Catholic Wedding Ceremony Guide

If you or your partner are Catholic and you’re planning your wedding, you’ve probably considered having a Catholic wedding ceremony. Catholic ceremonies are steeped in tradition and rituals, so they often follow a very similar structure. They’re also elegant, beautiful and romantic, and focus not only on the promise you’re making to each other, but your promise to God as well.

But, what exactly happens at a Catholic wedding ceremony and how do you know if it’s the right choice for you?

In this post, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions about Catholic weddings, including what they are, what happens at one and how much they cost. That way, you’ll have all the information you need to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you and your partner.

For more information about some of the most common types of ceremony, read our ultimate wedding ceremony guide.

What is a Catholic wedding ceremony?

A Catholic wedding ceremony is a wedding ceremony that takes place in a church and follows a set structure. It may or may not include a nuptial mass, which is similar to a regular mass, only it takes place alongside the wedding. If you don’t want a nuptial mass at your ceremony, speak to the priest about this and discuss your hopes and expectations with them.

The ceremony will of course focus on your love and marriage, but there’ll also be a strong link to Christianity. That means there’ll be many references to God and Jesus, which may be in the words spoken by the officiant, and in the readings, hymns, blessings and prayers.

How soon can you have a Catholic wedding ceremony?

The Catholic Church asks that you give at least six months’ notice if you intend to get married in a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony.

What happens before a Catholic wedding ceremony?

Many of the same traditions happen before a Catholic wedding ceremony as they do with other types of ceremony, for example a stag or hen party and the bride and groom not seeing each other. However, one major difference with Catholic weddings is that there are programs that help prepare couples for married life.

The preparation program, known as Pre-Cana, is a mandatory program that lasts six months. This is the reason why you must give at least six months’ notice if you want to get married in a Catholic church.

In Pre-Cana, couples are taught about how to adapt to marriage. It focuses on your relationship with God and the Church, healthy values, managing money, responsibility, parenting, intimacy and more. If you can’t attend in-person sessions, there are online courses available. You can discuss with your priest as to whether they’re happy for you to choose this route.

How popular are Catholic wedding ceremonies?

Thanks to Bridebook’s 2023 Wedding Report, we know that 3% of weddings last year were in a place of worship. However, as well as churches, this also includes other places of worship, such as a synagogue or mosque. 

2023 data released by the Office for National Statistics found that there were 3,916 Catholic weddings in 2019, which is approximately 1% of all ceremonies that took place in the UK.

What type of couples usually choose a Catholic wedding ceremony?

As you might expect, only Catholics get married in a Catholic wedding ceremony. However, both halves of the couple don’t need to be Catholic – to have a Catholic wedding ceremony, just one needs to be a member of the church. If you’re part of a mixed-faith relationship, it’s your choice whether you have a Catholic ceremony or you opt for something else.

Whether or not you choose to have a Catholic ceremony depends on your beliefs, preferences and budget.

Are Catholic weddings expensive?

The average cost of a church wedding in the UK is £5,480. However, this figure is the average cost of weddings that take place in any type of Christian church.

In actuality, we know exactly how much it costs to get married in a Catholic church: nothing. Because the Church believes that marriage is a gift from God, it doesn’t cost a penny to have the ceremony itself. But, the Church will ask for a voluntary donation of £150 to help with the upkeep of the church and its grounds. Believe it or not, it costs up to £100,000 annually to maintain a church, so if you are keen on having a Catholic wedding, it’s recommended that you contribute towards that upkeep with a donation.

It’s also worth noting that there’s also an additional fee for any ‘extras’ you might like to have included at your ceremony. These, and their approximate costs, include:

• Organist – £50
• Bell ringer – £40
• Verger – £40
• Extra heating – £65

You’ll also need to factor in the cost of external vendors you might choose to hire, such as florists, decor, a photographer and videographer. One non-negotiable vendor you’ll need to hire is a registrar to ensure your marriage is legal. Some churches will have a registrar while others don’t, so this is something else to check with your priest.

If you plan on celebrating after the ceremony with a wedding breakfast and reception, this will of course come at a cost, as you can’t host this at the church.

Who officiates a Catholic wedding ceremony?

A Catholic wedding is usually officiated by a priest, or in some cases a bishop.

Is a Catholic wedding ceremony legally binding?

Yes, a Catholic wedding ceremony is legally binding so long as a registrar is also present at the ceremony. Some churches have their own registrar, but if not you’ll have to hire one for the date of your wedding.

Where are Catholic wedding ceremonies held?

Catholic weddings are always held at a Catholic church. If you’re looking for greater flexibility and would like to get married elsewhere, you’ll have to consider having a different type of wedding ceremony.

How long are Catholic wedding ceremonies?

When you speak to your priest about your wedding, you should be given a choice about whether or not you’d like to include a mass at the same time as your ceremony. If you include a communion and mass, your wedding ceremony will take around an hour. If you don’t have a mass, your ceremony will take between 30 and 45 minutes.

Catholic weddings often last longer than traditional weddings due to the references to God and religion, with the addition of hymns, readings, blessings and prayers.

For more information, read our guide to how long wedding ceremonies take.

When does a Catholic wedding ceremony take place?

Read our post on the best wedding day timeline for more information about what happens on a wedding day and when.

What words are exchanged at a Catholic wedding ceremony?

Many Roman Catholic wedding ceremonies follow a set structure, so the words spoken will often be reminiscent of other Catholic ceremonies you may have been to. Most of the words are spoken by the officiant, but you and your partner will also speak to exchange vows and consent to the marriage. These include

1. The address and statement of intention

The priest will ask whether you’ve come together to enter into marriage freely and without coercion, to which you’ll both respond by saying, ‘I have’.

The priest will then ask whether you’re both prepared to follow the path of marriage, to love and honour each other for as long as you both shall live. You’ll then respond by saying, ‘I am.’

2. Exchange of consent

The priest will then ask you to repeat the exchange of consent, which is as follows:

“I, [YOUR FULL NAME], take you, [YOUR PARTNER’S FULL NAME], to be my [WIFE/HUSBAND/PARTNER]. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days of my life.”

3. Exchanging of the rings

As you exchange rings, you’ll also say the following words:

“[YOUR PARTNER’S FULL NAME], receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Unfortunately, because Catholic ceremonies follow a program template, it’s unlikely that the priest will allow you to write or speak personal vows. If you would like a much greater amount of personalisation at your wedding, you may have to plan a different type of ceremony.

What traditions are there at a Catholic wedding ceremony?

Because Catholic wedding ceremonies stick to a relatively strict structure, there are plenty of traditions that take place. Which traditions you choose to include in your own ceremony depends on your preferences and the flexibility of that structure. If there are any traditions you want to change, you can speak to the priest ahead of the ceremony. Some of the most popular Catholic wedding ceremony traditions include:

• The processional, which is a staple at many different ceremonies. However, unlike traditional ceremonies, the groom enters first but from the side, not down the aisle.
• The opening greeting and hymn, where the priest issues a greeting and invites your guests to sing a hymn, which is often Gloria.
• Nuptial mass, which many couples choose to include. 
• Recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, shared as a unifying, sacred expression.
• Holy Communion, which symbolises the spiritual unity of the couple and their journey together.

What do you wear at a Catholic wedding?

Catholic wedding ceremonies are semi-formal, so you don’t have to wear a tuxedo or dig out a hat. But, grooms will probably want to wear a suit, and brides a dress that’s relatively modest. The Church is becoming more open to sleeveless shirts and dresses, but aren’t quite as happy about plunging necklines or deep backs. Traditionally, the bride wears a veil, but this is also something the modern Church is more relaxed about.

What is the order at a Catholic wedding ceremony?

As we’ve already highlighted, Catholic weddings usually follow a set structure that will happen in a certain order. However, there will be a slight variation to this if you haven’t chosen to include a nuptial mass to take place alongside your wedding ceremony. Below is an example of what your Catholic wedding mass program might look like:

1. The processional

The processional begins with the priest entering from the side, followed by the groom and his best man. They stand at the altar, as the rest of the wedding party enter and walk down the aisle towards the altar in the following order:

• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen
• Maid of honour
• Ring bearer or page boy
• Flower girl
• The bride and her father

2. The entrance rites

Once everyone has taken their seats, the priest begins by welcoming everyone to the ceremony and invites everyone to sing a hymn, usually Gloria, before reading a prayer. Because at least half of the couple has to be Catholic, it’s assumed that at least half of the guests will also be Catholic and therefore take part.

3. The readings

You can invite some of your guests to read Bible verses, which will usually include one from the New Testament and one from the Old Testament. The theme of the readings will be love, marriage or commitment. Your guests will repeat the Responsorial Psalm. There are seven to choose from, which you and your partner should consider during the lead-up to the ceremony.

4. The gospel

The priest will ask your guests to stand and they’ll read a passage from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John which will centre around love or marriage. Popular passages include Matthew 5:13-16, Mark 10: 6-9 and John 2:1-11.

5. The homily

The priest will perform a sermon, also known as the homily. This explains the meaning behind the gospel and how it applies to your marriage.

6. The vows

You will now be asked to say your vows, which are known as the rite of marriage. You can choose to recite them or read them, or the priest may read the vows so you can say I do. These are sacred and special words, which means you can’t write your own vows to use in a Catholic ceremony.

7. The ring ceremony

The priest will ask the best man for the rings, which they’ll first bless with holy water and by saying a prayer. You’ll then be asked to say a few more words as you place the ring on your partner’s finger.

8. The offertory

Some of your guests will now offer gifts, which they’ll do by bringing them to the altar. You’ll ask your guests to do this ahead of the ceremony, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise. For your other guests, a collection plate will be passed around the church so they can give a monetary donation. 

At the same time, the priest will bless bread and wine, which is known as the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

9. The Lord’s Prayer

The congregation will recite The Lord’s Prayer in unison.

10. The sign of peace

The priest will ask everyone in attendance to greet each other with a warm welcome and handshake. This is a gesture of neighbourly love.

11. Holy Communion

Your guests will line up at the altar for the priest to offer them bread and wine, something that symbolises the body and blood of Jesus Christ. 

12. The first kiss

The priest will invite the two of you to share your first kiss as a married couple. If the bride chooses to wear a veil, this is when the groom will lift it to see his wife’s face.

13. The nuptial blessing

The priest will say a final prayer which will end with the words, go in peace. Your guests will respond by saying, thanks be to God.

14. The recessional

The wedding party will leave the church in the opposite order to how they entered. Outside, you’ll take part in a photoshoot, including the wedding staple, the confetti shot.

For more information on the different orders at various ceremonies, read our guide to wedding ceremony orders.

How do you book a Catholic wedding ceremony?

Once you’re engaged and have decided you’d like to have a Catholic wedding ceremony, the first thing to do is speak to the priest at your local Catholic church. The priest will then explain everything that needs to be done ahead of the wedding, such as the preparation program and paperwork. They should also be able to suggest a number of dates so you can begin planning the rest of your wedding.

Who plans a Catholic wedding ceremony?

You can plan a Catholic wedding ceremony with the help of your priest. They should be able to advise you about what you want to include at the ceremony, including hymns, readings and any extras, such as an organist or bell ringer.

What comes after a Catholic wedding ceremony?

If you’ve chosen to have a Catholic wedding ceremony, there aren’t many options when it comes to personalisation. So, if you’re excited to create a theme and style, what you do after the ceremony is where you can really let your personalities shine through and go crazy with creativity.

After the ceremony, many couples choose to have a wedding breakfast, which includes a three- or four-course meal, some drinks, and speeches. This is then followed by an evening reception with buffet food, dancing and, of course, more drinks. Or, you could jump straight into the evening reception if you wish. What you do is up to you, your preferences and your budget. Just make it your own!

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Browse other similar articles…

• The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide
• The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Order
• The Best Wedding Day Timeline
• How Long is a Wedding Ceremony?
• 25 Best Bible Readings for a Wedding Ceremony

Happy Planning!