Planning A Catholic Wedding: Programs, Are They Needed?

A Catholic wedding is a sacred sacrament, uniting a man and a woman before God, their community, and their loved ones. It is meticulously planned, steeped in tradition, and filled with rituals, prayers, and songs. With so many details to consider, it's easy to overlook the wedding program, but this plays an essential role in helping guests follow the ceremony and actively participate. This is especially true for non-Catholic guests who may be unfamiliar with Catholic liturgy and its unique practices. So, do you need to make a program for a Catholic wedding? The short answer is yes, and here's why.

The purpose of a Catholic wedding program

A Catholic wedding is a meticulously planned event, filled with rituals, traditions, prayers, and songs. The purpose of a Catholic wedding program is to help guests follow the proceedings, especially if they are not familiar with Catholic weddings. The program should orient guests to the space and give them a quick guide to the ceremony. It is a way to welcome guests and help them join in the celebration.

The wedding program should contain the order of service and other pertinent details. It should include the liturgy, readings, prayers, hymns, and other rituals. The program can also include the names of the couple, the date of the wedding, and the name of the church. It can be personalised with a prayer, Scripture passage, or quote that is significant to the couple.

The program can also include practical information, such as directions to the reception, a request to refrain from flash photography, and acknowledgements. It can also explain the rituals, such as communion, to non-Catholic guests.

What to include in a Catholic wedding program

A Catholic wedding is a meticulously planned event, filled with rituals, traditions, prayers, and songs. A wedding program is a great way to help your guests follow along with the ceremony, especially if they are not familiar with Catholic weddings. Here is some information on what to include in a Catholic wedding program:

Prelude Music

Prelude music is usually played or sung about 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony as your guests are getting to their seats. You may want to include the name of the composer, musician, or soloist in your program.

Processional

The priest and groom typically enter first from the side of the venue, followed by the wedding party, and then the bride, escorted by her father. You can include the song for the processional in your program, as well as a request for guests to stand as the bride enters.

Greeting and Opening Prayer

The priest will begin the mass by saying a few words about the couple and the sacrament of marriage, and will finish with an opening prayer. This section of the ceremony also includes readings from the Bible (one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament), Responsorial Psalms, and a homily where the priest reflects on the meaning of the readings in the context of marriage.

The Rite of Marriage

This part of the ceremony includes the exchange of vows, the blessing and exchange of rings, and the Prayers of the Faithful. The congregation stands for this part of the ceremony and responds together in affirmation after each prayer.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

This section includes the Presentation of the Gifts, where friends or family of the couple offer wine and bread at the altar while a hymn is sung. The priest will then pray over the bread and wine as part of the Eucharistic Prayer, followed by the Lord's Prayer. After this, the priest will share a nuptial blessing as the couple kneels in front of the altar. The wedding party and guests then offer a sign of peace to those nearby, usually by shaking hands and saying, "Peace be with you." Finally, as part of communion, the congregation will sing a hymn while the priest breaks the bread, and communion is shared with the couple and Catholic guests.

Recessional

After communion, the priest will end the mass with a final prayer, blessing the new union. The newlyweds will then exit the altar, followed by their wedding party. You can include the recessional song in your program.

Wedding Party

Include the names and roles of the wedding party, such as the parents of the bride and groom, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer, flower girl, and ushers.

Reception Details

At the end of the program, include reception details such as the time and address of the venue. You can also include other pertinent details such as whether there will be a receiving line.

Additional Information

You may also want to include a note of gratitude to your guests, lyrics to congregational songs, a request to refrain from flash photography during the ceremony, directions to the reception, and any other details you feel are important for your guests to know.

How to design a Catholic wedding program

A Catholic wedding is a meticulously planned event, and it's a good idea to provide your guests with a program to help them follow the proceedings. Here is a guide on how to design a Catholic wedding program.

Choose a Program Design

To design your program, you can use a simple word document, or you can opt for a more advanced design using a website like Canva.com. You can also use a service such as VistaPrint, but this may increase your costs. Remember that the main function of the program is to aid your guests in participating in the Liturgy, so try not to get too fancy or complicated with the design.

Printing

If you want to keep costs down, you can get your programs printed at an office supply store. The store might also offer different types of paper that you can use. The cost will depend on the paper you choose and whether you print in colour or black and white. Printing in black and white tends to be cheaper.

What to Include

The first page should include basic information such as your names, the date of your marriage, the time that your wedding mass will begin, and the name of the church. You may also choose to include a picture of you as a couple.

On the next page, it is traditional to list the names of the important people in the wedding, including parents, attendants, and celebrants. This can include the Parents of the Bride and Groom, Maid of Honour, Best Man, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Flower Girl/Ring Bearer, Personal Attendant, and any Priests presiding over the mass.

On the following page, begin to list the order of the mass. This can include:

• Statement of Intentions
• Consent and Exchange of Vows
• Blessing and Exchange of Rings
• Prayers of the Faithful
• Memorial Acclamation
• Recessional

You can also include the songs you are using and the reading citations in your program.

Explaining Communion

If you are expecting non-Catholic guests, it is a good idea to include a note in your program explaining what happens at Communion. You can use the following text, or write something similar:

> “We as Catholics believe that the bread and wine presented has been transformed into the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We invite all Catholics who are in good standing with the Church to come forward and receive at this time. If you are not Catholic or do not wish to receive, you may come forward with your arms crossed over your chest for a blessing, or you may simply remain in your seat.”

Final Things to Add

At the end of your program, include reception details such as the time and location. You can also add other pertinent details, such as whether there will be a receiving line. You may also choose to add a short note of gratitude to your guests.

Although not necessary, you can include the lyrics to the congregational songs in your program to encourage participation.

Where to print a Catholic wedding program

A Catholic wedding is a meticulously planned event, with long-standing rituals, traditions, prayers, and songs. A wedding program is a great way to help your guests follow along with the ceremony and understand what is happening, especially if they are not Catholic.

There are several options for where to print a Catholic wedding program. Here are some suggestions:

Canva

Canva is a free online design platform that offers customizable templates for Catholic wedding programs. You can change the colour of the fonts, add artwork, and make other customizations to suit your needs. With Canva, you can also download the files and print the programs yourself. One source mentions that they used Canva to design their program and then printed it at an office supply store to keep costs down.

VistaPrint

VistaPrint is another online service that can be used to design and print wedding programs. However, it may be more expensive than other options.

Word Document

If you want to design your program yourself, you can simply use a word document and then print it at a store or online.

Local Stationer

You can search for a local stationer to print your programs. The Knot Marketplace is a great resource for finding local stationers.

The Knot Invitations

The Knot Invitations offers editable wedding programs in a variety of designs that can be personalized based on your ceremony.

Minted, Zola, Artifact Uprising, and Zazzle

These online platforms offer customizable program designs that you can create yourself.

Your Local Church

Some Catholic churches may also offer printed programs for your wedding mass. You can inquire with your church to see if this is an option.

How to explain what happens at Communion

Explaining what happens at Communion during a Catholic wedding ceremony can be challenging, especially if you have non-Catholic guests. Here are some tips to help you navigate this:

Include Clear Information in Your Wedding Program:

Explain the Eucharist and who can receive it. You can use wording similar to the following:

"We as Catholics believe that the bread and wine presented has been transformed into the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We invite all Catholics who are in good standing with the Church to come forward and receive at this time. If you are not Catholic or do not wish to receive, you may come forward with your arms crossed over your chest for a blessing, or you may simply remain seated."

Discuss the Mass with Your Guests Prior to the Wedding:

Consider having individual or group conversations with your guests before the wedding day to explain the Eucharist and the importance of the Communion ritual. This can be done through personal conversations, emails, or a mass email with a rundown of the Mass.

Consult with Your Priest:

Ask your priest if they typically make any announcements regarding Communion. Many priests already plan to inform guests about Communion and who should receive it. You can also ask your priest to offer confessions before the wedding Mass, providing an opportunity for Catholic guests to receive absolution and be in a state of grace to receive the Eucharist.

Provide an Explanation During the Ceremony:

If you choose not to include a detailed explanation in your program, ensure that your priest provides a clear explanation during the ceremony. This will help guests who are unfamiliar with Catholic rituals understand the significance of Communion and respect the requirements for receiving the Eucharist.

Remember, the goal is to provide your guests with enough information to follow along and respect the Catholic traditions while also ensuring that your wedding remains focused on the celebration of your union.

Frequently asked questions