Catholic Weddings

Since the Rite of Marriage involves a commitment to the Church on the part of the couple, as well as to the couple on the part of the Church, a sacramental marriage between two Catholics normally takes place within the context of the community’s Eucharistic gathering. This public exchange of vows in the Church is what we call a “wedding” (from an old English word meaning ‘to pledge’). If celebrating the Rite of Marriage outside Mass is pastorally appropriate (for interfaith or ecumenical couples, for example), then other options can be explored. Since it is the couple themselves who administer the sacrament to each other, the Rite of Marriage only requires the additional presence of a Church representative who presides over the Rite (typically a priest or deacon), as well as two additional witnesses.

As a couple nears the conclusion of their preparation process for marriage, they naturally begin to focus more on preparing and planning for the wedding itself. Please scroll down for a list of recommended resources and materials to assist you in planning for the big day. For more information on the marriage preparation process itself (which typically begins 9-12 months before the wedding), please click here.