Sacraments
How to Plan a Catholic Wedding Liturgy
Preparing for Matrimony · 7 steps
Planning the celebration itself from the Order of Celebrating Matrimony: Mass or Liturgy of the Word, choosing the readings, sacred music, the questions and consent, the rings, Communion, the nuptial blessing, and the parish's practical rules.
7 steps · About 30 minutes
The wedding liturgy is a celebration of the Church, not a private ceremony, and the Order of Celebrating Matrimony gives it a clear shape: the couple are received at the church, the Word of God is proclaimed, the couple give their consent and exchange rings, the Church prays the nuptial blessing over them, and, at a Mass, they receive the Body and Blood of Christ together for the first time as husband and wife. Within that shape there are real choices to make, and this guide sets them out in the order the parish will ask about them.
What you need
- The parish's wedding planning booklet, which lists the readings, prayers and music the rite provides
- Readers (usually two), and gift bearers if the wedding is a Mass
- The parish musician's contact details, and a meeting with them early
- Two witnesses of age, usually the best man and maid or matron of honour, who need not be Catholic
- The rings, and the civil licence delivered to the parish before the day
When to pray it
The liturgy is normally celebrated on a Saturday or a weekday; weddings on Sundays and the great solemnities are discouraged, and during Lent the decoration and music are restrained in keeping with the season.
Steps
Step 1: Decide between Mass and the Liturgy of the Word
The Order of Celebrating Matrimony provides two full forms. The celebration of Matrimony within Mass is the norm for two Catholics: the rite of marriage follows the homily, and the couple and the congregation receive Holy Communion. The celebration of Matrimony without Mass has the same Liturgy of the Word, consent, rings and nuptial blessing, followed by the and a blessing, and it is recommended when one party is not Catholic, so that the two families share equally in the whole celebration. Neither is 'more married' than the other; the sacrament is the consent. Decide with the priest, looking at who will be in the pews.
Tips
- Choose readings you can hear yourselves in, and at least one that speaks of marriage directly, as the rite asks.
- The unity candle, sand ceremonies and similar customs are not part of the Catholic rite; most parishes ask that they be kept for the reception.
- Ask your readers to practise aloud, and to read from the Lectionary at the ambo rather than from a phone.
- Photographers and florists work within the parish's rules; give them the rules early so the day is not spent negotiating.