Article: If one partner is willing to convert to the other partner’s religion, many problems may be easily solved as there won’t be two sets of traditions and beliefs to be followed. Review whether this conversion is happening because the one partner wants it to happen, or because there’s too much pressure on them from outside parties (e.g. religious leaders, family members, etc.). It is very important that you and your partner do not convert because of too much pressure from the other person. Converting from one religion to another is an extraordinarily big step and should not be taken lightly. Does the religion of one partner require that the marriage ceremony takes place in a specific location?  Or does the fact that it’s an interfaith marriage limit the locations where the ceremony can be performed?  Is the ceremony itself going to be a religious event?  Are both religions to be celebrated at the marriage ceremony, or do you need to conduct two marriage ceremonies?  If you want to hold your marriage ceremony in a specific location, or include a specific item, determine if you need to obtain permission from religious leaders to do this. If the marriage ceremony is to include one or more religious event, will there be any restrictions on the religious leader who can lead that event?  For example, some religions forbid their religious leaders from performing a marriage ceremony for an interfaith couple. Do you plan to follow both religions regularly, or is the religion of one partner more important to them than religion is to the other partner?  Regardless of which religions are to be followed, are they going to be followed by both partners, or just the one who is a part of the religion?  To make your long-term relationship truly last, these are the types of things you need to figure out in advance. Will your children follow one of the religions or both?  Will you allow them to eventually choose a religion they prefer when they’re old enough, or will you have them participate in religion events from the time they’re born?  For example, if one partner is Catholic, will your children be baptized as babies, or will you let your children decide which religion they prefer when they grow up?  Maintaining an interfaith relationship when there are only two people involved is difficult but is a lot easier than maintaining an interfaith relationship that involves children. Some religions require that the partner who follows that religion do everything in their power to promise to raise children as part of their faith.

What is a summary?
Discuss if one partner will be willing to convert to the other partner’s religion. Decide where the marriage ceremony will be conducted. Determine which religion will be followed on a regular basis. Think about how you will raise any children you have.