Planning A Catholic Church Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a Catholic church wedding involves more than just picking a date and venue. It's about creating a sacred and meaningful celebration of your love and commitment to each other. The ceremony is typically divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The former includes readings from the Bible, the homily, prayers of the faithful, and the exchange of vows. The latter involves the presentation of the bread and wine, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Lord's Prayer, the sign of peace, and the distribution of Communion. It's recommended that couples planning Catholic church weddings save more lead time—six months to a year—for marriage prep.

Choosing a church and officiant

Planning a Catholic wedding involves a series of steps, which should be spread out over a period of time. The timeline can vary depending on the couple and the church, but it's recommended that couples start planning at least six months to a year in advance.

Readings and vows

Planning a Catholic wedding involves a series of steps, which can vary depending on the couple and the church. Typically, couples should start planning their Catholic wedding at least six months to a year in advance. The ceremony is typically divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word includes readings from the Bible, the homily, prayers of the faithful, and the exchange of vows.

Choosing the readings for your Catholic wedding is a personal and spiritual journey. Couples should start choosing their readings and vows four to six months before the wedding, along with planning the order of the mass and beginning work on the wedding program. The Bible readings are usually chosen from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Gospels. The Old Testament readings are often chosen from the books of Genesis, Exodus, Isaiah, or Psalms. The New Testament readings are usually chosen from the books of Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, or Colossians. The Gospels are usually chosen from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

The homily is a reflection on the readings and is usually given by the priest or deacon. The prayers of the faithful are a time for the couple to pray for their family, friends, and community. The exchange of vows is a personal and meaningful moment for the couple. The vows are usually written by the couple and are a reflection of their love and commitment to each other.

Music and liturgy

Planning a Catholic wedding ceremony involves more than just picking a date and venue. It's about creating a sacred and meaningful celebration of your love and commitment to each other. The ceremony is typically divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word includes readings from the Bible, the homily, prayers of the faithful, and the exchange of vows. The Liturgy of the Eucharist involves the presentation of the bread and wine, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Lord's Prayer, the sign of peace, and the distribution of Communion. Choosing the readings for your Catholic wedding is a personal and spiritual journey.

Attire and roles

Planning a Catholic wedding involves a series of steps, which can vary depending on the couple and the church. It is recommended that couples start planning at least six months to a year in advance. The first step is to choose a church and officiant, and start gathering the necessary documents. Four to six months before the wedding, couples should choose their readings and vows, start planning the order of the mass, and begin working on the wedding program. Two to four months before, the details of the ceremony should be finalised, including music and liturgy, attire and roles, and any personal touches.

The attire for a Catholic wedding should be modest, simple, and comfortable. For women, this means avoiding short hems, plunging necklines, and overly trendy dresses with cutouts. Instead, opt for a knee-length dress, skirt and blouse, or pantsuit for semi-formal events, or a cocktail dress, midi dress, elevated jumpsuit, or floor-length gown for formal events. Men can wear tailored suits for either dress code or a tux for formal events.

The traditional roles in a Catholic wedding include the groom, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honour, and bride. The groom and best man enter from the side of the church first, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, who escort one another up the aisle. The maid of honour enters alone, and the bride enters last with her father or another male family member. There is also an option for the bride and groom to enter the church with their wedding party and priest, either together or with their respective parents.

Marriage preparation

Planning a Catholic church wedding involves more than just picking a date and venue. It's about creating a sacred and meaningful celebration of your love and commitment to each other. Marriage preparation is a key part of this. It is recommended that couples planning Catholic church weddings save more lead time—nine months to a year—for marriage prep. This includes a program of marriage preparation directed towards the couple examining certain areas in their lives that they hadn't before. It also includes the technical, canonical, or legal aspects necessary for the church. Different dioceses may have different requirements, so it's best to reach out to the parish where you intend to get married. Some parishes are stricter when it comes to documents, and some priests may prefer a more intensive couple coaching.

The first step is to contact your local pastor. Every Catholic church bulletin has a number to call if you are looking to plan a wedding. You will probably have to call instead of email, but check the bulletin to be sure.

The ceremony is typically divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word includes readings from the Bible, the homily, prayers of the faithful, and the exchange of vows. The Liturgy of the Eucharist involves the presentation of the bread and wine, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Lord's Prayer, the sign of peace, and the distribution of Communion. Choosing the readings for your Catholic wedding is a personal and spiritual journey.

Frequently asked questions