Catholic Wedding Traditions And Rituals

A Catholic wedding is a beautiful, symbolic affair steeped in tradition and liturgy. It is a worship service, an offering of praise and worship to God, who calls a man and a woman together in marriage. The ceremony is not private but a public ritual, celebrated in a church, and is intended to encourage those gathered to witness the vows and participate fully in the liturgy. The wedding usually takes place in the bride's parish church, though sometimes it is held in a church that holds a special connection for the couple.

The ceremony consists of biblical readings, the exchange of vows, the exchange of rings, the Prayer of the Faithful, the nuptial blessing, prayers and music. If the couple are both Catholic, the ceremony will be a Nuptial Mass, which includes all the parts of a regular mass, including communion. If one partner is not Catholic, the couple may opt for a Celebration of Marriage, which includes readings and a homily before the vows, but no Communion ceremony.

The length of the ceremony depends on whether the couple decide to partake in a full Catholic Mass or an abbreviated version. A full Mass may take more than an hour because of the various liturgical elements included.

The ceremony: what to expect

Catholic weddings are steeped in tradition and liturgy, and are considered a public ritual. The ceremony will take place in a church, usually the home church of the bride or groom, and will be a formal affair. The length of the ceremony depends on whether the couple decides to partake in a full Catholic Mass or an abbreviated version. A full Mass will include communion and will take about an hour, whereas a ceremony without Mass is usually 30 to 40 minutes.

The ceremony will begin with the wedding party processing into the room, led by the priest, who will then create the sign of the cross. The priest will then greet the couple and their guests, followed by an opening prayer. If the couple is Catholic, the ceremony will then follow the structure of a Nuptial Mass, including all the parts of a regular Mass, such as the Liturgy of the Word (readings and a homily) and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. If the couple opts for a Celebration of Marriage, this will include readings and a homily, but no Communion ceremony.

The couple will then exchange their vows, with the priest joining their hands and asking them to confirm that they take each other as their "lawfully wedded wife/husband". The couple will respond, "I do". The priest will then bless the rings and give them to the couple to exchange.

If the ceremony includes Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist will follow the exchange of rings. The priest will lead the congregation in the Lord's Prayer, or the Our Father, and there will be a blessing from the priest before a Communion hymn is sung.

The ceremony will conclude with a final blessing for the married couple and the dismissal of the congregation. The priest will say, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord", to which the congregation replies, "Thanks be to God". The couple will then lead the procession out of the church.

The wedding attire

When it comes to the wedding attire for a Catholic ceremony, there are a few things to keep in mind. While the Catholic Church doesn't have specific written rules about the dress code for weddings, it's important to remember that church ceremonies are usually formal affairs that warrant proper attention to your fashion choices. Here are some guidelines for both guests and the wedding party to help you choose the right attire for a Catholic wedding:

Guests Attire

For guests attending a Catholic wedding, it is generally encouraged to dress modestly and formally. Here are some tips for male and female guests:

• Men should wear a shirt and tie, if not a suit, for the church ceremony. Hats are not permitted for male guests.
• Women can wear skirts, dresses, or even dress pants. It is advisable to cover the arms and back with a shawl or light jacket during the ceremony, which can be removed during the reception. Avoid wearing short or revealing dresses that expose the thighs when sitting down.
• When deciding what colour to wear, consider the formality of the event and the time of day. While wearing black is generally acceptable, it may appear overly solemn for a casual or outdoor wedding. Lighter colours are often more suitable for midday weddings.
• Avoid wearing sandals, leggings, jeans, cut-out outfits, crop tops, or see-through clothing.

Wedding Party Attire

For the wedding party, including the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, here are some guidelines to follow:

• The bride should wear a modest wedding gown, avoiding excessive cleavage, plunging necklines, short hemlines, or inappropriate cut-outs. If the dress has spaghetti straps or bare shoulders, a shawl or bolero can be added for coverage during the ceremony.
• The groom and groomsmen should wear suits. Cut-off shirts that reveal the arms are not appropriate for the occasion.
• Bridesmaids should also wear modest attire, avoiding low-cut, plunging necklines, excessive cleavage, short, or tight dresses. Some churches may require covered shoulders, so it's best to check with the priest beforehand.
• Groomsmen should also be dressed conservatively, with a shirt and tie at a minimum.

In summary, the key to dressing for a Catholic wedding is modesty and formality. It is always a good idea to refer to the invitation or wedding website for specific dress code guidelines provided by the couple. Additionally, the priest or religious counsellor can provide guidance on any specific requirements or restrictions for the wedding attire.

The wedding procession

The Procession

The Catholic priest, followed by the groom and best man, enter the ceremony from the side of the venue and take their places at the altar. The priest is positioned in the centre, with the groom on his right and the best man on the groom's right.

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

The bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle in pairs, with the groomsman on the right and the bridesmaid on the left. They start with the attendants who will stand farthest from the bride and groom. Once the pair reaches the end of the aisle, they part ways, with the groomsman turning right and the bridesmaid turning left.

Maid of Honour/Matron of Honour

The maid of honour walks down the aisle after the bridesmaids and groomsmen and stands next to the bride, on her left. She may hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony and should return it to her right after the kiss.

Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

The children can walk down the aisle together or the ring bearer can enter before the flower girl. The ring bearer carries the wedding rings, usually tied to a pillow, and the flower girl carries a basket of petals, which she scatters as she walks. Once they've reached the front, the children may then be seated with their parents.

Bride and Father of the Bride

The bride is escorted down the aisle by her father, who stands on her right side. Traditionally, the father escorts her to the end of the aisle and then takes his seat in the first row next to the bride's mother.

The exchange of vows and rings

The vows may be similar to those of other wedding ceremonies, or they may be unique to the couple. The basic wording is: "I [name], take you [name] to be my wife/husband. I promise to be true to you in good times, in sickness, and in health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life."

The priest will then bless the couple, joining their hands together, and ask: "Do you take [name] as your lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

After the couple responds "I do", the exchange of rings takes place. The best man usually has both rings and gives the bride's ring to the priest, who blesses it and hands it to the groom to place on the bride's finger. The maid of honour then hands the groom's ring to the priest, who blesses it and gives it to the bride to place on the groom's finger. As they do so, they may say: "I take this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

The conclusion of the ceremony

The conclusion of a Catholic wedding ceremony depends on whether the couple has chosen to include a full Mass or not. If the ceremony includes a Nuptial Mass, the Mass proceeds with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where the couple or other special guests may help prepare the altar, and the priest delivers Eucharistic Prayers over the bread and wine for communion. In some Catholic weddings, the bride places flowers on the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary while musicians play "Ave Maria." The guests then participate in reciting the Lord's Prayer, followed by a nuptial blessing, where the couple kneels or stands before the altar and the priest offers a blessing for them. The priest then invites the wedding party and guests to share in a sign of peace, such as a handshake, and the words, "Peace be with you." The priest then distributes communion to the newlyweds and then the guests, with non-Catholics receiving a blessing from the priest instead. After communion, the ceremony concludes with a final blessing for the married couple and guests, who are then dismissed with "Go in peace with Christ," to which they respond, "Thanks be to God." The wedding couple then leads the recessional out of the church.

If the ceremony takes place without a Mass, it concludes with nuptial blessings and a final prayer from the priest. The priest tells the congregation, "Go in peace with Christ," and they respond, "Thanks be to God." The wedding couple then leads the recessional out of the church.

Frequently asked questions