Marriage as an Inquirer

Just looking for some insight, I have been a long term Inquirer to the Orthodox Church and have attended several over the years on an ad hoc basis with the intention of making it a bigger part of my life in the future. I had assumed by the time I would be getting married that I would be a member of the church but that still is not the case.

I am getting married this summer and I am wondering if for example I were to join the church next year or shortly afterwards, would it make any difference if I am in a civil marriage vs. A catholic / Protestant marriage? Would I need to remarry when I join - or can I just get a blessing from the priest?

I was raised Catholic and my girlfriend Methodist but neither of us are practicing in either of these religions now so we had just assumed we would do a civil marriage. My hope is then that when I do join the Orthodox church in the future, that we can do something together there at that point to recognise the marriage there also.

Any insight is greatly appreciated, thank you.