Catholic Weddings: Bridesmaids, Traditions, And More

Catholic weddings are steeped in tradition and liturgy, and the processional is one of the biggest moments of the entire ceremony, marking the couple's entrance into the venue. The processional order is as follows: the officiant, the groom and his best man, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the maid of honour, and finally, the bride and her father or another male family member. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are not official roles in the Catholic wedding liturgy, but few couples would consider having a wedding without them.

The role of bridesmaids and groomsmen in the Catholic wedding liturgy

Although there is no official role for bridesmaids and groomsmen in the Catholic wedding liturgy, few couples would consider having a wedding without asking friends or family to fill these traditional roles. In a Catholic wedding, the bride and groom are the ministers of the sacrament of matrimony, and their primary focus should be on this role.

In a Catholic wedding liturgy, all of the assembled guests are called to actively participate in the wedding liturgy by joining in song and prayer at the appropriate times. They are not an audience passively observing a show. Bridesmaids and groomsmen can encourage the full participation of the assembly by serving as ministers of hospitality, warmly greeting guests as they arrive at the church.

The processional may begin with the priest meeting the bride and groom at the entrance and then leading them and their attendants to the altar. Alternatively, the priest and servers can enter on their own and take their places in the sanctuary before the wedding couple enters, greeting them when they arrive at their places. The processional might include the cross bearer, the priest and servers, as well as the witnesses, bridesmaids and groomsmen. The groom is encouraged to process in with his parents, and the bride with her parents. If the bride is in the processional with her father only, he escorts her up the aisle, on his right arm. When he gives her hand to the groom, he then steps back and joins his wife in the first pew. If the bride has no one to escort her, she traditionally walks up the aisle alone.

During the processional, the officiant will walk down the aisle first, followed by the groom and his best man. They then take their positions at the altar, with the priest at the centre. The bridesmaids and groomsmen will enter the church together and walk down the aisle in pairs, with the women and men on the left and right, respectively. The maid of honour may follow behind, sometimes holding the bridal bouquet, after which the father of the bride (or godfather) escorts her towards the altar. As she makes her way down the aisle, the officiant may request that the guests stand.

The processional

The Officiant's Entrance

The officiant, usually a priest or deacon, walks down the aisle first. They then take their position at the altar, with the priest in the centre.

The Groom's Entrance

The groom and his best man enter from the side of the church and take their places at the altar. In some cases, the groom may be encouraged to process in with his parents.

The Wedding Party's Entrance

The bridesmaids and groomsmen enter the church together and walk down the aisle in pairs, with the women on the left and the men on the right. In some cases, members of the wedding party may be given other roles, such as doing the readings or serving as altar servers.

The Maid of Honour's Entrance

The maid of honour may enter alone, sometimes holding the bridal bouquet.

The Bride's Entrance

The father of the bride (or another male family member) escorts the bride towards the altar. As she makes her way down the aisle, the officiant may request that the guests stand. If the bride has no one to escort her, she traditionally walks up the aisle alone.

The Conclusion of the Processional

Once everyone has arrived and taken their places, the priest leads everyone in the sign of the cross once the processional song has finished.

The Recessional

After the ceremony, there is a recessional, which is essentially the processional in reverse. The newlyweds usually lead the way, followed by the maid of honour and best man, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and finally the couple's parents.

The blessing of the couple

The Significance of the Blessing

The blessing holds profound significance for the couple, their families, and the entire congregation. It is a public declaration of the couple's devotion to each other and their faith, with the priest invoking God's grace and protection upon their union. This moment also serves as a reminder that the wedding is not just a social event but a sacred ritual, elevating it beyond a simple exchange of vows.

The Role of Holy Water

Holy water is an integral part of the blessing ritual, symbolising spiritual cleansing and protection. The priest uses it to make the Sign of the Cross, marking the couple with this powerful symbol of faith. This act is believed to ward off evil and invite divine favour upon the couple as they embark on their new life together.

A Time for Prayer

During the blessing, the priest may lead the congregation in prayer, with guests joining in silent prayer to extend their own blessings to the couple. This collective act of prayer unifies the community in support of the newlyweds, creating a sense of shared joy and celebration. It is a time when the spiritual and the communal intersect, reinforcing the sacred nature of the marriage.

A Memorable Moment

The nuptial mass

A Nuptial Mass wedding ceremony is the oldest and most formal type of wedding ceremony available to all Catholics. It is quite different from the wedding ceremonies we often see on TV, in magazines, or in movies. In a Nuptial Mass, the bride and groom are at the front of the church, with their backs to their guests, either kneeling or sitting before the priest and the altar. There is no bridal party accompanying them as there would be in a non-Mass wedding ceremony.

A Nuptial Mass wedding ceremony is structured around Scripture readings and the celebration of the Eucharist. This means that there are restrictions on what can be included in the ceremony. For example, the type of music that can be played, and the customs and traditions that the bride and groom are allowed to perform, are limited. Every aspect of the ceremony is predefined according to Scripture.

The main customization options available to the couple relate to the Scripture readings, Psalms, and Hymns that are sung by the guests. Under the guidance of the priest, the couple can choose which Scriptures, Psalms, and Hymns are included in their ceremony. The priest will advise on the suitability of their choices, and which sections of Scripture need to be read by himself, and which can be read by the couple's guests.

It is important to conduct wedding rehearsals prior to the wedding. There are several different ways for the ceremony to commence, and some customs may or may not be incorporated into the proceedings. It is vital that everyone who is participating in the ceremony knows their role, and when and how this will be performed.

Before the ceremony can begin, the bride and groom will need to take their place at the front of the church before the altar. The first few pews will be reserved for members of the wedding party, their parents, and other important guests. Most Nuptial Mass weddings are held when two practicing Catholics wish to be married. A Nuptial Wedding can be more of an open event when compared to the more private non-Mass wedding ceremony. At many of these ceremonies, all members of the parish are welcomed to attend the wedding, even if they do not know the couple personally.

Unlike a non-Mass wedding, there is no "Here comes the bride" song played to indicate the bride's arrival. The bride and groom may be seated in their required position before their guests are permitted to enter the church. They may wait at the entrance while they wait for everyone to take their seats before making their way down the aisle. They may be escorted down one at a time by their parents, or they could escort each other down, hand in hand, as they take their position. Once the bride and groom are seated, they will remain seated for the entirety of the ceremony.

The Gathering Rite, also known as The Entrance Rite, is when all guests stand and wait for the ceremony to commence. When the priest is able to hold everyone's attention, they begin by addressing everyone in attendance. The priest welcomes the guests and family members of the couple, along with any other members of the parish who may be attending. The purpose and significance of the ceremony are made clear to everyone, including the couple. The first hymn of the ceremony is then sung by the whole assembly. The priest then invites everyone to join them in the opening prayer before encouraging them to be seated.

The Liturgy of the Word is when the priest leads the congregation in the readings from Scripture. What the priest reads aloud may have been selected by the couple or by himself. The priest will read Scripture from the Old Testament. At the conclusion of the reading, the priest proclaims "The word of the Lord", and those in attendance respond with "Thanks be to God". If a choir is present, they will now lead the assembly in singing a psalm. The priest can then read Scripture from a book of the New Testament. At the conclusion of this reading, the priest again proclaims "The word of the Lord", and those in attendance respond with "Thanks be to God".

Everyone in attendance stands and sings the Gospel Acclamation. There are several options available for the hymn that is sung. Outside of Lent, the Alleluia is the more common choice for most weddings. The priest will now read from the Gospel for all to hear. At the conclusion of the reading, the priest proclaims "The Gospel of the Lord", and those in attendance respond with "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ", before taking their seats again. The priest will now offer spiritual insight on matters of life, love, union, or the graces of the Lord, relating to the wedding ceremony or couple. While the inspiration of a Homily is drawn from Scripture readings, a Homily is more of an educational sermon rather than spiritual directions or instructions.

The Celebration of Matrimony is when the priest focuses all of their attention on the couple. To let everyone know that they are now addressing the couple directly, the priest will say something like:

> Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the Church so that in the presence of the Church’s minister and the community, your intention to enter into Marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal. Christ abundantly blesses the love that binds you.

The recessional

In summary, the recessional is a joyous and memorable moment in a Catholic wedding, marking the conclusion of the liturgy and the start of the celebration. It is a time for the bridal party to shine and the couple to express their individuality, all while being surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends.

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