Can you marry the same person twice without being divorced?

I know this sounds like a silly question, but does anyone know if you can LEGALLY marry the same person twice without getting divorced.  My fiance of 6 years and I were talking about taking off and getting married on our own, the thing is we are getting married next August and we don't want to wait that long.  It feels like we have been waiting to do this forever! Our plan is to take off and not tell anyone (aka elope lol) but come back and get married next year with our families present.  Is this legal.  I haven't really asked anyone because I feel a little dumb about it. But this is what we want to do.  Any advice?

[peaceinknowing]

You can always run off and get married to one another, and then later on have another ceremony where friends and family are involved in the entire process. My friend did this not too long ago.

[jo929]

You can get married and then later renew your vow, but i think you are asking if you can get 2 marriage license and have 2 legal weddings you can only marry man one time legal and then renew vows later in church, with the minister either way it ought to satisfy everyone i hope  luck  jo

[Judy246]

Absolutely. You can have a wedding the way you want it. You can marry in a civil ceremony, followed by a traditional religious ceremony. One  legally by state and the religious is a sacred union before God (for those who are Christians). Civil is City Hall & sacred vows is church, followed by the reception of family and guest.

I was a wedding coordinator for a parish under the Ardiocese of Chicago. There are also fees involved in both and if you are interested in a religious ceremony, you need to contact your denomination priest, pastor, elder, etc to discuss their policies and requirements.  Good Luck :)

[Judy246]

One more note: If one of the individuals was married before and want to get married in a church, they have to be legally divorced and have to meet with the pastor, Rev, elder, etc., first, before a date can be blocked and documentations will also be requested.

[teko]

Sure, you can go ahead and make it legal and then later take your vows in front of your loved ones. People do this all the time. It will be more like renewing your vows in front of your loved ones. The legal part will already be a done deal.