Planning the Wedding Ceremony

Since the bride and the groom are the ministers of the Sacrament of Marriage, they should have a prominent role in the planning of their wedding liturgy. The officiating priest or deacon will work with the couple to help them prepare the wedding liturgy. Copies of the marriage planning workbook, Together for Life, are available from the officiating priest or deacon.

When both parties are of the Catholic faith, the celebration of the marriage should take place within a Mass. If one of the parties is not Catholic, the celebration usually takes place at a ceremony outside Mass.

The normal structure of the wedding is as follows:

• Entrance Procession of ministers and bridal party
• Gathering Hymn (optional but strongly recommended)
• Opening Prayer
• Liturgy of the Word:
  –Old Testament Reading
  –Responsorial Psalm (usually sung)
  –New Testament Reading
  –Gospel Acclamation (usually sung)
  –Gospel Reading
  –Homily
• Rite of Marriage:
  –Introductory Address and Statement of Intentions
  –Exchange of Consent (vows)
  –Blessing and Exchange of Rings

If the wedding is celebrated at a Nuptial Mass, then it continues with:

• Prayer of the Faithful
• Liturgy of the Eucharist:
  –Presentation of the Gifts
  –Eucharistic Prayer (with sung acclamations)
  –Nuptial Blessing
  –Communion
  –Prayer after Communion
• Final Blessing
• Recessional

If the wedding is celebrated outside Mass, then it continues with:

• Prayer of the Faithful
• Nuptial Blessing
• The Lord’s Prayer
• Final Blessing
• Recessional