In the Catholic faith, marriage, or Holy Matrimony, as they call it, is one of the seven sacraments. It is a covenant between man and his wife in the eyes of God and the Church. Due to the reverence and sanctity of this ceremony, all catholic weddings are done before the church altar.
Source: The Wedding Blogger
This means that no catholic wedding is done in an outdoor setting. So, if you are a catholic, wanting to get married in the Catholic faith, and you were considering a garden theme or any other outdoor wedding, sorry to burst your bubble, but that is not possible.
When it comes to the Catholic tradition regarding matrimony, there are a few pointers you should take note of.
Pointers for Catholic Weddings
- Specific laws guide Catholic matrimony, and one stipulates that the couple must submit certain documents proving their identity and diligence as Catholics. They may have to submit documents like Baptism cards that prove they are baptized, are communicants, and confirmed in the Catholic fate.
- They will go through a very detailed interview process with the priest, where he deems their readiness for this sacred covenant.
- They will have to attend marriage classes held by the Church to further prepare them for marriage built on the foundations of the Catholic fate.
- Your wedding date requires careful planning. There are a lot of holy days or days of obligation within the Catholic calendar, and no wedding ceremony can be conducted in the Church during those days. Ensure you get help from the Church to set your date.
- As earlier mentioned, all weddings are done in front of the altar. The altar or Church is believed to be a sacred ground where Christ is present. Where else could you possibly do it but before Him?
- This is specifically for the bride; A beautiful bride is modest. That means no excessive cleavage or skin on display. You must remember that you are in a Church. You can always wear your preferred dress for your reception outside the Church.
The Order of the Catholic Wedding
A Traditional Catholic wedding includes a total mass and the Eucharist (Communion), which can take 45 minutes to an hour. A second option would be the rite of marriage ceremony. This takes place without a total mass and may take up to 30 minutes. Customarily, this is how a Catholic wedding ceremony should go;
- The groom and his best man enter first.
- The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen enter next
- The maid of honor follows on her own, and then the bride and father enter.
There are cases out of the norm where this order is not followed, but traditionally, this is what holds.
Marriage or Holy matrimony is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith that should not be taken lightly.
It is done with the utmost reverence and respect. It is an undertaking that cannot be broken off easily. Before going into a marriage as a Catholic, you must be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared.
