Most dioceses do require a waiting period in order to ensure that couples are adequately prepared for the lifelong commitment of marriage. Generally, couples are asked to participate in marriage preparation classes during this time. St. Jude requires a six-month waiting period.
There are three basic requirements for a valid Catholic wedding:
Some engaged couples consider supplying their own readings for their wedding: a favorite poem, the lyrics from a significant song, excerpts from a novel, and so on. Usually the couple reason that a non-Scriptural reading of their own choosing is just as meaningful to them as one from the Bible, if not more so. Although such readings may be meaningful to the couple, the Church does not allow non-Scriptural readings to substitute for the readings supplied by The Order for Celebrating Matrimony or the Lectionary for Mass.
Why not? A Catholic wedding is a celebration of the whole faith community, so it makes sense to choose readings that belong to the whole faith community, not just the couple. More importantly, though, in a Catholic wedding the couple and the whole Church recognize that it is ultimately the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, who seals the covenant that the couple make (Catechism #1624). So at a Catholic wedding, God should be at the top of the guest list. One of the many ways that God is present at the wedding is through the reading of the Scriptures—the Word of God. The Church believes that it is Christ himself who speaks when the Scriptures are read (Catechism #1088).
Other texts may have special meaning for you as a couple; you might even hear God speaking to you through them. Even so, it is through the Scriptures that God has chosen to speak to all believers for the sake of their salvation (Catechism #105-108).
No, unless the previous marriage is found to be not valid or the former spouse has died (Canon 1085).
The marriage covenant is sealed by God, and the Church does not have the authority to dissolve it (see Catechism #1639-1640); the Church bases this on the teaching of Jesus (see Mark 10:6-12).
A new marriage is permitted, however, if the proper Church authorities determine that the previous marriage was invalid sacramentally from the beginning. A declaration that the previous marriage was invalid is called a declaration of nullity, or more commonly, an annulment. An annulment is not a type of divorce, because it does not dissolve the marriage bond; it merely confirms that the marriage bond was never properly contracted in the first place.
Yes, for non-registered parishioners the fee is $1000 (American)