and among others) then i was persuade to do so and during that time i had already 2 children, a three year old son and a two year old daughter...theres nothing wrong with it i guess..

If it suits the budget, WHY NOT!!!! Every woman dreams of walking in an aisle to marry her love, even in your case you would still feel the excitement. I remember how I feel when I am about to walk to the altar, goodness! my feet doesn't cooperate. I don't know which foot would come first LOL! I love the memories whenever we open our wedding album, but hey! my son is asking why he is not there.

Thats a great idea. And your son could serve as the ring bearer. According to a lot of people, when you have civil wedding, you are only binded with the law of man, even if you are already called as husband and wife, theres still something lacking, and they said its the blessing of God in the sacred sacrament of matrimony. If you have chance, I recommend for a church wedding. At least your son will now have pictures of you and your husband just like what he saw from school. No, thats only one reason, what is important is you will receive the blessed sacrament of matrimony.

Civil wedding is actually the most practical thing a couple could do nowadays that life is really hard. Anyway, it is as valid and as binding as the church wedding and what really matters is how your marriage life is going on and not how the wedding was done. In your case, it all depends on your desire... if you feel that there really is a good reason and you have the budget to do so then do! But as for me it is not practical to do it at this point in time. Maybe the best time is on your 25th year to celebrate your silver wedding anniversary and for the renewal of marriage vow. Meanwhile, your son is already 4 years old and I suppose he is an intelligent boy. There is no reason why you can't explain to him the truth when after all there is nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed about. Anyway, you are legally married and you can always show him the license and explain to him why you opted for a civil wedding in a way that a little boy like him would understand. This is just a suggestion and whatever would be your decision... that I would always respect. God bless!

I think there's nothing wrong about your intention so if you decided to do it - why not? And I'm sure you will enjoy the wedding:) Expenses of course are serious issue to worry about, but money aome and go... And this is something that lasts.