Hi guys. Im Lee from Peterbrough UK. I've been lurking around the forums for the past few weeks reading a lot of your stories and advice regarding British / filipina marriage but this is my first post . I've been in a relationship with my gf for a year now ,and we recently got engaged ,to be married hopefully in April next year in her home region on luzon. She is working in Taiwan on a three year contract which finishes this August , then I'll meet her for my first time in the Philippines. Manilla > palawan then onto meet her family . I cannot wait . I got back from Taiwan a few weeks back visiting her , which was amazing also . It's her dream wedding to be married in church as she is Catholic. I am non religious and have never been baptised. Does anyone know the requirements to be baptised in Phil? I went to my local church here but I have to take a 9 month course , 2 hours per week before I'm baptised. Due to my work shifts , I cannot commit to that . Any advice on any aspect of marriage and visa requirements etc would be most helpful too . I appreciate it. Regards . Lee
Hello Lee welcome to the forum. I don't know anything about having to be baptised to be married in Pinas. Maybe other chaps will comment on that. You have loads of time before the wedding so I hope you can sort that out. Best of luck
Im not catholic but went to a catholic school so my idea might be outdated. As far as i know, it depends on which church and priest would marry you. Sometime, they are linent with the number of hours as long as you have complied with the minimum requirement. Why dont you ask your wife-to be if its possible to do it in ph (and ask her local churh for the requirements mentioing the fact of your background etc)? Is a church wedding the only choice for the both of you? It will be a challenge to comply with the requirments (ie they want a copy of a baptismal certificate, who keeps those?) Plus its expensive - church rental, the cost of seminar, cost of the sponsors (you have to pay for every god-parent you want to invite and in ph,traditionally its around 6 couples). Most ppl i know sort the practical side of the visa thing first ie got married civilly (after the wife has got the flr (m) in the UK and earned/saved a but) then get married in the church afterwards. As you say, complying with the church thing will take time and would set you back months before you get to be together. I understand that you want to give the love of your life the wedding she wants. Goodluck!
Thanks for your reply . I've been to a few churches here and it's known as an rcia course . The problem is is that I work four days on/four off. So I really couldn't commit to attending every Wednesday, or even half of them for 9 months. Also I wouldn't receive certificate until April , but I need to have it three months before I can use it for marriage in Phil. Making her dream wedding come true is my priority, so I'm hoping we can do the baptism quickly in Phil .
Hi Lee, welcome aboard. A nine month course seems a bit over the top, first ask yourself whether you can make the religion a part of your life and take things from there.
To be totally honest , I will never be religious . It is purely to make her dream wedding happen I will attend church with her etc, but that's all. Thanks for your reply
It's not just her dream wedding, it should be your dream wedding as well, and the rest of your life after that. I understand what you are saying, I am a non-practicing Catholic myself, but if religion is so important to her, and she is so important to you then you need to "see the light".
Unlikely, I fear. The Philippine Priest will doubtless have to consult with his Bishop and may require quite a bit if documentation - specific to you - from your local (Catholic) Priest. I strongly suggest that you have a civil wedding followed, if you wish, by a church blessing - for which you do not need to be baptised.
I'm not sure anyone can "see the light " upon request . Its something that happens for that person .I fully understand and support her beliefs as she does mine . I don't really have a dream wedding, but I do have a dream wife. And she is it . If I can make her wishes come true, then I am happy . I really appreciate your feedback mate
Thank you . Obviously civil wedding would be an option . And definitely easier !!! But I want to be sure I've tried everything first to make a church wedding happen . We are both only gonna do this once ...
If that's what you truly want then you go for it. It's still your decision after all. Although if she truly cares for you too (which I don't doubt) you wont have to go through a 9 month course (which is not so feasible for you) just to achieve her dream wedding. Anyhow, if you are willing to do it then go for it. It will all be worth it in the end.
If you approach a "friendly" Parish Priest, then, in exchange for a stack of 'pictures of dead presidents', you could almost certainly have what would amount to (roughly) 95% of a Catholic Church wedding. That would include the Bride gliding down the aisle in her wedding dress and on her father's arm preceded by flower girls and followed by an army of bridesmaids and page boys; re-affirmation of your wedding vows (which you may be able to devise yourselves); a blessing of the union, prayers and sermon. What you won't have is the final call of the bans, the "do you take ..." or the "I pronounce you ..." bits. You probably won't need to provide (and pay for) your gaggle of sponsors. I know it can be done as I attended such an event in Cebu Cathedral a few years ago.
