No. The Church is really declaring in hindsight that, on the wedding day, specific factors prevented the bride and groom from bringing about a legally valid marriage in church law. The ceremony is not wiped away – all the guests saw it happen! The relationship of husband and wife is not wiped away – that remains the relationship between the man and woman while they lived together. The children are not wiped away – they were born in a loving union, are a blessing from our loving God and remain legitimate in church law.