How Long is a Catholic Wedding?
If you are considering having a Catholic wedding ceremony you may wonder how long it will take. Here is what you need to know about a Catholic wedding.
So, how long is a Catholic wedding? It all depends on whether you are having a mass service or not. If you choose to have a mass service within your ceremony it will take from 45 minutes to an hour. If you decide not to have a mass, it will take from 20 to 30 minutes.
Continue reading for more great information on having a Catholic wedding ceremony.
Do I Need to Have a Mass in my Catholic Wedding Ceremony?
This may be a pressing question if you or your fiance are Catholic and have decided to have a Catholic wedding ceremony.
Not if only one of you is Catholic. If only you or your fiance are Catholic than you are not required to have a Mass during your ceremony. This is sometimes up to you and your fiance. If your significant other is apart of another religion, it is common to have a long ceremony that mixes the two cultures together. A ceremony like this may take as long as an hour and a half.
If you are both Catholic, yes. It is common that if both you and your fiance are Catholic then you will have a mass during your ceremony. If you want a rushed wedding then you may not have this, but typically you will. Sometimes mass will include communion. This could make your ceremony on the longer side, and even longer if your guests choose to take it with you. Usually, a Catholic wedding ceremony with mass will take about an hour.
What Should I Expect in a Catholic Wedding Ceremony?
Catholic wedding ceremonies are full of tradition. If you attend mass on a regular basis then you may understand what a Catholic wedding looks like. If not, here is a simple breakdown of what a traditional Catholic wedding may consist of.
Bible readings. A typical ceremony will have at least three biblical readings. This is how your ceremony will begin. Your Priest will usually read from one of the four gospels. You could also have a friend or family member read from a passage of the New Testament. After the reading is over, the Priest will give insight into the passages that have been read.
Vows and exchanging of rings. The vows and rings will come next. Vows are very traditional and you typically don’t write your own vows. Sometimes you may be able to change a word or two but this is strongly discouraged. In the US, the vows are the typical “till death do we part” ritual.
Prayers and Blessings. If you are Catholic or have attended a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony you are probably familiar with the Prayer of the Faithful, nuptial blessing, and prayers performed. These are very traditional routines that are given at every Catholic wedding. Afterward, there is often music of some kind.
Communion. This may not happen at every Catholic wedding, but some do take of communion. This will happen between just the bride and groom and sometimes the entire congregation. If your wedding takes place during a public mass, this will commonly happen. Note that if your wedding does happen during public mass, your wedding format could be much different.
